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19 Feb 13 - 09:08 AM (#3481415) Subject: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: kendall Just found this in this thread Hey Tom, we are concerned about you! |
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19 Feb 13 - 09:22 AM (#3481419) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,SINSULL Deep breaths, Tom. One at a time. We are all thinking of you. Mary |
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19 Feb 13 - 09:25 AM (#3481422) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: katlaughing here's more from Linn on fb: Need your prayers NOW. Had phone turned off; didn't get messages until 1/2 hour ago -- Tom in critical condition in ICU at Wentworth-Douglass. I'm on my way. Some details at Mudcat declutter thread -- http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=149354&messages=146&page=1&desc=yes Like · · 39 minutes ago · |
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19 Feb 13 - 09:26 AM (#3481424) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: jacqui.c Good thoughts coming from Maine. |
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19 Feb 13 - 09:35 AM (#3481425) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Sandra in Sydney also from Sydney Australia |
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19 Feb 13 - 09:52 AM (#3481430) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,999 Also from Quebec. |
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19 Feb 13 - 10:27 AM (#3481437) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg +++Tom+++ +++Linn+++ ~S~ |
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19 Feb 13 - 10:35 AM (#3481441) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D Oh my.... **sending buckets of good thoughts** |
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19 Feb 13 - 10:57 AM (#3481449) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Count me in. |
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19 Feb 13 - 11:13 AM (#3481453) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ranger1 Jason and I are sending you our good thoughts, too. |
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19 Feb 13 - 11:28 AM (#3481458) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Ebbie And from Alaska. BTW, I read the de-clutter thread and it was an amazing experience. Tiring but inspiring. |
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19 Feb 13 - 11:33 AM (#3481461) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: John MacKenzie Pulling for you Tom. Take care of yourself as well Linn. |
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19 Feb 13 - 11:38 AM (#3481465) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Megan L Thoughts and prayers with you both Strength of the mountain Peace of the glen and the flexibility of the burn To help you get through Meg |
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19 Feb 13 - 11:45 AM (#3481470) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: maeve Still here, Linn and Tom. |
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19 Feb 13 - 12:48 PM (#3481494) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST Tom you are younger than I am...act your age! |
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19 Feb 13 - 02:32 PM (#3481525) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,Frug Positive vibes coming from us. Frank, Sassy and Boys |
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19 Feb 13 - 02:50 PM (#3481533) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: olddude Oh No .... getting out my rosary get better please |
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20 Feb 13 - 03:56 AM (#3481539) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Noreen More positive thoughts and prayers heading in your direction, Tom and Linn xx |
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20 Feb 13 - 05:30 AM (#3481551) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: catspaw49 Best thoughts from here too as always.......Waiting for news. Spaw |
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20 Feb 13 - 05:32 AM (#3481552) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,saulgoldie Best thoughts and prayers. Saul |
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20 Feb 13 - 05:44 AM (#3481555) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: VirginiaTam All the best thoughts and good energy to you both and to the docs and nurses caring for Tom. |
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20 Feb 13 - 06:38 AM (#3481571) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu 6PM email Tom's in the ICU in critical condition -- pneumonia (because after yesterday morning's fall he had so much pain in his back when he coughed that he tried to avoid coughing) and very low blood pressure, etc. I had talked to him last night at 9 and he was fine and sounded better than when I'd been at the hospital earlier in the day. He was found having breathing problems, etc. and was transferred to the ICU around midnight. I didn't get the messages this morning because I had turned the ringer off on the phone yesterday so I could sleep. Just got home from the hospital and will go back (with the wherewithal to stay overnight since the weather is supposed to get really sucky) as soon as my hair is dry, I've eaten something, my phone is charged and I've notified or updated everyone on Facebook, Mudcat (of course, Mudcat is offline right now; damn!), email and by phone. When I left at 2:30, Tom was doing better than when I got there this morning around 9. His blood pressure is up a bit and they put in some new tubage, etc. that will give them better readings of heart function and fluid in lungs. He was awake when I got there this morning, couldn't talk because of all the tubes and stuff, but we held hands and he communicated the basics in other ways. He's tough. Before his heart surgery, his heart was down to 20% capacity. He came through that and all the stuff since. I know you'll be keeping him in your thoughts and prayers and all that stuff. Linn |
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20 Feb 13 - 06:51 AM (#3481573) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: fat B****rd Kindest thoughts and regards from Dunfermline Charlie. |
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20 Feb 13 - 07:00 AM (#3481580) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: RoyH (Burl) Thoughts and prayers from the Harris family. |
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20 Feb 13 - 07:15 AM (#3481585) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg Thanks, gnu. GO TOM! Rest, Linn! ~S~ |
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20 Feb 13 - 08:09 AM (#3481597) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Just home (about 7:40 a.m. Wednesday...I think it's Wednesday). Since I was worried about Tom (no shit) AND about the weather (it was spitting rain-like stuff when I headed back to the hospital and was expected to turn into a slippery "wintry mix" as the temperatures cooled), I decided to spend the night in the ICU. Since they're full up, the could arrange for neither one of those chairs that pull out into a bed nor a cot. Lucky Tom's nurse was able to find a spare pillow for me. I slept in a "recliner" -- there was a footrest but the back didn't recline. All in all, not as bad as sleeping against the window of a pickup at a rest area on the NY Thruway. (Done that.) I figured I wouldn't sleep any worse than I would at home, 35 minutes away (in GOOD weather), with an ear alert for any overnight emergency phone calls. Glad I did, even though Tom spent a very uneventful night. I had a fair amount of ICU experience, but had never spent an overnight. I was very reassured. All of the ICU personnel are WONDERFUL. Since Tom's blood pressure was creeping back up to normal yesterday, he was able to be more sedated than he'd been when I got there yesterday morning. He needed the rest. He's doing a LOT better today than he was yesterday and the overnight nurse and his day nurse yesterday both think he'll lose some of the tubage today -- and might even be able to talk to me. The doctor doesn't do his rounds until 8:30 and Tom is probably on the end of them since he's in the "spare room" at the far end. I've got some phone calls to make, updates to do at Facebook (and here), pet and reassure the cats, and then maybe get a little more sleep as my sleep last night was broken about every hour or so and I got maybe 4-5 hours max. I'll call his nurse again before I take a nap and then head back early this afternoon. I'll spend tonight at home unless something untoward happens. Later, Linn |
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20 Feb 13 - 08:24 AM (#3481598) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: John MacKenzie Sounds better Linn. Regards and best wishes to you both. |
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20 Feb 13 - 08:27 AM (#3481600) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: maeve Thanks, Linn. Love to you and Tom. |
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20 Feb 13 - 09:05 AM (#3481616) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: bbc I just saw this thread, Linn. My prayers are with you & Tom. I'm glad there has been some improvement & that you were able to spend the night. Here's hoping it's all good news, from here on! Don't forget to take care of yourself, dear! Hugs! Barbara |
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20 Feb 13 - 09:18 AM (#3481620) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Sandra in Sydney good to get an update, keep healing Tom & resting Linn sandra |
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20 Feb 13 - 09:22 AM (#3481624) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,SINSULL Let us know when he starts complaining about the food - that will be a good sign. Meantime, I keep Tom in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for the update, Linn. Very stressful business. Take care of yourself. Mary |
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20 Feb 13 - 09:26 AM (#3481627) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D Good to hear of progress.... keep on keeping on. |
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20 Feb 13 - 09:40 AM (#3481630) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg (((Linn Sleeping))) +++<3 ~S~ |
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20 Feb 13 - 09:44 AM (#3481631) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: freda underhill Love and best wishes to you both BG and Tom xx freda |
