I should know better than to get complacent. I do know better.
In the small hours of this morning the hospital decided that the skinny one was dehydrated (whose fault was that?) and that his blood pressure was too low and dropping. So they decided to do a blood transfusion.
To which he had a very bad reaction. His temperature shot to 38.9, and he started drifting in and out of consciousness. The resultant kerfuffle woke the whole ward. About which I care less than nothing.
Needless to say we gained this information from the smaller portion and from reading the notes which the physiotherapist had carelessly left by his bed. Hiss and bloody spit.
Tomorrow I am on the war path. Himself is tired today - but he had just finished the longest walk he has taken since the surgery when I saw him. He is getting his clear fluids, and also some effective pain release. Both good things, but my feet are still on that path to war.
In the small hours of this morning the hospital decided that the skinny one was dehydrated (whose fault was that?) and that his blood pressure was too low and dropping. So they decided to do a blood transfusion.
To which he had a very bad reaction. His temperature shot to 38.9, and he started drifting in and out of consciousness. The resultant kerfuffle woke the whole ward. About which I care less than nothing.
Needless to say we gained this information from the smaller portion and from reading the notes which the physiotherapist had carelessly left by his bed. Hiss and bloody spit.
Tomorrow I am on the war path. Himself is tired today - but he had just finished the longest walk he has taken since the surgery when I saw him. He is getting his clear fluids, and also some effective pain release. Both good things, but my feet are still on that path to war.
Oh my, even an IV could prevent dehydration, I don't even want to think about hospitals as the battles I had to do for my father in law still cause me PTSD symptoms. I wish you luck, does sound like the long walk is good news though, hope the skinny one doesn't over do it, slow and steady.
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: Hospitals are something else aren't they: Hiss and
DeleteYour feet will have my (hobbling) company, virtually speaking.
ReplyDeletedinahmow: Your hobble and my wobble will go in together then...
DeleteThis sounds to me like they might have not been as careful as they should've been and gave him the wrong blood type? I suspect it wasn't just a "bad reaction" but possibly negligence. No wonder they weren't eager to tell you about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, shouldn't he have been getting IV fluids in the first place? Un-f'ingbelievable. Wretched quacks. I really, deeply feel for you. Dealing with hospital staff is indeed enough to cause lasting trauma.
Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): I am so over this.
DeleteThis hospital sounds awful!!! Thay don't even give you information that you are entitled to! You go ahead and demand to know what is happening at all times. Make sure that SP gives them permission to give out any information, etc to you. Even if you have to get it in writing. You should not have to demand information! I hope things go a lot better for you both. Hugs, Teresa
ReplyDeleteTeresa: Thank you. It is early Friday morning here and I am girding my loins preparing for today's battle. Which should not be necessary.
DeleteI can't believe the lack of communication and care.
ReplyDeleteGet your war paint on, EC! All possible best wishes for you both.
Alexia: War paint on. Light sabre at the ready. Thank you.
DeleteThe dehydration was totally preventable, and oh I am so sorry this is happening. They sure don't sound very competent, and I hope you can rattle some cages! Oh how awful!
ReplyDeleteDJan: Cages will be rattled in a few hours. Loudly rattled.
DeleteFormal complaint??? Seriously this is the most incompetent hospital in Australia is seems.
ReplyDeleteI'm banging the warpath drum in your corner!!
Hope for better news tomorrow. Please take care of yourself too xxxx
Kakka: We are thinking (his sister and I) that a formal complaint is necessary, but possibly not until he is home...
DeleteI'm thinking they'll know your name by the end of this day. What madness over there. I'm glad he got a longer walk today. I hope you are getting some rest, too.
ReplyDeleteLynn: On the one hand he does seem to be getting better - almost in spite of them. I will rest when this is sorted.
DeleteYep. Time to throw an enormous tantrum and get things sorted for the SH and yourself. NOT good enough!
ReplyDeleteKath Lockett: Tanty time is here.
DeleteMedical crises dog you! Do they know what they are doing? Hope his recovery is unimpeded with no further complications. So hard for you both.
ReplyDeletepersiflage: It is not a lot of fun. Medically I think (I hope) that they are competent. The nursing is leaving a HUGE amount to be desired.
DeleteOh no! Very distressing update. So sorry to hear it; give 'em hell.
ReplyDeleteMs CrankyPants: I think the zombie sheep from Mistress Snark's parlour may have got off lightly.
DeleteLOL!
