An Ambulance... are you serious?

'You need to call 000'

*silence*

'Hello? Do you understand what I just said? 

'Yes.. but.. what, are you serious??'

'You need to call triple zero, as in zero, zero, zero'

'Why?'

'You're in shock, you have a could sweat'

'but people sweat when they're sick' (and yeah I'm in shock now - you just told me I need an ambulance and I sure don't fell like I do!?!? Am I crazy!?!? How'd I get this sick now and not realise it...when I actually feel 1000% better than yesterday?!?!? *head is spinning! overload!!*)

'Well you don't have to listen to me but you need to call an ambulance. Do you know where your nearest hospital is? Yes, well you need to get an overnight bag, all your medication and call an ambulance'

'mmmm...OK, thanks' (WHAT THE?!?! Adrenaline kick and room pacing commences now.)

So immediately after I posted on here yesterday, I though it'd be good to get 'dial-a-doctor' to come around, mostly just to reassure me I was doing the right thing, but I also though I may need a doctors certificate, knowing that trying to get in to see my own doctor in the next week could prove impossible. But before I made the call I though I might just try out the state government's free health line.... big mistake!!!

They seemed straight forward enough when I first rang, answering the call within three rings, I was promptly put through to a registered nurse. But then it gradually stared turning into what I can only describe as a quiz from the pages of a trashy magazine whereby there were only two options which could result: neither of which were remotely near an answer to my question!

After asking my question: 'How long is too long for a type 1 to have an upset stomach?' She started dissecting my blood sugars - which I stated weren't really the issue but I understand she needed to know, but I don't think she needed to pull them apart as much as she did.. and even then she gave me the grand conclusion that it is better to have blood sugars around 8-14 when sick rather an 4-8...thank you Captain Obvious. A brief couple of questions about symptoms later, and despite telling her throughout the conversation how much I'd improved, she all of a sudden said 'You need to call an ambulance' (in than overly cool doctor tone too). Well in my foggy flu state this totally blew my mind. I felt pretty good considering, and deep down I knew I didn't need an ambulance - but she was a professional and what if I'm kidding myself... what if...what if I'm delirious?!?! Then what blew my mind more was that she had requested my phone number earlier in the conversation and so preceded to tell me that as I had declined, she couldn't AUTOMATICALLY call one for me.

What a right Wally I would've looked standing at the door when the ambulance came, with my bright pink overnight bag, PJ's, slippers, oh what the heck, I'll bring my own pillow and a teddy too. I hope they have tissues, I might need some for the trip in. Shhhhessh!!! Instead, I just waited for the lovely professionals from dial-a-doctor to visit. Everything is fine, I'm on the path to good health, and I have a doctors certificate.

The Health line concept maddened me as I thought of the (rare) times my family has needed an ambulance and how serious it was, life and death serious, holding our breath, swallowing the tears serious. To think someone in a similar situation to me last night may have actually proceeded and done what she said! Such a waste of extremely valuable and already over worked resources!

I understand the State Government is trying to offer a helpful service (and clearly also trying to avoid being sued - 'better to be over precautious' must be their motto!!) but it is a long long way from meeting my expectations that's for sure!