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20 Feb 13 - 09:54 AM (#3481634) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Pete Jennings Just checking in again and glad to see some progress. Good thoughts from Staffordshire. Pete. |
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20 Feb 13 - 10:29 AM (#3481641) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: My guru always said Just found this and am so glad that Tom is improving! Sending positive thoughts, love 7 hugs to you both! Hil xxx |
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20 Feb 13 - 01:10 PM (#3481695) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,Mrr Thinking and hoping! |
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20 Feb 13 - 02:02 PM (#3481716) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess The bad news of the day is I think I have a cold brewing -- haven't had one for several years, but that's the result of spending time in a hospital. (There are SICK PEOPLE there!!!) Started out as a cough caused by a tickle in my throat; I thought it was just a result of the dry air in the ICU. When I lay down for the nap, my nose started getting stuffy, too. I'm hitting it with everything I can. Talked to his nurse after the doctor's rounds -- they were doing several things in prep for the ventilator removal. So that's a good sign. As soon as I eat something, I'll head back over there. I'm hoping he can actually TALK to me when I get there. Linn |
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20 Feb 13 - 02:08 PM (#3481720) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Ebbie Linn, it sounds improbable but a month or two ago when I started with sniffles, I took Emergen-C twice a day (my favorite flavor was pomegranate-cranberry) and the sniffles went away and never developed into anything further. Worth a try. |
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20 Feb 13 - 02:21 PM (#3481723) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Craft Advisory Sounds like you need some rest Linn. Maybe some vitamin D to supplement the limited sun. Hopes and prayers here... |
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20 Feb 13 - 02:35 PM (#3481725) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Already take D and I'm heavying up on C and garlic tabs. Think I may need to take another nap before I go back to the hospital. Linn |
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20 Feb 13 - 02:52 PM (#3481726) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: John MacKenzie I heard of a new anti cold measure the other day. Peel a clove of garlic, insert it as a suppository (guess where), and leave it in situ overnight. |
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20 Feb 13 - 04:02 PM (#3481750) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: bbc Thanks for the updates, Linn! Bummer about your cold! I use Airborne fizzy stuff & Caroline swears by Cold-Eeze. Hugs! Barbara |
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20 Feb 13 - 04:49 PM (#3481760) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri Hospitals are great places to get colds. So are schools. Take care of yourself first. If Tom is still sleeping most of the time, he won't miss you and you can be there later on when he's awake and you're more rested. The main difference between the symptoms of a cold and influeza is that the flu usually comes with a fever of 101° or higher and colds don't. As miserable as my November virus was, my temperature was below normal. John, let us know how that works out... or stays in. Who ever thought a person could have garlic breath in their bum. Linn, newsflash: Rite Aid has Cadbury's eggs. Smallish ones containing creme, chocolate and caramel. Treat yourself. |
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20 Feb 13 - 05:03 PM (#3481766) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Airbornes and Cold-Eeze have worked for me often. I talked to Tom's nurse a little while ago. They tried taking him off the ventilator, but it was judged premature, so he's still sedated and, even if he were awake, couldn't talk because of the ventilator. I'm not going back today -- all I'd be doing is tiring myself out (and setting back stomping out the cold) just to listen to him breathing. And they really don't need me there even with a mask on. I've got a decent arsenal of cold preventives and remedies, so I don't need to go out for more right now. And, while I'd love a couple more packages of On-Cor frozen mac & cheese on hand, I think I can whip up some other comfort food for supper tonight. Something I can add a lot of garlic to. So, I'm going to go up to the mailbox and collect the mail and then turn around and come right back here. I'll call Tom's night nurse Janet after the "changing of the guard" and she's had a chance to observe him for awhile. Jeri, I'm still working on the half-priced heart-shaped boxes of chocolates I bought the day after Valentine's Day. Oh, and there's the most of that batch of Nigella Lawson's no-churn chocolate ice cream that I made on Sunday. (Not to mention ginger tea and honey.) Linn |
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20 Feb 13 - 05:34 PM (#3481782) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Oh, Linn... I have no words, except to say you are doing the right things. Bravo from me. Now... "Peel a clove of garlic, insert it as a suppository (guess where), and leave it in situ overnight." followed by "Bummer about your cold!" ??? That strike anyone else in the funny sphincter? |
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20 Feb 13 - 05:43 PM (#3481786) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess I think I'll take my garlic orally tonight (but thanks, John...) in the sauce to go with some shrimp on top of pasta with too much grated Romano. Or maybe just something frozen (I can add more garlic & cheese) that I picked up on the way home yesterday. I'm not feeling particularly ambitious... The thing I most miss the past couple days (since 9 p.m. Monday) is TALKING to Tom... Linn |
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20 Feb 13 - 05:55 PM (#3481793) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Indeed, Linn... rough stuff. Take solace in the fact that you are doing all the right things. Brave on and try to rest well... for you AND for Tom. |
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20 Feb 13 - 05:56 PM (#3481795) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,Don Hale Linn, finally figured out how to find this thread. We are keeping the good thought here in Norwood and await good news! Don & Cathy |
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20 Feb 13 - 07:00 PM (#3481807) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: catspaw49 HAng in Linn....>Try Mucinex. Works well. Spaw |
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20 Feb 13 - 07:13 PM (#3481811) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST Not a good idea to take a cold into the ICU, is it? |
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20 Feb 13 - 07:53 PM (#3481825) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess I'm going to bed in a few minutes. Just ate a toasted English muffin and one of the hard cooked eggs I made this morning. Rest and remedies may knock whatever this is out before it starts. Just talked to his night nurse -- he's quiet and resting. I'll down a potion and rest quietly myself. And I'll wear a mask when I get to the hospital -- should have worn one to keep from picking up the cough in the first place! (I assume it works both ways.) G'night, all...thanks for all the good wishes. Linn |
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20 Feb 13 - 08:23 PM (#3481842) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ChanteyLass Linn, while I'm sorry that Tom needs to be in the ICU, it is the best place in the hospital for attention from the staff. I know that from the month I spent in one. I'm sorry the first attempt to remove the ventilator was too soon, but I hope the right time is not far off. As for your cold, if you can tolerate it, you might want to throw some cayenne into your food along with the garlic. Tom and Linn, get better, both of you. Love, hugs, and prayers. |
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20 Feb 13 - 10:50 PM (#3481872) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg Zinc, Linn. ~S~ |
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21 Feb 13 - 03:12 AM (#3481898) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: My guru always said Hope you're feeling better and have slept well Linn. Looking after yourself is the best thing you can do for Tom, you need to be strong. xx |
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21 Feb 13 - 04:51 AM (#3481913) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: RangerSteve Sending good thoughts your way. |
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21 Feb 13 - 06:37 AM (#3481935) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: kendall Zinc and vitamin C. Cold Ease is also good. |
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21 Feb 13 - 08:33 AM (#3481970) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,SINSULL Has the doctor given any explanation of why Tom fell in the first place and why his blood pressure plummeted? Did he maybe have pneumonia to begin with? Scary stuff. Hope he knows we are all thinking of him. Mary |
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21 Feb 13 - 09:04 AM (#3481981) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: bbc Ah, good answers, Linn! If you follow Pat's advice about the Mucinex, I'd recommend just the simple expectorant version. The kind w/ decongestant made me jumpy in the daytime & kept me, totally, awake at night--things you don't need! Love & prayers, Barbara |
