Cherie,
I'm so sorry to hear what you and your daughter had to go through at the ER yesterday. I'm suprised they didn't think it best ( especially for a child) to just do the blood patch right away. I remember the horrible headache I had after my lumbar puncture and even as a nurse,I didn't know anything about blood patches after LP's if you get the headache. I had that horrible ,pounding headache for a full week after mine anytime I had to sit up.
After things have calmed down for both you and your daughter, I would most certainly write a letter to the Director of Nursing of that hospital. What you both had to endure was just completely unacceptable no matter how full or busy the hospital was at the time. My prayers and best wishes go out to both you and your daughter. Please remember to take care of you too as I know the stress of all of this has to be so overwhelming to you