Monday, May 12, 2014

From Hospital, With Love

Mental note: visiting at meal time is never a good idea if you have 5 Kids
The problem with suffering occasional bouts of Man Flu is that when you are truly ill everyone just gives you a hard time and brushes you off as having yet another dose of this imaginary illness you have become so famous for. 

It's also hard to take someone serious when they continue to be able to go to work, attend Soccer games, roam around Agfest for the day and then entertain the group of Chinese that flew in specifically to talk to us about our farm development. How sick can you really be when you are seen driving visitors around the State sightseeing by day and dining on Abalone and Crayfish by night? 

It appears you can be very ill indeed. 


The Chinese left and I finally convinced Daniel to go to the Doctor on Monday morning "for goodness sakes, and stop being such a martyr!" Unfortunately, the Doctor did not detect the massive abscess in his throat and sent him off with some antibiotics for Tonsilitis and a note to come back in 3 days time. Within an hour of being home and collapsing into bed he could barely talk and then when he was struggling to breath he rang the Doctor but was told by the nurse on the phone that the "antibiotics would take a couple of days to kick in, sit tight, you sound fine". Unhappy with that response and at how quickly he was deteriorating, he rushed himself to the Hospital where he was immediately diagnosed with Quinsy - the swelling from the infection and abscess in his throat affecting his speech and breathing. He was hooked up to an IV with a cocktail of steroids and antibiotics for 5 whole days. Yes, five whole days in Hospital! For someone who can't sit still at the best of times and has never been this ill or hospitalised in the 15 years we have been together this was not the best news. 

My poor love.


To say this household of 7 does not function well unless there are two adults on board is an understatement.  It's a massive team effort around here. I've done my fair share of solo parenting from time to time when Daniel is away for work but normally there is a bit of notice to prepare both mentally and logistically. I had but 5 minutes notice this time around and holding the fort and keeping myself and everything together for the sake of the Kids, who were really upset, was all rather draining. There were also 2 trips per day to the Hospital which meant the household is currently in a state of Dire Straits yet again. C'est la vie!

On Friday when he was released, I was so thoroughly exhausted I almost wanted to take his spot on that bed and say "Tag, you're it!". I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have complained one bit about all the hospital interruptions like having fresh sheets put on my bed every single day. "They came in and changed them again!", he said. Gosh, how dare they! Nor would I have complained about 5 meals being cooked by someone else and brought to my bedside 5 times a day. "I was just about to doze off and they came in again with more food!", he says. The Rudeness! When he started complaining about being bored out of his brains, how lonely he was, despite having access to books and TV all day long, I offered to bring him the pile of Bills to sort through. Instead, he got busy on his laptop and sent me updates of who had died from Quinsy, this medi-evil sounding condition that none of us had heard of until last week - George Washington apparently....... and possibly one of  the Popes. 

All jokes aside, it was a rough old week but there was also so much love to be found as often happens when the chips are down. I'm grateful for all the well wishes sent from family, friends and messages of support sent through the interwebs. Every time I saw the Kids surrounding his hospital bed I cried.



In the midst of it all, our gorgeous Blue-Eyed Boy turned 8. Unfortunately he didn't get his wish for his Daddy to be home for his birthday but he happily cancelled any party plans so he could blow his candle out in Hospital where we could all be together. What a champ.

Tiramisu from the bakery on the way to the Hospital will do just fine for a Birthday cake this year.
And needless to say, the best present I could hope to receive for Mother's Day yesterday was to have Daniel home from Hospital. He's still recovering but at least he is home. Last week really shook us up and I don't think we'll ever take our good health for granted again. And as for my gang of 5 right here, I couldn't be more proud to be their Mum and this week took that to a whole new level. They have been absolute troopers!

I hope those of you who celebrated Mother's Day yesterday had a wonderful day.

********

Finally, a big thank you to you for continuing to pop into my little space here and leaving the kindest comments, especially while I've been a little absent in Blogland of late. I should be back to normal blogging mode shortly :-)




64 comments :

  1. Holy cow Mel, how lucky he is that he dragged himself off....we had a friend had something similar (lived 120kms from town) and his wife rushed him in - he made it to the Dr surgery (where thankfully there was an EXCELLENT Dr) who actually had to perform an emergency tracheotomy on him right there.

    Gee. Perhaps that wasn't the best story to tell you. But all ended well!

    Just quietly, despite the illness required, that hospital visit sounded like a WONDERFUL holiday! Imagine fresh sheets EVERY DAY?! I cannot even.

    Hope he recovers to full health very soon.