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21 Feb 13 - 09:05 AM (#3481982) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Mary, he fell early Monday morning, after 12:30 (when he was okay) but before 2 a.m when I found him on the floor. He said he was trying to find a chair to sit in -- which he NEVER does in the middle of the night. He had taken half an Ambien sometime probably around 1 a.m. -- I think that caused his disorientation. I have no idea how his wheelchair ended up where it was (in the hall) or why his flashlights were a) in the bed (couch) and b) on the floor on the other side of the room. He landed flat on his back, which is how I found him -- feet towards the couch and head towards his commode. When the EMTs got there we (meaning Tom, too) debated just giving him a lift assist into bed or going to the ER. The EMTs didn't think he had any spinal or neck injury (later verified by X-rays and scans), but he wanted the pain checked out, even though it was probably pulled muscles or bruising. (Which is what the hospital found.) The enzyme that CAN be indicative of a heart attack was elevated when he got to the ER, so Wentworth-Douglass wanted him admitted for observation -- for at least the enzyme cycle. I visited him again when he was in a room. He was bored, thought the mashed potato of his meatloaf supper was disgusting, etc. But coughing was incredibly painful for him (and he has to clear his throat more often than someone who hasn't had throat surgery) so, I think, he tried to avoid coughing. (Which probably caused the fluid in his lungs.) I talked to him on the phone at 9 p.m. and he was sounding really good and in much better humor. Somewhere around midnight he was found without the oxygen tube in his nose, he was blue and unresponsive. They transferred him to the ICU and got him stabilized and on a ventilator. He was awake when I got there on Tuesday morning, but couldn't talk, of course, because of the ventilator. He's been pretty much sedated ever since -- he needs a lot of rest. I just talked to Cathryn his day nurse. I am NOT going to expose either the hospital and especially not Tom's room in the ICU with my chest cold, even with a mask. She agrees completely. I'm going to spend the day mostly sleeping. I hope I can get someone to bring me a bottle of Rite-Aid Expectorant. Vicks on my chest has been working, too. I'll keep in touch with his nurses, and they will call me if anything happens I need to know about. He's in very good hands. They got a bunch of crap out of his lungs and will try again to remove the ventilator today. Tom was evidently awake at some point and asked where I was -- Cathryn told him I was home sleeping. I told her to explain to him, too, that I'm not jepardizing his health by coming there coughing like this. The absolute hardest thing about this is, because he's on a ventilator and can't talk, AND is mostly sedated, unlike other hospital stays, I can't talk to him on the phone. Linn |
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21 Feb 13 - 09:19 AM (#3481986) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg Text msging on a burn phone? ~S~ |
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21 Feb 13 - 09:42 AM (#3481993) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri Tom is legally blind, so texting isn't an option. I'm not sure they allow cell phones in ICUs either. Plus, he's asleep most of the time just now. Linn called and sounded viral. I have directions for the above stuff, and will pick it up on my way back from faxing some mortgage stuff and going to the credit union. |
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21 Feb 13 - 09:55 AM (#3481997) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: maeve Thank you, Jeri. |
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21 Feb 13 - 10:11 AM (#3482005) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: catspaw49 Yeah.....my previous post went by-by or some senile old idiot forgot to hit submit...........Let's say I agree with Jeri and as one who has spent waaaaay too much time on a vent, I can assure you what she says is true. The nurses will give Tom the message if he wants to know and it may take several times before he understands...... I can't imagine negotiating a cell phone on a vent. Spaw |
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21 Feb 13 - 10:12 AM (#3482007) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Art Thieme Art and Carol say be well!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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21 Feb 13 - 11:37 AM (#3482037) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ranger1 Thanks for the updates, Linn. You know how to reach me if you need anything. |
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21 Feb 13 - 02:33 PM (#3482123) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Mrrzy Still thinking, hoping, and well-wishing! Don't like to read words like blue and unresponsive unless you're talking to berries! |
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21 Feb 13 - 04:11 PM (#3482168) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Still here. Brave on, Linn. |
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21 Feb 13 - 05:45 PM (#3482198) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Phone is through Comcast -- no cell service at the house. (Try the parking lots at Lee Circle 5 miles away.) What an afternoon! I slept most of the day -- needed it. All the sinus cavities hurt, chest tight, have an unproductive cough. Good news is I can breathe. My brain is pretty much non-functional. And I think I'm running a fever. Jeri picked up some expectorant and a couple packages of On-Cor mac & cheese. Bad news is she got stuck on the glare ice in the driveway. (That's why I have an AWD Subaru.) Put cat litter on the ice, it melts, as freezes on top. I'm pretty much out of cat litter and none of it has gotten into the litter boxes... My up-the-hill neighbor gave Jeri a ride home (about 6 miles) and came back and put down some sand. Will get some more tomorrow. My regular plow person threw out his back, but is trying to call in a favor and maybe get some sand -- the oil truck (I've got 1/8 tank and bad weather is coming in Saturday night) came while Jeri was here, took one look, and gave it a miss. He'll be back later tomorrow (I hope). Yes, we've got a woodstove and firewood, but I'm really sick and Tom is in ICU and blind to boot (which is why we haven't used the stove for two winters). The GREAT news is Tom has the ventilator out and is doing very well. He called me -- just before the power went out. (Ach! The Co-op picks the damnedest time to play around.) Okay, power back on. Talked to Tom's nurse -- he seemed to think he could go home tomorrow (wishful thinking); she says maybe next week. Not sure if that means out of the ICU or actually home. He's just been through quite a lot. (I've got to knock this thing I've got out, too.) Well, that was a little more excitement than I really wanted, feeling like I do today. Arghhh! Linn |
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21 Feb 13 - 06:15 PM (#3482208) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg O n e t h i n g a t a t i m e . . . . Love, ~Susan |
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21 Feb 13 - 06:18 PM (#3482209) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: LilyFestre Lots of love coming from our family to yours. Michelle, Pete & Jeremiah |
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21 Feb 13 - 06:24 PM (#3482214) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess I'm going back up to bed. I NEED an early night. Will talk to Tom, though, before I fall asleep. Linn |
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21 Feb 13 - 06:41 PM (#3482218) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D Hoping you dream nice dreams...and that you both feel much better tomorrow. |
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21 Feb 13 - 06:52 PM (#3482226) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: MaineDog Sounds to me like he may have had a stroke. A similar thing happened to my dad, but nobody thought of stroke, so he was not treated. and the rest of the story was not good. Please check for this. I hope things get better soon! Jim |
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21 Feb 13 - 07:25 PM (#3482237) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Janie sounds like Tom is doing better. Now you follow suit, Linn. Lots of good thoughts. Janie |
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21 Feb 13 - 10:16 PM (#3482277) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,mg if they are talking discharge, be sure to tell them of your illness...you might not be able to care for him right yet. |
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22 Feb 13 - 08:23 AM (#3482410) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess No, MaineDog -- no indication of a stroke. It was the half generic Ambien that got him in trouble. Glad he was in the hospital when he REALLY got into trouble. All the nurses are well aware of my illness -- and appreciate I'm keeping my contageous body away. They don't expect him to leave until next week some time. Meanwhile, I slept 12 hours last night -- every time I woke up took garlic tabs, aspirin if called for, and expectorant. Feel a lot better this morning, but still may not go over there today unless I feel a lot better later. But at least I'm more or less functional today. I DO have to go out and buy eggs, orange juice, fizzy water (seltzer)...but my gut is iffy, so I don't think I'll be going too far afield. Tom sounds good -- I've been filling him in on his lost days. I hope my neighbor can do some more sanding early in the day and that the oil delivery guy comes back so I know I'll get through tomorrow evening's snow. (This has been one of the snowiest Februarys in history -- after two pretty much snowless winters.) Linn |
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22 Feb 13 - 08:30 AM (#3482414) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri It would be nice if I could get my car back out before the storm, too. |
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22 Feb 13 - 08:37 AM (#3482419) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,999 I'm glad Tom's gonna be ok. You too, Linn. Jeri, Spring is on the way. |
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22 Feb 13 - 08:49 AM (#3482427) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Jeri, there might be enough sand on the driveway now for you to drive out. Izo is coming back at 4-ish with more. If I feel well enough to go out for orange juice, eggs and fizzy water, I'll come get you and you can find out. I'll call first. Advantages of an AWD Subaru, especially living where we live. Linn |
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22 Feb 13 - 08:54 AM (#3482430) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Charley Noble Linn- Sounds as if things are slowly improving for you both. Happy to hear that. The Saturday evening storm should dump another 6-10 inches of snow over everything in your neighborhood. We won't get as much where we are in Maine. That's what you get for moving South! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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22 Feb 13 - 09:29 AM (#3482443) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess I'm going to get dressed and see if it's feasible to uncover the trash can of wood ashes. That would definitly solve the ice problem. (Yes, I'll take care of myself. No, I won't push myself too much and make myself sicker. Yes, I'll keep you posted. Yes, if I can't do it, I'll stop.) Linn |
