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Original poster

Arrgh! damn emergency doctors! (and what have I done? )

102 replies

SenoraPostrophe · 09/01/2004 14:43

Need to tell someone this.

I posted a thread a couple of weeks ago about a weird lump behind dd's ear. I took her to the emergency doctor, who told me it was just a bump, but why don't I give her antibiotics anyway? (she had had a fever, but it has passed)

I bought the antibiotics but didn't give them for a few days as I don't like to give my baby drugs for nothing. It didn't go away so i started giving the antibiotics.

But it's got worse so today i took her to the proper doctor (almost left it till Monday - she is fine so it didn't seem an emergency). I swear everyone was giving me odd looks in the waiting room for having an emergency appt. with such a healthy-looking little girl.

Anyway doc has told me to take her to hosptial today without fail. I would be there now, but she said it was OK to give her a nap first. She's written "mastoiditis" on the form - eeek! that's a v important gland for hearing isn't it? Why didn't I listen to my instincts and take her back to the proper doctor as soon as I could? Why do they bother having emergency out of hours clinics anyway? (this is Spain, so out of hours is any time after 3pm).

The thing that makes me feel better is that she seems fine, but as the doctor said, it's a very dangerous place to have an infection. At least the hospital is the same one where I'll be going to give birth any day now.

OP posts:

GRMUM · 18/01/2004 17:17

Dear SP sorry to hear about all this - it sounds EXACTLY like the system here in Greece as regards nursing care.Ican really understand what you and dh are going through. I look on british hospitals and especially british nurses in a very different light these days.(they are wonderful)No real great advice I'm afraid do you have any friends who could help out with the hospital duties? Maybe friends who have or know a resposible woman who could help(for payment I suspect) Could your mum or some other relative come out to you at short notice? I have always been able to cope with things like this because my mil is brilliant at dropping everything and coming to help. Hope things improve real soon.

WideWebWitch · 18/01/2004 19:08

Oh no Senora, how awful and scary. I'm so sorry your dd isn't home yet, not surprised you needed to rant. Is there anyone who can come over and help you? Let us know if we can do anything won't you? Thinking of you.

pie · 18/01/2004 19:14

I'm not surprise you need to vent SP, when DD1 was in hospital I was so glad the nurses would look after her so I could seek out food. I don't know what I would have done if they didn't. Can any of DP's family sit with her one night?

You must feel torn in two, I hope that let DD home after the CAT scan, let me know if there is anything you need. pie xx

JanH · 18/01/2004 19:14

They're all in England too, Pie

Hulababy · 18/01/2004 20:36

I hope your DD is able to come home soon SP. This must be really hard for all of you. Take care.

pie · 18/01/2004 21:00

Oh, thanks JanH, I didn't realise

Original poster

SenoraPostrophe · 18/01/2004 21:52

Thanks everyone. Just found out that the girl in the next bad was admitted with fever and sickness - I'm hoping dd has just caught what she has and that the infection hasn't come back. Now I'm washing my hands like a mad thing in case ds catches anything.

Things could be worse I guess. The auxiliary (who is paid, but who charges a ludicrously low amount IMO) has said she can do the next two nights and dd knows her now. She still screams when I leave though

Plus ds is a good sleeper - at least I get a few 3 hour streches in the night. Mum is coming on Thurs. Just need to hold out till then.

OP posts:

bunny2 · 18/01/2004 21:59

Hi Lucy, things sound horrendous for you. It must be awful to feel so alone, thank goodness your Mum is on her way soon. Arent there any ex-pats where you are that could give you a hand in the meantime?

Original poster

SenoraPostrophe · 18/01/2004 22:04

Hi Bunny, how are you?

I have to say I'm on the verge of bullying dp into moving back to England now. Maybe I'll feel differently when it's all over.

We do have a few friends here, who have been very supportive. But I am loath to leave dd with yet another stranger and the ones she knows all have things to do. We'll manage. Just need to do some ranting in the meantime!

