After the second episode of Febrile Seizure, we were very careful with Aadi's fever or any health related issue. Luckily there were none until I decided to go to India to visit family.
In May 2008 I went home for a 2 month vacation. On 30th May Aaditya and I left for Mumbai, we were really happy to go home as it was our trip after almost 1.5 years.
As I was packing, Amol was telling me how I should be careful with the water that Aadi drinks, the rains - he must not get wet, he is not used to it. He must not play in the mud, he could get sick.....and the list went on. I knew Amol was worried for Aadu and since he himself was not going to be there during this trip to India, he was making sure he voiced his concerns....but the truth I think is that he was trying to mask his sadness of having to part with his little soldier for that long a period.
Anyways, we landed in Mumbai, the family was there to receive me, and actually I had not told my mum that I was coming; so the trip was actually a surprise for her, and also a sort of birthday gift for her 1st June birthday!!
During the next month, Aadu was healthy, and did not even as much catch a cold. I was feeling very relieved that he did not have any health complaints with the change in weather etc.
We did go out to the park in Juhu (opposite Sahakari Bhandar..now Reliance Fresh) and he would run around the jogging/walking track. He would actually take one and a half round jogging, and that was great according to me coz I never saw a child his age run that much. He would then play on the swings, play in the sand, run after butterflies. He would get exhausted after that; and here I used to think that after all that play it is natural for a child his age to fall asleep.
I really had little or no way of comparing Aadu's stamina to other children. During this trip however, my aunt and her little son also came down; he was just around 2 years of age. So I had just him to compare with.
He (my aunts son Atharva) is always jumping around, and never sat still for more than 5 minutes. But he would hate to run or walk in the park, and would insist that my aunt carry him.
Compared to him, Aaditya would play at home; but could sit and watch cartoons or even a movie continuously without getting bored. At the same time, once he is out of the house and in the open there is no stopping him and his running around.
So here also I really saw no "red flags".
Early July, Aadu had a mild fever, and I gave him Panadol Syrup, to counter it. This worked well. But the fever continued for about a week and then I decided to take him to Mrs. Daftary (his Pediatrician since birth)
What proceeded next I shall write in my next post.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
8 ways to avoid medical mistakes - Dr. Oz's Smart Patient Checklist
Chances are you or your loved ones will need to be hospitalized at some point. Reduce the chances of a medical mistake by following Dr. Oz's eight steps.
This is Dr. Oz, he is a regular at the Oprah Show, and I follow his site RealAge very closely for any medical or health related information.
These following steps will ensure that you or your loved one will be well taken care of while in Hospital and also will get the best treatment available.
Dr. Oz says there's a straightforward advantage to staying infection-free in a hospital. "You're in an environment that has sick people in it who have infections themselves," he says. "It's so easy to spread to you."
Step 2: Avoid wrong-site surgery
When Dr. Oz's wife, Lisa, went in for corrective eye surgery, he says she was the victim of a medical error. "They set the device for her right eye and put it on her left eye," he says. "[It] almost blinded her."
One way a patient can prevent this kind of "wrong-site surgery" error is a simple as writing a note. "If you're going to have surgery on your left arm, write 'Operate on this arm' [on your left arm]," Dr. Oz says.
Hospitals can be very hectic places, and small talk could distract your doctor. "I know you're trying to be polite, and they're trying to be polite talking back to you," Dr. Oz says. "But let them do their job."
Step 4: Find a high-tech hospital
For instance, if a hospital in your area uses bar code technology to organize treatment and medication, go to that hospital. "You will dramatically reduce the risks," Dr. Oz says.
Dr. Oz says this is like the preflight list pilots use before takeoff to prevent simple, preventable mistakes. "It turns out that if you have a simple checklist—like use a sterile cloth or drape if you're going to put a catheter in some patient—you can reduce the infection rates about 85 percent. That probably saved in the last 18 months 1,500 lives," he says.
