Is it normal to feel traumatised after DD’s hospital stay?

[Ginspirational]

Took 2 year old DD to the doctors on Friday due to a fever that wasn’t going away and ended up being blue lighted to hospital, where it transpired she had an infection that if not treated quickly could lead to an operation. She’s been on IV antibiotics since Friday and thankfully is improving but it’s been awful. The multiple cannula failures, her screaming every time the IV is done, that drive from the doctors to the hospital not knowing anything except the GP saying ‘she might be fine but she might not’.

I can’t sleep, I keep crying randomly and I’m a bit of a mess. She’s hopefully being discharged tomorrow and I know full well in the grand scheme of things this is nothing compared to what some children go through, so my reaction feels over the top, but she has never had anything more severe than a stomach bug and this has really thrown me. Is it normal to react this way?

Yes.
It's a very traumatic experience coupled with lack of sleep, comfort, home food, shower etc means you can't begin to process it all yet . Just give yourself time. Pleased she's on the mend. Look after yourself

Of course it is normal - for all the reasons Sad said

My dc was in and out of hospital for 10 months. I actually had another dc as his first year was so traumatic I wanted to erase it with healthy baby memories.. Much sympathy op.

Sorry to hear your DD is still in... its perfectly normal. Not getting much sleep, being worried about your child and seeing them in distress.

I remember having my daughter and we stayed in for 2 weeks due to her losing weight etc, I cried everyday. I just wanted sleep and to be home in familiar surroundings, get a brew when I wanted and ofcourse have a healthy child.

I had a very similar situation last year and honestly I'm not fully over it. It's totally normal 😘 I found that it was because I just didn't expect how quick things escalated and how little power you have in that situation. You're completely trusting that they will make your baby better. But also running on lack of sleep and fear. Sending you lots of love and strength, I'm glad she's on the mend. Things will get better, you'll appreciate everything a little bit more and hold her a little bit tighter. Praying for a quick recovery for you all

Given that this has literally just happened, then yes, totally normal.
If you were still like this in 6 months time I would say seek counseling.

It’s normal.

our children are an extension of ourselves. We wish we could protect them from everything even though we can’t. Add in that when they are in the hospital, we end up sleep deprived , hungry, and overstimulated and it’s really a wonder that more parents don’t just break.

Yes totally normal i think. DD1 had sepsis at 24hrs old and a two week NICU / SCBU stay. I was a mess for almost a year afterwards. I would just burst into tears whenever anyone asked me about her birth or health (which as we all know is ALL THE TIME after having a baby). As you say, all the procedures were horrible and I'll never forget the doctor telling us to not come and see her whilst they did the lumbar puncture because we would find it too traumatic 😥

I tried some CBT, which wasnt particularly useful but time really did help. I look back and do wish I'd been a bit kinder to myself though. It will get easier.

Wishing your DD a very speedy recovery.

Absolutely normal, last time we did the blue light thing my baby girl was 19 going on 20, it wasn't any easier that day

Gosh, you've been through an awful terrifying experience OP, what you're feeling is absolutely normal and understandable! You will recover, it will take time. Talk to someone close about how you're feeling, have a good cry if and when you need to. Be kind to yourself 💐

yes, of course it is normal. It is also completely normal for cannulas to repeatedly fail, but still very unpleasant

Yes it's normal. In some ways it's easier when you do it a lot because you know and trust the staff and you know how long it takes for you to quickly walk down to the shop and get a sandwich. On the other hand it's harder because your child remembers which medicine tastes awful and doesn't take kindly to bring given it again.

Absolutely normal, and it might never go away fully.
Ds2 is 17, over 6ft and on track to leave 6th form next year with results that could get him into aby University he chooses.
14 years ago he had just been fully discharged after 3 weeks full time hospital care, followed by 2 weeks of sleeping at home but returning in the day for treatment. He had viral pneumonia but I was ignored for 10 days before getting a call to say the blood test I had to fight for was bad but they didn't know why. Antibiotics at the first hospital didn't work so he was blue lighted to a bigger, more specialist one (although I didn't know that until I bumped into the crew on discharge day - they kept the sirens off so I didn't panic).
As you can no doubt tell, it is just as vivid and raw 14 years later. If you are able to it is worth looking into counselling, I wish I had been in a position to at the time.

Of course. Traumatic.