Hi everyone. We're back from Maine for now (headed up again tomorrow). My Mom has stablized a bit but is still really weak; and she and my Dad both have some sort of cold that is knocking them for a loop, in addition to everything else. We're waiting to hear back from the doctors on the twenty bazillion tests Mom had last week. (Honestly, it was like healthcare spring training for her - we expect her to be an early pick in the major league draft.)
A few things I learned while accompanying Mom to the hospital:
1. If a perky nurse comes up to your 66 year-old mother who is being watched like a hawk for signs of stroke and/or heart failure and says, "We have a BRAND NEW nurse with us today who is learning to insert IVs, and she'll be right over to put yours in!!!" You need to say immediately, in a loud and forceful voice, "No %$##& way." You are not required to sacrifice your beloved Mother to New Nurse Nanette's medical training, no matter how certain hospital personnel are that really, it won't be a bit of a problem.
2. If your mother is attached to the oxygen machine on the wall while lying on a rolling bed, make sure they disconnect her from the wall before rolling her away. Because they just might forget to do so. Twice.
3. Never eat the tuna salad in the hospital cafeteria. (Rookie move, I know. But I'll admit my blunder in an attempt to protect others...)
All that said, however, I'm happy to report that everyone else we encountered at the hospital - the volunteers, Mom's doctor, the nice lady in the cafeteria who waited patiently for me to dig change out of the bottom of my purse because I forgot to bring any money - were all very wonderful.
Thank you so much for all your prayers...they're working!!!
7 comments:
Glad to hear your mom is doing better.
What hospital is this that tells the patient they are going to become guinea pigs for the education/training department? It sounds like they could use my company's help. If you get just let the nice people know they'll be hearing from either DS the axe-thrower or RH the kopi luwak coffee drinker soon :)
Thank God she's doing better. I'm leery of all hospital cafeteria food. Take care!
Glad to hear the good news! Keep us posted.
i just read your last post - i'm so sorry about your Mom's health! but happy to read that she's doing better. i'll send out a prayer for her well-being, and for your family.
keep warm!
Hmmm...I might enlist Stacy's help next time me or any of mine are in the hospital. The last person assuring me of their expertise was some guy telling me he's "the best" at administering spinals. Needless to say, he was a hack and my O.B. nearly jumped across the gurney to rip his throat out but couldn't let go of my hands to do so. Fortunately, 2nd son was delivered via c-section no thanks to that guy (another note: hubby had to get said anesthesiologist off his cell phone to get him to pay attention to me woman splayed open on the operating table in front of him).
Having vented my frustration at teaching hospitals and hacks in general - I'm glad your mom is doing better. I'm glad you and Steve are back home safe. I will keep you all in my prayers.
I really think Stacy should start a service of being personal pit-bull to hospital goers. I'd pay her.
Oh, good ... glad to hear everything is going better. Be safe going back up!
I am so sorry. I hadn't read about this.
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