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    1. Thanks Sharon,

      Your poor friend! I would have taken him to the Hospital myself but the Kids were at that exact moment on the Bus on the way home from School only 5 minutes away and he didn't think he could even wait that long!!!

      I always viewed my stay in Hospital after the births as a holiday, but I guess I wasn't sick and I do enjoy my own company whereas he really hates being on his own...and clean sheet day everyday would be a beautiful thing. No, I can't imagine it either :-)

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  2. Oh my!!! very sick indeed, amazing he is home already! Praying:)

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    1. Thanks Erin, he's still on oral antibiotics but he's definitely on the mend :-)

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  3. Mel you sound like you have had a very interesting week to say the least! Thank goodness your husband took himself to hospital, it is amazing how long we try and soldier on, he must have been feeling like crap! And I think you do deserve a couple of days R and R after doing the solo parenting and the worried partner caper all week, sounds like it was a hard week on you all! Hope everything is smooth sailing for you guys from now on and happy birthday to your gorgeous 8 year old! Julie xx

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    1. Thanks Jules, in hindsight he says he was feeling like total crap but just felt he had to push through and was trying to 'put off' being sick until our Chinese visitors had left x

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  4. Oh no Mel that must have been so scary to see Daniel deteriorate so quickly and to be so seriously ill. I am so glad to hear that he is on the mend and was able to come home to celebrate mother's day with you. I know that my hubby went through a similar incident but didn't end up in hospital, he still however puts off going to the doctors until he is told/really really sick. Good health is a precious thing for sure. Happy birthday to your happy boy:) Take care. xx

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    1. Thanks Catherine.....it goes without saying this whole thing was a big lesson for us, and him especially, about nipping things in the bud before things get serious where even more time has to be taken out from work x

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  5. My sympathies to him. I have had quinsy and only very serious pneumonia was worse. It took me a long time to recover fully, so take care of him. Mum also had it when I was about 10 and she too was very ill.

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    1. Thanks Jan, there is fairly high relapse rate if you don't take it easy too (and next time would also involve surgery) so he is being very careful....from all reports pneumonia sounds horrendous :-(

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  6. Oh dear - that sounds horrid. Hope things continue to improve this week. X

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  7. My goodness, you have had a difficult time - glad to hear that Daniel is now on the mend. I'm sure you were more than ready to "tag" - hope you get a bit of time to recover too!
    Caz xx

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    1. Thanks Caz, I did get a sleep-in and a chance to rest on Sunday x

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  8. OH Mel You sure have had a tough week but I bet you are glad to have Daniel home. How Daniel managed to keep on functioning and dealing with people when he was so unwell. I hope you manage to get some time to rest so that you do not get sick. That cake looks very tasty and I think it was a great option in the circumstances.

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    1. The Tiramisu was delicious even though it looks like a 'dogs breakfast' in the photo and Charles was happy so that's the main thing x

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  9. Wow. It's an impressive story and I know what you mean about the man flu and being taken seriously!! By the way, that's a lovely view out the hospital window. I think I could do with a spell in there myself. Seriously though, I love your sense of humour throughout this story. You're obviously a tough nut!! Hope you get the rest and help you deserve this week. And happy birthday to your gorgeous boy. Xxx

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    1. He wasn't complaining enough for something so serious as opposed to a little sniffle which is the end of the world. The mind boggles. The view from the hospital room is gorgeous isn't it? More like a retreat than a hospital! x

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  10. Jeepers Mel, you must be exhausted. I hope with the colder months approaching, things slow down a little for you. I love the photos of hubbie surrounded his family. Take care xo

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    1. I hope things slow down too....there does seem to be more time in the evenings now that it's dark by 5...thanks Elaina x

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  11. Oh no! So glad everything and everyone are okay now, golly gosh.....
    (And what a lovely view outside the hospital room window! Pretty!)
    x

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  12. That does not surprize me........my friend called a doctor to her house on a Friday night and she told him what she thought it was (different to your husband's illness) and she was given anti-b and by Sunday night she still had a high fever and ended up in hospital for 5 days and the anti-b didn't work for 4 days..actually it got quite serious. Some things are not normal and you just have to persist because we know our bodies. Glad you are all back together and back on the mend. What a big week you all have had. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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    1. I keep hearing stories like this! It's just so important to listen to our bodies isn't it? It really does tell you when something is just not right even when a Doctor tells you it is....x

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  13. FAR OUT. So glad he is well.

    You know I work in a hospital and often hear about the complaints from patients, I had a consumer focus group to run and you know what one woman wouldn't stop complaining about - her room was cleaned too often. She suggested that we only vacuum if the patient wants the floors cleaned, and that we make morning and afternoon tea in the tea room so that if she wants it, she can go and get it. (I guess those who are bed bound just have to go without!)

