Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 You did good. Your mom needed you as an advocate. There are some wonderful hospital staff, and a few not so great ones. When my mom had her hospital stays, we stayed too, around the clock. I only remember one bad run- in , with a staff nurse who was quite dominant - her way only - nurse. She repeatedly tried to drive us out, run us out. At first we retreated to the lounge and would come back 10 or so minutes later, when that nurse had moved on, and find mom unattended. Mom kept taking the oxigen tube off and uncovering / undressing herself, if we weren't there to hold her hand. The first times that that nurse kicked us out, we would come back 10 minutes later to find mom mostly nakid with her oxigen off . We retreated to the lounge a few times, but stayed. The first night after surgury was the worst. Between 2 AM and 4 AM that charge nurse kept trying to run us out. After a few words with the doctor the next morning, that nurse let us be. I wonder if that nurse ever did learn to smile and talk nice, <grins>. Dann wmtpower wrote: Recent Activity 5 New Members 4 New Photos 3 New Links Visit Your Group New business? Get new customers. List your web site in Yahoo! Search. Y! GeoCities Share Photos Put your favorite photos online. Yahoo! 360° Start Today Get your own place online . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 , I have a cousin with your name, and my Aunt was Virginia, who was called Ginny. I thought it was rather uncanny the first time I saw your names. My aunt Ginny has been deceased for several years. I am so sorry for what you are enduring. I know exactly what you are going through. I have done it with my husband and myself. When it comes to myself, nurses flat treat me rude, because I can't handle their perfumes. They just don't understand, and take it as a personal affront. But, yes, I have had rude Doctors that talk down to me, and have slammed a paper back at me, saying I don't need this. " This is a history of his health " I have told them. " I have all I need. " I have gone many rounds because of procedures we didn't want, but finally won out. So stay your ground, and yes stay with the patient. My MIL was a nurse for 40 years, and she would never let herself or anyone else have surgery or even be in the hospital without a close friend or family there. My heart is with you through all of this. And, I send you some of my strength for it. With a lot of love, Imogene In a message dated 8/16/2006 12:36:19 AM Central Daylight Time, wtheri1022@... writes: Hello All Another 10 hour day advocating for Mom at the hospital. She had her first procedure today after much changing of the plan. I talked to every person that laid eyes on my mom, and there were alot of them, about the anesthesia. They all made notes and I was told by several that they would be using the Profol and that other good one. whew! While we stood in the OR suite going over last minute details, (with yet another surgeon I hadn't met before) the anesthesia guy rolled up I told him about mom's LBD. He didn't even know she has LBD! I asked what he would be using and I was never spoken to so disrespectfully by any professional in my life. He basically told me, with alot of attitude, that it was his job, he would take care of it, and I should butt out. I pushed and asked him what was his plan and he told me I wouldn't know what he was talking about anyway so it didn't matter. I said Try me! Grrrrr She came out of the procedure fairly well until the pain hit her and then she was pleading for mercy. Mom is not a cry baby but she was begging for help. It took forever to get some morphine becasue it wasn't in the Dr orders! It was all very terrible but the drugs finally hit her and she went to sleep. Yet another Dr. weighed in around this time and confessed to me that there has been alot of confusion, plan changes, and Dr's involved becasue Mom was actually not properly put into the system when we arrived last night. Unbelieveable! There have been slip ups. I can make my first recommendation to our readers. BE THERE! Don't take anything for granted. Certain persons on the staff will befriend you when they see you are taking a proactive role and they will tell you details that you may not get if you are just a passive visitor. Also, all of the time spent consoling your LO through the hospital stay will go a long way in having them understand that you are working in their best interest. Mom is beginning to realize that I am in this with her and she is more trusting and cooperative. We still have to get through a possible laproscopic surgery. I will be back there tomorrow poking around and making myself known. I will keep you posted. I am still worried about her reaction to all this medication. Thanks for listening and responding, & Mom Ginny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Hi , Hope you get a good nights sleep. These hospital stays will take everything you've got. I'm glad you are able to be there for your mom and to be her advocate. We all should be so lucky. Sounds as though all of your efforts are comforting to her. Hope all goes well for both of you. Take care. Daughter of Bill, 91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 - You did a great job yesterday in standing up to that anestheiologist. As an RN, I know how a FEW of them can be. I have seen what you are talking about. My suggestion for the future is to meet with the Chief of Anesthesia. Then there will be a Care Plan will be put in action for the Anesthesia staff to follow. Your Mom will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope she has a speedy recovery. Hugs, Gerry Daughter and caregiver of Dick Deverell, who died on 9/11/05 after a more than 4 yr. battle with LBD. Hospital