OXY moron

 Please don't mistake my frustration and rants as all caused by medical pros.  These hospitals are some of the best in the country, but short staffing with full capacity is tough for them to deal with.  And we've encountered the same issues time and time again.  Except for three nurses who went over her entire chart and understood her agony because of it.  Not all do, not all think it's necessary as they treat the current issue, not all have the time.  Listening for months to her sobbing and begging for help weakens us, rubs us raw, and any additional issue needing resolution makes us bleed a little more.  

I just got another call from her frustrated nurse, to reason with Carole. She said the doctor thinks she can handle a 300 mg dose of gaba every 6 hours (higher than ever), Tylenol between.  And we all learned something.  The delirium of mammoth proportion caused her to not realize the pain she was in without drugs.  Prior sobbing was for help and of fear, last night was of pain.  The delirium was slowly leaving and making her more aware, probably why pain meds weren't considered since she never complained.  Late morning, she was still on a naval vessel with her crew (yesterday on a bike at Eagle Point), but could converse and joke.  And then .... this last call was because reality returned and demanded OXY.  And when trying to trick her into believing that was not her usual drug, crystal clear dosage, days, location, frequency, spewed from that sailor's mouth.  I guess the vessel has docked and the crew disembarked.  Isn't that amazing?  Elderly need opioids to allow better quality of life, but she was in rehab expecting more surgery, and this may be a problem detoxing in the next few days.  She claims this large dose of the gaba is not working at all but the OXY will.  Now I have to wonder if she should return there after Cleveland.  The facility offered excellent therapy, beautiful building and grounds, but did not honor our request to use another drug and not allow additional doses when asked.

 The transfer to main campus is in the works as of 4 pm, the meds are handled, and I was quite impressed with Carole's lucid response to that doctor.  She said she has gone through hell for months, surgery, therapy, pain, necrosis, immobility.  He is wrong if he thinks it was all for naught and he can take her leg, she's not giving up just yet.  Exactly.  Unless your life is in jeopardy, give yourself a chance to improve.

So I just wanted to explain that yes, there are many things that should and could be handled differently, but I am so expended after months of stress and anguish for what she has endured, that I am at the end of my tolerance level.  Some incidents and decisions I will not forgive, but I can't change.  And if they are being truthful, she will go back to the main hospital and I'll stay at the hotel, and we can get answers now, not wait another month.  Even if not treated this week, knowing what to expect and when will make a huge difference.  And in my extensive research on this disease, procedures, and outcomes, I found an interesting treatment to save limbs at University Hospital down the road from the Clinic.  Whether she would be a candidate, we don't know, but may schedule a consult if we have no other options.

So please forgive my meltdowns, they don't belong on a stitching blog.  I said I wasn't going to keep mentioning this but dammit, it's consumed my life for months and taken over.  I hope to do a little stitching tonight, I'm sure there will be calls asking why she can't get the OXY and nothing else is working, but at least she is back on earth.  And docked.  I will pack a project or two to take if they decide to proceed and there is a ridiculously expensive room for me.  And maybe I can catch up on all of you.  Haven't read blogs or much for months, and I'm hoping there were no heartbreaks or troubles for anyone in that time.  

Good night!!

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