So many different things happened on our holiday that it felt two weeks was actually two months.
There were so many high's but I will never forget the low's for as long as I live.
On our official day one, Ace was admitted into hospital.
This would have to be up there on a parents worst nightmare list.
Being overseas, and your child becoming seriously sick. It happens to other people. Not us. You know that feeling?
Ace had an infection.
He was fighting extremely high temperatures, and was having difficulties breathing due wheezing and a croupy cough. After our admission, he then followed on to have two febrile convulsions. It was then they started testing for some nasty things, including Influenza.
All his test results returned negative to anything nasty and it was just obvious that he was fighting an infection. I've never thanked who ever was looking over us as much as I did at the moment.
It all escalated so quickly. I mean he was swimming in the pool fine in the morning, and then this was him now, we couldn't even wake him at all?
The hospital was amazing. Thank god!
But language was definitely a barrier. Doctors and nurses were all speaking Thai and that was so frustrating for Dad'n and I when we wanted to know how and what they were treating Ace with.
After all had settled and Ace was a little more stable, everything was explained to us in English, but until that point, our anxieties hit levels that were out of control.
Being a Nurse, Dad'n would turn to me wanting to know what they were giving him and what they were doing. My response of "I don't know" was only adding to our anxieties.
As quick as Ace went down, he seemed to come back up.
The next morning, Ace and I snacked on Pringles and Pocky sticks for breakfast. Thai breakfasts were not what we were craving at all. Savoury porridge with minced meat on top, which I am sure was lovely... But not for us.
It was so surreal. He was sitting up in his hospital bed like not much had happened. I, myself, looked like I had aged 20 years minimum, but that was okay. As long as my little man was okay!
As I look back and reflect on it all, there are some things that stick out that helped us get through a sucky situation.
Having family travelling with us... Obviously.
We had support for Boo and we had support for ourselves.
Our travel insurance... They were amazing!
If you are in the market for a policy for your holiday, have a look at AAMI. Their support left us speechless. We had doctors calling us asking about Ace's condition. They offered to liase with his treating team so they could fully translate what was happening if they language was becoming to much of a barrier. They covered all medical expenses before we left the hospital so we didn't have to outlay money for the rather large bill! I can not speak highly enough about our experience. It was such a blessing.
Of course you never think it will happen to you, but this time, for us... it did.
Will we continue travelling with the children?
Absolutely.
This would of happened where ever we may of been. I will however research the hospitals a little more of where we will be travelling. I would like to have a better understanding of where we would have to go if we are somehow unlucky enough to frequent an international emergency department again.
So, that was "day one".
At least it could only get better from there!