We were met at the hospital doors by a nurse and escorted the back way to lung function labs. After that, we were led to a triage COVID Ward. We know our way around the hospital more than most, but this is a precaution due to the pandemic. Last week, when we came in for just an X-ray, we were offered a security escort, had we not known the way. It is so well controlled.
We never thought it was COVID, but with any respiratory illness, they have to assume it could be. On the COVID triage ward, we sat in a sealed room. Everyone we saw had to wear full PPE and discard it as they left the room, sometimes the same people, changing multiple times, each and every time they leave and come back in the room. Forget one thing for his port access? De-gown/glove, and put a whole new set on just to collect what you missed. It must be exhausting.
We were both tested for COVID (me, only as I was with him). Isaac had bloods, and sputum was already in the lab (we now know he’s growing aspergillus again, so a fungal infection on top of his live in PseudomonasA bacterial infection). To cover all bases and to avoid coming into hospital again soon (despite all the amazing measures they take, and really, all they do to protect the spread of the virus is frickin spectacular) they decided to start the full shebang immediately; two weeks of IV antibiotics AND anti-fungals. This is perhaps more than they would usually do at this stage (at this point, we were still pending the blood results, so it was a good guess), but it helps us avoid going back in for a second assessment, tests... and further exposure. So all good with us.
Isaac has had a very hard and sleepless week, but we’re hoping that this plan will have him bouncing back very soon. I have to acknowledge the irony that as soon as we are told we can unshield, and he can return to school, that this latest exacerbation has kicked off. Just bad timing. He started lockdown before us (due to sinus surgery and an exacerbation) and now coming out of the most stringent rules, he hits another CF bump. Anyway, we’re getting back into the rhythm of home IVs, and he is sleeping lots to regain his energy.
We are so, so thankful; to be home rather than on the ward; to our fantastic CF team for enabling this; for our community nurse team that come for his bloods every few days; and for our amazing NHS as a whole, for all that they do, especially at this difficult time x
