Mom is out of the hospital. She had to have emergency surgery, I went.
I have to say whatever the hospital she was staying in did to recruit their nurses they had better keep right on doing it. I have worked in healthcare. I know how much nurses have had to take on with “paperwork” now that we are in a paperless patient record world, along with greater acuity of patients and a greater number of patients as hospitals try to squeeze out a few more dollars in cost savings to stay open.
And yet mom’s nurses didn’t just care, they took care. They called me with updates even though I wasn’t calling them every few minutes. They asked me questions. They answered my questions. They held her hand.
If you aren’t involved in healthcare this might not seems such a big deal. If you are, you know that is personal time the nurse is taking because he or she is going to have to stick around after her shift is over continuing to fill out patient records that he/she could have been doing while sitting there, holding a hand. And they kept their nursing assistants busy as well.
But mom is at her sister’s now. The guilt of leaving has been almost overwhelming. I want to be there taking care of my mother. Should I cancel my plans and do that?
Her sister is an outstanding caregiver as well. Mom is recovering. Because of the surgery she cannot raise her left arm above her shoulder for a few more weeks. Already she wants to use a curling iron to do up her hair and feel more normal.
“You could always ask Patti to…” I offered. But she interrupted.
“Nah, I couldn’t ask anyone to do my hair for me. I’m way too much of a bitch and they’d never get it quite right and find out about that.”
She’s definitely on the road to healing.
In a way that independent streak will serve her well as she will be vigilant in her recovery process to ensure her continued independence. Its also good that she knows herself enough to know what she’s comfortable with and what she’s not; what people can help with and what they can’t.
Still, we’ll keep you both in prayer, so be assured she will be well and in good hands!
I’m glad she’s out. I’ll keep her in my prayers as she recovers.
I will keep you both in my prayers. Sounds like your Mom is on her way to healing though – and that a wonderful thing.
My prayers continue. For both of you.
I hope she is well on her way to recovery and very glad to hear compassion is alive and well.
Take care.