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22 Feb 13 - 10:48 AM (#3482473) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Crisis averted, I think. Rather than trying to dig from the driveway, I dug down from the deck. (Yeah, right, with my knees...) Found the empty ash can. (Well, at least that's eliminated.) Then found and cleared the other one that is pretty much full. So if the oil delivery guy needs more traction (my neighbor did a decent job of sanding yesterday), we've got something pretty effective. But I think that was my exertion for the day. Really want to take a nap, but I think I need to stay alert for the oil truck. I'll call Jeri and see if she wants to try to get out. My neighbor is coming back after 4 with more ashes, too. Sigh. All of it will be covered up in this weekend's snow, of course... Linn |
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22 Feb 13 - 12:15 PM (#3482500) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D Latest from my weather program suggests snow Sat & Sun won't be nearly as serious as last one.... storm seems to be splitting and weakening. And rain mixed in and higher temps. I hope that's the case. |
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22 Feb 13 - 01:11 PM (#3482518) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Tired of snow. And at this point, I really just don't need it. Tom's curmudgeonly facade is forever blown all to hell, by the way. His critical care nurse right now was telling me what a "sweetie" he is. Monday morning when I arrived at the ER about an hour after he got there, the nurse escorting me to his room said, "Isn't he a sweetie?" Well, I agree, of course, but I don't think that's the image he tries to project... (Don't let the Press Room gang get hold of this information!) Linn |
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22 Feb 13 - 02:06 PM (#3482540) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Trad Folkie But we have. Its too late. |
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22 Feb 13 - 08:25 PM (#3482682) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ChanteyLass Thank you for posting so often. I don't know how you find the time and energy when you are feeling poorly and trying to do something about the icy driveway. I hope you and Tom feel better soon. I'm glad he is off the ventilator. Jeri, good luck getting your car out. |
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22 Feb 13 - 08:55 PM (#3482691) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri Linn picked me up earlier. Her neighbor had done a great job sanding, which required her to run to the town sand place (?) and fill buckets, then spread it around. A lot of ice had melted, too, so there was more actual ground. Got in the car and just drove out. Linn also seemed to have benefited greatly from her sleep. Not over it, but way better. |
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22 Feb 13 - 09:41 PM (#3482703) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Charley Noble Jeri- Thanks for the update. Charley Noble |
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22 Feb 13 - 09:44 PM (#3482705) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,Mrr hang in there, Cute-as-a-button, I mean, Curmudgeon! "From that first little suck of colostrum / To the grope of the nurse in the old people's hostel... ...Fuck, I love boobs though!" |
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22 Feb 13 - 10:51 PM (#3482723) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Thanks too, Jeri. Linn... keep breathing slowly and deeply. |
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23 Feb 13 - 05:21 AM (#3482776) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST Lynn Noel here and wishing I had posted earlier. Nothing to say but love, light, and hugs to you both. |
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23 Feb 13 - 08:10 AM (#3482825) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess I was just talking to Tom and reading him this thread, but his breakfast arrived -- pancakes -- so I hung up. Had a nice long talk with the dispatcher at the oil company and was reassured that the delivery WILL be this morning. (While the current sanding holds and before tonight's snow.) The driveway is down to bare dirt in more places, too, than on Thursday. I DESPERATELY need a shower and a hair wash. Then will get dressed. Tom's in really good humor, his voice even sounds better than it has, and he is, of course, looking forward to seeing me. I told him I'd be disguised -- in a mask. He's confident he'll recognize me. Thanks, everybody -- the Mudcat Mojo is working. Linn |
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23 Feb 13 - 08:20 AM (#3482829) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Great news! |
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23 Feb 13 - 08:50 AM (#3482847) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Sandra in Sydney agreed |
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23 Feb 13 - 09:32 AM (#3482862) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,Tyler Wow-haven't used Facebook for a few years so just saw this thread. So grateful Tom is doing better, and you too Linn. I'll be driving to Portsmouth to run thru some tunes at 1:00 today & am happy to drop off supplies beforehand, in my AWD subrew ('fraid of snow later). Glad Jeri's been nearby to help too. Hope Tom's throat's not too sore after sucking on that ventilator for so long- guess not even Fisherman's Friend would help with that one(but happy to provide on request). |
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23 Feb 13 - 09:49 AM (#3482867) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri The mask will keep you from spraying or leaking on things. (Wearing a surgical mask, whilst snotty is no fun. Wearing a gas mask is a bit worse.) The main thing is hands, and touching things with them. Wentworth-Douglass has a weird hand sanitizer that has no alcohol. It just disappears like magic, and feels bizarre doing so. If I have to go over there before, say, May, I'll park at the head of the driveway and bring a saucer to slide down on. I'll just have to avoid the wood pile and your car. Please tell Tom we said "hi". |
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23 Feb 13 - 09:57 AM (#3482871) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Yeehah! Oil just came. Now I can turn the heat up higher than 60°F (16C for my non-US friends) and take a long-needed shower and hairwash. Then I can go to the hospital for the first time since Wednesday morning. I'll take along Richardson Wright's 1943 book "Bed-Book of Eating and Drinking" from which I've been reading aloud to Tom in the evening (before this hospital visit). He's looking forward to it (and to seeing me!). Tyler, I, too, have an AWD Subaru -- I've had no problem with the driveway whatsoever. Only Jeri and the oil delivery guy have had problems... I'm well set for supplies. etc. A little short on sanity, perhaps. Not sure where you can get that... A bit of peace of mind, however, did arrive with the oil delivery. Linn |
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23 Feb 13 - 10:21 AM (#3482875) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri ...and it's impossible to say for sure, but I doubt an AWD car would have made it up the driveway the way it was. I wouldn't have made it in the AWD car I had. If I'd known what I was getting into, I wouldn't have. When first stuck, I got out of the car to look for dirt or something I could use, and couldn't walk on it. It doesn't matter how many wheels you have when there is zero traction. Studded snow tires might have worked (although I once went skating through a stop sign on those), but four wheels spinning on wet ice wouldn't have been more effective than two wheels spinning. Anyway, this hopefully ends the driveway escapades and we return to Linn. Happy shower and heat, and have a great visit! |
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23 Feb 13 - 10:22 AM (#3482877) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri ...and just because I might be in denial: There were times when only one or two wheels were spinning, so maybe driving one side in the snow and one on the ice would have worked with AWD. OK, I'm shutting up now...REALLY! |
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23 Feb 13 - 10:45 AM (#3482882) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Jeri, I've not had any problems even when there was MORE ice in the driveway...or through up to seven or more inches of wet snow. And it's uphill. I've made it through what the town plow threw up without a running start (although that was from the level up at Izo's spare space up the hill). When I get home from the hospital, I'll turn my car around so I'm facing up the driveway. I'll be okay. And I'll NEVER be without AWD ever again. (How did we live with only front wheel drive for 25+ years?!?) The cat litter I had just inside the door may have gotten you out. Alas, I was too far out of it on Thursday to suggest that. Linn |
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23 Feb 13 - 11:19 AM (#3482894) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: bbc Glad to hear that things are starting to look up! Love to you both! Barbara |
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23 Feb 13 - 11:27 AM (#3482896) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,999 Jeri, I can't recall whether you have a standard or auto. Either way, when you're slipping on ice in one spot, put an auto in second and a standard in 3rd gear to get going. That should get you moving. Drop back to first and slowly continue. |
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23 Feb 13 - 12:47 PM (#3482914) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Hair dry. Called Tom. On my way. Yeehah! It'll be great to see him AND talk to him for the first time since Monday. Linn |
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23 Feb 13 - 01:08 PM (#3482925) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri 9, I tried that. When slipping on ice, it's best not to be trying to go up a hill. Have a great visit. Glad the storm isn't supposed to start until 9PM or so, so the drive probably won't suck. |
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23 Feb 13 - 03:03 PM (#3482966) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D **wishing all concerned an early and pleasant Spring.** |
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23 Feb 13 - 03:55 PM (#3482993) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg <3 ~S~ |
