It's been over a week now since my Fall outdoors last Friday; in which both my right foot and my left knee got badly bruised - and led to me spending a full day in the Accident & Emergency department of our hospital on the following Monday. I managed a "mini" update here on Tuesday, but a fuller version has just had to wait, as I've been too tired.
As it's a long story of a long day, I've now decided to do it in two parts.
Here we go:
On Monday Morning (13 Oct) at 9:15(-9:45) I had a pre-booked appointment for an annual (although at least 18 months since the last one!) follow-up of this and that with a new GP at my primary Health Care Centre (located in the city centre). Normally walking distance for me, but now I realised I'd better take a taxi. (Pre-booked to arrive at 8:45 outside my building, and only 5-10 min drive to the HHC.)
I'd never met this doctor before but immediately liked her; she was fairly young (certainly compared to me!) and seemed both sympathetic and efficient. I decided to start with informing her about my recent accident; and after going through my list of prescriptions (to be renewed), she prioritised taking a look at my injuries rather than measuring my blood pressure right then and there. She said that could be followed up by a nurse later.
My bruises had kept spreading over the weekend, so by now my whole right foot was rather blue; while my left leg was showing quite an impressive display of various shades of red, blue and purple both over and below the knee. After visual inspection + a good deal of poking and prodding, the GP decided to refer me straight up the hospital for x-rays, in case there were some hidden fractures after all. - She did not specify how to get myself there; but there aren't all that many steps to walk from the Health Care Centre to a bus stop from where I could to take an ordinary bus straight uphill to the hospital. And knowing the distances involved, I saw no problem with choosing that over calling a taxi again.
I had to wait for a while in the Radiology department waiting room, but actually that particular part of that day's adventures took less time than I had expected. On the other hand - everything after that took a lot longer!
The x-ray itself was quick, but what I had not really counted on was then being ordered to go to the A&E to wait for the results. And even less that I'd be spending the whole rest of the day there, and not be home until 8 pm...
Photo taken 11:27, looking back at the main entrance of the hospital as I went round the outside to the A&E.
Approaching the A&E (Swedish: Akutmottagning) at 11:29.
After registering at the reception, I sat in their main waiting room for a while; but it did not take all that long before a nurse came and brought me + a few others (probably also waiting for x-ray analyses) to another, smaller waiting room. No info about how long I might have to wait there, though. But in retrospect I get that staff can't have had a clue either... They were having a very busy day, and my case obviously wasn't of the highest priority (I could see that for myself!).
I think it must have been around 2:30 pm that I went out to the nurses' desk in the corridor and said, “excuse me, but I've been waiting a long time now, and I've not had anything to eat since breakfast around 7 am”...
Not much they could do about the waiting as such, but I was then brought a cup of tea and a sandwich. And almost immideately after, I was taken to an examination room where (after finishing my tea and sandwich, which came with me!) I could lie down on a bed instead, to wait for a doctor. That took a good while again - but at least I was more comfortable now, and had had something to eat.
14:47 in consulting room, waiting for doc
At last a doctor did come (rather young, and very sympathetic) - but only to tell me that unfortunately there was some "ambiguity" on the x-rays of my knee, which meant that they needed to do a CT scan as well. This time I would not have to walk all the way back up to Radiology again, though, but would be transported lying on the bed... I'd have to wait again for that of course; and for that, my bed was rolled out into the corridor. But at least I was now waiting more comfortably than sitting on a hard chair in a waiting room!
To be continued...
Oh, Monica, what a chapter of accidents. At least waiting while lying down is preferable to sitting on an upright chair. I hope you had something with you to help you pass the time.
ReplyDeleteJanice, I had my phone of course, but that was it. And not knowing where it all would lead to, I did not want to waste too much battery. It was also a very busy environment so all I did was really snap a few photos (thankful now for the time stamps on them!) + a short FB update in Swedish. (It struck me that it might be good if some local friends knew the situation, in case I'd have to ask someone for help with something...) Apart from that, basically just "people watching" ...
DeleteOh my. Not a good start to the day.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was only here in Great Britain that we had to endure such waits!
JC I've only been to the A&E (as patient) twice before (long ago) and both those times there was "real emergency" involved, ending in being admitted to a ward for further care. So not quite comparable...
DeleteOur Emergency Departments are often much the same. Doctor's offices have learned that you wait in a public waiting room less than 15 minutes, then spend the rest of your wait in isolation, thus don't have others to share your misery with! But I'm so sorry you had to not only have X-ray but also CT Scan. I'm looking forward (?) to hearing the rest of the story...when you feel like it. Rest is always priority!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, in the 2nd waiting room at the ED we were about 4-6 people waiting for hours, but very little talking... Being in an isolated room for too long can indeed be frustrating though because then you have absolutely no idea what's going on. On the whole, a bed in the corridor isn't necessarily the worst compromise...! (Unless you're really in need of peace and quiet, of course...)
DeleteOh dear Monica, such a long long time to wait in the ER and for xrays. I will read part 2 when you post i.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terra. 💕
DeleteWhat amazes me most is not the long wait - that ties in with the experience of friends and family, although personally I have never had to go to A&E. No, it‘s the fact that they brought you tea and a sandwich! In a German hospital, they would have shrugged and told you where the cafeteria or a vending machine is, without offering to help you getting there, no matter how long the wait. Most people nowadays carry a water bottle with them at all times, and maybe something to read (kindle or paperback) for doctor‘s appointments, as you never know how long you‘ll be…
ReplyDeleteThe new GP sounds good, maybe you‘ll even see her again for your next appointment!
Meike, I did have a small water bottle in my backpack, as I usually do when going out for more than a very short walk close to home. There was also a toilet across the corridor from the waiting room where one could get oneself a paper cup of water. But as I had not counted on spending the day at the A&E, I had not brought any food... And even when sent down there from x-ray, I didn't really foresee all the rest - or else I'd have bought something in the cafeteria on the way. I did not know what response I'd get when I went to tell them I hadn't eaten for a long time and was beginning to "feel" that. But later
DeleteI saw more patients also being brought tea/coffee + sandwich during the afternoon. (I even got another refill myself later.) Besides not all patients in shape to walk at all, and some in serious need to keep their blood sugar levels in balance, I think the staff probably also don't want us found "missing" when a busy doctor finally does come looking for us! ;) The sandwiches (bread rolls with ham or cheese inside) had obviously been frozen and microwave thawed so I guess they keep a freezer stacked with them. And I'm guessing it's worth the trouble, because it does help waiting patients to get more... "patient"... :) (At least that was the effect it had on me!)
What a traumatic time you've had, but at least you finally had some attention and now things are progressing - albiet rather slowly. At least there was no panic and you didn't set alarm bells ringing!
ReplyDeleteIt's a while since I have been to the local Health centre and the last time was about 2&1/2 years ago - when I was in an out within half an hour, having gone up to Emergencies at around 6:30 a.m. I was the only patient and I think they were actually pleased to see me - relieving the boredom of a long night shift!