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| Chapter 1 - Admission |
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While Sara was watching over Max I went to the main desk to ask a question and the doctor who had given the lumbar puncture came up to me and apologised for the problems during the lumbar pucture. She said that she was sorry she had taken so many attempts but that the hospital suspected meningitis and given the time Max had been ill she was worried about the time available to treat him. I appreciated the apology and asked if meningitis was on the cards. She said “No, definitely not, but he does have a low white cell count.” |
Alarm bells rang inside my head but I could not remember why low white cell counts should be an issue and these thoughts disappeared immediately. |
At eight o’ clock, Sara and I were summoned for a discussion with the consultant. I was still living in the world of the ignorant. I thought Max's illness was serious but nothing insurmountable. Sara however was deeply worried. |
I was a little concerned by the fact that we were accompanied by two nurses to this meeting. Otherwise I was confident that Max had some fairly bad illness which would soon be treated and all would be well. |
The consultant, Dr Patel, proceeded to tell us about the seriousness of the illness and what was being done to contain it and how the best possible treatment was being arranged for Max. |
“I need to talk to you about Max’s condition. I need you to listen very very carefully to what I have to say. Some of what I say will may not make sense immediately but you will realise later why I have to structure my discussion with you in this way.” |
“Max is seriously ill. We initially thought that he had contracted meningitis and that was the reason for the lumbar puncture. It had to be performed without anaesthetic because time was of the essence. If it had been meningitis then we had very little time to play with. The tests did not reveal meningitis but they did reveal a very low white cell blood count. This raised certain suspicions which required further tests. We needed to be sure of our diagnosis which is why we have taken so long to get back to you. The diagnosis required laboratory tests which have confirmed our previous suspicions. Max has been booked in at one of the best possible hospitals in the country for treatment of his condition. We have managed to obtain a bed at this hospital and he will go to the hospital tomorrow. Max has septicaemia. This is another name for blood poisoning and it was caused by a scratch on his arm which has become infected and it has caused a general infection throughout his body. We are giving him a blood transfusion and antibiotics to stabilise his condition. Do you both understand what I have told you so far?” |
He spoke slowly, clearly and with consideration. He wanted us to absorb as much as possible. |
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