Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks for the time you spend in answering these things for me! I really appreciate it!

Since visiting hours don't start till 10..they manage to sneak rounds in when there are no wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, etc around..and I don't like that. I like to know what is being said and being done. He does have a patient portal,,but it takes them forever to add something to it. I will have to keep an eye on it and see if there are any notes added soon. There were none yesterday..even test results take forever to get posted. I learned the hard way last time to take names,,lol. I had a list as long as my arm between our hospital and Univ of MD in Baltimore..it shouldn't be quite as long this time!

I don't know if it's a teaching hospital or not..I don't think so,,but its added that to my list of questions..I know Univ of MD is, but sure about UPMC MD. All I know is the hospitalist told me respiratory ordered it..and the cardiologist office says they can't, that it would have to have been the hospitalist. His daughter is there,,and just had to lay into his nurse..who is also the charge nurse. She was nice to me this morning..but tonite she came in to check his vitals, laid him flat down to have someone help her slide him up in the bed (in which position he can't breathe) and then answered her phone and started to walk away. Stepdaughter sternly said..he can't breath like like that..come back here and raise him back up. Good for her..The nurse said to whoever she was talking to.."I'll have to call you back' , got someone to help her shift him up, and did vitals. She said the dressing on his leg needs to be changed, I'll do that after dinner..Stepdaughter said , please do it soon after,,he's really tired and he needs to get some rest.

I don’t think it’s a matter of sneaking, lol. It‘s just how rounds are done at the beginning of the day to review the information from yesterday, and develop a plan for today. It’s actually helpful when everyone, including the patient and family, are on the same page and hear and understand the plan of care. It saves us all time in explaining things, so then we can focus more on what we need to do to move forward. But if you can’t be there, I would just ask your nurse what was said on rounds. Hopefully he or she has a chance to attend, but sometimes duties with other patients or things like charge issues prevent that from happening. Nurses are spread pretty thin these days (occupancy and acuity are higher than ever), and everyone has been through a lot living through the Covid nightmare, so try to have patience (is my best advice!). It’s possible the respiratory therapist suggested something, but it would have to be the doctor who actually ordered it. Any time!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Well it was BLTs on toasted Italian bread tonight, with lettuce from our garden, bacon done on the grill, and Mom’s recipe potato salad. All yummy.

 

[lynxstch]

I don’t think it’s a matter of sneaking, lol. It‘s just how rounds are done at the beginning of the day to review the information from yesterday, and develop a plan for today. It’s actually helpful when everyone, including the patient and family, are on the same page and hear and understand the plan of care. It saves us all time in explaining things, so then we can focus more on what we need to do to move forward. But if you can’t be there, I would just ask your nurse what was said on rounds. Hopefully he or she has a chance to attend, but sometimes duties with other patients or things like charge issues prevent that from happening. Nurses are spread pretty thin these days (occupancy and acuity are higher than ever), and everyone has been through a lot living through the Covid nightmare, so try to have patience (is my best advice!). It’s possible the respiratory therapist suggested something, but it would have to be the doctor who actually ordered it. Any time!

Well it might still be helpful,,but it was more helpful when family could visit anytime they wanted to and be there during rounds to hear what is going on. Yes, I know Covid changed so many things, that being one of them. But now I have to stop and question everyone who comes in the room as I have no way of knowing what was said by who during rounds. And with this hospitalist (they change every Tuesday so we are stuck with this one through the week) saying he didn't say things that he did say to me yesterday, I am getting distrustful quickly. I may just hit the record button on my phone tomorrow and then go over it again to make sure I get everything he says correctly. And his cardiologist is not known as one who leaves notes for the nurses. He insists on typing them all up himself and entering them when he gets around to it , from what I was told. I will be sure to ask his nurse tomorrow morning if she was at rounds, what was said, by who, and what was decided on for tomorrow's day of treatment. I am patient, to a point. But having dealt with Drs and others who are not truthful in this hospital before..I learned my lesson, and I only tread so lightly, for so long. Been there, done that, not doing it again. Most people you talk to , say the nurses are wonderful for the most part,,it's the Drs you have to keep an eye on..which is a sad, but true thing to say.

I did just check the patient portal, and the last entry on there is from April 7, so noone has gotten to add anything to it. And it says the same thing about medical records. Guess I have to wait and keep checking on those. I really appreciate your help and advice!

 

[lynxstch]

Well it was BLTs on toasted Italian bread tonight, with lettuce from our garden, bacon done on the grill, and Mom’s recipe potato salad. All yummy.

