My flu continues to thrive in the cesspool of infection that is my gestating body. Uggghhh! I had to share with you my visit to the Toronto East General Hospital where I was made to feel like the lamest idiot for daring to enter their sacred emergency walls. Sunday morning, I woke up sobbing because it had been 6 days of no sleep (due to incessant coughing), no food (because I can’t taste anything), and the constant irritation of not being able to breathe through my mouth.
I went to emergency firstly, because I was desperate – at my wit’s end and not knowing where else to turn. Secondly, it’s hard for me to get to my family doc or a walk-in during the week because of my kids and their various drop and pick-up requirements. So, I walk into emerg, go through all the paperwork and then tell them "By the way, I’m 7 months pregnant". "Oh", she replies (how do they find the least compassionate people in the universe to work in the ER?) "We can’t help you here. Anyone past 20 weeks has to go to Labour and Delivery for Triage." "But, this has nothing to do with my pregnancy." "That doesn’t matter. Please go to J7 and ask for Triage."
So I do. There in the wild and fun world of triage there are four people in active labour, and I’m shoved onto a cot in the back of the room. They draw a curtain around me and I proceed to hear the moans and screams of labouring women. Soon, a nurse examines me, places a fetal monitor on my belly and reassuringly tells me that everything seems okay with the baby. "Thank you for that – I appreciate it. But that’s not why I’m here. I can’t breathe, sleep or eat and it’s been a week."
Next, a disturbingly handsome resident comes in, examines me, and proceeds to give me the same reassuring comments (much appreciated by the way just not totally on point to my visit) about my pregnancy. "Thanks Dan, but I’m here about my persistent flu, for which I can find no relief." "Oh, I see, well, let me see if I can find a doctor."
Yeah, thanks for that. I’ve only been here for 2.5 hours. Finally, a woman in greens appears at my bedside. "So," she says smugly, "I hear you’ve got the flu. I’m Dr. O., the OB on call." I reach out to shake my hand and she recoils in disgust. "Sorry, but no thanks, I’d rather stay healthy." She laughs smugly and flips her extremely weirdly cut hair. "I don’t know why you came to triage, but this for moms in labour. take lots of rest and liquids and maybe go to your family doctor if you don’t get better." "We just don’t have the resources to deal with this type of thing."
Honestly, it took everything in me not to punch condescending Dr. O. in the face. I’m not a violent person, but that experience had the potential to push me over the edge. By the way, the most helpful health professional throughout this ordeal has been Barry, my pharmacist, who actually sat down with me and advised me on what drugs I could take during this stage of my pregnancy and what was most effective: his suggested combo which has given me relief these past two nights is Otrivin nasal spray, Tylenol and Vicks inhalations.
My first order of business when I return to Canada is to egg Dr. O’s house. I mean, WTF? jeez. Love you and will buy you whatever drugs you need — they are cheap here in egypt 🙂
thanks so much for the words of confidence. it’s nice to know that there are others out there who “get” what i’m going through. i’m off to the family doctor now again to get antibiotics…i’m hoping this works. thanks again.
i can’t believe that’s the treatment a pregnant woman receives in our glorious city – i know resources are scarce and all, but come on! luckily you had the pharmacist to help you figure things out – i think we (Canada) need either more doctors (stating the obvious!) or at least those with better bedside manner!!
Being sick while pregnant is awful. I had pneumonia during my second pregnancy…for the last six weeks…during labour and for nine weeks after. I couldn’t take anything for it. I was up at night coughing and chocking. It was scary and awful. I particularly loved it when people told me to get more rest. As if. Anyway…I did find drinking hot liquids constantly some sort of relief…even added some honey to help the cough. I’m sorry you’re suffering. It isn’t fair.
Nice bedside manner…urgh. That burns me up. I really think medical schools should require courses on respectful human interaction. This happens far too often.
Hope you are feeling better!
I’m so glad you turned to your pharmacist. I learned that valuable lesson while suffering from a persistent sinus infection during my second pregnancy. The key is: most docs don’t really know all that much about most drugs, so they’re not to be relied upon! I went to my family doc for advice for the above ailment and he reco’d Advil Cold & Sinus – surprised and for a moment blissfully optimistic, I said, “can I take that when I’m pregnant?” “What? Oh, no…sorry, you can’t. Only regular Tylenol.”
Gee. Thanks. But the pharm at my local Shoppers was awesome, and I’ve learned to turn to him when I know I need a drug to relieve my symptoms, but a trip to the doc just ain’t in the cards. He’s helped me out of that sinus infection, a lot of bad pregnancy-induced heartburn, and repeated coughs, colds and whatnot for daughters and, most recently, debilitating back pain on my part.
Anyway, I’m so sorry to hear you’re not well. It’s miserable to be sick when you’re pregnant. You dream of drugs, don’t you?