Dr. Oz recommends researching your hospital using resources from the Joint Commission, a health safety watchdog organization. By going to a high-ranked hospital, Dr. Oz says you are rewarding excellence and forcing other hospitals to improve themselves. "Pick the places you want to get the care you desire," he says. "Those places will thrive, and other hospitals want to be like them."
Step 7: Get to know your hospitalist
Your regular doctor is your go-to gal for for the coordination of all your illnesses and treatments. But, they aren't around when you're in the hospital. That's where a hospitalist steps in.
"They know all the programs and the protocols. They're going to work closely with you to make sure you get what you need done," Dr. Oz says. "Find that person, learn who they are and work with them. That's the person that's going to help you get out of there quickly."
The key to being a smart patient is being proactive about your care, Dr. Oz says. If you hear a doctor say something that doesn't sound right to you, speak up. "If you're on medications, know what they are so you can say: 'Wait a minute. I'm supposed to get four; you just gave me a fifth one. What's going on here?'"
This is Dr. Oz, he is a regular at the Oprah Show, and I follow his site RealAge very closely for any medical or health related information.
These following steps will ensure that you or your loved one will be well taken care of while in Hospital and also will get the best treatment available.
Dr. Oz says there's a straightforward advantage to staying infection-free in a hospital. "You're in an environment that has sick people in it who have infections themselves," he says. "It's so easy to spread to you."
- Ask people to wash their hands before touching you.
- Keep hand sanitizer by your bed.
- Try to avoid bacteria-promoting items, like flowers and jewelry.
- Ask doctors to clean their stethoscopes. "Did you ever think where the stethoscope was before he examined you?" Dr. Oz says. "It was on someone else's chest, and that same bacteria gets carried to you."
- Clean television remotes.
- Ask a doctor to remove his tie, or else tuck it into his shirt. "How many men here have ever washed their tie?" Dr. Oz says. "Nobody. No one washes a tie. Doctors don't either.
Step 2: Avoid wrong-site surgery
When Dr. Oz's wife, Lisa, went in for corrective eye surgery, he says she was the victim of a medical error. "They set the device for her right eye and put it on her left eye," he says. "[It] almost blinded her."One way a patient can prevent this kind of "wrong-site surgery" error is a simple as writing a note. "If you're going to have surgery on your left arm, write 'Operate on this arm' [on your left arm]," Dr. Oz says.
Hospitals can be very hectic places, and small talk could distract your doctor. "I know you're trying to be polite, and they're trying to be polite talking back to you," Dr. Oz says. "But let them do their job."
Step 4: Find a high-tech hospital
For instance, if a hospital in your area uses bar code technology to organize treatment and medication, go to that hospital. "You will dramatically reduce the risks," Dr. Oz says.
Dr. Oz says this is like the preflight list pilots use before takeoff to prevent simple, preventable mistakes. "It turns out that if you have a simple checklist—like use a sterile cloth or drape if you're going to put a catheter in some patient—you can reduce the infection rates about 85 percent. That probably saved in the last 18 months 1,500 lives," he says.
Dr. Oz recommends researching your hospital using resources from the Joint Commission, a health safety watchdog organization. By going to a high-ranked hospital, Dr. Oz says you are rewarding excellence and forcing other hospitals to improve themselves. "Pick the places you want to get the care you desire," he says. "Those places will thrive, and other hospitals want to be like them."
Step 7: Get to know your hospitalist
Your regular doctor is your go-to gal for for the coordination of all your illnesses and treatments. But, they aren't around when you're in the hospital. That's where a hospitalist steps in.
"They know all the programs and the protocols. They're going to work closely with you to make sure you get what you need done," Dr. Oz says. "Find that person, learn who they are and work with them. That's the person that's going to help you get out of there quickly."
The key to being a smart patient is being proactive about your care, Dr. Oz says. If you hear a doctor say something that doesn't sound right to you, speak up. "If you're on medications, know what they are so you can say: 'Wait a minute. I'm supposed to get four; you just gave me a fifth one. What's going on here?'"
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The second Febrile Seizure
After the first episode of the Febrile Seizure he had another one in the month of April 2008.
