aah daughter’s last days By SARAH A, ZIMMERMAN This is Marlene McLean's account of what happened the weekend her daughter Vicki, 4, died. B Friday, June, 28: ... Victoria, called Vicki, is the sec- ond youngest of George and Marlene McLean's seven children, She com- | plains of a fever, headache and sore throat. Her mother brings her to their fami- ly physician who prescribes an anti- biotic called Amoxil for the girl's sore throat. Later that night Marlene McLean says Vicki's fever wouldn't break and she is getting worried, "She wasn't getting better. Her temperature was high and was staying high,” says McLean. @ Saturday, June 29 McLean says she calls the hospital more than six times between 2-3:30 a.m. but gets the hospital's electronic voice messaging system. Each time she presses the appropri- ate key to transfer to the emergency room she says the phone rings and transfers her back to the original recor- ded message. She tries an alternate number and the phone is answered by a security says. “I know how people blink and walk slow when they’ re really tired.” According t McLean the nurse says Vicki's condition isn’t severe en- ough to warrant calling a doctor in. “She said, ‘what makes you think the doctor's going ta come down at six in the morning for a high fever?” says . McLean. voces it etbineg lagu tgueusiie ee sa The nurse tells her to ga hame and return after 8 a.m. an McLean takes. Vicki home and sleeps for a couple hours. When she wakes she gives Vicki Tylenol and a cool bath in an effort to bring down the fever. With her fever higher than 39 de-— grees Celsius McLean brings ‘Vicki back to the ER at roughly 1:30 p.m. . McLean says Vicki was seen by a doctor around 2 p.m. who diagnoses her with thrush, which makes it diffi- cult for a person to swallow, causes some pain and causes food to be dis- tasteful. McLean says the doctor prescribes an antifungal drug called Nilstat to treat the thrush. He sends mother and child home. At this point Vicki is in discomfort but still walking and talking on her awn, Her appetile diminishes and she is reluctant to drink fluids. That evening Vicki's condition. de- teriorates. Her fever still won't break blood in her urine and she had a kid- ney infection,” McLean says. Vicki is prescribed Clayulin - an antibiotic for the kidney infection and is taken off of the Amoxil, McLean is told it will take some time for the new drugs to take effect. They are sent home one more time. ....McLean says Vicki just got worse.. Early inher illness the child would kick and moan, move her body around and was restless. But by Sunday evening the child is quiet and had stopped moving around. Vicki is listless nad her body is rigid. McLean worries her daughter’s con- dition is getling worse, She ealls the hospital three times that afternoon and evening trying to find out if there is anything that can be done to ease Vicki's pain, She says she calls shortly before noon, at. supper time and again be- tween 8-9:30 p.m. speaking to different nurses each time, “I told [the nurse] Victoria’s too quiet. She’s not kicking around, it’s not like her to just lay there,” McLean says of one call. She says the nurses answering tell her Vicki's back would be in pain be- cause of the kidney infection and that it would take time for the new drugs to work, ; M Monday, July 1 The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - A3 aah i, oe ae nai erty, VICTORIA (Vicki) Diana McLean was born at 4:27 p.m. on Jan. 1, 1998 guard, and McLean says it is obvious she was By the early morning hours nothing ; ; He tells her if Vicki's temperature not well. — McLean does helps her daughter. after 16 hours of labour. She was Terrace’s New Year's baby that year, é hits 39 degrees Celsius to bring the Vicki starts hallucinating. s00 is sn ee men fever or had a full head of hair and weighed 7 pounds, 10.5 ounces. Vicki joined child to the hospital. She was getting mad at people 39.9 degrees Celsius. She says the five other brothers and sisters and was followed by another sibling. He tells McLean he will tell the who weren't even there,’ McLean nurses aren’t taking her seriously. emergency nurse to expect a call back — says. At 3 am. she brings Vicki to the ing to the IV. was responding to a cardiac arrest. : but when she calis the line just keeps She describes her daughter speak- hospital