(June 30 - July 26, 2010)

After the surgery (outlet of excess liquid from the brain to the stomach where it is absorbed), we could see (for how many times...) that the system of Czech health care is queer, and our negative experience from the ORL Department does not have to be the exception confirming a rule.

Several independent specialists recommended us that Matěj should continue basal stimulation therapy. In the hospital we got the following response: "We are not prepared to perform such therapy.“ Never mind. We found a specialist and asked the Department to enable the procedures. The hospital personnel took it as an invasion into their integrity (although they were not able to arrange the procedure themselves), which they demonstrated to us explicitly. We managed to "enforce" the basal stimulation specialist after several long discussions. Once I even got an answer: "You wanted basal stimulation, so you should change his diapers…".

Then another obstacle was put in our way. Although Matěj needed constant intensive care, he was moved to the standard ward without our approval (before we came back from lunch). As a reason, they told us that both him and us had to prepare for the stay in a spa where he was to go in 3 days. We had to arrange a lot of things ourselves within just two days.  I think that they sent him to the spa because their department was to be repainted and no other intensive care department was willing to admit the "hot potato" - our Matýsek. They made us agree with spa treatment – with the transfer from the Intensive Care Unit to a non-medical facility in which full 24-hour care had to be taken by the mother day to day. Of course, it is clear to a person with sober mind that such an action should be prepared in advance. It only documents the "willingness" and "professional approach" of some nurses working there.