This one also happened very suddenly. He was not sick, no fever, not even a cold. We went to bed as usual on the 7th night, and all through the night I felt feverish, and had body ache.
I had no clue that Aadi was also feverish, and was making 'aah' sounds as he tried to sleep. I was overcome by the agony of my own fever.
We woke up around 6:30 AM and saw that Aadi was very hot and did not look well at all, I knew the fever was high, so I rushed to the kitchen to get the suppository from the fridge, while I was on my way back, Amol asked me to hurry up as Aadi was having a seizure. As I ran into the room, I saw the same repetition of the previous episode, only this time around the major difference was that he did NOT turn blue.
I administered the suppository and within minutes the fever was down.
We decided to take him to Pantai none the less to see Dr. Azam.
After the suppository, the fever never came back, and Aadi was playing around as though nothing had happened. He was not sick at all.
At Dr. Azam's clinic also he was playful, and chatted with the doctor. Again Dr. Azam asked us to be watchful for the next 24 hours, as the fever may return and thus a seizure could happen again.
Thank fully though the fever dd not show up.
But my fever turned out to be a viral one and I was stuck to the bed for a few days.
This one also happened very suddenly. He was not sick, no fever, not even a cold. We went to bed as usual on the 7th night, and all through the night I felt feverish, and had body ache.
I had no clue that Aadi was also feverish, and was making 'aah' sounds as he tried to sleep. I was overcome by the agony of my own fever.
We woke up around 6:30 AM and saw that Aadi was very hot and did not look well at all, I knew the fever was high, so I rushed to the kitchen to get the suppository from the fridge, while I was on my way back, Amol asked me to hurry up as Aadi was having a seizure. As I ran into the room, I saw the same repetition of the previous episode, only this time around the major difference was that he did NOT turn blue.
I administered the suppository and within minutes the fever was down.
We decided to take him to Pantai none the less to see Dr. Azam.
After the suppository, the fever never came back, and Aadi was playing around as though nothing had happened. He was not sick at all.
At Dr. Azam's clinic also he was playful, and chatted with the doctor. Again Dr. Azam asked us to be watchful for the next 24 hours, as the fever may return and thus a seizure could happen again.
Thank fully though the fever dd not show up.
But my fever turned out to be a viral one and I was stuck to the bed for a few days.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Drained
Sorry folks for not writing .... I was/am emotionally drained after re-visiting those memories and I realised how the memories can still torture ....so please give me some time to get back my emotional strength to write again....
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Some Red Flags - October 2007
Febrile Seizure
It was the last week of October, 2007; we had just shifted to KL from SG. Aadu was running a mild fever, and I got busy with the unpacking, in the middle of this Aadu wanted to sleep so I made the arrangements, without giving him medicine, thinking that it would recede on its own. This was a huge mistake.
When I went to check on Aadu, I realized that his fever had gone up, and I went and got some plain water and a napkin to sponge his forehead, palms, and feet. While I was doing this he woke up and I sponged him for a few more minutes. I kept talking to him, and I said that 'I'll get the medicine from the cupboard, and then he will feel better'. While I was saying this he tried to get up, and I saw that he had started shivering....he then lay on his back and what transpired in the next 6-8 seconds was horrific. He turned blue. His hands and feet were shaking, his eyes were rolled up, there was froth coming from his mouth.
I had never witnessed such horror before, and I did not know what it was. I was feeling helpless as the land line was still not up, and my handphone was not functioning. So there was no way I could call for help from my house.
In this situation, I had remembered something that I had read in one of the child-care books, that when a child (or anyone) is having a convulsion, we must put something in the mouth so that they don't swallow or bite their own tongue. I put some cloth (I think it was his read vest) in his mouth, wrapped him in a baby blanket and rushed out of the house, shouting and banging on my neighbours doors. This was my first day in KL, and I did not know anyone in my condo. But I kept shouting and finally some neighbours came running and I managed to place a call to Amol who started for the Hospital, and then Veena in her calm voice asked me to come into her house while she administered a suppository to Aadu. I had not known of a suppository for children till that day. She also put a fever-patch on his forehead, then took me down to the parking where Seema was waiting in her car ready to rush me to Pantai Medical Center. I had insisted on Pantai as I used to go there when I was pregnant and knew that it was the best place for Aaditya.
