So glad to hear Jan is doing better. Yes, it is very difficult to be the “medical” family member at the bedside. I was with my husband daily after his stroke (acute stay) and inpatient rehab. It was even worse when he was hospitalized during Covid when visiting was not allowed. He was there for 4 weeks after a car accident (1 week acute care and 3 weeks inpatient rehab). We had both had Covid about a month before the accident, one of his doctors pulled some strings and got me a couple of visits shortly before he was discharged
As a retired physician being a patient in hospital is your worst nightmare. Knowing or feeling that dx and or treatment are not what you agree with, however, being powerless to make decisions is frightening. If you are perceived as strident about your "suggestions" attitude of physicians and staff become chill. IMHO the hospital patient is exposed to a variety of very nasty infective agents as well as opportunity for medical error that can lead to serious complications and death. Bottom line, it is the only option for care of a serious life threatening illness. However, best to get out as soon as possible. hopefully coming out without acquiring something worse than what you went in with.
If you become a patient in a hospital you will quickly realize the hospital is no place to rest or recupe. ate. Noise is an issue especially if you are adjacent to a nurse's station. Hopefully she is all better. The last issue is if you are hospitalized for a week or more, plan on physical therapy to recover. PT in the hospital is non-existent.
My older sister (56) is disabled and has been in and out of the hospital and rehab since late January. Thankfully my mom has been there to act as her advocate (she lives in a group home as my mom can no longer care for her by herself). She said the biggest hurdle has been communication with the hospital (good luck getting someone to answer the phone or getting a call back after leaving multiple messages) and the unreliability of the transportation company that takes her to appointments. It has added an extra layer of stress to an already stressful situation.
Oh the stories I could write after being a bedside nurse, then working in Bed Placement and seeing mentors and staff physicians become patients themselves, and on at least one occasion, what should have been an in and out surgery turned into a very unexpected cancer diagnosis. When we or those we care about become the patients, we are acutely aware of the shortcomings of the system and yet still powerless to do anything about it. Not a fun feeling. Currently my niece's 45 year old husband is battling small cell carcinoma which has progressed very rapidly, and there is nothing worse than feeling like he was used as a guinea pig for treatments that seemed to feed the devil instead of wring out more healthy months.
Prayers for your wife's surgery to go smoothly and for a quick, uncomplicated recovery!!
So glad to hear Jan is doing better. Yes, it is very difficult to be the “medical” family member at the bedside. I was with my husband daily after his stroke (acute stay) and inpatient rehab. It was even worse when he was hospitalized during Covid when visiting was not allowed. He was there for 4 weeks after a car accident (1 week acute care and 3 weeks inpatient rehab). We had both had Covid about a month before the accident, one of his doctors pulled some strings and got me a couple of visits shortly before he was discharged
SJS
As a retired physician being a patient in hospital is your worst nightmare. Knowing or feeling that dx and or treatment are not what you agree with, however, being powerless to make decisions is frightening. If you are perceived as strident about your "suggestions" attitude of physicians and staff become chill. IMHO the hospital patient is exposed to a variety of very nasty infective agents as well as opportunity for medical error that can lead to serious complications and death. Bottom line, it is the only option for care of a serious life threatening illness. However, best to get out as soon as possible. hopefully coming out without acquiring something worse than what you went in with.
I am so glad Jan is recovering. Praying for her upcoming surgery!
If you become a patient in a hospital you will quickly realize the hospital is no place to rest or recupe. ate. Noise is an issue especially if you are adjacent to a nurse's station. Hopefully she is all better. The last issue is if you are hospitalized for a week or more, plan on physical therapy to recover. PT in the hospital is non-existent.
My older sister (56) is disabled and has been in and out of the hospital and rehab since late January. Thankfully my mom has been there to act as her advocate (she lives in a group home as my mom can no longer care for her by herself). She said the biggest hurdle has been communication with the hospital (good luck getting someone to answer the phone or getting a call back after leaving multiple messages) and the unreliability of the transportation company that takes her to appointments. It has added an extra layer of stress to an already stressful situation.
I would suggest having a live human being answer the phone!
Oh the stories I could write after being a bedside nurse, then working in Bed Placement and seeing mentors and staff physicians become patients themselves, and on at least one occasion, what should have been an in and out surgery turned into a very unexpected cancer diagnosis. When we or those we care about become the patients, we are acutely aware of the shortcomings of the system and yet still powerless to do anything about it. Not a fun feeling. Currently my niece's 45 year old husband is battling small cell carcinoma which has progressed very rapidly, and there is nothing worse than feeling like he was used as a guinea pig for treatments that seemed to feed the devil instead of wring out more healthy months.
Prayers for your wife's surgery to go smoothly and for a quick, uncomplicated recovery!!