Hospital Saga--3
Mom's surgery is scheduled now for 7:30 on Monday morning. Before then, she will be on antibiotics to clear up an infection. The infection would have made surgery tomorrow unwise.
Today a pic-line was installed (probably not the right medical verb), providing access to Mom's circulation system without the use of IV needles. We're all relieved at this improvement. Her arms are looking worse all the time from the frequent pokes and subsequent infiltration of the tissue around the insertion point. The drug she's been getting by IV is "hard on veins, " which means that the needles frequently poke through the vein and allow the medication to go astray.
Yesterday my sister Dorcas and her family arrived from N. Carolina. We were glad to see all of them, but especially Bill, who is a nurse with several years of experience working in cardiac care. How lucky can we get? Bill was a teacher in "another life," so he's very good at explaining what's happening in understandable terms.
Dorcas has been a surgical patient within the past year, and her fresh perspective of that side of a hospital experience provides something none of the rest of us have. Bill and Dorcas took the most recent night shift at the hospital, and the rest of us came home.
Tonight Judy and Rhoda, who are married to my brothers, Lowell and Myron respectively, are staying for the night. Rhoda has worked in geriatrics, and Judy is a wonderful caregiver, although she has not learned her skills in school.
We're pleased to have discovered that a combination of Tylenol and Benadryl works very well for giving Mom a good night of sleep. Ambien did not work well. She slept, but woke feeling confused and restless. The nurse reported that she often sees that and doesn't like to use it for that reason.
My sister Carol, from the Kansas City area, plans to come tomorrow. Ronald (number 10 in my parental family) is conducting a week of meetings in Boley, OK this week, so he will be far more free next week than he is now. Marcus is an encouragement to Mom and the rest of us--something that would have been a lot harder to manage less than two years ago when he was still incarcerated. Anthony, Clara, and Caleb seem far away, but we try to keep them informed.
Lois recounted the surgeon's speech to Mom today when he came to her room to discuss the plans, especially in light of the infection she had contracted. He told her "You didn't have to do that. I would have taken you to the dance without that. It was a barn dance too."
"That Iowa boy" (Lois' words) seems like a jolly good fellow, and the Lord knows jollies are a little hard to come by these days.
Today a pic-line was installed (probably not the right medical verb), providing access to Mom's circulation system without the use of IV needles. We're all relieved at this improvement. Her arms are looking worse all the time from the frequent pokes and subsequent infiltration of the tissue around the insertion point. The drug she's been getting by IV is "hard on veins, " which means that the needles frequently poke through the vein and allow the medication to go astray.
Yesterday my sister Dorcas and her family arrived from N. Carolina. We were glad to see all of them, but especially Bill, who is a nurse with several years of experience working in cardiac care. How lucky can we get? Bill was a teacher in "another life," so he's very good at explaining what's happening in understandable terms.
Dorcas has been a surgical patient within the past year, and her fresh perspective of that side of a hospital experience provides something none of the rest of us have. Bill and Dorcas took the most recent night shift at the hospital, and the rest of us came home.
Tonight Judy and Rhoda, who are married to my brothers, Lowell and Myron respectively, are staying for the night. Rhoda has worked in geriatrics, and Judy is a wonderful caregiver, although she has not learned her skills in school.
We're pleased to have discovered that a combination of Tylenol and Benadryl works very well for giving Mom a good night of sleep. Ambien did not work well. She slept, but woke feeling confused and restless. The nurse reported that she often sees that and doesn't like to use it for that reason.
My sister Carol, from the Kansas City area, plans to come tomorrow. Ronald (number 10 in my parental family) is conducting a week of meetings in Boley, OK this week, so he will be far more free next week than he is now. Marcus is an encouragement to Mom and the rest of us--something that would have been a lot harder to manage less than two years ago when he was still incarcerated. Anthony, Clara, and Caleb seem far away, but we try to keep them informed.
Lois recounted the surgeon's speech to Mom today when he came to her room to discuss the plans, especially in light of the infection she had contracted. He told her "You didn't have to do that. I would have taken you to the dance without that. It was a barn dance too."
"That Iowa boy" (Lois' words) seems like a jolly good fellow, and the Lord knows jollies are a little hard to come by these days.
posted by Mrs. I at
5:31 PM
3 Comments:
Pic line is usually spelled PICC line... (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripherally_inserted_central_catheter )
The needle doesn't stick through the skin, but the antibiotics corrode the vein, causing the site to go bad...or something like that...
blessings
By
lucentwarrior, at 11/20/2008
Thanks to Linda Rose, I found your blog and it's been good to "connect" in this way. Three years ago I gained a deep appreciation for good medical care when I gave birth prematurely. I will be praying for your Mom and all of you!
By
Anonymous, at 11/21/2008
Miriam, we are thinking of your family during this time, as we are so far away. Please give your Mom our regards...we are praying for her, and will be especially during the time of her surgery.
David & Susanna
By
Anonymous, at 11/22/2008
Post a Comment
<< Home