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23 Feb 13 - 05:25 PM (#3483027) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Just home. It's been snowing since I left the hospital, but not sticking to the road until I turned down our road. Parked the car pointing up the driveway. They threw me a curve -- Tom wasn't in the room I expected him to be in, but after the initial, "Oh fuck, now what" I turned around and found him. Not looking for him in another room, I'd walked right past. And besides, he was sitting in a chair next to the bed, not IN the bed. I read to him for a couple hours (there's a couple really delightful bits in the Richardson Wright book I've been reading to him lately), then he decided he wanted to take a nap, just about the point my voice was giving out. Fun reading with the surgical mask tickling my nose and steaming up my reading glasses. He said he hadn't slept well last night. So we were both knackered. I left not long before the doctor would have been back in, but I knew I was pushing myself about as far as I should today. The nurse said she expected that Tom would be moved to a regular room (back up in the new wing on the other side of the world) maybe tonight if there was a room available or maybe tomorrow (during the interim he would no longer be considered critical even though he was in the ICU). I guess this is all good news, even the rest I may be given with the snow. (Well, until I have to clear the car off.) I just hope we don't lose power. Our phone is cable and lasts about 4 hours with the UPS. My cell doesn't work from anywhere around the house. Linn |
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23 Feb 13 - 06:14 PM (#3483048) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg Linn, do you know about the free audiobooks at Librivox? ~S~ |
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23 Feb 13 - 06:16 PM (#3483049) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri Let me know if you need help getting out of your driveway. (I'm being a smartass, but you know I'm here.) It sounds like Tom's doing really well--good news! Sleep well tonight. |
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23 Feb 13 - 06:26 PM (#3483051) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess So far I haven't been able to interest Tom in devices. We have plenty of audio books, but he'd rather listen to NHPR and have me read to him. (Not just books -- stuff online, magazine articles, etc.) I can't believe how tired I am. Think I'm going upstairs to maybe read, maybe nap. Not hungry as I ate "lunch" (I guess it was lunch) late. Later, Linn |
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23 Feb 13 - 06:26 PM (#3483052) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Trad Folkie Hi Linn, Glad to hear things are going "slightly" better for you and Tom, Our thoughts are with you and Tom, now and always. I replied to your Facebook post, so you now know who I am. For the other Mudcatters, I'm Bill of Bill & Carol. As you guessed we are part of the Chantey Sing crowd. After resisting joining Mudcat for many years, Tom's illness, and your posts, finally got me to get off my duff to join. If anyone wants to know who I am, send me a pm, and I'll reply. |
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23 Feb 13 - 06:44 PM (#3483060) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Much snow expected? |
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23 Feb 13 - 06:57 PM (#3483063) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri 4-8" total, but it's warm enough to be heavy snow. |
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23 Feb 13 - 08:18 PM (#3483097) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess And we're with the NH Electric Co-op (or at least Tom and I are), at the end of a line, to boot, and power goes out if a butterfly slams into a pole. Linn |
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23 Feb 13 - 09:15 PM (#3483120) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Charley Noble If a butterfly slams into your pole, I'm moving to NH!!! It's cold up her in Maine. Charley Noble |
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23 Feb 13 - 09:26 PM (#3483127) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Oh... well then... I'll enter the contest... ne buddy onna sou'west coast a yer Newfoundland tol me, "Roun ere, da power cuts out whenner's a bad forecast me zon." |
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23 Feb 13 - 11:14 PM (#3483148) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Sandra in Sydney oh, just when the descriptions of life in snowy country were getting interesting to this Australian who has only seen snow once! |
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24 Feb 13 - 08:48 AM (#3483215) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: MaineDog In Maine, if a redneck merely drives by in his beat-up pickup truck, the utility poles fall over from fear. |
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24 Feb 13 - 10:36 AM (#3483250) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,Michael Weddle Hey, Tom! Whatta you doing in a hospital I, myself, just got out of!?! Hope you bounce back very well. I got whacked with five things between last August and September: a) atrial fibulation; b) congestive heart failure; c) lead from heart into lungs; d) hypertension; and e) preliminary stage emphysema ... among other things! At one point my heart was only function at 10 percent. But I'm bouncing back and I expect you to do so also. Somehow, they've gotta keep us each going as we still have too much to do--lol! Very best wishes for you and a tip of my hat to Linn who it seems is performing superwoman duties! The time for music is still upon us ... Michael |
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24 Feb 13 - 11:26 AM (#3483260) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess When I called Tom at 8 a.m., he was still asleep. He had kind of a difficult night according to his nurse -- I think we agreed he should never have Ambien again. She'll speak to his doctor. Finally was able to alk to him around 10, but he was sleepy and, since I'd been trying unsuccessfully to take a nap (I thought I slept okay, but I must really still need rest) and was barely awake myself, we rang off. His nurse promised to call me if they find him another room out of the ICU (since he's only there for telemetry now, not critical care). Power just flickered here, but stayed on. So far, so good. Linn |
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24 Feb 13 - 12:19 PM (#3483267) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,KT, not logged in.... Haven't been around these parts much lately, and just now seeing this thread. So glad to know things are looking up and Tom is on the mend. Thinking of both of you ~ hoping you're both feeling better and better. KT |
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24 Feb 13 - 02:27 PM (#3483318) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ChanteyLass I'm glad to read that both of you are feeling better. Keep it up! And I hope the snow causes no new problems, especially bot a power failure. Jeri, I'm glad your car is on the go again. |
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24 Feb 13 - 04:10 PM (#3483345) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D I use Ambien, but often take only 1/4 of a 10mg. I've gotten good with a pill cutter to divide the things into 4 pieces. Sometimes a very small dose can do 'enough' without rendering me fuzzy-headed. If Tom really needs sleep help, confer with docs about several alternatives... (maybe you have already). For short term use.... or once a week or so, Temazpam (Restoril) can give a 'gentle' relief. disclaimer: I am fortunate to have most chemicals work on me exactly as they are supposed to, with few side effects beyond a little dry mouth.YMMV |
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24 Feb 13 - 07:28 PM (#3483390) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Tom must be doing a lot better. He's not only really complaining about the food, but he refused to order dinner. When I asked what he had instead, he said, "Coffee." I read him the riot act; told him I didn't need THAT to worry about, too, and to find a nurse and get something to eat. (Sigh. He said he hoped for cake... I suggested something with nutrition in it. Arghhhh!!!!) That after an afternoon of clearing out the paper clutter on his side of the table. Mixed feeling while doing that ranging from being angry at the crap that he accumulates because he won't throw out envelopes, flyers, envelope inserts, geez, anything. I threw out a 2010 phone book for pete's sake. Waaay outdated meds containers, EMPTY meds containers, and a gazillion crumpled Kleenex and napkins. (I thought I was keeping up on those...) Then there's the other end of that range of emotions -- satisfaction and pleasure at having his side of the table organized. It's frustrating. The only time he "lets" me do this is when he's in the hospital and can't tell me not to. And I organized a magenta binder with all the phone numbers he needs in large bold type. AND his physical therapy exercise guide pages. I love him but he can be very exasperating at times. Linn |
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25 Feb 13 - 02:00 AM (#3483441) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Sandra in Sydney congratulations! & thanks for the pics of your snowy East Coast. This east coast looks a bit different at the moment summer in sydney |
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25 Feb 13 - 07:28 AM (#3483493) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Won't quit. Okay, the power went out at 8:40 last night -- I called Tom and he was being moved to a room in 3-West (not the new wing on the other side of the world). Read for a bit by flashlight, then slept. Power came back on around midnight. Just came downstairs about a half hour ago and, when I went to get my camera to take sunny pictures of snow-laden branches, discovered a drip on the wall by the table. Arghhh!!! That's the bath tub faucet. I shut off the hot water (cold water shut-off doesn't work)for the bathroom, but there's still a small drip, so the only other shut-off I can use is for the whole house. Now to call Tom and the friend who can do the plumbing. Then off to see Tom who sounds like he really needs to SEE me after not seeing me yesterday because of the snow. Linn |