DeleteYou need to do that. He needs for you to do that.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: He will certainly not want me to go on the war path and would, if consulted, try and dissuade me. So I will tell him afterwards.
DeleteHiss and bloody spit indeed! Dehydrated?! He's in a hospital. Fluids, anyone? I am so angry for you I could gnaw someone's arm off.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, SP sounds better now - no thanks to them! Please remember to keep up your own strength and well-being. This is surely taking a toll on you. Hugs.
Laura Eno: I think it is anger keeping me upright at the moment. Ramrod straight even. And yes, dehydrated? Hiss and ...
DeleteGood Lord.....how could they let him get dehydrated. Isn't anyone measuring fluids in and fluids out? Sheesh.
ReplyDeletemybabyjohn/Delores: They are monitoring fluids out quite carefully, but are very, very lax on the in quota. He had better be looking a heap better this morning. And I am still marching to war.
DeleteYeah... you'd think it was basic nursing, wouldn't you?!
DeleteMaybe you or his sister should camp beside his bed. That's what we do here. Our health care system is a mess, with staff shortages being the crucial factor in recovery.
ReplyDeleteKaren: This is an option which is only available in childrens wards. Which peeves me. Is added to a very long list of things which peeve me.
DeleteThis hospital sounds like a bunch of preteens running it, incapable and incompetent, disorganized and covering their mistakes. That's insanity there. But there are so many mistakes in many hospitals. I think it's one of the top ten causes of death here, in the US. Doctor or hospital error. There should be warning labels.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: I have no idea what is happening there at the moment. Short-staffed? Inadequately trained staff? Both? It is beyond frustrating though.
DeleteI'll unpack the war gear and hatchets. Good grief--is anyone watching?
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: I don't think so. Not with either eye open anyway.
DeleteOh, that is SO negligent! I so feel for you as your stress levels must be almost through the roof! You don't need that. You should be confident that your SP is in "the best of care", not having to do double duty, managing home life and keeping a close eye on whether the staff are doing their job properly at the hospital!
ReplyDeleteI so feel for you both, what a bloody nightmare.
I imagine you'll be glad to get him home so that you can administer proper recuperative care - at least you can trust he'll be looked after 100% then.
Thinking of you.
Vicki: Thank you. I would be glad to get him home - except that he is a truly VILE convalescent. Though if this continues even that might be better.
DeleteBloody incompetence. Lost for words. Big hug.
ReplyDeleteWendy aka Quilfeather: It is almost impressivly incompetent.
DeleteSounds like the sooner you can get out of there the better---for all of you!
ReplyDeleteMolly: Sadly, yes.
DeleteSlay them all and take no prisoners. X
ReplyDeleteAll Consuming: I thought I had leanings towards pacifism. It seems I do not. And I wouldn't want any of this lot as a prisoner.
DeleteOh my and in between my visits to the hospital, which thankfully bordered more on the comical. Well, I tried to think of it as comical. However, this is a case of incompetence at its worst.
ReplyDeleteSending hopeful thoughts.
Your friend,
Gary
klahanie: Thank you. Hopeful thoughts gratefully received.
DeleteIt is hard to type without swearing. And they didn't even bother to tell you this? I am glad he is doing better IN SPITE of his medical care. Go for their bloody jugulars.
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: I have been doing considerable amounts of swearing.
DeleteEC this is dreadfully incompetent care on the part of everyone in that ward....doctors and nurses alike!!! A formal complaint is the way to go but (as you say) after he is home. Battle on my friend and you will win out in the end. Positive thoughts are with you both. Just make sure you are looking after yourself as much as possible too. xx
ReplyDeleteMimsie: I have started composing the complaint. I will collect the paper work for it over the next few days...
DeleteOne would think the saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" had never been thought of ... such nonchalance about common sense basics is something I've seen as well and it is most distressing. Hugs, EC.
ReplyDeletejenny_o: Common sense seems to be remarkably rare.
DeleteAbsolutely wretched. Was in the hospitable with my grandfather passing away recently, and I have to sympathize with the impotence of the well-wisher. You wish you could do more, or that kicking ass would help. I hope it does help you and the SP.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Kill, maim, murder keeps going round in my head. So far I haven't even sworn at anyone. So far.
DeleteDear EC, as you say, "Hiss and spit!" And I'd add, "Double spit!" I encourage that war path. Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee: The war path was moderately sucessful. And I hope to have left it behind (until I file my complaint).
Delete