OP posts:

harman · 18/01/2004 22:07

Message withdrawn

Luckymum · 18/01/2004 22:09

Rant away Sp......and thank heavens for mum

bunny2 · 18/01/2004 22:12

Hi Lucy, are you really considering coming back? I can only imagine how bleak things look at the moment but once you have both your children at home with you, you might feel very different.
In the meantime feel free to rant as much as you like.

BTW I am watching a news item, 91% of Brits want to emigrate, I didnt think it was that high.

Azure · 19/01/2004 11:14

My sympathies - what an ordeal for all of you. After my DS had the operation for mastoiditis he was meant to have a CAT scan, but he just couldn't keep still - they didn't do it in the end. Does your DD really need a general anaesthetic for this? I hope the bug DD has clears up quickly and you can be together again.

Original poster

SenoraPostrophe · 21/01/2004 16:41

SHE'S HOME!!!

finally.

And she's asleep, as are ds and dp, bless them. Better not get too used to a quiet house!

To finish off the story, yesterday was perhaps the worst day we have ever had. Dd had to have a CT scan in the afternoon, and last time they needed a gen. anasthetic so they kept her off food and water from 9am. She had had a nasty tummy bug the day before so hadn't eaten much then either, and she only slept for about 4 hours.

I saw her at about 1pm and it was just awful. She was mad with hunger, thirst and lack of sleep. She couldn't sleep because of the noise in the room and the hunger presumably. She just kept asking for water. Her face was grey and there were enormous bags round her eyes - a really horrible sight on a 20 month old face.

They finally put her on a drip at about 4pm and she managed to get about 20 mins sleep, but no-one could tell us when the scan would be.

The scan was at 9pm. We had been told we could go home afterwards if it was clear so we waited. But afterwards she was so tired, and she so clearly needed the drip that we left her in hospital another night. But here's the thing: they didn't give her an anasthetic. She wouldn't keep still and the scan was pointless. So we had starved our daughter all day for absolutely no reason. I'm still livid now, but feel a bit better because she is home, where she can recover in peace. It also helps that there are no other sick children at home to catch tummy bugs from, and we obviously have proper hygiene facilities (eg. a sink on the same floor and soap) and a cot, highchair, etc.

On the positive side, most of the nurses were lovely, as were the doctors. It was the facilities and the communications between the two that were absolute b**cks

Looking at private health insurance sites now.

OP posts:

zebra · 21/01/2004 16:43

Fabby, fabby, fabby.

zebra · 21/01/2004 16:44

(About the being home, not the pointless bits that made you livid, obviously).

DSW · 21/01/2004 16:51

Glad she is home and hope she feels better soon. Bless her!! How is the new baby doing?

Original poster

SenoraPostrophe · 21/01/2004 16:55

thanks dsw - forgot about him! (neglectful mother already...) he is fine. Dd seems very impressed so far, but she can't touch him yet due to tummy bug. She was enjoying saying "shhh" to him on the way home - very cute. He sleeps and eats well, and we've had a few nice awake moments. I'll post a pic when I get round to it.

OP posts:

Azure · 21/01/2004 16:55

Really glad to hear she is home. Unbelievable about the treatment yesterday - your poor DD. Best wishes for your newly extended family.

LIZS · 21/01/2004 16:56

So pleased for you that she is home. Enjoy being a family

suedonim · 21/01/2004 16:59

I'm so pleased you're all reunited, SP. You'll be surprised how soon the memories fade and become just like a bad dream.

Hulababy · 21/01/2004 17:12

Pleased to hear you are all now reunited. What a terrible ordeal for DD; I hope she gets over it quickly.

I look forward to hearing more about how DD and DS get to kknow each other.

mears · 21/01/2004 17:17

Glad to hear you are all back together after the terrible time you have had

JanH · 21/01/2004 17:18

I am so happy that she is finally home, SP! xxx

popsycal · 21/01/2004 19:06

Glad that you are all together again!!!

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