Mom update Hello All Another 10 hour day advocating for Mom at the hospital. She had her first procedure today after much changing of the plan. I talked to every person that laid eyes on my mom, and there were alot of them, about the anesthesia. They all made notes and I was told by several that they would be using the Profol and that other good one. whew! While we stood in the OR suite going over last minute details, (with yet another surgeon I hadn't met before) the anesthesia guy rolled up I told him about mom's LBD. He didn't even know she has LBD! I asked what he would be using and I was never spoken to so disrespectfully by any professional in my life. He basically told me, with alot of attitude, that it was his job, he would take care of it, and I should butt out. I pushed and asked him what was his plan and he told me I wouldn't know what he was talking about anyway so it didn't matter. I said Try me! Grrrrr She came out of the procedure fairly well until the pain hit her and then she was pleading for mercy. Mom is not a cry baby but she was begging for help. It took forever to get some morphine becasue it wasn't in the Dr orders! It was all very terrible but the drugs finally hit her and she went to sleep. Yet another Dr. weighed in around this time and confessed to me that there has been alot of confusion, plan changes, and Dr's involved becasue Mom was actually not properly put into the system when we arrived last night. Unbelieveable! There have been slip ups. I can make my first recommendation to our readers. BE THERE! Don't take anything for granted. Certain persons on the staff will befriend you when they see you are taking a proactive role and they will tell you details that you may not get if you are just a passive visitor. Also, all of the time spent consoling your LO through the hospital stay will go a long way in having them understand that you are working in their best interest. Mom is beginning to realize that I am in this with her and she is more trusting and cooperative. We still have to get through a possible laproscopic surgery. I will be back there tomorrow poking around and making myself known. I will keep you posted. I am still worried about her reaction to all this medication. Thanks for listening and responding, & Mom Ginny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Good job, . And you are right. Being there is so important. It takes the scare out of it as much as possible for your Mom. Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. Hospital Mom update Hello All Another 10 hour day advocating for Mom at the hospital. She had her first procedure today after much changing of the plan. I talked to every person that laid eyes on my mom, and there were alot of them, about the anesthesia. They all made notes and I was told by several that they would be using the Profol and that other good one. whew! While we stood in the OR suite going over last minute details, (with yet another surgeon I hadn't met before) the anesthesia guy rolled up I told him about mom's LBD. He didn't even know she has LBD! I asked what he would be using and I was never spoken to so disrespectfully by any professional in my life. He basically told me, with alot of attitude, that it was his job, he would take care of it, and I should butt out. I pushed and asked him what was his plan and he told me I wouldn't know what he was talking about anyway so it didn't matter. I said Try me! Grrrrr She came out of the procedure fairly well until the pain hit her and then she was pleading for mercy. Mom is not a cry baby but she was begging for help. It took forever to get some morphine becasue it wasn't in the Dr orders! It was all very terrible but the drugs finally hit her and she went to sleep. Yet another Dr. weighed in around this time and confessed to me that there has been alot of confusion, plan changes, and Dr's involved becasue Mom was actually not properly put into the system when we arrived last night. Unbelieveable! There have been slip ups. I can make my first recommendation to our readers. BE THERE! Don't take anything for granted. Certain persons on the staff will befriend you when they see you are taking a proactive role and they will tell you details that you may not get if you are just a passive visitor. Also, all of the time spent consoling your LO through the hospital stay will go a long way in having them understand that you are working in their best interest. Mom is beginning to realize that I am in this with her and she is more trusting and cooperative. We still have to get through a possible laproscopic surgery. I will be back there tomorrow poking around and making myself known. I will keep you posted. I am still worried about her reaction to all this medication. Thanks for listening and responding, & Mom Ginny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Dann- Probably not! There are grumpy miserable people, who translate unfortunately into grumpy miserable nurses. Gerry Re: Hospital Mom update You did good. Your mom needed you as an advocate. There are some wonderful hospital staff, and a few not so great ones. When my mom had her hospital stays, we stayed too, around the clock. I only remember one bad run- in , with a staff nurse who was quite dominant - her way only - nurse. She repeatedly tried to drive us out, run us out. At first we retreated to the lounge and would come back 10 or so minutes later, when that nurse had moved on, and find mom unattended. Mom kept taking the oxigen tube off and uncovering / undressing herself, if we weren't there to hold her hand. The first times that that nurse kicked us out, we would come back 10 minutes later to find mom mostly nakid with her oxigen off .. We retreated to the lounge a few times, but stayed. The first night after surgury was the worst. Between 2 AM and 4 AM that charge nurse kept trying to run us out. After a few words with the doctor the next morning, that nurse let us be. I wonder if that nurse ever did learn to smile and talk nice, <grins>. Dann wmtpower wrote: Recent Activity 5 New Members 4 New Photos 3 New Links Visit Your Group New business? Get new customers. List your web site in Yahoo! Search. Y! GeoCities Share Photos Put your favorite photos online. Yahoo! 