Interesting times

[avevale_intelligencer]

As I write this, Jan is embarking on her fourth hour of waiting to be seen in the RUH in Bath, A&E department. She's had sores on her toes for a while, and one of them suddenly blew up and developed a nasty infection; at the same time she went off her food and her pain levels shot up. A doctor came to see her and arranged for a nurse to come in and dress the toe, and prescribed antibiotics which she has been taking religiously. Then today another nurse came to change the dressing, and decided that Jan needed another doctor to take a look-see. The doctor who came was our own doctor, who said that she could smell the infection and that if Jan didn't go into hospital today she might die, and went away at once to arrange an ambulance.

The first responder who came screaming over from Trowbridge with his blue lights flashing was quite waspish on the subject of doctors who without performing any "observations" can tell these things by smell. I recalled all those stories about crusty old country doctors who are scornful of modern medical technology, though to be fair very few of them resembled Dr Beale, who is five foot nothing, female and not that crusty. He did the observations and reported that the immediate danger of death was, er, nil, but that Jan needed to go in anyway. A proper ambulane arrived in due course and we travelled in together, having hastily packed an overnight bag; unfortunately A&E was very busy, as it always is, and when I had to tear myself away to get a taxi to the station to catch the rail replacement bus service (since of course they're "improving" the lines this month so there are no trains to Bath) Jan was still sitting in an alcove waiting for the nurse who was going to be with her "shortly."

Still, I gather from talking to her on the phone that she's been given her natty hospital gown that fastens up the back, so they haven't entirely forgotten her.

And of course there is always the comforting thought that if the government had succeeded in abolishing the NHS before now we would have to pay for all this, and since we can't Jan would probably be looking at a somewhat early death. So, there's that. Any government that denies its citizens universal health care, free at the point of use, is an evil government, composed of slime moulds from the deepest pits of hell. In case you were wondering.

I'll be ringing her again tomorrow to see if anything has happened, and going in again as soon as possible thereafter. In the meantime, prayers, good thoughts and healing energies would be most welcome. She's the only one of her this world is ever likely to have and I rather need her.

And now I shall eat something and go to bed, hopefully.

Comments

[eoforyth.livejournal.com]

Oh, damn. Do send her our love and wishes for a speedy resolution of this. Many hugs.

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

::sends good thoughts and healing for Jan::

As a diabetic and somewhat prone to infections, I feel for both of you. As for smelling the infection, that's entirely possible; anyone who has been around a bad infection knows that they do indeed produce a noticeable and distinct scent.

Vice versa, doctors differ radically on the dangers of infections. I suspect that your doctor, who knows the patient and her resistance and general condition, is more prone to err on the side of caution with regard to the case, where a new doctor will generalize and believe that the patient is more in the center of the bell curve, with a greater tolerance and resistance than Jan does from your descriptions.

Glad you have the NHS and thereby coverage, and I hope this gets dealt with as quickly and easily as possible.

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to Jan, and I hope the treatment is both quick and effective.

I think that if the doctor can small the infection, it's a fair indication that something needs to be done - you don't need tests to verify there's something wrong. And when you're dealing with a diabetic, then treatment is vital.

And yes, with regard to the slime moulds.

[valydiarosada.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed for Jan. and lots of *hugs*.

[alun dudek (from livejournal.com)]

Best wishes to you both. Hope they solve it quickly and effectively.

Totally agree about the slime.

[themis1.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to Jan for a speedy recovery (and escape from hospital!)

[murphys-lawyer.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to you both.

[jelas.livejournal.com]

Sending all the good thought to both of you.

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

Prayers for strength and healing of body and spirit, for you both.

[aunty_marion]

Damn, been away from LJ for most of the afternoon/evening, so have only just seen this! At least Dr Beale got an ambulance to come out quickly, and Jan is doubtless in the best place for treatment when it actually happens. Give her my love when you speak to her, and I hope she improves rapidly without any undue bad consequences.

[lastalda.livejournal.com]

Sending lots of good thoughts and healing vibes!

(And, as with most things, I totally agree on the slime moulds from hell!)

[smtfhw.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to Jan for a speedy recovery, and to you to cope with all of this. We're thinking of you both and sending whatever good vibes our atheist selves can conjure here.

[batyatoon]

All good thoughts and prayers to Jan, and to you.