If you've ever had the delightful pleasure of a hospital stay, you know that you are basically in the middle of a giant machine. The nurses, doctors, orderlies, attendants, pillgivers, pressuretakers, ad nauseum are all part of a well-oiled machine. That said, the machine rivals that of an old tube TV from the 70s sometimes where you have to give it a whack on the side to adjust the picture. I learned in a couple of days there that you do have to stay on top of things, because with so much going on -- it's easy to have things slow down a bit, become delayed, or, get mixed up. I'm not talking about major medicine doses or whatever -- it's the orders. Like the fact that even though the doctors/nurses had ordered a bedside X-ray of Dad's abdomen on Sunday, TWICE someone came up with a wheelchair, ready to roll him down to some other floor in the depths of the hospital. Or the fact that when his diet was switched back to liquids only, a cheerful woman brought in a nice tray of semi-appetizing tuna salad (which should never be a liquid).
Last night, the Nutrition Team decided that it was time to get Dad some vitamins and calories since his digestive system SEEMS to want to get started. A doctor (another whose name I can't remember, but he's only like the best nutrition doctor ever) made a special concoction of stuff in a bag to get Dad's strength level back up. The IV was set to begin at 10pm.
However, due to an 'order mixup', it wasn't started. So when Mom came in this morning, the bag wasn't going. And another emotion - anger - gets to come into play. Actually, it was good to hear Dad was angry. He's starting to feel better almost everywhere else and just needs something to bolster his strength! Needless to say, after Dad threw the nurses out of the room and Mom worked it like only Mom can, and just a short while later -- that bag was going. So we're hoping by the end of the day today, Dad will feel stronger. His digestive system has shown more signs of 'waking up' as well, and that's very promising. It's really the last thing left to get kickin' -- since his vitals all look good, white blood cell count is back to normal, etc.
So at the risk being cliche:
The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card/
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart/
The waiting is the hardest part
True dat.
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5 comments:
Mama and Papa G,
Keep on healing so you can get the hell outta there. We miss you, as does Harley, but he is very happy here, playing with his new BFF Kodi.
When you get back and you're up for it, we'll fix you a meal that'll put your Bon Apetite recipes to shame! We love you...Rebeca and Shayna
Hey Gladfelter clan, I just got caught up on the past few days of the Chuck Report. I am glad to hear that things are progressing. I will continue to think about all of you all as I damn near melt in this Oklahoma heat.
Keep the good news coming!
-Chan
Dear Mom and Dad, I hate to break this to you during this time, but a room has opened up at the Inn across the lake and I'm thinking about moving in permanently. The food in that house must be delicious... by looking at the size of those cats. Sure dad is a gourmet, but by looking at my dry food bowl, I guess the old saying "you can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit" applies. No Bon Apetite recipes for me, huh? If you'd like to talk to me, just leave me a message at the Inn. I'll probably be out by the pool. Hope you are feeling better, dad and that mom is okay too. I miss you guys. Love from Tico :)
p.s. Tim & Kristen helped me with the keyboard. Typing is hell when you are declawed.
Best comment ever, Tico :-)
What the hell does that one lyric mean? "Everyday you see one more card" Serioulsy?
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