When we went to visit the Smaller Portion yesterday there were many, many cockatoos wheeling through the air. A significant number had large pieces of bread in their beaks. Those that didn't were trying to steal from those that did. So we enjoyed a lovely quarter hour watching their antics - at least some hospital food is appreciated. As always, clicking on the photos will enlarge them.
When we got to the ward we were told that the incision was red and inflamed (which it was) and that there was some thought of infection. The drain hole was not seeping but gushing. They were monitoring the swelling - and had drawn around it in biro to allow easy assessment. There was talk of re-installing the IV line to feed him antibiotics.
This morning bright and early the phone rang. It was himself. He had the all clear to come home today!!! Hiss and spit were perhaps the nicest and most repeatable things his sister and I said.
He is now at home. As instructed I have taken photos of the incision and the drain hole for him to take to his doctor next week when he has the staples removed so she can also monitor the site. WTF? Sigh.
When we got to the ward we were told that the incision was red and inflamed (which it was) and that there was some thought of infection. The drain hole was not seeping but gushing. They were monitoring the swelling - and had drawn around it in biro to allow easy assessment. There was talk of re-installing the IV line to feed him antibiotics.
This morning bright and early the phone rang. It was himself. He had the all clear to come home today!!! Hiss and spit were perhaps the nicest and most repeatable things his sister and I said.
He is now at home. As instructed I have taken photos of the incision and the drain hole for him to take to his doctor next week when he has the staples removed so she can also monitor the site. WTF? Sigh.
Hmmm...How many tax dollars fund this service?
ReplyDeleteGood wishes to you, the SIL and the SP.
Oh, and the cockatoos. Hope there's a vet handy when they develop problems from the bread!Also hope it wasn't spread with honey!
dinahmow: Thankyou for the good wishes. Far too many tax dollars fund this service. As far as I could tell the bread was not spread with anything. Which is as it should be. They also spend much of their day foraging for seed heads beside the roads and in the parks. Not to mention eating seed with us, and digging up our lawn for the tender roots.
DeleteWell "they" do say that we heal faster at home so here's hoping this is the case.
ReplyDeletemybabyjohn/Delores: Fingers crossed. He and consequently I did not have a good nights sleep, but I am hoping that changes as well.
DeleteOh my - I hope the healing comes fast. They do seem to turn people out of the hospital quickly these days.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the cockatoo pics! I can't imagine how lovely it must be to have those birds flying freely.
Big hugs!
Lynn: The cockatoos are a noisy joy always. Thank you for the good wishes and the hugs.
DeleteWell, thanks much for showing us the cockatoo photos and not the ones of SP's drain hole! What's next, a new career as a medical photographer? Kidding aside, good to hear some good news, and may you and yours enjoy a week of healing.
ReplyDeleteTwo Tigers: As you know a photographers life is not an easy one. I don't know how many photos I took before he (grudgingly) said that they would do.
DeleteIt's such good news to hear he's home, but not that he's having such problems with the incision. I love the birds, and I am always happy to hear from you to find out how things are going. Big hugs!!
ReplyDeleteDJan: I hope to be back in the blogosphere properly soon, rather than flying in putting up a self absorbed post and dashing out again.
DeleteHome? Is he still infected and draining like crazy? Did they teach you what to do with it or when to call the doctor if needed? Did they send him home on antibiotics? Good Grief ... I hope you all do well. SP's is going through the worst of it, but you and the Sil are carrying a heavy load as well. Thank God for your sense of humor ... it will save you in the end. I do have you all in my prayers ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
P.S. Awesome Cockatoos ...
Andrea: The draining seems to have largely stopped. He is still red and inflamed around the incision, albeit less so. No instructions so we will play it by ear. I intend to err on the side of caution.
DeleteAnd yes, the cockatoos always brighten my day.
Seriously, they sent him home when there is the possibility of infection and you have to monitor him. Excuse my French but WTF is the medical system coming to in Aus???? Seriously???? Hugs to you, healing and non infection wishes to him, and flipping the bird at the medicos. ps sorry if I overstepped the boundaries here xxx
ReplyDeleteKakka: Yes indeed. Send him home they did. There is only one happy camper here (two if you count Jazz).
DeleteE-Child, please please - whatever you do - only post up your photos of the birds, and NOT of the smaller half's incision!
ReplyDeleteKath Lockett: You mean I have to change my next post? Awwww. And no, they are not pretty images.
DeleteBeautiful shots of the birds!
ReplyDeleteAustralian healthcare sounds similar to ours here in Canada...once the deed is done, you are pretty much on your own! Do you not have the option of an at home nurse to come in once or twice to monitor and clean the incision?
Karen: On previous hospital stays the Community Nurses have come around. We are told that this is not an option now since he is ambulatory. Sort of. A bit.
DeleteHoping for the best and easiest outcome for HS. The cockatoos seems as plentiful as pigeons can be, here in our cities.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Thank you. The cockatoos gather in huge flocks both in our cities and even bigger ones in the country. Some people don't like them as they are noisy and destructive (and intelligent with it) and eat the crops but I am never sorry to see or hear them.