    All the best for a speedy recovery. (for you both).

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    1. Claire, I was so disappointed with my last stint in Hospital with Flynn because they had changed it so that breakfast was a 'serve-yourself' tea and toast thing in a different room instead of a hot breakfast being brought to your bed. Apparently new Mums were complaining about the interruptions. Say what? I LOVED having food brought to me, it was truly like a holiday, and what about those Mums who had C-sections? But obviously I'm in the minority...or maybe it was just an excuse for cuts in hospital funding! x

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  14. Good news Mel, but what a shock. It's the tough times that bring you closer x

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  15. Oh my. I'm glad Daniel is on the mend, but what an awful experience for all of you. Your description of the sheet changing, five prepared meals and access to books and TV made me laugh. Back when I was in the thick of raising my five kids a friend and I would actually joke about checking into the hospital so we could get a break.

    I've never heard of Quinsy before. Now I'm off to do some Googling.

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    1. I'm glad you hadn't heard of it before either, I think they call it Peritonsillar Abscess in some circles too, which doesn't sound quite as pre-historic :-)

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  16. Oh my goodness Mel, poor you and of course poor Daniel! I know exactly what you mean, in a very strange coincidence my husband had the very same thing a few years ago and he was ribbed for having a bad case of man-flu for several days, I even made him attend the birthday party we were hosting for our eldest (aged 8 or 9 if I remember correctly) One of the mums at the party was a senior nurse at our GP practice and also confirmed it was man-flu - she was quite embarrassed as he was in hospital having the quinsy lanced before the party was over! (that still makes me feel bad and a little queasy!) I remember hubby slept for a couple of days afterwards.
    I can't imagine how you coped alone with the kids, I'd certainly have admitted myself to that hospital bed as soon as he vacated it.
    And that last photo, doesn't the birthday boy look just like you under that furry hat?
    Take care all of you x

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    1. Thanks Jay.....it's a horrible thing to have isn't it (your Hubby has Daniel's sympathies) and I do feel a little guilty for not taking him more seriously but I just think he should have been complaining more for something so serious! x

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  17. Goodness... Glad it has all ended well at least... hugs to you all... Cass x

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  18. Oh gosh, I am sorry that you have had such a stressful time, but so very glad that all is getting better now and that Daniel is back home again, that must have been a great mothers day present for you indeed. I hope that he keeps improving and is back to normal very very soon. On a side note, I love that Daniels hospital room has such a large window and is placed so that you can see out to the view beyond. English hospital beds are placed so that even if there is a tiny window you can never see out so you are left to stare at the walls or the TV all day, this is so much nicer. Anyhow, keep on taking care of everyone and not least of all yourself. xx

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    1. It was a lovely hospital, beautiful nurses and such a peaceful setting. It was a private specialty ENT hospital - our public hospitals are as you describe and you are usually bunked in with other patients....x

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  19. Wow - good thing everything is back to normal! Much easier to look back on the week now that it's over, isn't it? Glad you've got all hands back on deck, take care of yourselves!

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    1. Yes, it all doesn't seem so bad now but at the time it was pretty scary...x

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  20. Good grief Mel you and your Daniel have been through the mill. It's amazing sometimes how these things can pop up from nowhere and completely pull the rug from under our feet. I also thought that quinsy was one of those medieval sounding diseases that died out with the plague - obviously not! But what a lovely family you have around you - hard work I'm sure but I bet everybody pulled together as a fabulous team. I must say Daniel had a wonderful view from his room - my mum has currently got a car park! So glad that things are now going in the right direction. Jane xxx

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    1. Thanks Jane, it was an 'inconvenient' time for him to be sick but a good lesson for him to realise that the world didn't end by him having 5 days off work!!! The car park is the standard view for most hospitals here too, this was a Private Hospital so it was a special treat to have that view for sure x

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  21. So glad he's home and recuperating - good health really is priceless
    I would never complain about clean sheets either!!
    xx

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    1. We'll be taking a lot more care of ourselves now, that's for sure! Clean sheet day every day would be so nice wouldn't it? x

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  22. That must have been such a shock for you. I'm glad he is now home and is getting better. Hope you find some time to recover too! Sarah x

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    1. Thanks Sarah, I'm slowly getting on top of the laundry and household (yet again!) and fitting in a spy of knitting too x

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  23. I hope his recovery is speedy. I'm sorry to hear he's been so sick.

