Comments on: Another Day, Another Emergency Ward

By: tim

tim — Wed, 30 May 2007 21:21:44 +0000

Our first winter in Mexico, Quincy got really sick and we had to take him to the hospital 5 days in a row to get a shot. Kim was pregnant so we thought we’d go to 5 different ones to check them all out. And being 2, it took Quincy a few trips before he started understanding what was going on. But by at least the 4th trip, though it was a new hospital, he knew why we were there. He put his little hands over is little bottom and started yelling, “no thanks momma, no thanks.” Cute now… broke our hearts then.

By: omaniblog

omaniblog — Wed, 30 May 2007 10:31:20 +0000

Claire,
Thank you again. Single-handedly you are restoring my hope for the Irish hospital system. Ever since bring Grace here, I’ve been worried about what would happen if she were really ill. I was afraid of the dirt, the waiting, and the competence. Slowly I relax a bit. Thanks.

“Iâ€™m trying to write this without inflicting too many descriptive words on you,” – I loved that: a writer conscious of her readers and of her own style. I can learn from you.

On hospital trolleys: I spent a night on one in Swindon general hospital. I was pushed into a bathroom for the night. I spent the night alone with an empty bath. If I’d had a ‘proper’ bed, I’d have been in a ward with three elderly people who coughed, spluttered and sounded off all night: I probably wouldn’t have slept well. The trolley wasn’t what I thought: it was a fully equipped hi-tech sleeping device, on which I could be raised and lowered hydraulically. I got some attention but mainly I enjoyed the enforced peace. I left 31 hours later, after overnight ‘observation’ and after someone was found to sign me out.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 30 May 2007 10:06:17 +0000

This must have been very scary for you poor parents. It brings back memories of sleepless nights, intense worry, and total exhaustion when the little one is back to her/his normal bubbly state! I’m glad the hospital experience was good, at least children seem to be spared the stress and anxiety of waiting rooms. Hope you and your little patient can have a few days rest.

By: aquaasho

aquaasho — Wed, 30 May 2007 07:36:15 +0000

Sounds like a scary time for all of you. Glad it turned out well in the end Claire.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 30 May 2007 06:52:39 +0000

Oh the poor little mite. I hope she is doing well. It IS a worry. I’m glad the hospital visit ended on a happy note.

“all I could do was try and get her to look at me while I smiled as if everything was perfectly fine.” That’s soooo sweet….

By: gingerpixel

gingerpixel — Tue, 29 May 2007 23:43:30 +0000

Yes, and I remember as a child being oblivious to the roller coaster I’m sure I put my parents through! I guess it comes back round in the end

As for the hospitals: most definitely crowded but so far no waiting at all anywhere. Not for children anyway – I walked through the adult A&E in Tallaght a couple of times yesterday and it was packed with people. They didn’t look like they were getting anywhere fast.

I was extremely proud of Eve both yesterday and on Friday, she was just so patient and hardly complained at all. More than can be said for her parents!

By: John of Dublin

John of Dublin — Tue, 29 May 2007 22:25:57 +0000

Wow, you will soon be an expert on the health system. I know what you mean. I can well recall all three of our girls at around Eve’s age. One minute they are so sick that they scare the hell out of you – and suddenly with the right treatment they bounce back very dramatically.

The message I seem to be hearing from you is that the hospitals are crowded but you do get seen quickly.

I’m glad it all went well for Eve – she is a wonderful little kid.