Good luck MSA in your new home
Old MSA
It's exciting and a bit of a change as patients were transferred to the new state of the art Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Center on August 24th, 2008. One of a kind the new MSA or rather AGH (Abbotsford General Hospital) is the first to built with a cancer center from the ground up.
This state of the art facility is home to 300 beds. A far cry more from the original 150 or so beds offered at the old hospital, and it's gorgeous. Located at 32900 Marshall road it's not far from where we live. The old MSA is a block away. A good thing too since Last week both the boys ended up there since the new hospital wasn't open yet.
Waiting for the doctor to come
Trace woke up and around 10 am I noticed he was running a bit of a fever. Naturally I gave him some Advil to help take the fever down. Two hours later Jake came inside and said he wasn't feeling that great either, though his head wasn't that warm.
I got on the phone with Vancouver Children's Hospital because Trace was scheduled for his MRI the next day and I wanted to make sure him going under would be okay with these symptoms. While on the phone baby boy projectile vomited all over me. So of course his appointment was canceled as the neurologist said she didn't want to risk putting him under.
Then it was off to the hospital we went.
Trace asleep after getting medication
Now we don't like hospital's. You can guess why. I mean Trace has basically been in and out of them since he was born and as a mother I basically loathe them. I hate the waiting, getting different answers, doctors not knowing what is wrong and the fear that trails along with the unknown of what could be making your baby sick.
That being said though, I also respect the doctors and nurses and the work they do. Their job isn't easy and having all the answers as we patients wish them to have is an unfounded expectation considering medical professionals are after all only HUMAN.
Jake was born at MSA. Nine years ago and basically the place is a bomb shelter. I'm not kidding. The hallways are bleak, the walls without any color and it looks more like a prison hospital then a hospital for children and sick people who need help. But the staff that night was wonderful while we waited for answers as to why now both boys had a fever of 104 degrees and were both ill and now having diarrhea.
Our biggest concern was the outbreak of Listeria as of late in Canada due to the closure of the Maple Leaf Plant and tainted food and whether or not the boys had been infected.
Both boys shared a bed due to bed shortages at old MSA
We waited just over 3 hours before the doctor finally came in to see the boys. Both boys had been given Tylenol suppositories (OUCH!) especially for Jake who told me his cornhole hurt... Ummm yeah nice word there bubba. Turned out both weren't infected but a case of Norwalk virus/stomach flu. Lots of fluids, nothing to eat and the BRAT diet was recommended.
DH goes to get the boys ice chips and water
A few days later the boys recovered thank God! But looking back at their visit, how crazy it was at old MSA. I'm glad we have a new facility for when the kids do happen to get ill again.
To the nurses and doctors at MSA. We hope you enjoy your new home. You are going to need the space with the recent outbreak of MUMPS in the Fraser Valley. We wish you well.
NEW MSA HOSPITAL IT'S ABOUT TIME!