Once we were there, we were taken to the ER (Emergency Room). Thankfully Amol had reached before us, and had done all the paperwork. The doctor there asked me what had happened, and I told her all that took place and also of the suppository that was given to Aadu.
They put on a pulse monitor on his finger, and checked his fever; which had (thanks to the suppository) come down to normal.
It was here that I got to know what had actually happened to my little boy: it was a Febrile Seizure or convulsion. It happens, when the immature, still developing brain of a child cannot make sense of the high fever. This phenomenon can occur till the child is 5-6 years of age. This has no side effects on the other development of the child.
We decided to admit him for a day, just to monitor him and because the doctor said that the chances of a re-occurrence are highest in the next 24 hours. During that hospital stay he required the suppository three times. The next day also showed some ups and downs with his fever, so we stayed on in the Hospital. Meanwhile my brother had also come down from Mumbai after a shock-stricken phone call that I made while sitting in the ER.
On the next day, after the doctor made his rounds, he said we could go home.
Points to remember:
It was the last week of October, 2007; we had just shifted to KL from SG. Aadu was running a mild fever, and I got busy with the unpacking, in the middle of this Aadu wanted to sleep so I made the arrangements, without giving him medicine, thinking that it would recede on its own. This was a huge mistake.
When I went to check on Aadu, I realized that his fever had gone up, and I went and got some plain water and a napkin to sponge his forehead, palms, and feet. While I was doing this he woke up and I sponged him for a few more minutes. I kept talking to him, and I said that 'I'll get the medicine from the cupboard, and then he will feel better'. While I was saying this he tried to get up, and I saw that he had started shivering....he then lay on his back and what transpired in the next 6-8 seconds was horrific. He turned blue. His hands and feet were shaking, his eyes were rolled up, there was froth coming from his mouth.
I had never witnessed such horror before, and I did not know what it was. I was feeling helpless as the land line was still not up, and my handphone was not functioning. So there was no way I could call for help from my house.
In this situation, I had remembered something that I had read in one of the child-care books, that when a child (or anyone) is having a convulsion, we must put something in the mouth so that they don't swallow or bite their own tongue. I put some cloth (I think it was his read vest) in his mouth, wrapped him in a baby blanket and rushed out of the house, shouting and banging on my neighbours doors. This was my first day in KL, and I did not know anyone in my condo. But I kept shouting and finally some neighbours came running and I managed to place a call to Amol who started for the Hospital, and then Veena in her calm voice asked me to come into her house while she administered a suppository to Aadu. I had not known of a suppository for children till that day. She also put a fever-patch on his forehead, then took me down to the parking where Seema was waiting in her car ready to rush me to Pantai Medical Center. I had insisted on Pantai as I used to go there when I was pregnant and knew that it was the best place for Aaditya.
Once we were there, we were taken to the ER (Emergency Room). Thankfully Amol had reached before us, and had done all the paperwork. The doctor there asked me what had happened, and I told her all that took place and also of the suppository that was given to Aadu.
They put on a pulse monitor on his finger, and checked his fever; which had (thanks to the suppository) come down to normal.
It was here that I got to know what had actually happened to my little boy: it was a Febrile Seizure or convulsion. It happens, when the immature, still developing brain of a child cannot make sense of the high fever. This phenomenon can occur till the child is 5-6 years of age. This has no side effects on the other development of the child.
We decided to admit him for a day, just to monitor him and because the doctor said that the chances of a re-occurrence are highest in the next 24 hours. During that hospital stay he required the suppository three times. The next day also showed some ups and downs with his fever, so we stayed on in the Hospital. Meanwhile my brother had also come down from Mumbai after a shock-stricken phone call that I made while sitting in the ER.
On the next day, after the doctor made his rounds, he said we could go home.