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25 Feb 13 - 08:11 AM (#3483506) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess When I checked the bath tub, I discovered I hadn't tightened the faucets after my shower on Saturday. Turned those off tight. I moved the map chest and cleaned up the water downstairs -- there really wasn't a lot and it wasn't coming down the wall like last time. I just put down some paper towels -- to see if there is still a drip and, if so, where it is. I think it MAY just have been an overloaded bath tub drain... It hadn't been dripping a lot, but, well, it's PLUMBING. It doesn't seem to be dripping now. The only thing I know for sure about plumbing is that hot water goes on the left and shit runs downhill... Linn |
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25 Feb 13 - 09:46 AM (#3483531) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Have to sit for a minute. Snow's heavy, but not awful. Just have to take it slow and easy. Deck and steps cleared as much as necessary. Started on car. While sitting, will call Tom. Oh, seems like I lost part of a filling in a back upper tooth this morning. Alas, curling up in the fetal position and sucking my thumb is not an option. Linn |
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25 Feb 13 - 11:00 AM (#3483552) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D Plumbing... right. I will not tell plumbing tales. I will merely impart Wisdom to explain it all. Entropy Will Get Ya' If Ya' Don't Watch Out! (In fact, Entropy will get ya' if ya' DO watch out.) |
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25 Feb 13 - 01:00 PM (#3483593) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Stilly River Sage When it rains it pours, eh? |
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25 Feb 13 - 01:35 PM (#3483599) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,kendall I get good results from Melatonin |
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25 Feb 13 - 03:46 PM (#3483629) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess I just came about as close to losing it as I let myself -- I screamed at the cat. He knocked something breakable off the end of the counter behind a dresser that's next to it. I can't see what it was; I just know it's smashed to smithereens. One shard was left on the windowsill. I can't fucking do anything about it. (Poor Rufus. Then he knocked the flashlight into his food dish. Nothing broke, but it clattered loudly. I yelled again. Poor guy. Mom's not doing well. I just got home from visiting Tom. He was sounding better on the phone. He was lethargic, complaining about pain in his foot (but then when the therapist came in and asked if he had any pain, he didn't mention it -- I had to), I had to keep asking if he was okay. (And he kept saying he was. But we have this problem at home, too. There was a radio there plus I brought one, but couldn't get his usual listening -- NHPR -- on either of them. There was a religious station blocking WEVO on our radio; the other one didn't even get that. The nurse will try again early evening, which sometimes changes how signals are picked up. When I'm there, I read to him (no don't suggest books on CDs or the like -- he's not interested right now), but I'm concerned about periods where he's just not getting any mental stimulation at all. I tried to find a TV station of all news (not Fox!!!!) that he could listen to. I set it to C-SPAN, but turned it way down when I left so he could take a nap. Which he really needed. He again slept poorly last night, plus he'd been sitting in a chair since quite early this morning as his therapist discovered. She had him walk to the bathroom with a walker, then back to the bed so he could lie down. He probably shouldn't have been in the chair that long, but he hadn't asked to go back to bed. His lunch came while I was there and it turned out to be a good choice -- chicken stirfry. He actually liked it and ate all of it he could (the celery and the carrots were too hard; his dentures are safely at home this time). Good thing I was there, though, because everything needed to be cut a lot smaller and, after awhile, I had to help him spear things on a fork, too. Looks like he'll be there at least until Thursday (oh, good. More snow on Wednesday) so he can finish the IV antibiotics. Well, a couple good things happened today -- I didn't hit either of the two deer who dashed directly in front of my car as I headed out of the lower end of our road just before Rte. 152. And, in the mailbox when I got home, was one of the two checks I've been waiting for. So tomorrow I can move ahead on several fronts. I'd hoped to wrap up some paperwork this afternoon so it could be mailed tomorrow (to move ahead on yet another major front), but I think if I don't get a nap, I'll be in deep trouble. Or deeper trouble than I already feel I'm in. Exhaustion and stress was what got me as sick as I was last Thursday. I'm not fully recovered from THAT yet, either. (Forgive my whining.) A few more updates, a few more phone calls, then nap time. Linn |
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25 Feb 13 - 04:56 PM (#3483658) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg THAT IS NOT WHINING! ~S~ |
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25 Feb 13 - 05:31 PM (#3483667) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu "I had to keep asking if he was okay. (And he kept saying he was. But we have this problem at home, too." It's his love for you that makes him do such naughty things. Such is his love for you. You are blessed with that... even if it annoys the hell out of you. |
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25 Feb 13 - 07:52 PM (#3483693) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Didn't get my nap. As tired as I was (and still am), I just couldn't drop off. Just talked to Tom and to one of his nurses. I was concerned because he seemed confused. But she explained he had just woken up, so that was understandable. I'm not sure how I'm going to get everything done tomorrow that needs to be done... I think I'm off to an early night's sleep... Linn |
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25 Feb 13 - 08:07 PM (#3483702) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Sandra in Sydney sleep well sandra (sending hugs) |
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25 Feb 13 - 08:37 PM (#3483714) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Okay, I think I feel better now. Tom just called. He just finished eating a sandwich and he sounded alert, well, and definitely "with it" and not confused. So when I talked to him awhile ago, I think the confusion may have been the result of just waking and no dinner. Now I can sleep easier. G'night. Linn |
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25 Feb 13 - 11:42 PM (#3483754) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ChanteyLass Do sleep well. You have been busy and had a lot of stress. Update us when you can. In the meantime, remember that we care. |
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26 Feb 13 - 07:51 AM (#3483875) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess There. Last week's trash and this week's trash up to the road for pick-up. Now I need to remember to eat something. Bagel toasting, water for tea heating... Then turn bathroom hot water back on and take a shower and wash my hair. The faucet is dripping, but no leaks downstairs since yesterday morning. (And will try to schedule it getting fixed later today or tomorrow.) Then I can call Tom... Then I can make a bunch of other necessary calls, transact some business at the credit union, and, with luck, be at the hospital in time to help Tom have lunch. Linn |
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26 Feb 13 - 10:49 AM (#3483909) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Tom was asleep the first time I called and eating breakfast an hour and a half later. Did finally get to talk to him and let him know I'll be over after I take care of some things at the credit union. Life, alas, keeps moving right along and I lost a couple days being sick last week. (Not to mention spending time at the hospital, etc.) Made a necessary phone call to start work on another dangling end and then called Payroll at my former employer to try to get my W-2 which I hadn't received. I'd contacted my former supervisor last week who was going to take it up with the district manager, but she's out sick, and the district manager has a history of not doing his job as far as notifying the home office. So I called direct -- I just don't have time to waste. Anyway, another is being sent right out. Later, Linn |
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26 Feb 13 - 12:24 PM (#3483932) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,SINSULL It is almost a year ago that Tom fell and broke his ankle. He had morning grogginess then too. Hope he recovers quickly this time and can bypass the nursing home. thinking of you. Mary |
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26 Feb 13 - 04:56 PM (#3484019) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess I don't know whether to be worried about Tom (I mean, more than my usual concern with him recovering from the past week) or what. He just called me and asked where he was. When I left him a about an hour and a half ago, he was taking a nap and getting IV antibiotics. I had read to him for awhile before that, helped him with lunch, talked to his nurse and his doctor. (He'll probably be coming home on Saturday.) So I explained that he was in the hospital, that I had been there for several hours earlier today, that he could order another lunch if he was hungry (he'd only eaten a few bites of his stir fry), that he could call his nurse... He said he'd been having a conversation with a priest, but I think that was a dream. I called his nurse, but she was busy with another patient. The nurse I talked to said she'd check Tom, and give his day nurse my number so she could call me. His blood pressure was low again -- I think that may be why he seemed so lethargic and then asked to get back in bed to take a nap. I had to keep asking him if he was okay while I was reading to him...he'd close his eyes and seem somewhat unresponsive, but then he knew just what I was reading about or would laugh at something funny in the book. I just talked to him again. He seemed better, but I'm not sure how reassured I am. They're ordering a cheeseburger for him, so maybe he food will help, too. Meanwhile, I am soooo tired. But I guess I got a lot done today. I just wish I felt better about Tom. Oh, and it's going to snow again. Linn |
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26 Feb 13 - 06:48 PM (#3484045) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Soldier on. Like I said... just rest knowing you are doing all you can do and getting rest is a VERY big part of being ABLE to do it. |