View attachment 587668

View attachment 587669

that looks yummy, and I was thinking of making one earlier,,but ended up just reheating some chicken. Had tomato and squash with it. I only use my Moms potato salad recipe too..and it's a favorite with everyone. Have to make a batch soon,,maybe when we finally get to eat the steaks we got for July 4'th Took a long hot bath, and got in my nightshirt. Then some tv..Big Brother starts tonite..does anyone on this thread watch it anymore? I can't wait!

 

[lynxstch]

Thank you all so much for your prayers and love. I do have an encouraging update which is after an explanatory phone call from the doctor, Dad and I both feel very much relieved. Please send out extra Monday morning good prayers in Dad's direction. Thank you. I just wish doctors would take care to be completely upfront when sharing results with a patient! Should all the tests have not yet come back, say so! Don't present the update as though they have, that was what was frustrating earlier. God, always is good and with us, how Blessed we are indeed.


Indeed I was glad to hear the much better explanation your Dad got. Will be sending extra prayers on Monday, as I do every day for him!

I liked your last post Lynn because of how thankful I am for Stepdaughter, good for her absolutely! It is so sad how patient basic CARE and caring can so easily be overlooked. Your DH is beyond Blessed to have you (first and foremost) along with the rest of his family as advocates and support.

Sometimes she gets on my nerves and acts like she doesn't care, but when he's sick, and people aren't giving him the attention and care he should get..she gets like a Mama Bear (or Daughter Bear in this case) and speaks her mind. I told her to do what she has to do when she is the one there with him, he won't speak up for himself most of the time.

Taz Dev, my mistake. I have never heard of a girl named Fin. Years ago I taught a preschool girl named Flynn which I thought was pretty. I also taught a boy at the same center named Finn. Hugs, to you and you know I quite agree with what you said. Being kind not on airs, IMO, is what matters!

These days they name boys with girls names and girls with boys, its so easy to get confused. As long as they are healthy, even if preemies, then whatever their names are, they will grow into them!

Pea, you are such a lovely lady all-around. Your patients are so Blessed by you as are all of us

I so whole heartedly agree with that statement. I wish all of them were like you are!

PollyannaMom, I hope you are keeping cool and having a good day, too

Down to 83 now. We had a brief rain shower, and a few claps of thunder, but that is all past now. Maybe more tomorrow--Yikes..just as I said that a huge burst of thunder just hit overhead--I don't mind thunder, but I don't deal with lighning well!

 

[tazdev3225]

I'm another Big Brother fan although I must admit I didn't watch the last season. Something about it really turned me off. I will watch tonight and see what happens.

@flyingdumbo127 - Fin or Finley really do sound like boys names to me. My son's nickname came go for either gender. He was the 4th James in the family when he was born and the nickname was what my dad was called by one of his grandmothers so I used it to honor my dad. Then I heard of girls being called Jamie. He likes it though.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Well it might still be helpful,,but it was more helpful when family could visit anytime they wanted to and be there during rounds to hear what is going on. Yes, I know Covid changed so many things, that being one of them. But now I have to stop and question everyone who comes in the room as I have no way of knowing what was said by who during rounds. And with this hospitalist (they change every Tuesday so we are stuck with this one through the week) saying he didn't say things that he did say to me yesterday, I am getting distrustful quickly. I may just hit the record button on my phone tomorrow and then go over it again to make sure I get everything he says correctly. And his cardiologist is not known as one who leaves notes for the nurses. He insists on typing them all up himself and entering them when he gets around to it , from what I was told. I will be sure to ask his nurse tomorrow morning if she was at rounds, what was said, by who, and what was decided on for tomorrow's day of treatment. I am patient, to a point. But having dealt with Drs and others who are not truthful in this hospital before..I learned my lesson, and I only tread so lightly, for so long. Been there, done that, not doing it again. Most people you talk to , say the nurses are wonderful for the most part,,it's the Drs you have to keep an eye on..which is a sad, but true thing to say.

I did just check the patient portal, and the last entry on there is from April 7, so noone has gotten to add anything to it. And it says the same thing about medical records. Guess I have to wait and keep checking on those. I really appreciate your help and advice!

I understand. Besides being on that side of the bed, I’ve been a patient myself with a several surgeries and a year’s worth of cancer treatment, as well as my mother’s advocate for 25+ years, and a Mom with kids who’ve been hospitalized for serious things, and a husband with ongoing medical issues, etc. It’s never ending. I actually had a call from one of my husband’s doctors Monday night about an issue he’s been having. I didn’t understand what DH was talking about when he came home from an appt with this new specialist, so DH left a message last week for him to call me, and he finally did on Monday. I think he was a little surprised at some of the questions I was asking and some of the insights I had about DH’s issue. We ended the call, and he called me back a second time to clarify a few things. Ultimately I told him we’d be seeking another opinion. I figured it was better to just tell him that outright than for his staff to be calling to book surgery and having to put them off, etc. I can be quite direct when I need to be. But truth is, he did not instill confidence in me and I was shocked at how callous he seemed to be about issues that would be a big deal to DH! So time to find someone else.

