Fairy Girl

On Saturday at approximately 11 pm I was rushed to the maternity ward at Wilgeheuwel Hospital. My BP was 199 / 138. I was relieved to find Linda on duty as she is a phenomenal nurse / midwife and she delivered our little Abigail in January.

I was put into the labour ward, so I did not disturb any of the other patients and my BP was monitored for about 2 hours. Unfortunately my BP was playing havoc and I was given medication to bring it down. My poor little girl’s heart beat was racing, probably because my pulse was around 116. The Doc prescribed pethadene to calm me down and I was put into a ward with another patient, fortunately she was sound asleep.

I was monitored every half and hour and I eventually fell asleep around 4 am, only to be woken at 5 am for further observation.

My neighbour now wide awake politely introduced herself to me and told me why she had been admitted etc. I tried to stay awake and listen but the meds took over and I dosed off.

At 7am I heard a little voice at the end of my bed “is jy wakker”. I was livid. My dearest neighbour was standing at the foot of my bed trying to wake me up, because she wanted me to help her get undressed. She couldn’t take her pj’s off with her a drip (now keep in mind she had already been in hospital for a week). I told her to ask a nurse to help but she didn’t want them to see her naked (like I wanted too). I helped her and climbed back into bed, I had no sooner dosed off when guess what “is jy wakker” appeared at the foot of my bed again. You have got to be kidding me, she now wanted me to help her get dressed, in my not groggy state I helped her and politely told her to ask the staff to assist her next time.

I tried to sleep, but that was rather difficult as my neighbour spoke very, very loud (wanting the whole world to know she was there) and to put the cherry on the cake, her 2 year old son was dropped off for the day. I love children but when you are 30 weeks pregnant, drugged and have a headache from hell a noisy child is the last thing you want around you.

I vaguely remember hearing arguing and found out later that my dearest neighbour had a fight with her husband and mother.

The next day, I was very pleased when her Doctor informed her that she was no longer allowed visitors except her husband.

A new neighbour arrived on Monday and when I left on Tuesday, she was arranging to be moved. She too could not share a room with “is jy wakker”.

I don’t understand how people can be so insensitive and self absorbed. I truly feel for the next patient that will end up sharing a room with her, as she still has a week left in hospital.

I am glad to be home!!!