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It was awful, just awful :)

43 replies

Galaxy · 07/09/2004 20:28

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Fennel · 08/09/2004 08:17

For the others who are going to have this scan (I know there's several of us) here's what my dsis says who used to do this job as a junior doctor - it might help to know what they are SUPPOSED to do:

That is an appalling example of what shouldn't happen ever.
Here is what we used to do (in Lancaster 7 years ago). The children would come to the child-friendly day ward with specially trained nurses and play assistants. They would have magic cream put on. They would have been told to expect to be there at least until after lunch but had access to lovely play room and helpers while there.

Trained paed nurses would explain to the parent how to hold the child in a tight cuddle, the nurse would then hold their wrist. The Dr (eg me) would then do the cannula. 90% of children didn't even feel it at all because magic cream does work but sometimes needs more than 1/2 hour. As junior doctors we had strict instructions NEVER to have more than 2 attempts at inserting a canula (same for taking blood) and would get a more senior Doctor to do it. The nurses saw it as their duty to keep the child calm and would have stopped the attempt if the child became distressed.

I didn't used to go with them down to the scan department but they all said it was fine when they got back. I'm not sure why the child was swaddled or whether this was usually done.

If you are worried I could go with you (when is it?). But you would just need to be assertive ie if X can still feel despite the magic cream, make them wait (you can still feel pressure but not pain), you can test this with a gentle pin prick with her looking the other way. Don't let anyone have more than 2 attempts. Stop if X becomes distressed and take as much time as it needs to calm her down. Ignore any comments about her scan being due now. Also you have every right to ask the doctor or nurse how long they have been doing canulas in children and if they are only just trained to do it, ask for a senior person to supervise them.

cerys · 08/09/2004 09:21

Oh Galaxy, that's horrible. DD1 had a problem with her leg when she was nearly 2 and had lots of blood tests, an MRI scan and a radioactive dye injected, so I can imagine how you are feeling. I was pg with DD2 at the time and wasn't allowed to attend the radioactive dye one - DH went with his parents and I worried all morning.
DD1 had similar awful experiences at having blood taken etc and it is so hard, knowing it has to be done but watching your child's distress. The worst was in A&E where they didn't use magic cream and a junior doctor made several failed attempts to take blood and it was spattered round the walls. The nurse told me off for wanting to comfort DD1 while this was happening - then they lost the results...So after that we always made sure it was a paediatrician who was inserting the needles, which was better.
Thinking of you all and good luck for Friday.

hewlettsdaughter · 08/09/2004 09:26

Cerys - you weren't allowed even to attend the radioactive dye one?! I had a half dose of radioactive dye injected when I was 5 months pregnant (something called a VQ scan) - I'd had chest pain and they wanted to rule out a pulmonary embolism.
Galaxy - much sympathy! I hope the scan on Friday is much easier on your daughter (and you and your DH).

cerys · 08/09/2004 09:30

Hewlettsdaughter - no, they were quite firm about that. Also, they said I wasn't to have close contact with DD1 for 24 hours afterwards, but I came straight home and cuddled her. Perhaps they were being extra cautious, but it was very hard at the time!

LIZS · 08/09/2004 09:39

omg that sounds horrendous for you all :( . dd had to have a scans and dye xrays following a UTI when she was 4 months old and that was bad enough but at least she wasn't old enough to remember it or become too distressed.

Hope Friday's appointment goes smoothly.

NomDePlume · 08/09/2004 09:43

Oh Galaxy . How awful for you all. It really is terrible seeing your own child go through such a horrible procedure, especially when they're just babies. I hope you all feel better today and that Friday goes a little more smoothly. Huge hugs xxx

woodpops · 08/09/2004 09:46

Your poor things and your poor dd. I've filled up reading this. It was bad enough for us when dd had to have an op at 16moths old. Taking her down to theatre, them putting her to sleep and wheeling her away. But to have your dd look you in the eye and say that how heart breaking. THinking of you all. [big hugs]

Twinkie · 08/09/2004 10:02

Galaxy thats awful I am sitting here crying for her and your lovely DH.

Go out and treat all of you to something lovely and spend some quality time together - I am sure she will forget about it very soon even if you and DH don;t!!

ks · 08/09/2004 10:39

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SenoraPostrophe · 08/09/2004 10:58

Poor little love, Galaxy.

This has brought back terrible memories...in Spain they don't even let the parents in the room while they're insterting the canula - you just have to wait outside listeining to your child screaming blue murder. They may or may not use magic cream, but they definately don't leave it for half an hour.

Where did your dsis work, Fennel? If dd is ever ill again, we're going there.

Beetroot · 08/09/2004 11:03

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susanmt · 08/09/2004 11:25

Galaxy that's awful, your poor dd and I really feel for your dh. I know how mine would feel if my dd said 'daddy let them hurt me' - he will probably be feeling bad about all this long after your dd has forgotten all about it.

I've never had to take a child for this but have had 4 of these kidney scans myself. The ultrasound will be much easier, just like a pregnancy U/s, remember to warn her that the gel is cold!

Will be thinking of you on Friday xx

bundle · 08/09/2004 11:41

i nearly fainted during my labour with dd2 because the canula going in hurt so much. bp dropped so low i was rushed in for a crash c/s so can totally relate to this. awful, i have tears in my eyes reading it.

Marina · 08/09/2004 12:07

Snap Bundle. The most painful thing about my wound rupture post 1st elective c-section was the bodged canula insertion by a panicky junior doctor. I can still remember it vividly.
Galaxy and others on here, utter sympathies to you all. When dd was in SCBU I was not in a position to hear any baby objections to needles. I hope they used magic cream...really hoping it all goes better next time for you Galaxy.

Galaxy · 08/09/2004 16:00

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woodpops · 13/09/2004 11:03

How did it go on Friday Galaxy??

Galaxy · 13/09/2004 11:32

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woodpops · 13/09/2004 11:41

Keep us posted Galaxy. Will be thinking of you.

You need to move up to Notts. QMC were fab with dd when she had her procedure carried out. We couldn't fault them one little bit. So much so dd didn't want to come home!!!!

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