Mackay Base Hospital

On arrival at the Base hospital, Hugo’s coma-score is still poor and he gets a CT scan of his brain. He has a fracture in his skull above his L eye and a trace of blood on his brain. There is some swelling, but not a lot. 

The next morning he wakes up well. Little appetite, couple of vomits, and a lot of sleep, but certainly orientated. He seems to take in new information and remember it.

The doctors in Mackay discuss Hugo’s case with the neurosurgeons in Townsville and the advice is to wait and observe.

That morning I take the boat back from Nara Inlet to the marina. I had a remarkable good sleep. Every one works as a team and we are underway back to the main land in no time. 

My crew and I pack a few things from the boat, get taken to the caravan park, where our car is parked. We all take a quick shower and make our way across to Mackay. It is a big relief to see Hugo, and I admit to tears of relief rolling down my cheeks. Actually, I might have cried. I think that is allowed.

Jolmer and I swap. I’ll stay in hospital and Jolmer will take the crew back to the Mother ship. Mackay Base is a beautiful facility. The nurses and doctors are lovely. The surgical doctor is happy to show me Hugo’s scan images and prints a copy of the report.  His IV access can come out.

We both have a good sleep, despite hourly observations.

The next morning he is even better than the day before. The paediatrician comes and advises we might go home in the afternoon. An occupational therapist visits for an assessment, followed by volunteer ladies who would like to play. Hugo is doing Play Dough, and painting, puzzles and he receives a pillowcase, to make his bed homier. His appetite picks up too. He calls the hospital lunch ‘disgusting’, so his taste buds are also working still. There is no more vomiting today.

The afternoon we have a big sleep.

Jolmer is back onto the water to create more opportunities for the other four siblings to do some fishing and snorkelling. He is not allowed to take the vessel out by himself with four children, and no other adult, so a skipper needs to be arranged. It takes up to midday before they can go, the fishing being disappointing and the snorkelling unfortunately the same. Not a great day altogether, but trying to make most of it. 

In the evening we reunite in Mackay and drive back to the ship.  

All the children are sleeping, so is Jolmer and I drive around 80km/hr because the side of the road is littered with grazing kangaroos. I don’t want an accident. The pediatrician recommends no more falls for six weeks. Easier said than done. We decide to end our trip. It is never wise to move away from care with someone who might need it. Easy decision, but a disappointment for the older kids. I am only grateful to have a healthy son. In the morning, after another good sleep for Hugo, we pack all our un-eaten food, and our un-worn clothes and un-used dive gear off the boat. That is how this one goes. But we like that we now know we like it, sailing the Whitsundays that is, a LOT. We plan to return next year and re-do this part of the trip, all in good health hopefully.