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26 Feb 13 - 06:50 PM (#3484046) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg My mom reported some pretty loopy hallucinations on an IV antibiotic the hospital had her on, once. ~S~ |
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26 Feb 13 - 07:35 PM (#3484054) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess A few friends are planning to call him, and another is going over tomorrow and read the paper to him. Because of sucky weather, I'll probably not be able to get to Dover tomorrow. He needs mental stimulation. Coming home will be good, too. His nurses and his doctor are very aware of my concerns and are working to see what they can do about it, too. He sounded a lot better when I talked to him last. The disconcerting combination is when he wakes up after missing a meal. Food helps. He's finally figured out what food is at least okay. (Actually, the chicken stir fry is quite good.) And it's probably much more worrying for me because I'm so tired. Linn |
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26 Feb 13 - 09:39 PM (#3484091) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ChanteyLass "I just wish I felt better about Tom." I wish you had reason to feel better about Tom. And I wish he felt better! Last night and tonight I've had trouble with my Internet connection. If I lose it, I'll still be thinking of you both. |
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27 Feb 13 - 08:18 AM (#3484251) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Got a call from Tom at 7:30 -- he sounded alert and in good spirits. Great way to start the day! The weather is such that I don't think I'll chance the drive to Dover, but the leak in the bathroom should get repaired, and another MAJOR project should get finished and with a little luck in the mail. Moving right along. Now, I'm hoping for a few minutes peace with a cup of tea before the rest of the day lands in my lap. Linn |
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27 Feb 13 - 12:38 PM (#3484337) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: John MacKenzie They're making the days shorter now. That's why Christmas comes round every 3 months;) |
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27 Feb 13 - 02:09 PM (#3484383) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Safe home from the post office. Package of documentation safely on its priority way...that's a relief. One more major step. A friend is on his way over to fix the bath tub leak and a bread pudding is in the oven (using up some stuff I was afraid would go bad). Life is a list of details to be checked off a list. Meanwhile, I feel as if the chest cold is trying to worm its way back. I'm tired, have no voice, and, oh, I'm tired. Linn |
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27 Feb 13 - 03:13 PM (#3484420) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Mrrzy I am happy to be sorrier for you than for Tom! Wait, that didn't sound right... but I think you'll know what I mean. |
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27 Feb 13 - 03:53 PM (#3484432) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Okay. Bathtub faucet drip fixed, but we have to experiment to see what is causing the water downstairs. Tried to call Tom, but his line was busy. Soooo...I'm taking a nap. (After a couple aspirin and some garlic tabs -- I don't want the cold to weasel it's way back because I'm so dragged out. Linn |
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28 Feb 13 - 07:26 AM (#3484627) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Tom called me at 3:30 this morning. He was unaware it was the middle of the night, but otherwise okay. (Nothing that would indicate confusion similar to last year's ICU psychosis.) He just couldn't tell what time it was or correlate that with minimal activity around his room and the fact that it was dark. He said he could fall back to sleep again -- and I did, too. He called me yesterday at 7:30. I don't usually try to call him until around 8. And then, occasionally, he's been asleep. He had an absolutely wonderful visit with several friends yesterday -- they were able to really talk as one can't at The Press Room. It's cloudy and there was snow on top of yesterday's rain and slush. I just checked today's forecast and it looks like more "showers of rain and snow" all today and all tomorrow. Arghhh! I WILL go to see him today and I have to go to Portsmouth as well. I hope the driving isn't too bad. Linn |
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28 Feb 13 - 06:03 PM (#3484845) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Home from the hospital (and the other stuff in Portsmouth that I had to do) and now I can eat...LUNCH. Yeah, I know. It's just shy of 6:00 in the evening and I should have had something 5 or 6 hours ago, but I couldn't. I DID get to watch Tom eat a cheeseburger. When I got to his room about 11:45 he was sitting in the chair, nodded off, the phone was in his hand (so if anyone called, there would have been an "engaged" signal) and his glasses were on the floor between his feet. If he had moved his feet or stepped on them, they could not be replaced. His nurse claimed that she had just been in there not that long before. I picked up his glasses and got them on his face, asked if he had ordered lunch (he hadn't) so called in his order for him. I really can't wait to get him HOME. He will do so much better in a familiar, comfortable environment...where I can take care of him AND take care of myself and our home. I certainly hope they'll have the Rx for the walker ready tomorrow so I can get THAT before I bring him home on Saturday. Jaysus, why can't these people get their act together?!? (Sorry, I just really need to rant right now.) Linn |
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28 Feb 13 - 07:55 PM (#3484881) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Keep on keepin on. |
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28 Feb 13 - 09:23 PM (#3484907) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D Sounds like "Red Queen Syndrome" to me... "Sometimes I have to run ever so fast, just to stay in the same place!" I do hope it all eases and he can be home soon. |
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28 Feb 13 - 10:31 PM (#3484921) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,cunningham 'll be comin te see ye with PDP one o these days Tom and Linn. Tom y'better get home and stop fartin around in the middle o the night like y'do dammit |
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28 Feb 13 - 10:41 PM (#3484924) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg (((Linn))) ~S~ |
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28 Feb 13 - 11:49 PM (#3484939) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ChanteyLass If I lived closer, I could loan Tom a walker if he can't get his before he comes home. But, if I did live closer, it might be too short for him. It can be adjusted up to a point, but . . . . Oh well, since I don't live closer, it doesn't matter. Do you know anyone who could loan him a walker just in case he needs one temporarily? |
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01 Mar 13 - 08:00 AM (#3485057) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Walker situation is under control. I'll buy it today (if they have the fxcking Rx ready for me, fer-pete's-sake!!!) from the Care Pharmacy in Dover and submit the bill to Medicare. I could go to Rochester and the pharmacy would submit it for me, but, quite honestly, I just can't be driving all over hell and gone at this point. Nothing is ever simple. His therapist had him walking with the cane yesterday, which is what he HAD been using. (We borrowed a walker last year, but I want to buy one this time because, even if he doesn't need it that long this time, he will probably need it again some time.) I'm about to see if taking a shower and washing my hair will cause a deluge downstairs. Wish me luck. Linn |
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01 Mar 13 - 05:57 PM (#3485217) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Tom comes home tomorrow morning. (Late morning.) Put a lot of miles on the car today...and on ME. 3-West is QUITE a distance from the front of the parking garage and I did the circuit several times. I brought three pairs of Tom's shoes to see if they'd fit -- his feet are quite swollen, but he needs SOMETHING on them to practice walking at the hospital and to get from the car into the house tomorrow. None of them (nor the "new" pair that's a size bigger and was comfortable two weeks ago). So...I turned around and went up the road to Goodwill. I'd seen two possible pairs that were 2-1/2 sizes too big for him last night when I checked. Went back and bought one of the pair today -- the other, I think, would be too heavy for him right now. (And, by the time he's strong enough, they'd be too big.) Finally nailed the doctor's feet to the floor (or her posterior to the chair) so she wrote the Rx for the walker. And she did all the paperwork for his discharge tomorrow. His therapist spent some time with him while I was there, and a friend called while she was there, so I took that call. Had a chance to read to Tom (we finished the book) before I left. Oh, somebody finally figured out, too, how to pick up NHPR on the radio for him. (Yeehah!) And another friend showed up for a visit just as I was leaving. Then I went to the Care Pharmacy in Dover to get the walker. Well. That location can't dispense for Medicare. So she took all the info and faxed it to the Rochester location. Since I had one more errand to do in Somersworth (which was even quicker than I thought), then on to Rochester before they closed for the walker. Really nice, efficient people there. They bill Medicare which pays 80% and his Supplemental which pays the other 20%. Obviously with all this and being pretty damned tired to start out with, I didn't go all the way back to Portsmouth for the session tonight no matter how badly I can use a music fix. Finally home. I still have some stuff to besides bringing stuff in from the car. Judging from the scent I got when I walked in, I'll have to take the litter boxes out tomorrow morning at the latest. And I've got to cut a memory foam mattress topper into several thicknesses so Tom's bed (the couch) will be more comfortable and higher by the time he goes to bed tomorrow night. We had a couple really nice things happen between yesterday and today. We have truly amazing friends. Thanks again for everybody's prayers, good wishes, white light and blessings. Linn |
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01 Mar 13 - 08:12 PM (#3485256) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ChanteyLass Hooray! Tom's coming home! That should simplify your life a little. I'm glad you got the walker, but what a hassle! |