for the fourth and final time. “As soon as they gave her the IV, “He was pushing her on her chest : ringing. ing to her older brother Elijah, 5, even Vicki can't talk or walk on herown, within 10 minutes you could see her and the other nurse has a mask over : ging g IcKi Can t ; ; a McLean says she calls the RCMP though he was asleep in another room. She is shivering, quiet and exhausted. body soften up,” Quock says. her face putting oxygen into her,” she 1 to ask if there is a phone number for Vicki also starts pulling at her McLean says when she arrives at the Vicki is moved to a room called the — said. q the emergency room where somebody arms, fingers and shoulder as if she is hospital (wo nurses are on duty. resuscitation room, where she suffers a Increasingly concerned, McLean : would pick up. trying to pull something off her. A doctor, a different one than who — seizure. calls her husband and tells him to 7 The dispatcher tells her to bring “She kept hollering ‘mommy’, like saw Vicki before, is already en route McLean says the paediatrician or- come to the hospital. ; Vicki to the hospital. she wanted me to help her but nothing to see another palient. ders Valium for Vicki, “When he got to the hospital | 2 McLean gels into her vehicle and I did worked.” “As soon as [he] got there it was McLean says the paediatrician ral!s showed him where Vicki was and we : takes Vicki to Mills at 6 a.m, ‘She says Vicki didn’l like the taste like he ran - he went straight to Victoria on to her side, speaks to her looked in the window and they were : She says she can’t gain entry to the of the antibiotics but McLean made [Vicki],” McLean says. and tries to soothe her, still pushing an her chest and giving i emergency room (ER) because the — sure the child took them as prescribed. McLean says the doctor orders “T went beside her and [ was trying her oxygen,” she says. doors are locked. blood tests and x-rays immediately to comfort her, trying to get her atten- McLean leaves the hospital to call She sees the security guard outside @ Sunday, June 30 and asks if any blood work had been tion so she would know I was there,” a relative when her aunt tells her the who lets her into the hospital using his McLean phones Millis shortly before done before. Mclean answers ‘no’. McLean says. doctor is looking for her. keys on the outside doors and thedoor 7 a.m. and the call is answered by a He also phones the on-call paedia- Victoria suffers another seizure. “That's when they tock me into the to the ER on the inside. nurse. irician to come in and she arrives . McLean is asked to leave the room — quiet room: and told me her heart had A | McLean Says she“ 'stess a nurse = She. brings Vicki to the. hospital . within 15 minutes, McLean says: to allaw. the doctors to-tend tothe girl. - stopped and they couldn't get it going . § come ‘olit of a’ root which has a'couch .where.she is.seen again. by the-same:::.s Vicki is put on-an intravenous drip.-+ :She’s-having trouble breathing, again,” she said. “They said some- i "in ite - - ‘doctor'as the“ previdué*night. He asks'"~ McLean’s- maternal aunt, Marge ‘~“" McLeéai Watches thraugh’d'window’ ' thing’ about’swelling’in her brain.” ’ “You could tell she just woke up, for a urinalysis. Quock, is also there that aight. She as the doctor works on her daughter. Tt was approximately 5:45 a.m. and she was rubbing her eyes,” McLean “He came back and said there was says Vicki looks as if she is respond- ‘She says it appears as though he Victoria Diana McLean has died. i OU! THE WY 9 N ; - ONT d of it? | | , a NOPE NUIMDEP WMe amas ie IrOWa. GI Ive f H H , _ My Baby's Care is MY Business re cOURT™ . . pote last push, Eliana. | can see the baby's OU: : Chances are 68% that we’ ll be involved in the sale of your home. ead,” Dr. Handley said. : j : Roberto dabbed his wife’s forehead with a be the Why not call us first! damp cloth as she screamed in agony, iL Li ge Dr. Handley eased the baby out. “It's a girl!” Suddenly, tha medical team fell silant. ; LAIRE @ERNATEIN Dr, Handley whispered orders, The baby was BY CLATRE GFRNGTEIS whisked away. oNnatt A month later, the baby had a high fever. Market Share Eliana cried out, “What's wrong? Pleasa, “Quick, Roberto! Let's take her to the bring me my baby!” _, pediatrician.” as at June 30, 2002 Dr. Handley delivered the news. "I'm