Ambulance ride? NOT on the bucket list.

I woke up late Saturday morning, uninspired. Here we go again, groundhog day number...?  I don't even know anymore. The morning went by as expected: slowly.

Not on the trip itinerary, but a first for us both

After lunch we went for a hike, the trailhead a 3 minute drive up the hill.  The kids found an awesome climbing tree, a massive pine growing sideways out of the mountain.

Suddenly, Gabi slipped and fell about a meter. She yelped, stood up, shook herself off. Mark got to her at the same time she saw the gash on her thigh, and all I heard was a shrill scream, "I can see my guts!". Yup, the fat tissue was pushing out of the 3cm tear...not for the faint of heart.

Mark scooped her up, gave me the look, and we knew we had to get to the hospital.  Arg...why during a pandemic?! As we have 2 hospitals 45 minutes away, in opposite directions, I called the equivalent of "telehealth" to find out which one to go to. They are currently doubling as Portugal's COVID19 triage system, so I got a recorded message: if you have a cough, press 1; if you have a fever, press 2...OMG!

I finally got through, and they connected me quickly to 112 (our 911). At this point we were already in the car, Mark cupping the gash with her on his lap in the front seat, me, driving standard down a one way, narrow cobblestone road back home, holding the phone talking to 112, giving details about the injury, the patient and our address. It was hectic. They sent an ambulance (we thought it excessive, but it was convenient); it arrived 2 minutes after we did. I just had enough time to grab her health card, water, snack, iPad, cellphone and face masks (new to our "go to the hospital" kit list).

The drive to Setubal through the winding roads carved through Arrabida National Park usually takes us 45 minutes. It took the ambulance 26.  Gabi was calm, playing her Pokemon Game. I, on the other hand, did all I could not to puke from motion sickness...

Ambulance ride: check.

She was happy with "extra screen time".

Gabi was the first paediatric patient these paramedics had transported since COVID19, so we pulled up to the hospital, and one hopped out to figure out protocol. No swabs for us, she got wheeled right in and was on the table quickly, getting stitched up. Place was VERY empty, only 3 other kids, each in their own room. Not like with Jonty and his broken foot. Sigh, we are getting to know this hospital well.

No one in the waiting room...
I've said it before: Paediatric emergency is an awesome concept!

Mark and the other two kids met us, and our clan opted for McDonald's (drive through only), as we were in the "big city" where there actually is one! The adventure gave us an excuse to break quarantine and leave Sesimbra, something we had not done since lockdown.

McDonald's Drive Thru for the patient and her support team

Short story, looong, she is well, hobbling and sore, but on the mend. Luckily, changing her bandages can happen at our health centre here in town, as can removing her stitches, which will happen next week. Once again, Gold Star for the health system here.

Sunday I woke up, content with groundhog day #44...

"I'm ok", she said here, cheerfully, after "surgery".
During the stitching, she pulled her facemask over her eyes to avoid seeing the gore.