Pre-visit to Switzerland (2)

Tues 21 July 2009. Up bright and early for a 9 am appointment at the Children's Hospital (Kinderspital) in central Zurich. They will be the team who administer Toby's chemotherapy throughout our coming trip, which will be given alongside the proton therapy.

Finding the hospital was not as easy as we'd hoped. Sat nav guided us to the entrance, but parking is very limited. Parking meters look like they might be white bays, whereas resident permits look like they are blue. We opted for the safety of a car park.

After finding the Poliklinik entrance, we had to report to reception, where a member of staff very efficiently inputted our details, and then took us up to the oncology daycare dept. Very relaxed, and calm, with children all playing very nicely. Some great toys that Sam and Toby loved. A box for some snakes (!), a huge pedal car, and a marble ring thing (think Keppler as per yesterday's construction at th park!). We met a couple of female doctors and a nurse. All spoke very good English, although the nurse was happier to speak German with us. They explained what to do for each week, inlcuding the process for blood tests (drop in at the lab in the basement and by the time you reach the 2nd floor the results will be ready!), which number to dial, depending on whether it's office hours or not, and also, the number to phone just to let them know the timing of when we plan to come in on the Tuesdays for his chemo. Then it was time for a quick coffee in the hospital cafe, and the last time Toby could eat anthing before his anaesthetic that was due in the afternoon.

Then it was back to the hotel in Böttstein, for another visit to the energy place. This time we ventured into the exhibition (free entrance - we soon realised why) to learn the huge factory across the river Are was in fact a nuclear energy plant. Lots of bells and whistles to pull, twist, turn, bang and generally make a noise with, ensured 2 happy little boys, while we killed time waiting for Toby's appointment. Then finally we went back to the PSI for Toby's appointment, at which time, Kyle and Sam took a taxi to nearby Brugg, and then took a direct train back to the airport. Sam was very happy with 3 modes of transport in as many hours. Kyle had a course at work the following day which couldn't be rearranged so needed to be back for that.

Toby's appointment went very smoothly. Started later than planned, and we finally left the place at almost 7pm. Glad we decided to stay that night and come home the next day. While in the waiting room we noticed Toby seemed to have an ear infection. No signs of pain or him pulling at his ear, just some green gunge coming out! Simple in the context of everything else! Interesting how the Swiss approach anaesthetics differently to the British. I was allowed to stay in with him asleep for much longer. The team had a look in both his ears while he was under too, and suggested we call in at the hospital once back in the UK to get the infection cleared up. Also different to the UK was , once the ends of the central line were open, for the anaesthetic, you're not allowed to talk, or you should wear a mask. What was really amusing was the size and the colour of the central line afterwards. The two lines were the size of sausages from the wadding and then coated in bright yellow and bright blue taped covering!

The next morning it was back to the airport. No stress other than traffic on the motorway (that will we/won't we make it feeling...). All smooth, and on time. Called in at QMC on the way home (having picked Sam up from a friend who'd had him while Kyle was back at work) and after a 4 hour wait for antibiotics and drops, we made it back to Bingham.