"Lack of empathy"

My child recently was diagnosed with a brain tumour which was found a few months ago. It became apparent very quickly how over-stretched the children's hospital is. After numerous tests (one surgeon called and told me it's not the biggest one they've seen but it's definitely big) it was confirmed my child would need surgery.

There was a long 10-week wait with, I felt, very little to no communication about what we should be doing/expect. My child couldn't finish the last 2 months of school; I believe they were anxious, upset, frustrated, lethargic and nauseated. I felt like we had a bomb dropped in our world. 

My child is one of 5 children. Our eldest child died a few years ago around Christmas; this kind of news upset the whole family and brought up lots of grief and anxiety even more so as it was around the time we grieved. I felt not one bit of extra support was offered for us during this time.

My child is now 1 week out of surgery and at home. From the moment we got admitted I believe my child felt like they were being pushed out of the hospital. I felt we were constantly reminded that there are very sick children in the hospital. I not only found this very insulting but degrading not only for my child but to me.

Thing is, I am an emergency nurse. I completely understand the inner workings of a hospital so I did not need to be constantly reminded of sick children, I could totally understand that side. I found the attitude from day one with my child having a brain tumour was very 'run of the mill' approach, in my opinion. I felt everything surrounding it didn't matter. If my child had a broken leg would the worry and anxiety be as bad? Definitely not.

On discharge from the hospital thankfully we had a fantastic nurse who asked all the right questions and gave as much information as possible about what to expect, but no one explained what it would be like when I actually got my child home. Fortunately for me, I have friends who are doctors so I have had to rely on them for the last few months. Advice, getting bloods done (because they don't even check them until 1 week prior to surgery) even though my child had lost over 6kgs, scripts for medication for their nausea, being an ear to listen or shoulder to cry on because of the sheer frustration with the lack of communication and what to expect next; and most importantly, being made to feel like my child's life just didn't matter because they weren't sick enough for compassion nor empathy.

This was even more so hours after my child was out of ICU I was reminded of other sick children. My child pressed their bell twice whilst we stayed in hospital, I did all the care they needed which I don't begrudge I wanted to help in any way possible.

I have felt through this whole process, what if I didn't have medical knowledge? What if I didn't have friends who were doctors and nurses? This is why I have chosen to speak up because it's not for me but for all the other parents that may not have the support we have and are struggling. In my opinion, Perth Children's Hospital makes you feel like cattle being herded in and out a cattle station.