360° Start Today Get your own place online . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 , Keeping our fingers crossed that all works out well. Lots of hugs to you and your Mom. Rest well as you can right now. Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. Hospital Mom update Hello All We live for the next blood test. Mom's liver function tests are not good. A liver scan was ordered this afternoon and the results worried the surgeon. He ordered another liver function test immediately. The results were no worse than they were this morning. The next blood test tomorrow AM should tell us something new. Either the liver problem will straighten out or we will find that the liver duct has been compromised in which case there will be serious life threatening consequences. Right now I want to be like Scarlet O'Hara and think about it tomorrow. I'm just on overload. The good news is she is now a tiny bit mobile, unhooked from some equipment and was finally given something to eat...jello. We all have a new appreciation for jello. All of the drugs do not seem to have had a terrible effect on her so far. But I guess time will tell on that. Her memory seems a bit worse than usual but she is not acting out or complaining. The nurses think she is doing great considering what she has been through. Good night all and thank you for your thoughts and prayers. & Mom Ginny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 - What an emotional time you must be going through while waiting for your Mom's tests results. Your Mom does sound slightly improved in that she is a little mobile and keeping Jello down. I will continue to keep your Mom and you in my prayers. Hugs, Gerry Wilmington, De. Daughter & caregiver of Dick Deverell, who died 9/11/05 after a more than 4 yr. battle with LBD. Hospital Mom update Hello All We live for the next blood test. Mom's liver function tests are not good. A liver scan was ordered this afternoon and the results worried the surgeon. He ordered another liver function test immediately. The results were no worse than they were this morning. The next blood test tomorrow AM should tell us something new. Either the liver problem will straighten out or we will find that the liver duct has been compromised in which case there will be serious life threatening consequences. Right now I want to be like Scarlet O'Hara and think about it tomorrow. I'm just on overload. The good news is she is now a tiny bit mobile, unhooked from some equipment and was finally given something to eat...jello. We all have a new appreciation for jello. All of the drugs do not seem to have had a terrible effect on her so far. But I guess time will tell on that. Her memory seems a bit worse than usual but she is not acting out or complaining. The nurses think she is doing great considering what she has been through. Good night all and thank you for your thoughts and prayers. & Mom Ginny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 Hello, , I care about you a lot, but don't have time to write. Way behind in the mail. Sorry about your situation. Imogene In a message dated 8/20/2006 9:14:01 AM Central Daylight Time, gdev8@... writes: - What an emotional time you must be going through while waiting for your Mom's tests results. Your Mom does sound slightly improved in that she is a little mobile and keeping Jello down. I will continue to keep your Mom and you in my prayers. Hugs, Gerry Wilmington, De. Daughter & caregiver of Dick Deverell, who died 9/11/05 after a more than 4 yr. battle with LBD. ----- Original Message ----- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Hello All I am so out of the loop and have missed you all. As I had posted, mom went into the hospital on Mon. the 14th and had a very difficult and complicated gall bladder surgery. Our worst fears were realized when yet another scope procedure revealed that her liver bile duct had been compromised in the surgery. She was transferred to San Francisco hospital on Sunday and underwent ANOTHER surgery on Tues. morning which included a liver duct repair (they actually hook it up to a part of your small intestine) and a long overdue repair on a diaphragmatic hernia. It has been 11 days of intense stress. She is doing remarkably well for having been through so much. She was detached from several gizmos today and had a tiny walk. Since she is progressing I have returned home for a few days to check my mail, pay some bills and get some clean clothes. When we dashed out of here on Sunday, chasing the ambulance to the city, we had no idea what we were doing. As luck would have it, our niece is out of town until labor day and she offered up her apt. which is only 4 blocks from the hospital. It is a God send! I was able to be without my car all week with easy walk to hospital, grocery shop at the corner and good coffee across the street. It is good to be home but I will head back on Sunday. We knew Mom was a ticking bomb with her health problems she refused to deal with over the past few years. We are just thankful that she didn't blow while we were out of town or something. She would never call for help and probably would have died if I hadn't been here to get her to the Dr. Looking back I think Lewy has been her companion for several years. I will never feel comfortable again leaving