Re: Hospital Mom update

[Guest guest]

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

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[Guest guest]

, 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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

-

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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:

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[Guest guest]

,

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

[Guest guest]

-

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

[Guest guest]

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 -----

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

,

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

[Guest guest]

, 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

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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]

[Guest guest]

-

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