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Its not often that people (myself included), take the time to let people know when they have had a positive experience, or to give credit where it is due. This year, ive decided that I will be doing just that at every opportunity.
Apologies, but this will be a long one, so I wont be offended if you get bored and dont reach the end!
A little back story...
About 7 weeks ago, my 3 week old daughter developed a small skin infection, which was treated with antibiotics and a few days in our local hospital. The day she was discharged, she was given the once over by one of the Doctors who pointed out that she had a slightly elevated heart rate, but he wasnt concerned as she seemed well. He wanted her to have a heart scan, and would make an appointment (just not an urgent one).
Jump forward to the 27th December, and we take Isobel to the hospital for her 'routine' heart scan. Unfortunately, as a by product of the infection she had 7 weeks previously, she now had a massive amount of fluid surrounding her heart (which we were later informed could have caused her to go into cardiac arrest at any given moment) and they were surprised that she was coping so well, given the amount of fluid present. At this point im angry! Why has nothing been picked up earlier? She had VERY recently had a health check at the hospital AND at our GP, and both times had been told that her heart rate was fine. Her resting heart rate was at almost 190 bpm...how is this fine exactly??
Details of the case were sent to the Royal Brompton Hospital in West London, and they said that she would need to be admitted immediately, and a transfer should be organised to get her there ASAP. A while later, Isobel was picked up by the CATS (Childrens Acute Transport Services) team by Ambulance, and was rushed to London with blue lights blazing. Thank you CATS team for the swift/professional/informative/friendly service you provided. I am forever in your debt.
Once in the hospital, we met with the Cardiologist ( a very nice chap from South Africa named Jonathan Mervis) that would be carrying out the procedure. he proceeded to advise what COULD go wrong with surgery and the risks etc, and offered low percentage figures for such things happening. What he also offered, was a 100% guarantee that if the surgery was NOT done, that she would certainly not survive.
90 minutes later, after waiting in a parents room for what seemed like an eternity, Dr Mervis came in and advised us that everything had gone to plan, and the surgery had been a success. Isobel was currently recovering and would be brought back up to the ICU very shortly.
She was in Hospital for a further 3 days, and was allowed home on the 31st December. Since then, she has been getting stronger (and louder) every day, has developed an absolutely massive appetite, and as a result has put on loads of weight...mainly in her cheeks
So, a massive thank you to the staff at the Royal Brompton (ICU and Rose ward), and especially to Jonathan Mervis and his team for taking such good care of my little girl. I will never be able to find the words to descride how grateful we are that you were there for her.
Have a Happy 2014 everyone.
Apologies, but this will be a long one, so I wont be offended if you get bored and dont reach the end!
A little back story...
About 7 weeks ago, my 3 week old daughter developed a small skin infection, which was treated with antibiotics and a few days in our local hospital. The day she was discharged, she was given the once over by one of the Doctors who pointed out that she had a slightly elevated heart rate, but he wasnt concerned as she seemed well. He wanted her to have a heart scan, and would make an appointment (just not an urgent one).
Jump forward to the 27th December, and we take Isobel to the hospital for her 'routine' heart scan. Unfortunately, as a by product of the infection she had 7 weeks previously, she now had a massive amount of fluid surrounding her heart (which we were later informed could have caused her to go into cardiac arrest at any given moment) and they were surprised that she was coping so well, given the amount of fluid present. At this point im angry! Why has nothing been picked up earlier? She had VERY recently had a health check at the hospital AND at our GP, and both times had been told that her heart rate was fine. Her resting heart rate was at almost 190 bpm...how is this fine exactly??
Details of the case were sent to the Royal Brompton Hospital in West London, and they said that she would need to be admitted immediately, and a transfer should be organised to get her there ASAP. A while later, Isobel was picked up by the CATS (Childrens Acute Transport Services) team by Ambulance, and was rushed to London with blue lights blazing. Thank you CATS team for the swift/professional/informative/friendly service you provided. I am forever in your debt.
Once in the hospital, we met with the Cardiologist ( a very nice chap from South Africa named Jonathan Mervis) that would be carrying out the procedure. he proceeded to advise what COULD go wrong with surgery and the risks etc, and offered low percentage figures for such things happening. What he also offered, was a 100% guarantee that if the surgery was NOT done, that she would certainly not survive.
90 minutes later, after waiting in a parents room for what seemed like an eternity, Dr Mervis came in and advised us that everything had gone to plan, and the surgery had been a success. Isobel was currently recovering and would be brought back up to the ICU very shortly.
She was in Hospital for a further 3 days, and was allowed home on the 31st December. Since then, she has been getting stronger (and louder) every day, has developed an absolutely massive appetite, and as a result has put on loads of weight...mainly in her cheeks
So, a massive thank you to the staff at the Royal Brompton (ICU and Rose ward), and especially to Jonathan Mervis and his team for taking such good care of my little girl. I will never be able to find the words to descride how grateful we are that you were there for her.
Have a Happy 2014 everyone.
to you all x