Or more aptly titled LACK of rural IL health care.
This past Thursday afternoon, my grandson Camron drank charcoal lighter fluid. Chelsea and Jeff hopped in the car and headed for the nearest hospital while on the cell phone with 911. By the time the ambulances (yes two) met them, he was blue and unresponsive. The EMTs then argued about who’s call it was. Jeff gave them a thorough cussing and told them he didn’t care who, but someone better do something for his baby NOW. With oxygen support, he had come around by the time they got to the hospital. They took a chest x-ray, the Dr gave a cursory look to ears and mouth. Declared he didn’t think he actually swallowed any, and dismissed him within 45 minutes of his arrival.
A little background…
Jeff had called me when they were getting out of the ambulance. I started to lose it. Then, the thought hit me if I didn’t keep it together I couldn’t pray for him. While Ed got shoes on, I went to bring the truck up from the back. All the while praying for Camron, his organs by name, that kind of thing, then when I ran out of organs I began praying in tongues. I figure the Spirit knows more than I do anyway huh?
By the time Ed and I arrived at the hospital, Camron was awake. The Dr my Gram so despised was in charge. Wonderful. I walked back towards the nurses station and asked where Camron was. I didn’t bother asking permission to go back, simply walked in with a stance that dares them to stop me. I was there to see the “Dr” (using the term loosely here) give him all of a five second look over and tell Jeff and Chelsea he could go home.
By the time they arrived home he began vomiting charcoal starter fluid. Lots of it. Chelsea rushes him back to the hospital and Jeff calls me to get there quick. I drove back to the hospital 70 mph and didn’t have to pass a single car.
We are there about a half hour, they do another chest x-ray and say it shows nothing (in rather snotty tones) but then his temp begins to rise. Chelsea and I had the nurse take his temp three times in about 15 minutes. First reading 100.4 second 102.4 third 103.
About this time another Dr walks in and says Camron can be dismissed. What?! I lost it. I asked, “We are back here because he threw up what you peopled declared he didn’t ingest, now he’s running a fever and you are sending him home? What is this stuff going to do to him? How much danger is there to his brain, his liver, his throat and lungs?” He said “I don’t know, I just came on shift and am going by the previous Dr’s notes.” I told him he bloody well better go find out for himself and pronto. He comes back a few minutes later and says he thinks Camron should be admitted to Taylorville hospital where his pediatrician has privileges.
By the time he walks back out I lose my cool I picked up Camron and head out of the room, telling Chelsea to follow me. When I get to where the Dr is he is flipping through the Poison Control book (never mind calling them huh?). I told him, “We are leaving and taking this baby to St John’s” (they have a pediatric unit). He said, well I still have to call his Dr and you will be leaving against medical advice” My response? “Like I care! Get the damn paper work now because I am walking out and you have about 2 seconds.” In the mean time… Camron’s Dr calls and says he won’t admit him to his hospital because he has an appointment in his office the next day! He could be dead by morning you bloody moron!
The second Dr in this fiasco finally admitted to Chelsea she was doing the right thing.
I traded vehicles with Chelsea and told her to go get Jeff and haul ass. They drove 100mph all the way. Chelsea said she had already decided she wasn’t stopping for any cop, she’d take whatever they wanted to give her once she got to the hospital. 
She saw nary a cop, which is very unusual for I55.
While they were rushing there, Camron’s uncle Jason was on the phone with St John’s telling them what was going on. They wanted to send an ambulance, but by the time they’d be able to meet up on the interstate, it would waste precious time.
Camron was immediately admitted upon arrival at St John’s with a dx of aspiration pneumonia. They kept him 24 hours doing x-rays and blood work every two hours. When the Dr went to dismiss him, he told Chelsea if she didn’t feel comfortable with that he could keep him another 48 hours. Since the last two labs came back the same, they decided to bring him home.
Yesterday it was very evident this little 15 month old boy had been through hell. Every time I look at him I want to punch the two Drs that ignored his distress. At the same time I thank the Lord over and over that it wasn’t worse. It is only by His grace and mercy it wasn’t. I believe that with all my heart.
