An ER Experience
If I had an arm hanging by the thread on my shoulder or a bullet lodged in my heart maybe that would have done it. That might be worthy of me being rushed to the emergency room in a gurney flanked by a masked team in scrubs. But no, since I only had fever and infection Tom and I had to sit in the waiting lounge for 2 hours. You read that right. 2 hours. A far cry from what I have seen on that tv show called, well, ER.
Last night we hosted dinner for our downstairs neighbour Brian, Angie and their 8 month old baby with an infectious grin Gwen. We didn't really know them that well. I have only talked to them a few times in the hallway and was a visitor to Brian's condo only once. Even so, 2 weeks after I gave birth to Evan and was suffering from an infection they readily took Evan in when we dropped by their door unannounced. That was the first time I had to part with my baby and it broke my heart when I saw Tom handing our precious infant bundled in his swaddle to these good samaritans who also then had a 3 month old to take care of. We didn't have a choice, it was either being an imposition to this couple or bring Evan to the hospital and risk him catching a contagious disease. It was no question which was the lesser of the 2 evils.
Angie would now tell us that although they didn't hesitate of being in assistance, they were really nervous about having been left with Evan. With Gwen, they might have messed up a few times but she was their baby, she said.
The night before my hospital experience I was having chills and fever. I was shaking so badly that even with a sheet, 2 comforters, thick terry long bathrobe, gloves, socks and Tom hugging me I was still shivering violently. Do note that night sweats, hot flashes and chills can be normal symptoms postpartum but it was my high temperature despite the Motrin and Tylenol that finally made the OB on call (was on the phone with him 3 times; he was monitoring my temp) gave us his go-ahead for ER. He was hoping that we could get it under control because he didn't want to subject me to that long wait.
In that waiting lounge there were probably about 6 patients ahead of me. That's why I couldn't understand being put on limbo for that amount of time. Understandable in a Philippine setting, but not in a rich country like the US. Or so I thought. The registration was immediate, a nurse asked the questions, took my temp, my blood pressure and gave me more Tylenol. It was having a doctor see me that took time. I asked my husband why this was the case and he told me since medical treatment is very expensive here there's a shortage of medical personnel who can attend to patients promptly.
Finally I was called, led to a room, poked and probed by 2 doctors. A filipina nurse was there too. A lab test was done. But not without me having to walk the hallway in a gown to use a restroom for a "liquid specimen". Antibiotics were prescribed and also my bestfriends, Motrin and Tylenol.
We left for the hospital at 5:30, got back home at 8:30. Evan thankfully cooperated and didn't give his impromptu hosts a hard time.
PS Tylenol label says it (acetaminophen) is not recommended for breastfeeding moms. Consult you doctor before use. PPS doctors might tell you to stop breastfeeding for a certain number of days because of antibiotics they've prescribed, even your Ob-gyne, it's always best to call your pediatrician for a second opinion.
Falling Leaves
Red light. For the first time this year I was able to just stop and watch dozens and dozens of golden leaves fall from the trees. Autumn is indeed here, it sinks in, even if it already had snowed 2 weeks ago.
Green light. Left turn. 2 right turns, Evan and I have arrived at his daycare. Crunch, crunch, I got out. Frost on the grass. Another reminder that winter is just around the corner. The same frost that took me a good five minutes or more to scrape off the windows earlier.
Just when I have mastered our tight morning routine now I have frost and soon snow to combat with. I hate frost. Snow I can tolerate. Not frost on car windows. Or frozen puddles.
Last night we hosted dinner for our downstairs neighbour Brian, Angie and their 8 month old baby with an infectious grin Gwen. We didn't really know them that well. I have only talked to them a few times in the hallway and was a visitor to Brian's condo only once. Even so, 2 weeks after I gave birth to Evan and was suffering from an infection they readily took Evan in when we dropped by their door unannounced. That was the first time I had to part with my baby and it broke my heart when I saw Tom handing our precious infant bundled in his swaddle to these good samaritans who also then had a 3 month old to take care of. We didn't have a choice, it was either being an imposition to this couple or bring Evan to the hospital and risk him catching a contagious disease. It was no question which was the lesser of the 2 evils.
Angie would now tell us that although they didn't hesitate of being in assistance, they were really nervous about having been left with Evan. With Gwen, they might have messed up a few times but she was their baby, she said.
The night before my hospital experience I was having chills and fever. I was shaking so badly that even with a sheet, 2 comforters, thick terry long bathrobe, gloves, socks and Tom hugging me I was still shivering violently. Do note that night sweats, hot flashes and chills can be normal symptoms postpartum but it was my high temperature despite the Motrin and Tylenol that finally made the OB on call (was on the phone with him 3 times; he was monitoring my temp) gave us his go-ahead for ER. He was hoping that we could get it under control because he didn't want to subject me to that long wait.
