Attack of the Chickenpox: Episode III

Note: Please skip if you don't feel like reading a long entry!

How and when it began was recorded in an entry here. The next few days were really trying moments for both of us. Amar has a couple of sleepless nights. So have I. Amar was just tossing and turning. While I couldn't help but to really 'entertain' some of my itchy spots. They were the itchiest when the clear liquid turned into whitish coloured blisters. The whole house was covered in chamomile and lavender talc at that time.


GP
On the fifth day(Tuesday), Amar woke up from his day nap with a red right eye. The next morning, his eye was a bit swollen and still red. Babah has already gone of to work. I quickly dressed the children, prepared their breakfast and walked to our GP (clinic).

Unfortunately, they were fully booked for the whole day. So I said I want to make an appointment for the next morning first thing in the morning. The receptionist answered, you have to call tomorrow morning to book. Although I already expected that answer from her, I still felt so sad, disappointed, frustrated, angry and geram. (yeah, we're talking about service in the UK!)

Didn't she see my spotty face, that said 'CONTAGIOUS' all over it? Didn't it mean, my son needed immediate medical attention? I wouldn't be going out with my current condition just for fun (you idiot!)

Still trying to keep my cool, I asked what should I do next? She said, if I still want medical advice I can go to the Walk in Centre. Then we walked out of the room. After a while, I went back inside and spoke to the same lady again, pretending to ask where the Walk in centre is. After getting a not-so-sure answer from her, I also requested for a COMPLAIN FORM and asked for her name.

I get stressed out each time I didn't get an appointment for my sick children. I just have to do something about their ridiculous appointment booking system. And they just have to get rid of their receptionists FAST! They are just bad bullies!


Walk in Centre
Then, I called up a taxi to get to the walk in centre, which was about 2-3km away. It was a joy ride for Sarah and Amar. But sadly again, when we reached there - they were still CLOSED!!! They open from 12.00-22.00! And it was only 10am when we arrived.

There was a playground nearby where I took the children to kill the time. But soon other kids started to come and play too. It was only appropriate if we go somewhere else. I already received stares from people who passed us. Then I took the kids to see the swans and geese but it started to rain!

And you know chickenpox and rain don't mix, right? While trying to find a shelter - I kept on thinking who on earth spread the myth in the first place? As much as I didn't want to believe it, the faster I walked and dragged Sarah who was also walking. Someone PLEASE do a research on this too! (I've already requested a research paper on the relationship between chickenpox and young coconut drink)

We sought shelter at Coventry Hospital porch which was also in the proximity. After standing there for a while, I decided to just walk inside towards a vending machine and ignore stares. After getting some refreshments I saw a vacant seat at a secluded corner of the big room. All three of us sat there for at least an hour until Sarah said she wanted to do 'a business'. After a visit to the toilet, I thought I should bring the children out again. It was nearly 12pm anyway.

As it was already stopped raining, I took the kids to the playground again when Babah called to say he managed to find someone to cover his work while he took some time out to tend us. Oh my knight in shining armour has come to save the day. Honestly, I felt all the burden has been lifted off my shoulders when I heard he could come home for a while.

I called a taxi to take us home to wait for Babah to take us to A&E instead of the Walk in Centre.


A&E
There wasn't many patients at the children's A&E. We reported ourselves at the receptionist and later was called by a nurse. The nurse brought us to another closed room to avoid contamination as we had chickenpox plus Amar's red eye.

A doctor came to see Amar later, and he suggested two things:
1. He could prescribe eye drops for Amar and if it doesn't go away in 48 hrs, we should go to the eye department.
2. or, if we want another opinion the same day, we could go to the eye clinic straight away.

We were satisfied with no.1 and got the prescription for Amar. Babah went back to work immediately after sending us back home. Didn't I tell you Babah is so workaholic and love his work. He had to drive back for one hour to get to his workplace!


Eye Clinic
This morning (about 48 hours later), Amar's eye was still red. We all got ready and Babah took us to the eye clinic at the brand new Coventry University Hospital. We walked in the rain again and the same question played in my mind, re: chickenpox and rain. That really bugged me, hoping so much it's not true in any case at all!

The waiting area at clinic no. 9: the eye clinic had different bright coloured chairs. There was also a small area purposely designed for the little ones to play at. We were seen by a nurse not long after that. Babah reported all the history.

After that Amar was taken for a vision test which he did not cooperate at all. And last, we were sent to see an Ophthalmologist. The doctor was really friendly with the children. Still, Amar was not very cooperative.

Amar got another prescription in the form of a cream where we have to get it from the Hospital pharmacy. We got a 'bleep' while waiting for the medication. The bleep will bleep 5 times to tell us that it is ready. We had our lunch at the hospital while waiting for the medication to be prepared.

After two an a half hours at the hospital, we went home feeling lighter already, while Babah had to go to work. Thank you Babah for sacrificing your working hours for us.