Points to remember:
- When going to a new place, always have the names, phone numbers of hospitals, nearest to your home.
- Always have one working phone line. Move in only when the land line is installed or then keep your earlier mobile line in roaming while your current mobile line is getting arranged.
- Always travel with the basic medicines that your child needs.
- Never wait for the fever to go down on its own. Always administer medication ASAP.
- Get a health insurance for your entire family immediately when you relocate.
- Check health insurance for hospital coverage; as hospital stay can get expensive.
- The health insurance package will give a list of affiliated clinics, hospitals etc and the emergency health line. Keep this handy at all times.
- Make a list of emergency phone numbers of the new city ASAP and paste a copy near your phone.
- Maintain all health records of each family member in separate folders. Keep this updated.
- When at a hospital or clinic, never hesitate to ask all the questions that you have. No question is a 'stupid question'; if you don't know the answer to a question, you have to ask.
- The doctor may look rushed to you, and you may think that probably you will ask him later...there is no later. It is the doctor's duty to answer all your questions.
- It is completely OK to check the credentials of the attending doctor. If you know any other doctor in that hospital do not hesitate to ask for him.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
About the title of the blog
Hi friends, as promised the much talked about and much awaited blog is here. I want to spend a little while in explaining the title of the blog to you all.
The title: 'Fruit of my labour'
actually means exactly what is means, that is: Aaditya is the fruit of my 22-hour labour; I am talking about his birth !!
It all began on 22nd August, when I went for my regular scheduled checkup to see my Doctor (Dr. Shirish Daftary, Juhu, Mumbai). The checkup was fine, and I was told I have another week to go. I come home, relax and doze off and then I wake up, and am having tea...and then I feel the urge to go to the bathroom, I go but the trickling didn't stop, thankfully I had read about the water-breaking etc. So I just told my mom that I think it's time to go to the hospital. My hospital bag was packed ahead of time so I did not have to rush at all. In fact my water broke at around 5:30 PM, and we went to the hospital at only 8:30 PM, as I walked inside I saw Dr. Daftary emerging from his room, and he looked at me quizzically and I said to him 'Doctor my water broke' and he then asked me to come into his clinic, called the sisters and checked me. And then he said 'Yes...you are in labour, and we will admit you now'.
Now before we left for the hospital mom called my in laws in Pune, who said they would be in Mumbai shortly, next mom called my Dad who was posted in Madhya Pradesh at that time, he said he is leaving immediately and would reach early morning. He was going to take the road-route. Next I called Amol (the papa of the baby-to come) who was in Singapore and he got busy immediately with his ticket booking for the next available flight.
After all the formalities of the hospital admission, we went up to my room, and I was assigned room no.3; and I remember asking the sister weather room no. 4 was available. I have a thing with the number 4. Anyways it was occupied so I had to stay on in 3.
The contractions had started and though they were not very strong, they were enough to cause discomfort. My cousin Supriya, my mom, my brother took turns in rubbing my back.
My in laws reached the hospital at around 11:30 or maybe later (I don't remember the exact time). But due to security policy of the hospital they were not allowed upstairs, after a lot of pleading and my brother spoke to Dr. Daftary telling him that they have come all the way from Pune, he allowed only my MIL to come up and see me. I don't remember this meeting also...maybe I was sleeping or just conked out due to exhaustion.
The contractions were getting stronger, but somehow I knew that 'Bubu' (that's what we called Aadu when he was in my tummy) would not come out at night.
So after a restless, sleepless night, I was grateful that it was morning, and then mom told me that Papa had already reached and was sent home for rest and sleep (coz anyway the hospital would not have allowed him to come up either). Next to arrive was Amol, who came at around 11:30 to the hospital, once he was there I felt better. The pains were unbearable by then and shortly I was taken to the labour-room. I had discussed with my doc that I would want Amol to be there during the birth. So Amol was in with me for some time, then I don't remember what happened, he went out, then I my mom came in and then no one was there...only the sisters and me...I lost track of time, and I remember the doctors would drop in every 20 minutes or so to check on me. I remember Dr. Daftary coming and he said to me that 'if the baby is not out in the next 2 hours we will have to do a c-section because it will be 24 hours since my water broke'.
