Friday, August 29, 2008

Not Rocket Science

Your love, encouragement, and prayers have seen us through the past few days, and I'm more grateful than I can adequately express. The words Thank You are pretty spare. I appreciate each of you and thank you for your comments and remembering my mother-in-law at this time!

Thank you...so much.

And yes, 6 days of emergency housecleaning CAN be done in a short amount of time, given the right circumstances ;-)

I wrote a post yesterday, but pulled it. I tried keeping it short, but had a lot of frustration that came out in the few minutes I had to check in with the computer.

I will sum up.

You cannot move a patient hours away without their morphine pump. This is not rocket science. But obviously it takes three days to figure out.

You also cannot feed chicken fried steak chunks, toast, etc. to a patient that has been on pureed foods since admission. Again, not rocket science. We could now have fed a homeless person quite well on the trays that have been left sitting uneaten because of this.

You cannot feed uncrushable whole pills to someone who only takes liquids through a very small syringe. Again, not rocket science.

And do not call me every 30 minutes for the past 2 1/2 days I spent at home waiting for medical equipment (because I was told I had to be home for that) and tell me you're considering delaying transport ANOTHER DAY because there is no one to ride in the transport vehicle with the patient. I would have stayed there to begin with. Oh yes, and as long as I'm registering some suggestions, do not try to transport said patient multiple times when no equipment has arrived at my house yet.

I don't THINK this is rocket science...???

Please do not patronize the caregiver (me). Please don't insult me and then smile at me as if I'm the imbecile. Please do not assume I know all your medical terms. Please do not act as if I know NO medical terms. Please do not ask me if I know how to raise/lower my mother-in-law's bed after I've been with her in this same room over a week night and day. Please do not ask me if I'm the paid attendant when you see me every day and re-ask me that question every day to be told I'm the daughter-in-law.

We're being moved to a different facility before Mima gets to come to my house, unless they have still not figured out by noon today that she requires pain meds in transit since they're keeping the morphine pump here.

I dream of a smooth day with no patronizing, mo more glued-on smiles.

Please, God, let there not be a flat tire on the way to the other place...

8 comments:

Nola said...

I was up at 2am last night; couldn't sleep. So I crept quietly into the office and read a few posts. I guess I read your earlier post; you didn't need to pull it; it was simply honest feelings coming to the surface. I felt many of the same feelings when we were taking care of my mother. Don't be afraid to vent, that's what you need to help you through. To keep your sanity, you need to be sure to rest when you can, eat and stay hydrated, and vent. Don't hold all that emotion inside, you will feel better when you get it out. You and your family will stay in my prayers.

It's me said...

Dear Heavens, how ridiculous to add to your trials. It is NOT rocket science. When things settle down, take the time to write a letter outlining this... perhaps you can save someone else from this misery.

~Peace to you, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Robbyn, you are feeling very normal frustration, and have every right to. It may be a rough ride for awhile, and you have to let it out...this blog is the ideal place to do that.

I'm sure many readers, like myself, have been through this, and totally understand. If all we can do is offer a supportive note now and then, take it and let it strengthen you.
And remember this...and this one is hard...take care of you.

My thoughts are with you.
Paulette

Anonymous said...

It is frightening what happens to patients needing constant medical care. The help, I'm afraid, just is not out there. We have a critical shortage of people working in the medical field. And it seems that the ones we do have, after reading this, have a shortage of wisdom and compassion and common sense...
Brenda

Maria said...

Ugh! I'm so sorry for all the frustrations! I hope she gets settled in soon. You are in my thoughts!

tina f. said...

You are such a special person to be able to do this. When my mom was in her final stages (multiple myeloma) it got to the point where my sister and I agreed to take turns spending the night at her house. Her mother (our grandmother) was there too but it was taking such a toll on her which is why we decided it was time to step in. My sister took the first night. I don't think I ever prayed so hard in my life. I really didn't think I could do it. Some people may be shocked but I prayed for my mom to die. The next day I was at work when my sister called to tell me Mom had passed. I thanked God that she was no longer in pain and that my selfish wish was answered.
Bless you, bless you, bless you!!!!!!

MamaHen said...

My feelings go out for you and your family Robbyn. I wish peace and strength for you all.

Unknown said...

Hugs