My mother had two things that very much impacted her care that I was not happy about. At all. One was quite negilgent, actually. That practitioner was lucky we didn’t pursue it. But I did speak to our doctor about it and asked that this person was spoken to so it didn’t happen to anyone else, and they were. I also remember being in the hospital with DS once when he was about 12, and screaming in pain. His doctor had left word to give him pain medicine that night so he could get a good night’s sleep. His nurse and I tried a bunch of other things trying to avoid it, to no avail. So the nurse called the resident for pain medicine, and when she came up, she refused to give it to him. Yeah, that was fun. I won’t get into the specifics, but we had words, and I addressed the issue on rounds in the morning with the whole team. Poor DS was in the bed looking up at all of us having this “discussion”. I asked DS afterward if he was mortified, or proud of his ol’ Mom, and I was suprised, given his shyness, but he said he was proud of me. One medical student came up to me afterward and thanked me saying he’d learned something that day and would take it forward with him. Glad, I have plenty of other stories, too. But just know that I get it from the perspective of being a family member, too, and I’ve had sadness sometimes when I’ve had to fight for proper care that should really be automatic. To me it felt like I spent my whole life trying to give great care, but when it’s my turn, I didn’t always get it in return, and that, at times, ate at me too.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Deep breath, dear Lynn.

Pea, thank you for sharing with us and hugs to you as well!

Taz Dev, I have also heard of some female Jamie's but typically do think of that even as a male nickname.

Good later afternoon and evening to all

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I only use my Moms potato salad recipe too

Re: potato salad, my mother's was different from the norm and I really like it. DH's mother made a more traditional potato salad. So, I alternate when I make it, depending on how I feel.

To me it felt like I spent my whole life trying to give great care, but when it’s my turn, I didn’t always get it in return, and that, at times, ate at me too.

I was also an advocate for both my father and then my mother as they aged. Because of my profession, I had some knowledge of Medicare regs re: discharge but it didn't matter. They do what they want. I kept a notebook with my mother so I knew who to call about what. I left it in a phone booth in a hotel lobby (Attached to a medical professional building.) I called the hotel but no one found it. It was worthless to anyone else.


Dinner tonight was hot dogs and beans for DH. a hot dog and left over noodles and veggies for me, with left over deviled eggs.

DGD seems ok for swim tomorrow. I hope so.

 

[PollyannaMom]

PollyannaMom, I hope you are keeping cool and having a good day, too

Thanks. It's still pretty hot here, but we are blessed to have AC, so I really can't complain.

I took a birthday card over to a neighbor earlier today, and she was really pleased and surprised that I remembered. Made my morning!

Did some grocery shopping and a tiny bit of weeding, put away a couple loads of laundry, watched "The Chase" with DH, then a bit of the Disney+ show "Prop Culture" while on the treadmill, and now I need to get off the computer and do dishes.

I hope everything works out well for your Dad...and your DH @lynxstch...and the twins! (I also tend to think of Finn as a boy's name, because I know one well, but I have heard of Finley as girl's name too.)

Wishing everyone a good night's sleep!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hug, Carol and what a smart idea it was to keep that notebook!

Love the picture, PollyannaMom and thank you so much for your prayers

Wishing all of you a restful good night.

 

[frog3101]

Hello Quackers,
Just checking in and giving the thread a little bump.

FlyingDumbo - Glad to hear you received good/more positive news for your dad.

lynxstch - Such good news about your husbands continued improvement. I’m glad his kids are able to be there some and also your in-laws you have spoken about. I’m sure every little bit of support is a blessing.

Pea- your food photos look so tasty

AuntieMe - sounds like you and your friends had a wonderful trip and made some great memories. Hope you and your husband have a good week alone and you get your thank you‘s taken care of. I feel I am
“old school” in that I send hand written thanks you’s and also have my kids do the same.

Breezy- Hope you and your family are feeling better. A cold is so miserable.

tazdev - sorry to hear things with your niece and sometimes your mom are difficult.

We had a bit more rain today, but the temps were not as high as the last few days. We are still pretty soggy so glad the rain wasn’t too heavy for too long.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. We had some light rain last nite, and the temp is 60. Going to be 76 with 75% chance of rain, so considerably cooler, but it's very muggy. Can't win I guess.

