Well, FFS
Did a stupid thing and dropped Melz off for day surgery this morning at 7.15 and went to work (the stupid thing being that I didn't stay with her)
After talking to her and the receptionist/ward nurse I left work at 8.45 and went back. Just got back from Frenchay after what feels like a whole day of fighting for answers, info and someone to actually take notice.
After I'd left her there, she deteriorated back to being confused, sleepy and unresponsive. I turned up at 10am and they had left her sat in a chair - head on chest and difficult to get a response. Her mum had asked if they could move her to a bed and was told 'not really, but she'll be seen again soon'
I think I had my scary face/attitude/voice on. I was very very very polite, but she was on a 'trolleybed' in a waiting area within about ten mins of me getting there.
Saw two professional folks, both went off to 'discuss' the operation and my concerns about concussion/head injury.
Melz was then transferred to a ward whilst they decided - luckily, they happened to have a side room available
The ward staff sent in a student nurse to do Neurological Obs every 30 mins. She had to stay in the room as well. All this after 'she's ok to go home we'll pin the shoulder next week' on Saturday. Eventually at about 1.30pm a surgeon came up to discuss the operation. He was of the opinion that actually the surgery could be delayed for a week or so. In fact he felt that it wasn't necessary to plate the bone at all
He basically dismissed the concerns about concussion/head injury. And said that 'with all probability' she'd be sent home this afternoon.
Oh - and all day we were told she had 'Post Concussion Stress' - WTF is that about. Why wasn't it mentioned on Saturday???? I know - On saturday she had concussion. Not that anyone mentioned that then either (My only experience of concussion is from thirty years ago and a horse riding accident, so I had no idea how it would affect her)
Anyway - at about 3.30pm I lost it. We didn't know if she was coming home, didn't know about surgery, didn't know whether maybe they'd forgotten about her.
The nurse in charge (she didn't have staff nurse on her badge, but seemed to be in charge) - went off to get a doctor. did the first set of obs since the surgeon had been up (apparently the neuro obs weren't necessary after the surgeons visit ?? )
The duracell doc that we saw yesterday came up and did his best to only address Melz parents, really didn't like talking to me. Luckily Melz dad had lost his calm a bit too, so was saying the same as me.
This new doc says that they will be keeping Melz in whilst they examine the CT scan from Saturday - I of course get less calm again as they told me on Sat that the CT scan was fine. He quickly said that it was, but as they are trying to dot all the I's and cross all the T's, they have ask a Neuro consultant to check the scan.
So, I went out for chinese so that Melz could actually have a cheer up meal!! and the poor kid is still in the hosp.
The only bonus about being a stroppy mare is that they didn't chuck me out when visiting hours ended!!!!!!!
All in all, I'm seriously unimpressed. For a hospital that specialises in head and spinal injuries, I am really really unhappy about the sudden backtracking on the head injury/concussion thing. I kind of expect communication to be lacking in hospitals (although today was quite spectacular in that area) but I really believed them on Saturday. And sunday. Today, I took on board what had been put on here ref the head injury and spoke to an Ex HEMs paramedic friend so went in wanting proper answers. I don't think they liked it much - although I was super polite at all times
It appears that having sent her home with a probably serious concussion on Saturday with no information and heavy duty painkillers, they are now running around arse covering. to the point that the only pain killers they'll give her are a couple of paracetamol
Am shattered! Poor Melz is stuck in hospital And any op to plate the bone will be in about ten days time - if they'll do that now