So, after writing The Week That Was – Whirly Splat Central in the hope that it would be over we had another evening of crappy shitty hell exciting adventure on Monday night.
At tea time the 5 year old’s temperature went up again (38.5) and she started complaining of feeling dizzy. I rang NHS Direct who were really helpful and got a nurse to call me back within 10 minutes (shock horror) who asked me lots of questions (some a little silly like “Is she breathing”). She was very thorough.
The nurse advised that she wanted the 5 year old to be seen by a Docor and I should take her to a drop in health centre across town.
Having no directional awareness I remembered that my phone has inbuilt GPS. It was invaluable as we battled across town in the rush hour and thrashing rain.
By this point the 5 year old was complaining of being hot, cold, dizzy and very tired, all at the same time, so I had to carry her into the health centre. Relieved to be there I went up to reception and met the eyes of a woman who looked like she’d rather be somewhere else. She asked why we were there. I explained that the nurse at NHS Direct had sent us and that she wanted the 5 year old to be seen. She asked what was wrong. I explained that she had had whirly splats and vomiting but we were there because of the temperature and dizziness. Without changing her facial expression she just said “No” and handed me a swine flu leaflet.
“But I was told to come here … by a nurse” I said. It may be true that my bottom lip may have been quivering.
“No, she has vomiting and diarrhoea, we will not be treating her here” in a tone similar to Little Britain’s ‘Computer says no’ lady.
“Technically she hasn’t vomited since 9am on Sunday morning and she hasn’t been to the toilet today for a poo of any description” As I finished speaking I realised that I was using my loud cross voice and wondered if the waiting room full of people were feeling better for knowing about my daughters not so recent bowel movements.
“No … NEXT” she said looking past me to the man with the limp who I hoped didn’t also have the whirly splats for fear he may have to limp back from whence he came.
So with that I was thrust out into the rain again, carrying my floppy headed girl back to the car.
At this point I started to think dark thoughts of meningitis and other terrible diseases that only a desperate parent who hasn’t slept much recently and is at the end of tether would think.
I rang NHS Direct again who told me to contact my local Dr’s out of hours service. When I rang the out of hours number I was put on hold. I noted lovely erratic hold music to match the mood in the car. Eventually I was put through to the local out of hours helpline which was very similar to NHS Direct but the lady had a local accent.
I had to answer all the same questions again (YES SHE IS F*CKING BREATHING!) and then explained the predicament. They gave me an out of hours appointment at the hospital.
Off we went back across to another part of town. There were no parking spaces and an awful lot of cars circling waiting for a space. The rain was pounding down and the 5 year old was asleep. I came out of the hospital grounds and discovered at least 30 other cars parked on the main road, albeit on yellow lines.
Realising that I was going to have to carry her back up to the hospital and the nearest legitimate parking space was at least 500 yards away I took my chances. I left a note on the windscreen to the effect that I had a poorly child and would return asap to move the car.
I woke the 5 year old as I was lifting her out of the car, who suddenly seemed even heavier. When we got to the hospital we were seen immediately by a Doctor who looked remarkably like Tiger Woods, though smaller and rounder (and probably significantly less of an [alleged] cheating bastard). He gave her a thorough examination and said she had severe gastroenteritis and a viral infection. He gave me advice on how to keep her salt and sugar levels up. The dizziness was probably caused by dehydration and the temperature the virus.
I came away feeling reassured and relieved. The Tiger Woods lookalike had a saved the day and in 10 minutes.
The parking ticket awaiting me on the car was slightly less reassuring.
Disclaimer : I am hoping this will be my last ‘my children are poorly, oh woe is me’ post for a LONG time. I am bored with it, so you must be too. In fact if you have got this far and are reading this bit I salute you.
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Insomniac Mummy on December 15, 2009
OMG! How awful that the drop in turned you away!!
We’ve always found the hospital out of hours great so I’m glad they helped you too.
It will be over very soon!
xxx
Vic on December 15, 2009
I can’t help feeling that this policy of not being seen if you’ve had vomiting or diarrhoea really needs to be revised. Surely nurses such as the one at the drop in centre should be trained to recognise when someone should be seen regardless of specific symptoms, especially when NHS direct has already advised you to visit them.