Not a lot to report. I texted hubby a pic of the littlest cat, who has taken to keeping Daddy's chair warm while he's gone around 6. He texted back 'uh oh' around 9. I texted back asking if he was okay, but there was no answer, so I figure he was half asleep when he looked at the picture. I didn't want to call him just in case he was finally getting some sleep, and he never called me. I called the nurses station around midnite, and they said he was asleep, and doing the same. The chest xray showed not a lot of air moving in his lungs..well no kidding,,first he has COPD, and second, he can't get in any kind of comfortable position in that bed. They gave him one of those breathing tube things (brain is mush can't think of what it's called right now) where you blow into it and the little ball moves up. I am bring his smaller Aerobika one with me this morning in case that's easier for him.

I fell asleep watching Big Brother,,made it through the first 45 min I think. Woke up a few times during the night, but at least got a few hours of sound sleep. I am dragging!

Have a nice morning everyone, will check in when I can.

Thanks and prayers to all my fellow QUACKERS on this thread, for helping to get me through this,,much appreciated!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Good morning. Up with the cats and my coffee, watching an old episode of Full House. I guess we're making progress - they woke me up at 15 minutes after 5:00, instead of 5 minutes before.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good morning.

Expecting the remains of Elsa this afternoon. No word from DD about Tessa yet today. My cold is progressing through all the stages.

They gave him one of those breathing tube things

Incentive spirometer. I’m just showing off his morning.

 

[easyas123]

Good morning everyone -
It was my intention to re-read the last few pages of posts and respond accordingly but I'm afraid I've failed miserably, but please know my good thoughts are going out to each of you experiencing a trying time.
I slept thru the night last night, can't recall the last time I slept thru the night without waking up and being up for a while (I have bad insomnia). My fingers are crossed that I get as much sleep tonight!
It is grey & gloomy out there right now, I believe bands of the tropical storm will be showing up later, which is good as we can use the rain. I've got to run into town in a bit - run a errand or two.
Have a good morning everyone.

 

[Snowysmom]

@ lynxstch Hope all continues to go well. Keep up with finding out info from the doctors. You sound like a terrier going to ground. LOL! Prayers that your DH gets to come home soon where he can be more comfortable and happy.

@flyingdumbo127 Glad you got better news for your Dad. More thoughts and prayers for you.

To everyone who is not feeling well or needs a little boost, sending prayers your way.

I got a surprise day off today. Our systems are down at work and looks like they won't be back up today. We get paid for the day so I am happy. It started yesterday. I worked for a few hours and they told us to get off the computers and stop working. So I had the afternoon off too. No idea why but I won't complain about time off and getting paid for it. I am doing some cleaning for this weekend when we have the 2 DGS for the sleepover. I am still a bit nervous about this as they can be a handful but DH says he will keep them entertained. I will do the meals, cleanups, and bedtime stuff. The 3 year old also needs diaper changes which is not easy when he won't stay still. I may be chasing him down the hall with a diaper in my hand. LOL!

I am a bit off today mentally and physically. I was up during the night after a bit of anxiety and it seems to be staying with me. I also have a bit of a headache and a bit queasy like the beginnings of a migraine. I have alot going on with family, dog, and work so I am not surprised. Jasper sees his regular vet today so she can test his eyes for dry eye. His health is probably one of my bigger worries lately. Selfishly I am also concerned about our vacations this year and not having a place for Jasper to go. I am hoping his kennel takes new reservations soon. My vacation time is important to me for getting away from real life, chilling out, and relaxing. When I come back I am better able to take care of Jasper and other life issues.

Happy Thursday. Have a nice day!

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning.

Expecting the remains of Elsa this afternoon. No word from DD about Tessa yet today. My cold is progressing through all the stages.
We were supposed to get it too..but now only slight chance of rain. Hope you don't get too much. Hope you and Tessa feel better soon!

Incentive spirometer. I’m just showing off his morning.
works for me..sounds better than 'breathy thing'..lol! My mind is just not working in it's normal organized way for some reason the last few days.

Just talked to hubby..and while he finally got some sleep..now the antibiotics have given him diarrhea.. (sorry if TMI!) so they had to give him something to combat that. I am going to talk to the nurse and Dr at 10 and see what we can do about the antibiotic causing that, if we can change to something else, or if he just has to put up with it till they send him home and put him on oral ones

 

[lynxstch]

He was up sitting in a chair when I got here, looking sooo much better. Heart rate is down where it belongs, BP is up where it belongs , oxygen still ok but set a little higher than I would like but,,,, Dr was in before I got here, said he might go home tomorrow, but I don't want them rushing him just because he is on Medicare. I was so surprised to see him up I cried!!!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning Quackers

Thank you all so very much for your continued love and prayers always. I appreciate all of you always

Praise God dear Lynn, continued healing for your DH, my friend. I agree to take this one step at a time and let him continue to grow stronger!

Feel better, Carol!

Lol, PollyannaMom. I am glad the cats let you sleep in a bit!

and a joy filled Thursday to each of you!