DeleteGlad to hear that SP is home and hopefully without infection. I hope that you're feeling less tired and less pain. At least the worry of the operation is over with . . . Not too far to go now.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers x
bugerlugs63: I really, really hope there is no infection. Still tired, still hurting but not having two hospital visits a day can only help.
DeleteSounds like our health care. Insurance runs it. Insurance dictates how long a person should be in the hospital, etc. They seem to feel that everyone heals at the same rate, etc. Our insurance even dictates what meds you get. They want to go all genaric. But some people don't do good on them. If you want (dr wants, etc)different meds it will cost you more out of pocket as a penalty, plus the difference between the generic and non-generic. Must be nice to sit in an office and run peoples health decisions. I hope SP heals well and his next dr's appointment shows vast improvement. I love the bird pictures. I can't imagine a flock of them! We see one or two at pet stores. Beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteTeresa: Our health care is mostly OK, but there are still some areas where the report card would have to read 'Could do better.'
DeleteHallelujah! So happy that SP is home, and now it is 'baby step' times.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us the joy of your birds. I look forward to whatever your camera eye catches!
Susan Kane: Whatever my camera eye catches? Even the line of staples and the drain hole? Surely not. Instead I hope to go down to the lake in the next few days and capture some more swans and kangaroos.
DeleteThose birds are so beautiful to see in the wild and not in a cage.
ReplyDeleteNow that SP is home the fun begins again.
Hope you all stay well and rested.
Pam:): A cockatoo in a cage is always sad. They need a lot of room. We had one as a child and my father built a HUGE aviary for it. The cockatoo diligently chewed her way out and spent the rest of her days investigating our garden, riding on my father's shoulder and throwing leaf litter from the gutters onto the heads of visitors. She also learnt to bark like the dog up the road and to send it into a frenzy. She was interested in the flocks of wild cockatoos, but not enough to join them despite being free and able to fly.
DeleteThis is a delightful memory!
Deletejenny_o: I have some very fond memories of that bird. She was particularly partial to strawberries. She would stomp over to the strawberry patch and would carefully pick up a berry and ensure it was ripe on all sides before she picked it. If unripe she would leave it, unmarked for another day. Which, given their talons is impressive.
DeleteAnimals have far more intelligence than many people give them credit for, don't they? Love this story!
Deletejenny_o: Much, much more intelligent that they are given credit for.
DeleteBonza photos, i especially like the cocky in the second photo in full flight escaping with his/her piece of bread. Best wishes to SP :-).
ReplyDeleteWindsmoke: Thank you. They were very happy and very noisy cockies.
Deletewow, that sight with white parrots, simply magical!!
ReplyDeletethe hospital business sounds quite the opposite, i so wish it will be alright again one day soon. thinking of you. that's really all one can say in a blog comment, i've read and thinking of you.
Pia K: The cockatoos are a source on never ending joy. Hospitals? Not so much. Thank you for your well wishes.
DeleteHang in there! :-)
ReplyDeleteGeoff: Thank you.
DeleteSending healing thoughts! I had a drain for 2 weeks and I know how much that sucks.
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: Drains are vile things. Thank you for your healing thoughts - I hope you are healing apace as well.
DeleteWhy were you instructed to photograph the incision? Is this a blackmail ploy?
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: As far as I can tell I am to take the pictures so the GP can see how much (if at all) he has improved before she removes the staples. If there is any blackmailing done I will be doing the dirty on the hospital.
DeleteThose cockies are such cheeky chappies!
ReplyDeleteRe the incision site - do not hesitate to take him to the hosp or get the gp to make a house call (if it's easier on the smaller portion).
Jayne: It is hard not to love cockies isn't it? I am sending the smaller portion wacko (more wacko?) by demanding regular updates on the incision and the drain hole.
DeleteBest of British, etc. Hope it all goes well, and that he behaves himself!!!!At least being home should make him more cheerful.
ReplyDeletepersiflage: Thank you. He is still being a sulky toad, but improving slowly (in both mood and body).
DeleteI can't imagine having such lovely birds in my neck of the woods. Also probably can't imagine what you all are going through. Hang in there - all of you.
ReplyDeleteRon Dudley: They are lovely. They also sound dreadful and are destructive and far too intelligent for the good of anything you would prefer they didn't much. And I love them anyway.
DeleteWe are back to baby steps. Fortunately in the right direction.
Interesting that birds " think", that is work out which strawberries to steal!!!Cockatoos are interesting to watch...
ReplyDeleteIs SP eating?
Christine: Cockatoos not only think they plot and plan. The smaller portion is eating - small portions. Which is an improvement on when he left hospital last time.
DeleteJust remember to take care of yourself as well as the SP...Your photos, as always are fantastic!!!!
ReplyDeleteOne Too Many: Thank you.
DeleteI'm so sorry you're experiencing this crapload of bad events. May you find something to laugh at. May SP heal quickly. And may you be tender with yourself.
ReplyDeletebarbfroman: I can always find something to laugh at - usually something inappropriate. And thank you.
DeleteI am praying for you, E.
ReplyDeleteLove Love Love.
Xxx
My Inner Chick: Thank you so much. And right back at you.
DeleteThe cockatoos must have been a welcomed sight instead of the wound. xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteThe cockatoos were/are a delight. Noisy, destructive, enchanting.
Delete