How this mom, 'scared stiff' about COVID-19 at the hospital, overcame her fear

Judith Pascoe-Wong knew her son Zachary had to go to the hospital, but she was "scared stiff."

It was April and news of COVID-19 was everywhere. Her 17-year-old has cerebral palsy and adrenal insufficiency making him especially vulnerable.

"I was really worried. I was like 'Oh my God, he's going to a place where COVID is. He's doesn't fare well with the common cold or flu. What's going to happen to him?'" she said.

Unsure of what to do, Pascoe-Wong texted her son's complex care doctor at McMaster Children's Hospital.

She received a response asking if she had time for a call and slowly felt the tightness in her chest loosen as the doctor walked her through the steps the hospital was taking to keep patients safe.

"I remember being able to breathe because I trusted her decision. I trusted what she was saying because she's always been very honest with us," said the mother.

The following months saw the family make several trips to hospital and stay for weeks at a time. But they felt safer with each visit, according to Pascoe-Wong, who said she's sharing their experience to help others overcome fears about seeking care.

"Don't be afraid. The screening process is quite rigorous," she explained.

"Being at home scared is worse than being at the hospital."

Hospital says patients should seek care

It's a sentiment the hospital also wants to share.

"It's important for everyone to receive the care they need and they shouldn't be afraid of coming to HHS sites to receive it," said a spokesperson for the hospital in a statement to CBC News.

The facility has set up "solid, extensive measures" to protect staff, patients and visitors that even go beyond what other public sites have offered, said Leslie Lamont.

Everyone who enters the hospital undergoes screening and is provided a mask, she said. The number of people allowed in each building at a time has also been limited and spaces including waiting rooms have been re-organized to allow physical distancing.

The hospital is asking patients not to arrive too early for their appointments, said Lamont, and the number of entrances that are open is limited — the main entrance and red elevators from the underground parking lot are still accessible.

Shak Fong Wong, Zachary's father, said the screening process involved a long list of questions and a test for the virus.

The hospital was all but empty, he said, noting there was only one other child in Zachary's unit.

At the time, only one parent was allowed to stay with a patient.

That was "very difficult," said Fong Wong, but also meant each parent could catch up on rest and de-stress before undergoing screening again and taking over for their partner.

Pascoe-Wong agreed being apart was tough, but said the family worked around it by having her call in during each update with the doctors.

Still, being apart from her son was tough.

"He's just a pleasant little boy that likes hugs and swimming," she said, adding she'd sometimes catch herself talking to the 17-year-old at home only to realize he was still in hospital.

Despite the initial fears they had to face when it comes to the virus and being apart from each other, Pascoe-Wong said she wants other parents to know:  "If your child is sick and your child needs to see a doctor the best place for them is at the hospital."