We had the experience late last year of spending 2 nights in our local A&E when Her Majesty the Baby fell ill.
There can be nothing worse in life than watching a loved little one suffer.
In this case, it transpired she had picked up a nasty case of either ‘bronchoilitis' or ‘viral wheeze’ that have been doing the nursery rounds nation wide.
But as is often the case with medicine, this ultimate diagnosis was only arrived at following a process of elimination of more serious conditions.
The 1st thing we accepted is that we couldn’t take the ailment away from her.
Being mindful of "The Dangers of Denial to Stressbusting™" (see our previous post so entitled) we knew that had we laboured over this fallacy, then it would have been nothing less than self indulgent.
And it would have wasted valuable energy we could and needed to otherwise expend positively on Her Majesty (see our post entitled "ENERGY : The Most Precious Stressbusting™ Commodity in Life").
We had correctly identified that the symptoms justified emergency expert intervention, and that was enough for now (see our previous post entitled "Give yourself a Stressbusting™ Pat on the Back").
Once at the hospital, we followed the following approach which we found to be successful and were complimented on:
1. After conveying the symptoms to the medical experts, we left them to determine the tests needed with timescales and draw the relevant diagnosis.
2. We were patient- the above was clearly not going to happen immediately, so we refrained from being on the medical team’s back constantly.
3. We quickly defined a role for ourselves as this in its turn would give us a focus and help control our own emotions.
Our role was determined as being one of mere parental support and keeping Her Majesty as calm and comfortable as possible, particularly during invasive examinations.
This became an important round the clock role for us.
4. We resolved to take the pressure off A&E where we could and were permitted by leading treatments that required sitting with Her Majesty (e.g. when an oxygen mask needed held near to her face for long periods).
5. We took regular alternate breaks and made sure we ourselves were fed and watered – we were no good to Her Majesty if we too became ill.
Our resulting continual energy stream enabled us to appear jovial and spirited even when we felt otherwise in a manner that reassured Her Majesty.
See extracts of our previous post entitled “Maintain a Positive Stressbusting™ Frequency by avoiding Jealousy” for more detail regarding such an approach.
6. Her Majesty was given her own room so we created an ambience there that reinforced Home for her – strong coffee, for example, always permeates the air at home so we brought plenty to the Ward.
We brought her own bathing oils and moisturisers to again replicate her home environment so far as possible (and prevent allergies).
We let her sleep in her Baby Buggy for short periods as opposed to the hospital cot and naturally facilitated the playing of “Peppa Pig” on a continual cycle.
7. Sleep was at a premium and only 1 parent could remain in attendance overnight, so we elected Mum should do so at first and Dad get rest at a local hotel for ease of return should emergency dictate.
We resolved to alternate this were the stay longer than it ended up being.
8. We had questions for the medical team prepared in readiness for their rounds but didn’t burden them otherwise.
Although this was our beloved daughter, we trusted them to know what was best and they did not let us down.
These techniques and approaches paid dividend when we had the elation of Her Majesty returning home with us after a 2 night stay, with medications dispensed and on the road to recovery.
Perhaps nowhere else in the care system, with the exception of joint family/state home care for the elderly or infirm, is the need for a true partnership between family and care workers more evident than in the case of sick children.
And we were absolutely privileged to experience this 1st hand.
The staff on the A&E Ward were outstanding in their understanding, sensitivity and professionalism – a credit to their chosen vocations, no less.
But a group we respectfully reported on our departure we hoped not to see again any time soon – for all three right reasons – a gesture that was met within the spirit it was intended.
As we left the ward with Her Majesty, however, without saying a word to one another we both knew we were each reflecting on the same possibly different outcome ahead for some of the children still there, to whom as well as their families, our hearts go out.
Big Grateful Love
MikeyM&LouLoU™ ☺💝💖💘 xxx