207!
Hitched a ride with Jase and went down to KKH bright and early this morning. I was hoping to waylay the doctor on his round and bombarding him with a list of questions.
Here’s what I needed to know…
WHEN CAN SHE COME HOME?!!
Ok, I didn’t go all psychotic and yelled at the poor MO or anything. (Really.) I did manage to find out that so long her SB level stays well below 220, she can be discharged on Day 14 (Thursday). And apparently the doctor I spoke to reports to a mysterious Dr Sam who is my baby’s paediatrician, whom I have never met.
Having a baby at KKH is so different from my previous experience at St John of God… Dr E. Green, the PD in charge of Estelle, made it a point to see me every morning to update me on what’s happening with my baby. She also patiently discusses all the options with me, explains what is happening and answers my numerous questions. In fact, after we were discharged, she also made it a point to call me now and then to follow up on Estelle’s progress and to offer advice.
Meanwhile, over here, the nurses relay the doctor’s messages (which I think are what is written by the doctor during the morning Doctor’s Round in the baby’s file) IF you ask them. And should you have any queries, the nurses will have to page the doctor for you, and you have to wait for the doctor to be free to speak with you.
I requested to speak with a doctor when I was first told by the nurses that my baby would have to stay behind after I discharge because the test for G6PD was inconclusive. The cord blood will have to be re-tested at SGH and the results will only be out on Monday. Okay, forgive me, but that is not a REASON for me to leave my baby at a hospital.
The next morning, yet another nurse informed me that Amelie had to stay behind because she could be getting jaundice. And yet ANOTHER request to see a doctor.
Finally a medical officer came and explained that Amelie will have to stay at the hospital until she is 14 days old as it’s highly likely that Amelie is G6PD deficient and her SB level is getting higher. But still she couldn’t explain to my satisfaction why I must leave Amelie behind.
Eventually, at 4 pm, the Registrar arrives at the ward. After a quick lesson on genetics, she manages to convince me of the severity of the situation and that Amelie will receive the best care at the nursery.
Since then, I have not seen a single doctor. Or heard from any.
Somehow it just doesn’t seem right. For a life-threatening case (yes, brain damage and liver failure were mentioned) severe enough to warrant a 14 day stay at the hospital, I have received no communication from a single doctor.
