Well, it's about time I updated. Of course, I've only been home for a few days from the last hospital admission so I won't beat myself up too much on being lax on the ole blogging front . .
I spent the festive season on the ward. Everyone apart from the real sickies went home ~ and by the fact that I was still there, I guess I was one of the very ill patients. Writing it down makes it seem a bit more real unforturnately. The bad news is that the cancer has stepped up a pace and all the investigations I had seem to point to a metastatic turn of events. There is bone involvement and my ovaries are being targeted ~ so the chemo this time around is turning them right off! Night sweats again girls?
Then, I had less than a week at home before being rushed back to the ward with high temperatures. Antibiotics are great, but only when you have veins big enough to take 'em. I'm afraid that mine are rapidly giving up the ghost and that does not bode well for future visits . .
But the hosptial ward. Gah! *shudder* It really does depend on which nurse/HCA you get as to whether you get any care. One early morning when I was feeling a tad better I got out of bed before the drug round to gather my wash things. The HCA then began berateing me like a 5 year old child for being able to stand on my own two feet. When I wouldn't go into bed when she said, and on the side that she wanted she practically shouted at me. Not what anyone needs at 6.30 am
And shall I tell you of the 45 minute wait during a high temperature episode where I felt like death warmed up and the HCA I called for, wandered off and 'forgot' to tell my nurse that I needed help? Or the time when I had a blood transfusion with no observations taken what so ever, then when I spiked another temp, the little nurse got angry when I refused to let her flush the now very blocked line? Or what about the laughable moment when I was offered beef stew as the veggie option for lunch one day? . . . . No, I'll let you think it was a pleasant and interesting time in hospital where all the staff where wonderful and the care exemplary . . .
But I am home now. Hobbling around with my stick, on legs that look like tree trunks, and with a couple of drains in situ to help my fluid~filled pleura. Isn't that great?
You poor love - what awful rubbish treatment! It's bad enough feeling ill without inefficient, lazy, or downright uncaring people who are supposed to be helping you only adding to your misery. You may not feel up to complaining through official channels just now but it might be an idea to make notes of who, when, where, etc. whilst things are fresh in your mind. We are far too accepting in this country - you've paid your taxes (I presume!) so you are entitled to proper care.
There always seems to be a different one, and how we are supposed to remember which when they start behaving badly, heaven only knows. I bet you are glad to be home. Let's hope it lasts a while.
This horizontalist treatment is a swine isn't it. The assumption that the moment we lie down, we leave our brains at home. Perhaps you need to let it be known by example - every time something happens, you ask to see Sister, to describe what has gone on, they might start to mind their Ps and Qs. Or you can tell the Doctor, but actually, seeing Sister should do the goods. You can ask for a PALS visit, via the Pastor, who should visit at some stage.
How nice their hospitals would be if it wasn't for the patients! One of the ones in the Recovery room got up from his bed, put his dressing gown and slippers on and walked home. (not far, but it was an option. )
Oh you poor love, I don't know what to say. I'm really sorry that you had to spend the festive season with the really sick people in hospital, especially as the care was so appalling. Some HCA's think they have more authority than they actually do.....in my experience a word with the Nurse in Charge or Sister is usually effective, judging from the calls I get from them when they get one complaint to many about a particular member of the team!!
Glad your home and hope ou are feeling better soon.