town without someone watching over her. The next hurdle is figuring out what happens when she gets released from the hospital. She may have to recouperate at a skilled nursing facility which will be just great with me. This was ten times worse than if she had just deal with things when she should have but I am trying not to think about that. Thanks for listening. I look forward to catching up on some posts as time allows in the next two days. & Mom Ginny 83 and tough as nails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 , It is good to hear that things are going better than expected. It must have been a week of lots of stress. Yes, she does sound " tough as nails. " Hope she keeps mending. Looking back is so much easier than looking ahead. What a loving daughter (and SIL?) and it sounds like your niece did her part also. You take care of yourself<(I use to hate it when people told me that and there really didn't seem to be time.) It is important. Hugs, Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. Re: Hospital Mom update Hello All I am so out of the loop and have missed you all. As I had posted, mom went into the hospital on Mon. the 14th and had a very difficult and complicated gall bladder surgery. Our worst fears were realized when yet another scope procedure revealed that her liver bile duct had been compromised in the surgery. She was transferred to San Francisco hospital on Sunday and underwent ANOTHER surgery on Tues. morning which included a liver duct repair (they actually hook it up to a part of your small intestine) and a long overdue repair on a diaphragmatic hernia. It has been 11 days of intense stress. She is doing remarkably well for having been through so much. She was detached from several gizmos today and had a tiny walk. Since she is progressing I have returned home for a few days to check my mail, pay some bills and get some clean clothes. When we dashed out of here on Sunday, chasing the ambulance to the city, we had no idea what we were doing. As luck would have it, our niece is out of town until labor day and she offered up her apt. which is only 4 blocks from the hospital. It is a God send! I was able to be without my car all week with easy walk to hospital, grocery shop at the corner and good coffee across the street. It is good to be home but I will head back on Sunday. We knew Mom was a ticking bomb with her health problems she refused to deal with over the past few years. We are just thankful that she didn't blow while we were out of town or something. She would never call for help and probably would have died if I hadn't been here to get her to the Dr. Looking back I think Lewy has been her companion for several years. I will never feel comfortable again leaving town without someone watching over her. The next hurdle is figuring out what happens when she gets released from the hospital. She may have to recouperate at a skilled nursing facility which will be just great with me. This was ten times worse than if she had just deal with things when she should have but I am trying not to think about that. Thanks for listening. I look forward to catching up on some posts as time allows in the next two days. & Mom Ginny 83 and tough as nails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 , tough as nails does seem to describe your mom! The update you send holds much more promise than expected. Wow! You have a long road ahead, but looking optimistic. My mom had a hysterectomy at age 82 for cancer, went home 3rd day post op, followed by 2 weeks radiation, and lasted another 10 years. All the best possible to you all. , Oakville Ont. Mother, age 92, died Aug. 12/06 after 13 year decline from PDD > > Hello All > I am so out of the loop and have missed you all. As I had posted, mom went > into the hospital on Mon. the 14th and had a very difficult and complicated gall > bladder surgery. Our worst fears were realized when yet another scope > procedure revealed that her liver bile duct had been compromised in the surgery. She > was transferred to San Francisco hospital on Sunday and underwent ANOTHER > surgery on Tues. morning which included a liver duct repair (they actually hook it > up to a part of your small intestine) and a long overdue repair on a > diaphragmatic hernia. > > It has been 11 days of intense stress. She is doing remarkably well for > having been through so much. She was detached from several gizmos today and had a > tiny walk. Since she is progressing I have returned home for a few days to > check my mail, pay some bills and get some clean clothes. > > When we dashed out of here on Sunday, chasing the ambulance to the city, we > had no idea what we were doing. As luck would have it, our niece is out of town > until labor day and she offered up her apt. which is only 4 blocks from the > hospital. It is a God send! I was able to be without my car all week with easy > walk to hospital, grocery shop at the corner and good coffee across the > street. > > It is good to be home but I will head back on Sunday. We knew Mom was a > ticking bomb with her health problems she refused to deal with over the past few > years. We are just thankful that she didn't blow while we were out of town or > something. She would never call for help and probably would have died if I > hadn't been here to get her to the Dr. Looking back I think Lewy has been her > companion for several years. I will never feel comfortable again leaving town > without someone watching over her. > > The next hurdle is figuring out what happens when she gets released from the > hospital. She may have to recouperate at a skilled nursing facility which will > be just great with me. This was ten times worse than if she had just deal > with things when she should have but I am trying not to think