Now they tell us that yes, it was an aneurysm (hence the bleeding on the brain instead of the typical restricted blood flow you’d see from a clot which would cause a stroke), and that he’s probably had a small one previous to this. I get the feeling they’re guessing; then again, I sort of get that feeling with doctors most of the time.
He’s doing much better, though. He’s off the ventilator, and oxygen, completely; he’s conscious and coherent; he’s answering questions but he’s not talking very much; he’s still him, which means right now he’s pretty steamed.
I’d like to share some things I’ve learned in the past few days:
- The quality of cafeteria food is directly proportional to how upset you are: If you think someone you love is dying, you’ll eat almost anything. The better you feel the more picky you are about your food.
- Hospital food always sucks: Period. There are no exceptions to this rule.
- The hospital’s gift shop should be for the convience of the patients: Here is what should be in a hospital gift shop:
- Reading/entertainment material: books, magazines, simple crossword puzzle books, word search books, crayons, markers, and coloring books
- Stuffed animals: because no matter how old you are it might help to have a friend when you’re sick or injured and scared
- Things a patient can use: clean socks, writing pad and pens, decks of cards, eye glasses case, something you can clean eye glasses with, basic toiletry items like denture cleaner
Ceramic plates, christmas decorations, and golf tees are of no use to anyone in a hospital
- What the patient wants is the most important thing: My uncle’s requested that he have no visitors save my aunt. Totally understandable; there are maybe three people in the world I’d let see me in a hospital gown. Some of his “friends” don’t seem to get it (sidebar: a kindness done with the expectation of added privilege is not a kindness; it’s blackmail)
We’ll see how it goes from here.
“What the patient wants is the most important thing”? Hospitals exist at the convenience of the medical profession. Not patients, not nurses, not administrators or even the insurance companies.
I remember having to explain to my mother that hospitals were for “profit” institutions. My mother wasn’t stupid, she just wanted to believe that hospitals existed for the “good” of the community. As for DR’s guessing…of course they guess. As much as most of them would like us to believe they are “gods,” they most certainly are not.
Alas, this is what we have. One must remember to be the advocate for the patient over everything else. The doctors aren’t, nor are the overworked and underpaid nurses. Are you back?
STB
What the patient wants is the most important thing, ie: if he requests no visitors it doesn’t make a damn bit of difference 1) how good a friend you think you are, and 2) whether or not you want to see him. What you want is irrelevant; what he wants is everything.
Well in my too-recent hospital experience, I did get concerned care from some of the nurses, and most of my doctors (I’m very lucky); in the past I’ve seen nurses sit and weep over how many of the things they wanted to do and were trained to do for patients were now being ruled out by insurance companies, and other folks focused on the ‘bottom line.’
But indeed, patients need advocates, and help – and to have their wishes respected. It’s a hard place to be. It’s a hard place even for visitors.
I am glad he is doing better. Hospitals can be one the most scariest places to be. Having spent a lot of time in them recently while visiting my step father and having spent time in them myself I get what you are saying. My least favorite thing was getting woke up at all hours of the night just to get vitals and ask how you are.
My thoughts are with you and your family for your uncle’s continued improvement.