afraid “She has meningitis,” the doctor said. “But yO an ataped in horror don't worry, il's treatable with antibiotics.” "She has encephalocele,” the doctor contin. |, d gay ts. but manta Wa ilme te lat nates ELL Ook oe 8 ued. “There is an opening in her skull. Some of take its course. Please, doctor, don't treat her. beats ee the brain substance is leaking oul.” | want her sutfering to end . ns Co. B (19 0%) . Eliana held on to Roberto for strength as the“ "Gonanto nod wie i his head, overwhelmed ere LOn, (ie. dooter continue t goad.” with grief but sharing his wife's resolve. er re 4 Th iow 4 Ss ith oO he ith the bab The doctor tightened his jaw. "Meningitis is (ou e first ew Months at home win ine Day treatable condition, It is my duly to treat her.” ete cig ee were agonizing. The iittle girl underwent count- Eliana and Roberto were shocked. “But woes Soh 8 eee poCRER Ne SPIa e soon WH etanota fe uae - Re/Max of Ter better. | think she smiled,” Eliana had tears in tune went ta court to get custody of é ax of errace her eyes. , “Your Honour," the hospital argued. “The ae t# q Then, the situation turned grave. government must protect the health of all citi- Co A, '{13.0%) (68%) She's developed hydrocephalus,” the naurd- Dens including the severely disabled. The par- eee ee surgeon sald, “That's causing enlargement Of ents ido not have this child's best interests in ge os the head, brain atrophy, retardation and Ting Give us custody so we can save her a ; ae convulsions.” life.” \ Roberto’s head hung low. “Whan will this “The parents fought back. “Your Honour, we end? . should be allowed to dacide the medical treat- The baby went back to the hospital for more tient for our child. Please, end her suffering. treatment. Let her die.” The couple practically lived In her hospital a room. They barely ate. They barely talked. Who should decide the baby's fate? You! Be The neurosurgeon was not hopeful, "Yow The Judga. Then look below for the coun’s Le baby won't devalop any further. She'll never gocision, Boe oe have a good quality of life.” he EE eg BO sa : Based upon statistics supplied by.the BC. SPONSORED BY Cone “ ca TERENCE WRIGHT LAW OFFICES At RBAAIK. we believe that support for our Community has to be a top priority. Over the past year, we are proud to have been involved in contributions to/sponsorships with the fallawing organizations..........- TRIAL LAWYER since 1985 Si eR | a 4 . be Pacific Nort t 4H Club o é Serving the Pacific Northwes Caledonia Sr, Secondary Dry Grad" ; TERENCE WRIGHT . Canadian Diabetes Association d . _— ; ee Canadian Red Cross a z Criminal and Family Law and Civil Litigation Child Find BC Terrace Drag Race Association ©: q eas . Greater Terrace Beautification Society Terrace Minor Baseball ; Free Initial Interview for I.C.B.C. and Kidney Foundation “Terrace Minor Hockey > f Personal Injury Claims Old Timer’s Hockey Challenge “Terrace Youth Soccer Ee ¥ B.C. V8G 4R3 Pacific Northwest Music Festival a ao a ” errace “A, : evra cee CT ospel cepa q 201-3219 Eby Street, , With our ongoing support of the Children’s Miracle Network, the sales associates at our office have pledged lo Z . . contribute some of their income from every sale in which they are involved. This commitment has resulted in a Phone: 638-0354 Fax: 635-2919 lotal contribution of $32,321.30, as of June 30th, 2002, fo the BC Children’s Hospital. . . VOU! BE THE JUDGE - DECISION: “Custody goes to the government,” held Judge Hilary. “All Canadians « i have the right to fife without discrimination based on age or disability, The discretion of Eliana and in Terrace F Roberto must be Hmited in order to protect thelr baby's Iife.” Today's column is based on a case from New Brunswick. If you have a similar problem, please consult. Weight & Maruiros In Terrace, J www.remax-terrace.be.ca B.C. We are proud to bring you some of the current lepal issues from across the country for discussion and debate. To pravide com |. are fing entertalnment, we have fictionalized the names, the chatacters and the scenarios In the case, Any resemblance to real people fs 638-1400 cE purely colneidental, In the interest of clarity and brevity, (he legal issues In the case have been greally reduced and simplified. Claire £ - Bemsteln is a lawyer and nationally syndicated columnist. Copydl ght 2001 Haika Enteqprises. C28-13 ; ., .