about that. > > Thanks for listening. I look forward to catching up on some posts as time > allows in the next two days. > & Mom Ginny 83 and tough as nails > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 My land! . What haven't you all been through? It is hard to comprehend your Mom is still alive after what she has been through. With age it will take time to heal, but even getting out of bed at this point is great! Do take care of yourself. And may all go down hill from here on out. Imogene In a message dated 8/25/2006 1:43:41 AM Central Daylight Time, wtheri1022@... writes: Hello All I am so out of the loop and have missed you all. As I had posted, mom went into the hospital on Mon. the 14th and had a very difficult and complicated gall bladder surgery. Our worst fears were realized when yet another scope procedure revealed that her liver bile duct had been compromised in the surgery. She was transferred to San Francisco hospital on Sunday and underwent ANOTHER surgery on Tues. morning which included a liver duct repair (they actually hook it up to a part of your small intestine) and a long overdue repair on a diaphragmatic hernia. It has been 11 days of intense stress. She is doing remarkably well for having been through so much. She was detached from several gizmos today and had a tiny walk. Since she is progressing I have returned home for a few days to check my mail, pay some bills and get some clean clothes. When we dashed out of here on Sunday, chasing the ambulance to the city, we had no idea what we were doing. As luck would have it, our niece is out of town until labor day and she offered up her apt. which is only 4 blocks from the hospital. It is a God send! I was able to be without my car all week with easy walk to hospital, grocery shop at the corner and good coffee across the street. It is good to be home but I will head back on Sunday. We knew Mom was a ticking bomb with her health problems she refused to deal with over the past few years. We are just thankful that she didn't blow while we were out of town or something. She would never call for help and probably would have died if I hadn't been here to get her to the Dr. Looking back I think Lewy has been her companion for several years. I will never feel comfortable again leaving town without someone watching over her. The next hurdle is figuring out what happens when she gets released from the hospital. She may have to recouperate at a skilled nursing facility which will be just great with me. This was ten times worse than if she had just deal with things when she should have but I am trying not to think about that. Thanks for listening. I look forward to catching up on some posts as time allows in the next two days. & Mom Ginny 83 and tough as nails [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 - I am so glad to hear, despite all the complications, your Mom is doing well. I know this has been a nightmare for you, so please try to take care of yourself too. Hugs, Gerry Wilmington, De. Daughter & caregiver of Dick Deverell, who died 9/11/05 after a more than 4 yr. battle with LBD. Re: Hospital Mom update My land! . What haven't you all been through? It is hard to comprehend your Mom is still alive after what she has been through. With age it will take time to heal, but even getting out of bed at this point is great! Do take care of yourself. And may all go down hill from here on out. Imogene In a message dated 8/25/2006 1:43:41 AM Central Daylight Time, wtheri1022@... writes: Hello All I am so out of the loop and have missed you all. As I had posted, mom went into the hospital on Mon. the 14th and had a very difficult and complicated gall bladder surgery. Our worst fears were realized when yet another scope procedure revealed that her liver bile duct had been compromised in the surgery. She was transferred to San Francisco hospital on Sunday and underwent ANOTHER surgery on Tues. morning which included a liver duct repair (they actually hook it up to a part of your small intestine) and a long overdue repair on a diaphragmatic hernia. It has been 11 days of intense stress. She is doing remarkably well for having been through so much. She was detached from several gizmos today and had a tiny walk. Since she is progressing I have returned home for a few days to check my mail, pay some bills and get some clean clothes. When we dashed out of here on Sunday, chasing the ambulance to the city, we had no idea what we were doing. As luck would have it, our niece is out of town until labor day and she offered up her apt. which is only 4 blocks from the hospital. It is a God send! I was able to be without my car all week with easy walk to hospital, grocery shop at the corner and good coffee across the street. It is good to be home but I will head back on Sunday. We knew Mom was a ticking bomb with her health problems she refused to deal with over the past few years. We are just thankful that she didn't blow while we were out of town or something. She would never call for help and probably would have died if I hadn't been here to get her to the Dr. Looking back I think Lewy has been her companion for several years. I will never feel comfortable again leaving town without someone watching over her. The next hurdle is figuring out what happens when she gets released from the hospital. She may have to recouperate at a skilled nursing facility which will be just great with me. This was ten times worse than if she had just deal with things when she should have but I am trying not to think about that. Thanks for listening. I look forward to catching up on some posts as time allows in the next two days. & Mom Ginny 83 and tough as nails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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