"Doctors didn’t listen!"

My young child who has cystic fibrosis presented to an emergency clinic with severe stomach pains that had been occurring on and off for 3 days. An ultrasound had been done that same day but nothing was found. We later presented to emergency in agony and was triaged immediately. The pain quickly subsided and we went on to wait around 2 hours to see a Dr.

My child had another severe episode in the waiting room & screamed the place down. The Dr finally came out and examined them. The initial Dr was wonderful, caring and had really good bedside manner- my child loved them. My child's pain quickly subsided, they were examined thoroughly and asked all the appropriate questions. The Dr was informed that my child is under the care of the Cystic Fibrosis Team in Monash Children’s Hospital and they advised me to bring my child to the emergency to request an abdominal x-ray and to phone them to discuss a plan so we don’t have to travel to Melbourne. The Dr said they would give them a call….. 

2 hours later, the initial Dr returned with an older Dr who I felt dismissed my concerned of a bowel blockage or DIOS (distal intestinal obstruction syndrome) as the ultrasound was clear and they couldn’t feel any masses in my child's abdomen. I was told by this senior doctor that 80% of children present with stomach pain with an unknown cause and told us to go home. I explained again that the CF specialists in Melbourne asked if they could to discuss a plan, and approximate tests such as an abdominal x-rays. I asked if they had been called, I recall one of the Doctors said whatever we have done here I’m sure they would have done the same. 

We took our child home reluctantly. The next day I presented my child to Monash Children’s Hospital Emergency as advised by our CF team after discussions over the phone.  They were seen within 45 mins and given pain relief. An x-ray was ordered and showed my child had in fact a DIOS (distal intestinal obstruction) of the left side of their small bowel which is a common serious complication in cystic fibrosis.  My child required immediate attention and was admitted for several days to flush out their bowel under observation. 

I am incredibly disappointed that the health care system in my local area failed to listen to my concerns and refused to contact the CF doctors as I repeatedly asked. I told the doctored several times my child has cystic fibrosis and they are at high risk of bowel obstructions or blockages and I believe they didn’t take it seriously enough. I believe that if I didn’t act and follow my gut when I did, my child could have ended up with a perforated bowel or worse!