Somehow I knew I would not the c-section, and luckily Bubu decided to finally make his entry..I heard his cry and the sister said it is 2:50 PM of 23rd August !!
So that was the story of Aaditya's birth and my 22 hour labour !!
And so I call him 'the fruit of my labour'
I think I deserve to call him that !!
Me in my hospital room, timing the contractions
My Cousin Supriya, supporting my back to ease the discomfort.
Our first family photograph
Finally me and 'the fruit of labour' - Bubu - Aaditya
The title: 'Fruit of my labour'
actually means exactly what is means, that is: Aaditya is the fruit of my 22-hour labour; I am talking about his birth !!
It all began on 22nd August, when I went for my regular scheduled checkup to see my Doctor (Dr. Shirish Daftary, Juhu, Mumbai). The checkup was fine, and I was told I have another week to go. I come home, relax and doze off and then I wake up, and am having tea...and then I feel the urge to go to the bathroom, I go but the trickling didn't stop, thankfully I had read about the water-breaking etc. So I just told my mom that I think it's time to go to the hospital. My hospital bag was packed ahead of time so I did not have to rush at all. In fact my water broke at around 5:30 PM, and we went to the hospital at only 8:30 PM, as I walked inside I saw Dr. Daftary emerging from his room, and he looked at me quizzically and I said to him 'Doctor my water broke' and he then asked me to come into his clinic, called the sisters and checked me. And then he said 'Yes...you are in labour, and we will admit you now'.
Now before we left for the hospital mom called my in laws in Pune, who said they would be in Mumbai shortly, next mom called my Dad who was posted in Madhya Pradesh at that time, he said he is leaving immediately and would reach early morning. He was going to take the road-route. Next I called Amol (the papa of the baby-to come) who was in Singapore and he got busy immediately with his ticket booking for the next available flight.
After all the formalities of the hospital admission, we went up to my room, and I was assigned room no.3; and I remember asking the sister weather room no. 4 was available. I have a thing with the number 4. Anyways it was occupied so I had to stay on in 3.
The contractions had started and though they were not very strong, they were enough to cause discomfort. My cousin Supriya, my mom, my brother took turns in rubbing my back.
My in laws reached the hospital at around 11:30 or maybe later (I don't remember the exact time). But due to security policy of the hospital they were not allowed upstairs, after a lot of pleading and my brother spoke to Dr. Daftary telling him that they have come all the way from Pune, he allowed only my MIL to come up and see me. I don't remember this meeting also...maybe I was sleeping or just conked out due to exhaustion.
The contractions were getting stronger, but somehow I knew that 'Bubu' (that's what we called Aadu when he was in my tummy) would not come out at night.
So after a restless, sleepless night, I was grateful that it was morning, and then mom told me that Papa had already reached and was sent home for rest and sleep (coz anyway the hospital would not have allowed him to come up either). Next to arrive was Amol, who came at around 11:30 to the hospital, once he was there I felt better. The pains were unbearable by then and shortly I was taken to the labour-room. I had discussed with my doc that I would want Amol to be there during the birth. So Amol was in with me for some time, then I don't remember what happened, he went out, then I my mom came in and then no one was there...only the sisters and me...I lost track of time, and I remember the doctors would drop in every 20 minutes or so to check on me. I remember Dr. Daftary coming and he said to me that 'if the baby is not out in the next 2 hours we will have to do a c-section because it will be 24 hours since my water broke'.
Somehow I knew I would not the c-section, and luckily Bubu decided to finally make his entry..I heard his cry and the sister said it is 2:50 PM of 23rd August !!
So that was the story of Aaditya's birth and my 22 hour labour !!
And so I call him 'the fruit of my labour'
I think I deserve to call him that !!
Me in my hospital room, timing the contractions
My Cousin Supriya, supporting my back to ease the discomfort.
Our first family photograph
Finally me and 'the fruit of labour' - Bubu - Aaditya
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