The night OJ died

So really it started a few weeks before Judi discovered a lump in her throat which the doctor wasn't happy about so they wanted to do a biopsy and have a look or they were going to just take it out I cant remember but i do know that day, that day that OJ died Judi was in hospital as well.

I picked OJ up from school and whilst we were driving back I noticed that he was very lethargic, very quiet. We got home and it was then I noticed that his breathing was also labored. I rang the doctor and the receptionist asked me to come by right away and she would slip us in between patients. When we got there we didn't have to wait long before the receptionist beckoned us in to Vic Pillay rooms. Vic had been our family doctor for several years a Indian south African educated in Edinburgh lovely chap. we sat down and Vic looked up from his note making I guess from the previous patient smiled at me “Graham” and then looked at OJ I started to tell Vic what had proceeded our visit but he cut me short with a hand as he picked up the phone and dialed. He was speaking to someone about admitting a child who was on his way and then gave some detail. He finished his call and I stated to continue when Vic interrupted “I suspect Owen is having an asthma attack and I want you to take him straight to the hospital the children's ward they will be expecting you. I looked at Vic then at OJ then back at Vic “what now?” “yes now go straight there please I will contact Dr Naidoo (OJ’s Pediatrician) and tell him what has transpired.

A little while later we were walking into the children's ward where we were greeted by a nurse “Owen Foster-Brown?” “Yep” The nurse scooped Oj up “how about you come with me?”

Oj was put into a already prepared Oxygen Tent where they started to try and regulate his breathing.

With in a short while he was ocupied with some toy or book and I thought i better go and tell his other two floors up !! that oj had joined her in the hospital.

Judi wasnt a freak out panic sort of person so I wasnt to worried about telling her.

“Oh hello I wasn't expecting you so early?” “me neither but I had to bring oj in as he's having an asthma attack so I thought i would come and see you” “HES WHAT! here? now? “ “yep he's all good downstairs in the children's ward.”

The next thing I know is I'm trundling Judi down to the children's ward in a Wheelchair to see him.

So Far So Good

I went home to take care of Emily our daughter leaving OJ in the capable hands of the children's ward staff Judi with the surgical ward staff. I had spoken to Dr Naidoo another Indian South African doctor who assured me all was well and they would ring me if there were any changes.

We were running the YHA hostel in Coffs harbor at the time and we were fortunate enough to have staff so whilst I was up at the hospital everything went on as normal back at the hostel. I had my dinner helped a few backpackers and was about to call it a day when at about 10.30 I get a call from Dr Naidoo. There had been a problem and it would be a good idea if I was at the hospital. At the time our car of choice, as things were going fairly well business wise, was a Porsche 911. I Flew out of the drive and planted my foot as the car dug in and screamed up the hill at the top of the hill I suddenly had a thought. It maybe wasn't a good idea if I was in an accident so I toned the speed down a bit, well a fair bit.

When I arrived the room where Oj had been was unoccupied The hallway of the ward was in night lighting but at the end the lights were all on and nurses were coming and going from a ward. In the ward was OJ like something out of general hospital wires and tubes screens and things going beep doctors and nurses buzzzing around. I thought what the f*** Naidoo saw me and came over “So let me explain what's happening”

It was a while ago must be almost 20 years but I remember most of it. Oj throat had closed of due to the asthma and he has stopped breathing they had to give him a shot of adrenalin to get him going again Naidoo assured me that all the machines were there “just in case” and he was stable now so I could go and see him. I remember him seeming asleep or sedated I sat beside him and held his hand I promised him anything that would get him to make it through the night It was a very emotional time.

From memory I think I went up and told Judi what had happened or she came down but anyway I stayed the night sleeping on  a cot the nurses organised for me.

At one stage I went out for a smoke I was taking in the night air when I could see nurses walking quicker to his room and out again I went back in to see blood all over his sheets. He had pulled his drip out and it had caused him to bleed. It looked a lot worse than it was.

Morning came and with a cup of tea supplied by the kind nurses I found myself sitting beside my son feeling so grateful that we lived in a world where medical help and knowledge was available. Oj stirred and looked over at me “Hey Dad What were you promising me I could have?