What Happened After the Phone Call

The Ambulance That Felt All Too Familiar

I beat the ambulance to the hospital.

I had a feeling I would. As I sat at a red light, I saw cars parting for an oncoming ambulance and something in me just knew — that one’s for Daisy.

Waiting Outside A&E

My husband met me at the hospital from work and we stood pacing outside A&E, waiting, watching. And then the ambulance I’d seen earlier finally pulled in. Daisy was carried off, attached to an oxygen tank.

From Viral Symptoms to Something More

She’d been a bit stuffy for a few days, but the GP had reassured us it was just viral. No major concerns — she was still eating, drinking, no temperature, playing as usual. We were told to bring her back for a check-up the next day.

That’s when they discovered her oxygen levels were low.

The First Diagnosis — And a Glimmer of Relief

After a chest x-ray and a few hours on the children’s ward, we were told she had an infection. She was started on antibiotics, and since her oxygen levels stabilised, we were allowed to take her home.

When Things Took a Turn

But a few days later, she went downhill.

Her breathing sounded croaky. She had no appetite. We tried giving her water with a syringe, but even that was difficult. Thanks to open access to the ward, we called and were told to bring her back in.

Her oxygen was low again. Another x-ray showed she had pneumonia.

Still No Improvement

The antibiotics she was on weren’t working. They tried another type — that didn’t work either. Her cannula came out, and no one could get another one in. She wasn’t eating. She wasn’t drinking, and nothing seemed to help.

Eventually, they contacted respiratory consultants at another hospital 91 miles away. The team there were satisfied with her current treatment and advised on next steps.

Still — no improvement.

Daisy was placed on an Airvo machine and three different antibiotics. Nothing helped.

The Words No Parent Wants to Hear

Then a bedside x-ray revealed her lung had collapsed. We were told to prepare for transfer to intensive care.

Intensive care. 91 miles away.

We were terrified. How had she been in hospital for over a week, receiving round-the-clock treatment, and only getting worse?

She was barely awake. No appetite. She couldn’t drink. Her little feet were covered in heel prick bruises because they couldn’t get blood any other way. And still, no answers.

A Tiny Turn in the Right Direction

And then — the day after the ICU warning — she turned a corner.

She was more alert. She started eating. Sipping water. She stayed off the Airvo. Eventually, she was well enough to go for short walks with a portable oxygen tank. Then one day, the oxygen was gone.

Finally, Home Again (for Now)

And just like that, twelve nights after we first arrived, we were taking her home — exhausted, relieved, and carrying antibiotics and an open invitation back to the ward.

The Setback We Didn’t Expect

Nearly two weeks later, we were back again with a high temperature and a cough. Her x-ray was clear. We breathed.

But two days after that, we were back again.

This time, the pneumonia had returned.