I have never thought that this phrase will bring so much happiness into my heart.
15/5/2015- The day in life, when everything went from "All good, thanks!" to "Could be much better, thanks for asking!'
9:00- Me and my 6 years old daughter (Maayan) arrived to her weekly swimming lesson, still having 10 spare minutes to start. These 10 minutes were enough to fall backwards,while playing in the swimming pool and to bump her head on the pool's marble edge.
This unfortunate accident triggered the whole new journey for us, introducing us to the multiple dimensions of NZ healthcare system, which I would like to share in this post.
11:30pm- What had started with a non remarkable "head bump", followed by a little bit of a cry and an ice pack, evolved, later on that day, into drama, that brought us to "Starship"kids hospital's ER doors in the middle of the night. Leaving my sleeping son behind, I have entered the world of the "unknown"..., or maybe should I say that being a mummy-nurse is not always necessarily helpful, as too much knowledge endures with it too much stress, worries and meta-physical pain.
2:30am- After what had seemed to me like eternity (which wasn't, of course, on the other side), was finally decided that my daughter should undergo CT scan. Since the decision was made, it took only few minutes for it to be processed. Not before a nurse with a "Toy CT machine" approached my daughter and briefly explained to her in a playful manner about the scan, promising to reward her with an ice block after the scan.
"CT scan" toy
Surprisingly enough, it has worked miracles on my daughter and she had instantly willingly enjoyed her "free ride" to radiology department and asked me to wait outside, otherwise, the nurse wouldn't give her the ice block. I was stressed and amazed at once...Children always remain children, I guess......We just need to know "which buttons to press and when"...
Diagnosis- "Your daughter had suffered a scull fracture of Rt. occipital bone with brain concussion and contusion of the front lobe. No obvious hemorrhage is currently seen."
Cold, sweaty chill is running through my skin and my bones, my mouth is dry, all my knowledge of English language has deserted me and I stand there speechless, staring at the doctor, hoping not to be asked any questions.
2:30am- 6:30am- Waiting...again...,this time to be taken to Ward 26A, Paediatric Neurosurgery ward for farther monitoring and observation. While in ER, we were provided a private room, without a door, just a curtain, but Maayan( my daughter) was quite exhausted ,on her bed, with pillow and two blankets. She fell asleep, I could see a frozen expression of distress and pain on her little face. Here I was, stressed, exhausted and left to my own thoughts, curled in a hospital arm chair. Everything that I have ever learnt in Neurosurgery classes, during my studies, all morning events of the fall and the day that followed, started running on a speedy rewind through my head. I couldn't close my eyes, thinking what I could have done differently to prevent this injury, because I was right there, right next to her when it happened. The painful answer seemed to be "NOTHING!" It was just a miserable accident!!!!!
Everyone in ER was very kind and empathetic, I was offered a tea and a snack twice. Even though, ER was quite busy, I could see by the movement of nurses and other staff members around the place, it was remarkably quiet and no stressed families were seen overcrowding the medical staff area or the office window. There was "Code Red" alert, but everyone was just knowing exactly what to do, again in a very quiet manner....Rambam ER comes to mind...
6:30am- Maayan has woken up exactly on time for another "Free ride", this time to Ward 26A, room 7. We were welcomed by a smiley nurse and a nursing student, who followed her like a duckling (...reminded me of my good old days as a clinical instructor...). I was immediately offered a bed in a hospital hostel, as there was no available bed near my daughter's bed. The room, itself was quite spacious and well equipped and we shared it with other three children, who sustained brain injuries and needed to be under constant observation. One of the beds was missing, because it was in Neurosurgical ICU unit, awaiting the boy who was fighting for his life. Even his toys were waiting ,with somewhat sad expression, sitting on the window...
Sad, but hopeful toys awaiting their owner to return from Intensive care
Visiting hours were very strictly obeyed. The ward would be locked between 2-4pm and after 9pm, to allow sufficient rest to the sick children and their parents. Personally, for me, it was a great struggle, as I almost didn't get a chance to see my son and husband, or to take a proper shower without worrying for my daughter. One of those moments when you feel so deeply lonely and start questioning the decisions that
brought you so far away from the family and close personal support group.
Three days later: Discharge with recommendation for 2 weeks off school!!!! I am cautiously happy to finally go home, but many things still remain uncertain as to recovery time, possible permanent side effects, or even how we will manage our routine from now on.
...Here start the "miracles" of NZ. On the next day of our return home, while struggling to manage Maayan's headaches and create the perfect environment for her at home, I was unexpectedly contacted by a lady, who introduced herself as an occupational therapist (OT) from "Children's brain rehabilitation centre", who will manage Maayan's case. She, empathetically, asked about Maayan and her return to home process and then politely asked permission to visit us the next day. I, of course, agreed, but I was honestly skeptical about the possible positive impact that her involvement may have on Maayan's recovery. The meeting took approximately 1 hour, during which the OT addressed every possible aspects of Maayan's well being, starting from physical restriction and going on to social aspects of her long stay at home. She came up with a list of recommendations. I have honestly treated this list as an "un-doable", having in mind my vast experience of rehab. services in my own homeland.
The very next day things have just started to happen "miraculously". Let me please emphasize one more time, I DID NOT specifically ask for any of those services, as I didn't know ,at the time, they existed! So what exactly was/is included in our rehabilitation programme?
1. Physiotherapy assessment and treatments at our house, by the brain injuries pediatric physio-specialist.
2.Visits to rehabilitation specialist to assess her progress.
3. When the time was right, our Case Manager paid a visit to Maayan's school and have assessed the environment and have liaised with the school teachers about the safest way to welcome Maayan back to school. She was allocated with her "quiet area", where she could rest, had a "buddy" who would keep her safe during the school breaks. I was receiving written reports via e-mails about Maayan's progress. In felt and still feel so overwhelmed with this remarkable team effort of everyone around to make Maayan's recovery as smooth as possible.
4. As the time went by, it seemed like the main problem for Maayan has remained her hyper-sensitivity to noise and direct light. The school contacted directly our Case Manager to seek for the best solution. On the very next day she was provided with noise proof ear muffs.
5. One other major obstacle for me was my return to work, as Maayan can only manage short days at school so far. It is very important for her not to be overtired, as this always triggers her headaches. Once again, the system has come to my rescue and ACC (which is a form of National Security for injuries) has provided us with babysitter for Maayan for 3 hours daily. That would allow me to return to normal work schedule, while having the "peace of mind" that Maayan will be picked up on time from school and stay home under supervision until I come back from work.
For the first time in my life, only in NZ, I have felt that I am happy to pay taxes! I am so endlessly grateful for all the attention, the great will and the help, I have received from the public healthcare system. I would, of course, prefer not to have such experience in my CV, but it makes me realize once again: Yes!! No place in the world is perfect, but this place (NZ) is certainly tries its best to be! ...And that's good enough for me:-)
Despite having all this incredible help and support, the first six weeks of recovery seem to go unbelievably slow. The newly acquired gentle balance is so fragile...And the BIG question remains: Should I or should I not cancel my tickets to our long awaited family trip around the world, or..."fingers crossed" may we go ahead with the plan???
15/6/2015, 9:00am- Nervously awaiting our appointment with the neurosurgeon. Minutes don't seem to move....
9:20am- CT scan reviewed- no intracranial air detected.
"You are cleared for flight! Have a pleasant trip, Maayan and come HOME (to NZ) safely!"
