Well another Aloha Friday and we look forward to a staffless hospital with hollow corridors for the weekend. I am sure I will hear the girls complaining yet again about how overworked they are and how there is just no one to help them. Of course, I know where the linens, mouth sponges, water, and best of all - HOT BLANKETS - are. The secret is out and a few of us wives are just delighted in our new find. The staff love it because we do all their work for them. Oh well this is my job for the next while so I may as well get to know all the ins and outs.
Today's events were pretty quiet. Gord had ripped the food tube out of his nose last night and told the nurse on very strong terms "DO NOT PUT THAT THING BACK IN". She backed off and did not reinsert it. Now we really have to be diligent in making sure he gets enough food and liquids into him so I am sticking a glass with a straw in front of him every 10 minutes for a sip. He is getting quite annoyed with me so we are going to try a kid's cup that he can hopefully manipulate himself. The 3 meals today were very forgettable so I cannot reiterate them in my very tired state. Needless to say the pureed turkey and potatoes did disappear at dinner tonight without much coaxing. We will try smoothies etc. tomorrow.
I have been warned yet again that we may be moving to the 10th floor. Not sure why they keep threatening me....guess it's just to keep me on the edge of my nervous breakdown! Nice....
Oh yes and I did attempt to shave Gord today with a razor and shaving cream. The electric one disappeared so in desperation I resorted to a straight razor. I was in there all by myself getting more and more frustrated because the razor felt like it was skipping across his face. I was terrified that I was cutting his face up so I kept cleaning off the shaving cream to check. Also to check I shaved my left arm to see how it worked. I may have to shave my other arm now. Anyway, while I was working away, and almost in tears I turned around to look in the hallway to see if there was a man around that could possibly help me. Lo and behold there was a good friend waiting patiently for the curtain to open. Well I just grabbed Kent and handed him the razor and said PLEASE take over.....I have made a total mess of Gord's face! End result was that he was just fine and Kent smoothed over all the spots I missed. Thanks Kent - you saved me today.
Note to Tom and Red.....wow your comment on yesterday's blog was amazing. Tom you are a fantastic writer! You inspire me. Keep it coming!
Love to all
Sheila
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Better an Aloha Friday Sheila!
ReplyDeleteMost unfortunately you are describing the sad, pathetic, frustrating and ubiquitous state of health care in Canada and USA.
At Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, after a young and extremely petite nurse double dosed my dad (Big man, like Gord)at 4 a.m. with Adavan - he had NO chance of survival. He was trying to sit up in bed....it remains a reoccurring nightmare in my brain. This was just the tip of the iceberg better described as a system rife with health care workers who A) Don't care B) Can barely speak English
C) Doctor's so jaded that if a person is over the age of 50, you are deemed dispensable.
While this may not be 100%, it is an alarming reality.
How can we ban together for sharper, more accountable process? Some institutions have better statistics than others. The left hand, right hand syndrome - sans the benefit of common sense, centralized brain seems to dominate health care. To Stanford Hospital's credit, if you are 'in' with the top performers, your odds of surviving rise significantly.
Taking in pureed food is a huge step in the right direction for Gord. You can pulverize almost anything, it just looks awful.
The logistics of hospital food is a nightmare unto itself. Because the food tastes SO bad, care-taking then includes full food service as well as full time attendance. Enough to send a person over the edge within 4 weeks time.
Enlist your friends to help you Sheila! Nothing like bright green broccoli soup with pink lentils.....Dr. Suess would be proud!
Is Gordon talking with any frequency? Does he recognize everyone, or just a few? We'll all take Gord's response to the pureed turkey and potatoes as extremely positive.
All the best to you Sheila - all of our hearts go out to you and your family.
Barb in CA
Gord,
ReplyDeleteIt is good to hear you are making such good progress. I had no doubt that you will fight this all the way and eventually get back to your old self. You have an adorable little grandson waiting to go "quad riding" or a spin in the boat! The family needs their resident handyman back. I understand that you have retained your sense of humor and can still tease your daughter. This is a good sign!
You are indeed fortunate to have so many people pulling for you and sending their good thoughts your way. Your family has been incredible in their devotion to your recovery. Stacy has sacrificed a lot to be at your side as much as she can. With a full time job, a two-year old and a home to look after and a commute of 1 to 1-1/2 hours daily (depending on traffic and road conditions) to get to the hospital it has been difficult. Andres has been just wonderful in picking up the slack to free up Stacy's time, his devotion to family is unparalleled. Thank you Jackie for taking time to stop by the hospital when you were in Calgary for such a short time and also for your support and devotion to Darren at this time. Brother Richard and wife Vonnie have been amazing through all of this, at the ready any time they are needed. And those who cannot be there on a daily basis have helped in other ways. Stacy got so many calls from old friends asking how they could help, Ernie & Rhonda, Pat & Fez, Sylvia & Greg, Eddie and of course Ron & Diane who have been wonderful. Your nieces and nephews inquire regularly as to how you are doing and also send their best to you. There are probably lots more that I don't know about but please know your support is most appreciated by the family.
The next months will be difficult ones but with the moral support out there and your determination you will find your way back. You will be frustrated and angry but that is all part of the process of recovering from a serious illness. Channel that energy into recovery and not anger at the people who are there to help you get better. Trust me, you will have a whole new outlook on life when you come out the other side. Sometimes it takes something devatating to make us slow down and reflect on what is really important.
God Bless and keep fighting
Mauraine