Or, things that go through your mind en route to the ER at 5:30am.
* There's an unbelievable amount of traffic on the roads at that hour.
* Even school buses - school buses?
* I hope they get us seen before the 7am shift change that causes all medical staff to disappear for upwards of an hour!
* Did I over-react when I called 911? No I didn't - Jay was struggling to breathe - the doctor told me to call 911. He needed medical attention, quickly - this was the fastest way.
* I'm really not that great at handling stress or a crisis. How could I not remember the number of our house?
* Why was that EMS lady so obnoxious to me? Has she ever woken from a silent slumber to hear her child fighting for a breath? Has she heard that hacking, barking cough from her baby? Does she know how fast this can happen? Has she seen her child's eyes pleading at her from a pallid face for help?
* Why would she think I would 'drive like a crazy lady all the way to the hospital'? just because I said I'd drive him to the ER myself - I wanted to have my vehicle with me - I'm a careful driver, (aside from having this conversation with myself).
* Why was the EMS lady so rude to the Fire Service Paramedics who got to our house before her? Doesn't she know that stressed out parents really could do without 'attitude' in an emergency? At five in the morning?
* There really are a lot of cars out here. I'm glad I get to stay at home - it would kill me to start a commute this early.
J has croup. Having scared the life out of me, stressed himself out, and received two breathing treatments and three types of oral medicine - he's doing MUCH better. I don't mind telling you though, I was terrified. I've never heard anything like his breathing this morning and I hope I never do again.
I just felt so helpless.
Thank goodness for prompt EMS teams (even if their customer service leaves a lot to be desired), and great ER doctors.
I'll be nervous for a while to come each time either of my kids gets 'just a cold'.
I'm also having a hard time letting go of some of the things the female paramedic said to me today, and more importantly the way in which she said them. Two people I've talked to about it suggest reporting her - but I'm worried if I ever had to call 911 again (God forbid) where that would leave me if she happened to be the one to respond?
I guess I'll just focus on my little man and getting him better and let the other stuff take its less important backseat until I get over it.
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Annie
12 comments:
oh sister. it's hard to think of anything else when our kids are in trouble, the most important thing is that he's breathing again and ok. but all that said, once you've sorted it out complain if you need to - we can all use reminders of how to treat others in crisis sometimes.
so sorry to hear. my niece had croup when she was young and my sister and just had given birth. i was there helping out and witnessed her not being able to breath. IT WAS PURE TERROR. Glad to know all is better. as for the EMS. I would report it asap. their supervisors need to know this info. it would never be held against you.
Croup can be really scary! I'm glad everything is better now.
My son had it very badly when he was about a year old. He got a steroid shot and breathing treatments for a week.
Hoping everyone stays healthy!
That is awful! I'm so glad he's on the mend.
-andi
SO glad he's okay.
Sorry you got so scared!
Screw the crabby EMS people...Don't you wish you could've told them off at that time?
Yikes, that is scary...the helpless feeling is the worst. The absolute worst.
I hope Jay is feeling better soon! And you too!
Annie, I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal. Croup is so scary, especially if you haven't had to deal with it before. My mother still tells the story of her trip to the E.R. with me when I had it--and that was thirty *cough* plus years ago. I hope Jay is feeling better, and I hope you're doing better as well.
Geez, you are having more than your fair share of medical issues lately, aren't you? How terrifying. We've been in an ambulance due to croup and it is not fun.
Hope Jay got some nice steroids that got him better in a hurry.
And I'd report that lady. Whatever she said must have been bad to upset you and that's inexcusable in an emergency.
That's so scary.
I think when the storm has passed entirely that you should consider writing a letter to that EMS department about their rude employee.
Your experience reminds me of the time my wife went in having a miscarriage. The nurse obviously seemed annoyed we had come in and kept saying things like "Well, until you're bleeding this much, you can stay home" and my wife already was bleeding more than she was describing. Her pain was severe, or we would never have come in. So we left... and came back an hour later. The nurse had left, so you can figure she wanted to be done with her shift and kicked us out to avoid having to work overtime. They got to my wife more quickly this time, though (the first time we sat there about forty-five minutes waiting to see the nurse who didn't want patients), because my wife laid down on the floor and started screaming. This from a woman who gets dental surgery without anesthesia. Then the lovely hospital tried to charge us for both visits. That was especially grand because our insurance refused to cover her, since it was within a year of her getting on my policy and was pregnancy related - mind you, if the insurance hadn't messed up forms for three months, that year mark would have falled well before the miscarriage and even the start of the pregnancy.
Can you tell I'm still bitter? Sorry to rant. I know it sucks to deal with hospitals in these situations.
I am so sorry that you had to go through that!! I am glad that your little one is feeling better, but seeing them struggle for air is so terrifying.
The EMS woman was totally out of line. Compassion is part of her job, no matter what. I would report the situation to her supervisor. You always want to be safe than sorry, when deciding to call 911. EMS, will be the first to tell you that. With the stress of a sick child, the last thing you need is attitude from the person who is suppose to be helping. Out of line and really should be reported.
Once again, I am so glad to know things are better and I am sorry you had to go through that. Take care!
Her behavior was shameful! What a scary situation for you and for Jay!
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