In that waiting lounge there were probably about 6 patients ahead of me. That's why I couldn't understand being put on limbo for that amount of time. Understandable in a Philippine setting, but not in a rich country like the US. Or so I thought. The registration was immediate, a nurse asked the questions, took my temp, my blood pressure and gave me more Tylenol. It was having a doctor see me that took time. I asked my husband why this was the case and he told me since medical treatment is very expensive here there's a shortage of medical personnel who can attend to patients promptly.
Finally I was called, led to a room, poked and probed by 2 doctors. A filipina nurse was there too. A lab test was done. But not without me having to walk the hallway in a gown to use a restroom for a "liquid specimen". Antibiotics were prescribed and also my bestfriends, Motrin and Tylenol.
We left for the hospital at 5:30, got back home at 8:30. Evan thankfully cooperated and didn't give his impromptu hosts a hard time.
PS Tylenol label says it (acetaminophen) is not recommended for breastfeeding moms. Consult you doctor before use. PPS doctors might tell you to stop breastfeeding for a certain number of days because of antibiotics they've prescribed, even your Ob-gyne, it's always best to call your pediatrician for a second opinion.
Falling Leaves
Red light. For the first time this year I was able to just stop and watch dozens and dozens of golden leaves fall from the trees. Autumn is indeed here, it sinks in, even if it already had snowed 2 weeks ago.
Green light. Left turn. 2 right turns, Evan and I have arrived at his daycare. Crunch, crunch, I got out. Frost on the grass. Another reminder that winter is just around the corner. The same frost that took me a good five minutes or more to scrape off the windows earlier.
Just when I have mastered our tight morning routine now I have frost and soon snow to combat with. I hate frost. Snow I can tolerate. Not frost on car windows. Or frozen puddles.
Currently listening to: Nirvana's "Come As you Are"
Currently reading: Parenting Magazine (Nov Issue)
Currently watching: The Passenger (Jack Nicholson)
Posted by geri at 12:23 PM | 9 thought balloons
Gilda (guest)
i had to go to a doctor once. since i did not have insurance, they asked how i was going to pay. i gave them my credit card. i asked them to tell me how much it would cost before they do all the tests. maayo na lang kay mga $300 ra. otherwise, i would have to go out to consult david. otherwise, may lakaw lakaw ko nga naka lab gown!! yikes!
but i would have to say that they are very professional here. they give oral and written instructions including all other information you need to know.
still, this is one of the very few things i am still adjusting to over here. i miss the convenience of the philippines.
geri
In, was this when you cut your hand at work? 5 hours??? Grabe.
Ed, my concerns were, what if these neighbours would think that what i had was contagious and would refuse us to protect their baby, can't blame them. Another example of bayanihan being alive and well even in America.
MC, hope your mom is fine. Getting sick here is no joke whereas back in PI people have the "time" to pamper you.
Rhebs, hope Tony is well. Read about your driving in the wrong side of the street...it's just good that you know how to drive in the highway - I just don't know if I can handle Tom being taken ill and being rushed to the hospital, that would be absolutely scary. I'd rather I get sick than him.
Lan, it's good that they didn't have antibiotics prescribed for you. When I had to stop breastfeeding for 10 days (even if I pumped) it was such a trauma getting Evan to purely breastfeed. Mao tong naghilak ko when I called my SIL for advice. Maayo na lang kay mga buotan ning ako mga SILs.
Sandy, you are on the right track with the executive check-ups esp in our age. Pregnancy and having a baby can really take a toll on our body that it's always good to take care of ourselves the best as we can pre-pregnancy.
Judy, I can just imagine you at the hospital with your parents. Hindi sila puede tatanga-tanga at kupad kumilos when your around :)
Judy (guest)
I hope you are feeling better and I am excited to hug Evan again.
Judy
Sandy (guest)
Lanie (guest)
Rhebs (guest)
I rushed DH in ER last week too and he was taken in right away because of severe pain. I teased him siguro dahil kilala at malakas siya sa mga staff sa ER because he also works in the same hospital although in another department ;-) He disputes my thought by saying it doesn't work that way here. Patients are taken in by how severe or urgent their case is.
MC (guest)
Ed Abbey (guest)
So that is probably why you couldn't breastfeed for awhile. I hope that you are fully recovered from your infection now. If I would have been your downstairs neighbors, I would have taken in Evan too. It's just the good thing to do even if you were strangers.
in-in (guest)