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  24. Oh my goodness Mel, that sounds so scary. I never heard of quinsy but a quick google made me feel slightly sick. I am glad Daniel is on the mend. How you coped with the worry, all the visits, 5 children and a birthday I can only begin to imagine. I think you might be superwoman. Your local hospital looks amazing, you don't get anything like this where I live. Your Birthday boy is a superstar. All the best for the next few days and weeks! xx

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    1. Thanks so much Christina - I should have mentioned that this was a private hospital in a beautiful setting. The public hospital in the middle of the city is not quite the same.... I loved visiting to look at the lovely view, it felt more like a hotel, which is why I wanted him to really relax and at least make the most of being on bed rest...x

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  25. Hey Mel,
    What a rough time. For all of you. Kids are amazing at coping when things are genuinely tough. Bravo to your troupe, especially the birthday boy. My sister had quinzy when she was in her late teens. I remember her being very poorly. And I wouldn't mind a turn in that lovely hospital, either. Is there room for one more?!
    All the best for the next week.
    Leanne xx

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    1. There were all these spare rooms next to his and all I could think of was "if only we had someone to look after the Kids for a few days!" x

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  26. Haha, the cheek! It's all about perspective I guess. Glad to hear he's doing better and you're all together again. What a nightmare! And having to hold it all together for everyone, you're a champ. Hope this week gives you both some moments to rest, recover and reconnect. X

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  27. wow, what an ordeal! I'm so glad to hear he's on the mend and hope you get a well deserved rest in somehow too x

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  28. Oh what a beautiful family you have Mel! So glad to hear Daniel is well and made it home for mothers day and you could all be together! Oh and your special birthday boy, how sweet to change his party plans...his eyes are amazing! Take care x Dre

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  29. wow that sounds scary, at least he had the good sense to go to hospital. hope order has since been restored.

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  30. wow that sounds like a rough week! my husband is exactly the same. i can never take him seriously when he's sick because he still goes to work, footy etc. whereas when i'm sick i lie on the couch whinging. boys...

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  31. Hope order has been restored this week Mel. Sometimes I very foolishly wish that I could come down with something that would allow me a few days rest in hospital (sounds like heaven at times), but I rather quickly give myself a left uppercut and remind myself how fortunate we all are to have good health. Hope Daniel is back on his feet and you're all doing much better.

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  32. Oh I can relate to that story, except that I'm the patient in our version! So glad your husband got to hospital in time (despite the GP not giving the right advice) and has had good care (lovely view in that hospital!) but I can totally understand that now you need a rest. I see that in my husband's eyes and he has only has two teenagers to look after (plus me, of course), not the five younger children of your family. And we had plenty of notice, I even chose to do my surgery! Quite a different scenario. Hoping you can get some serious rest ASAP and that you are ALL feeling well and rested soon. Btw my younger girl also loved doodling on the whiteboard in my ward, love that you got photos.

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  33. Yes it's very serious!!!! My Dad had it here in UK about 70 years ago before antibiotics. He had operation nearly died. Got better, or I wouldn't be here!!!! Make sure hubby rests well...... xxx

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  34. Golly! I just came over from Tales From a Happy House to such worrying excitement! Quinsey? Wow! It's such an old fashioned disease, who knew it still existed? Thank God he's well again now, and home.
    Please may I call back again on a quieter day? I'm just off to read your archives.....

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  35. Why do men feel like it's 'giving in' to say they're sick? :) What a scary, stint for you all. Hope all is back to normal now. A healthy family is so important. P.S Clean sheets, meals and that gorgeous garden view from the hospital room look so lovely... I adored my hospital stay with both girls purely for the endless meals and cups of tea that were brought to my room! :)

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  36. Oh Mel, you guys definitely had a rough week! How horrible - hoping all is getting it's way back to some kind of normal for you all. Much love xx

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  37. Crumbs Mel! So glad to read above that's he's on the mend, but Sally's boyfriend had Quinsy last year so I know how dire it can be. What a nightmare.

    (Can you tell I've been all but offline for a week, and paying no attention to blogs and facebook and such. Sorry x)

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  38. I am very, very happy that Daniel is ok and back home now. What a fright for you all, and what a tough week that must have been for you, holding the fort and holding yourself together simultaneously. I send big hugs!

    (By the way - Bella wore Eleanor's rainbow skirt over the weekend...it's getting a bit small but neither of us want to part with it!) xxx

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  39. Ouch! It's like when you tell the children to stop whinging and find they have something ghastly. I thought I had a sore arm a few weeks ago and got up and passed out with septicaemia in my arm and chest. Who knew! There was a week of antibiotics and a quiet hospital room and after the first few (unpleasant) days I settled in to enjoying quite a nice rest albeit with an elephant arm and an IV. Mothers of 5 NEVER complain about changed sheets or hospital food. I read a book and slept during the day! Bliss!

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