Palmy Hospital In Lockdown Too!?! Nooooo!

Dee was sent back to the Palmy Hospital to support his mental health, to be with family and friends. The day he returned, they changed their visiting rules due to Covid restrictions.  Only ONE person could visit per bubble. No dependents. No swapping who your person is. One visit per day. This means that we have to choose the ONE LUCKY PERSON to be his visitor... Wife? Mum? Favourite child?

This means that his children are still not allowed to visit their Dad!

On Saturday, his first day back in Palmy, we didn't know the rules so I took both the kids up (nice and early) to spend the day with him. We walked in with some random doctor entering the ward. Once getting into his room, we were immediately told that we were not allowed to visit.  I LOST IT! Unfortunately, I wasn't my best self, and the poor inexperienced young nurse got it from me... with 4 months of pent up Covid-visitation emotions! Two Charge-Nurses came in to 'discuss' our situation, after I demanded to see the manager. They listened to our sad story and allowed us to spend the day together. Thank you Jesus! Just the 4 of us... enough to remind the kids how boring it is to sit around in hospital all day! 🤣

We then decided that Tipapa (Dee's Mum) would be the best person to be his visitor because she could be with him during the day while I was at work, and I have the kids at home. Plus, she had not had a chance to see him yet!

Since Dee has been in hospital (14 November 2021) we have been under constantly changing Covid restrictions.  

• Initially, he had to go to the ED (Emergency Department) by himself, as no one was allowed in with him. 
• Then within a week or so, the restrictions eased up and we were allowed 2 visitors at a time, one being the 'Mahi Tahi' carer person who was allowed to stay the night. 
• When we went to Burwood (20 January 2022) we were allowed 1 visitor and 1 dependent child.
• The whole Christchurch DHB went into lockdown (21 February 2022) and allowed no visitors at all. 
• Returned to Palmerston North Hospital to have 1 consistent visitor per patient only.

If I was reflecting honestly, the constantly changing covid restrictions have been the hardest part of all this.