Annie on December 15, 2009
I would have been so tempted to go back to the drop in centre, give her the diagnosis from the hospital and say.. TOLD YOU SO!!
I hope she gets better quickly poor thing, and that you catch a break soon.
TheMadHouse on December 15, 2009
Bloody Hell, I would have nutted the receptionist – far too self important in my opinion.
Oh and pants for the parking ticket, but we got one the last time I was in hospital too!
admin on December 15, 2009
Unfortunately there was a glass screen separating her and I otherwise I would’ve been tempted!
Victoria on December 15, 2009
Oh I feel for you. Hospitals are very bad, sick bugs are very bad, parking tickets are very bad. All three in one week would be enough to tip most people over the edge. Very glad to hear you’ve not lost your sense of humour. And hope you’re all better soon x
admin on December 15, 2009
Laugh in the face of adversity … that’s what I have tattooed on my arse. Well, not really, but I should have.
Make do mum on December 15, 2009
Oh no – Sounds like you got one of the receptionists from my local surgery! Glad you managed to get seen and hope she is feeling better.
Can you appeal against the parking ticket?
admin on December 15, 2009
I’ll give it a go … it’s worth a try
RookieMommy on December 15, 2009
God I feel for you. Your description of that illness is my worst nightmare – I am not good AT ALL with puke. Don’t like the Whirly Splats much either come to think of it. But the icing on the cake is when you get to the point where you think ‘this is not normal’ and you really need to see a doctor and you get sent away with a flea in your ear. I would have ended up back at home in tears worrying myself sick. Good for you that you followed through (in a good way) and went to the hospital. Sometimes it seems like the world is against you doesn’t it?
Here’s hoping you have a sick and whirly splat free Christmas and 2010. You’ve had your share.
More whirly splats, a parking ticket, lots of rain and a Tiger … | Pr Release on December 15, 2009
[...] Originally posted here: More whirly splats, a parking ticket, lots of rain and a Tiger … [...]
Heather on December 15, 2009
gah! what a shitty week. Hope you have plenty of alcohol in.
admin on December 15, 2009
The fridges are well stocked for situations like this!
Jo Beaufoix on December 15, 2009
Ahhhh hon, poor babe and poor you. Hope she’s on the mend now. It seems when mine are well yours are ill. That woman sounds like a beotch and definitely needs one Of Erica’s looks. Tsk. x
admin on December 15, 2009
Our children are a crack tag team making us suffer. I think I should carry a picture of Erica doing ‘the face’ to whip out when needed
Dawn/LittleGreenFingers on December 15, 2009
I’m with TheMadHouse – a Glaswegian kiss for the receptionist would have been v. tempting.
Z on December 15, 2009
An official complaint should really be made about that awful nurse – she was unnecessarily cruel and unpleasant. And if there had been something dangerously wrong with your poor child, the headlines would not have been welcomed by the clinic. I daresay you just want to put it behind you, and I would too, but you should complain if you have the fortitude.
And as for the traffic warden – nasty vindictive bastard jobsworth.
admin on December 15, 2009
I shall be drafting a scud missile of a letter as soon as the children are well again!
Sparx on December 15, 2009
Holy… well I’m sure you’ve had enough of the word that comes next… I am appalled at the treatment you got from that ruddy awful nurse. I’m so sorry and I hope the washing machine is getting a rest now…
Bec on December 16, 2009
I hope you bloody contest that parking ticket! Poor you you’ve had an awful time of it.
Will Gramps be posting again soon? I heart Gramps!!!!!
x
Littlemummy on December 16, 2009
OMG feel mad just reading this. Let me tell you there would have been lots of ‘The Look’ had it been me, which it may well be if Erin gets any worse.
Tamsin on December 16, 2009
I’m wishing a very nasty tummy bug on the witch at the drop in centre! What a cow!
Mwa on December 16, 2009
What a TERRIBLE night! Awful! Glad at least medically it turned out okay.