Hospital Blues

Okay, this is l-o-n-g overdue but I feel the need to put in an entry here. Our last new year's eve was really memorable, all for the wrong reason.

A few days before the last day of 2006, Joanne developed some blisters and itchiness on her feet. Thinking that it was just a case of "normal" rash, I applied some cream on the affected areas. But things got worse. And it got really, really bad on the evening of December 31, 2006. Joanne couldn't stop crying. She's one tough cookie. She wouldn't cry unless she was in real pain and discomfort.

I panicked though Alex didn't seem at all concerned, which infuriated me more. We had just arrived in this new country and had really no idea how to go about such a medical emergency on the eve of a public holiday.

Luckily, my cousin gave me some idea. She told me to go straight to the Emergency Department of the Box Hill Hospital. It would be quite a wait, she warned, but it certainly was better than having Joanne howling through the night.

I was sceptical but had no other better options. The hospital is just five minutes away from our house in Doncaster. We got there and the nurse in charged promptly attended to this little girl with "swollen and itchy feet". I was surprised. The people working there were so helpful and cheerful on a night when they should've been out partying with friends and family.

Yes, it was a long wait and Joanne was seen by several doctors. In the end, she had to be admitted for observation. The medication given didn't seem to work on her and she cried all night long. But at least I knew we could get help quickly if we needed to. It was a long night. By the next day, the swelling had reduced slightly. The paediatrician who saw Joanne decided to keep her there for another day.

And since it was holiday season, most kids were away. There was only another baby in the next room. And we got first class treatment from the staff there. There was a nice playrooom (see pix) and Joanne felt so happy there she forgot her discomfort.

Joshua and Alex came to visit. And Joshua too got excited about the toys and videos he got to "share" with Joanne (and no one else since there were no other patients).

In the end, we stayed there 2 nights. The problem - contact dematitis. Joanne's sensitive skin might have come into contact with something that irritated her skin dramatically.

The doctors and nurses were great. That was the first good impression we had of Melbourne. Fantastic public service. No such thing when I came from!

Joanne is fine now, though she's a big user of moisturiser to keep her dry and sensitive skin moisturised. Well, that's better than being a regular at the hospital!