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01 Mar 13 - 09:35 PM (#3485274) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: gnu Coming home! That is GOOD news! |
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01 Mar 13 - 09:54 PM (#3485287) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Oh, Linn, you are a hero! Big hugs and lots of love to you both! |
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01 Mar 13 - 09:55 PM (#3485289) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: wysiwyg Somebuddy gonna SLEEEEEEEEP I bet..... |
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01 Mar 13 - 10:06 PM (#3485296) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Charley Noble Linn- Thanks for the updates. Judy and I worry about both of you and we're very pleased to hear that Tom will be coming home. Wish we could do more. Charley Noble |
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02 Mar 13 - 12:14 AM (#3485317) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri I'm glad he's breaking out. If you need anything, give me a ring. |
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02 Mar 13 - 04:19 AM (#3485354) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Sandra in Sydney good news! |
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02 Mar 13 - 08:14 AM (#3485434) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Tried calling Tom, but he was asleep in his chair. Have a few household tasks to tackle (including cleaning the damned litter boxes!) before I even think about going to get him. Linn |
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02 Mar 13 - 10:46 AM (#3485476) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess I knew it was BAD NEWS when I picked up the phone and it was Tom's doctor. He's not coming home today. He's VERY upset about that, but I explained to him that the doctor being cautious is a good thing -- I don't want to get him home and then have another middle of the night emergency with him heading back to the ER. His foot is even more swollen than it has been and she wants to do an ultrasound to make sure he doesn't have a blood clot, and to find out what the problem IS (geez, I've been asking about this for DAYS!). Granted, he's been sitting most of the time and he doesn't like putting his feet up. He'll be home tomorrow, we hope. Disappointment all around, but I hope they can find and SOLVE the problem. Linn |
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02 Mar 13 - 03:28 PM (#3485558) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Okay, I'm back home; Tom's still at the hospital until tomorrow. Negative on blood clot, negative on gout. He was eating lunch when I got there. I read to him from M.F.K. Fisher's "A Cordiall Water" for about an hour an a half. When his nurse came in with IV diuretics, he was ready for a nap. So I came home. I'm planning on goofing off for the rest of the afternoon. Got one more DVD to watch from the last batch my sister sent. Maybe when I return these, the next batch will be three seasons of "Downton Abbey"... Linn |
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02 Mar 13 - 03:47 PM (#3485567) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Oh, it's 330 steps from Tom's bed to the my car in the front of the parking garage. Only did the 660 once today -- yesterday did it twice. And as I left the hospital drive this afternoon, my odometer read 444 miles since I followed Tom to the Emergency Room early in the morning on February 18th. Linn |
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02 Mar 13 - 04:16 PM (#3485582) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Oh, sweetie, I repeat: you are a hero! Loads of love to you and Tom! |
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02 Mar 13 - 04:55 PM (#3485599) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST Hang tough! |
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02 Mar 13 - 06:17 PM (#3485622) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: ChanteyLass Oh, too bad Tom couldn't come home today, but it's a good thing precautions are being taken. Fiddle-dee-dee, tomorrow is another day--or words to that effect. |
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02 Mar 13 - 08:21 PM (#3485654) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D Hey... how about some nice images to focus on as we cheer on the recovery and being at home again? I put 4 pics of Tom from Getaway 2005 on my Opera album page. (The link is to page 5 and check the last 4 pics) (Sure- you may look at the rest also... it was a pretty good year for nice people and singers) |
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03 Mar 13 - 05:24 AM (#3485728) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: John MacKenzie Gosh Bill, I'd forgotten just how many Brit's were there that year. Thanks for the memories. |
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03 Mar 13 - 08:21 AM (#3485796) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Thanks, Bill! I absolutely LOVE the photo of Tom sitting on the porch steps. And Tom still had his voice, then, too. What a wonderful time it was! Well, all systems are "Go" for Tom coming home from the hospital later this morning. I just talked to him and he sounds great -- he's champing at the bit. Of course, Mother Nature didn't cooperate overnight. Before I head to the hospital, I have to clear snow off the deck, steps, car and, of course, the path from the car to the steps. After I'm finished and re-sand everything, it shouldn't be any worse, at least, than it was yesterday. Temperatures again supposed to be in the low 40sF. Linn |
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03 Mar 13 - 01:16 PM (#3485881) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess HE'S HOME!!! HE'S HOME! Tom has achieved House...and is now sitting comfortably at the table. I anticipated his first request -- a glass with three ice cubes so he can pour a bit o' scotch...but I yelled at him first and reminded him not to have anything more than a sip until he's had lunch. Which I am about to make for Jeri, Tom and I. Jeri met us here and helped maneuver Tom through the two-level (one half very wet) walk way to the steps, where it became more or less clear sailing. Linn |
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03 Mar 13 - 01:40 PM (#3485892) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bill D Wonderful! I will toast the homecoming with a bit of MY Scotch later. |
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03 Mar 13 - 03:32 PM (#3485936) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Bat Goddess Tom's taking a nap right now. He's not quite trusting the walker as an intermediary to getting into bed, but I got him safely there. And he knows to call me (well, whistle for me) when he wants to get up, because I don't think he can safely do it yet by himself. I think I'd like a nap, but I'm not sure I can relax enough upstairs. Maybe I'll just have a lie down with a book. Linn |
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03 Mar 13 - 03:36 PM (#3485938) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: John MacKenzie Well I raised a Vodka martini to him instead. Hope that's allowed. |
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03 Mar 13 - 04:04 PM (#3485949) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Jeri You're in the Land of the Leal fer-cryin-out-loud! What the hell's wrong with you? Vodka? VODKA!? Scotch! Clan Buggerit single malt cask strength, lovingly distilled with the peat of the sacred bog where numerous Clan Buggerit virgins were tossed after (or whilst--historians aren't clear on that) being sacrificed. It was a lovely lunch. It was also a stunningly gorgeous coffee ice cream. I think Tom was nappish before we ate, but eating something that wasn't hospital Linn, please don't tell Tom that John was drinking vodka. He's been through enough already. |
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03 Mar 13 - 04:21 PM (#3485962) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: GUEST,Don Hale Linn, Back on Feb. 20, I posted that we awaited good news. It's here!! Don & Cathy Hale |
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03 Mar 13 - 04:29 PM (#3485964) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again From: Stilly River Sage I'm glad to hear that he's back to the house and settled in. What a couple of weeks you've had. I concur on the single malt Scotch, though at most I use one small ice cube. Lately I haven't used any ice. :) I hope the weather cooperates for any more comings and goings this season. Wasn't the start of all of this, ages (years) back, a slip and fall? SRS |
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03 Mar 13 - 05:02 PM (#3485972) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Ayuh, Stilly. Last March 14th -- which is pretty damned close to a year ago -- Tom slipped on the deck and broke his right fibula. Arghhhhh! What a year! He wasn't home from rehab (AND the first rehab place tried to kill him) until the end of May, couldn't put weight on the ankle until the beginning of July and I think it was August sometime that he could finally get around on a cane instead of the wheelchair. Now if I can just keep him from falling... This go-round started two weeks ago with a fall (somewhere between 12:30 and 2 a.m.). At that point it had been 3 days since he'd seen a doctor, a month since he'd fallen (and hurt his knees) and nine months since he'd been in the hospital. Just too damned complacent, I guess. Just about to head to the pharmacy -- Tom's still napping and I don't really want to wake him to tell him I'm leaving for a little while. By the way, I used to be a stickler about not adding ANYTHING to a single malt scotch, but recently I've found that just a wee bit of water will bring out the flavor, especially in cask strength. Not that I get a chance to sip it often, alas. Just a tiny splash of water. Later, Linn |
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03 Mar 13 - 05:23 PM (#3485981) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg Home YAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!! ~S~ |
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03 Mar 13 - 05:39 PM (#3485984) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bill D "Lately I haven't used any ice. :)" There IS hope for Texans! *grin* "just a wee bit of water will bring out the flavor, especially in cask strength." Well, that IS true with cask strength. Anyway... enjoy... |
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03 Mar 13 - 05:43 PM (#3485989) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Sandra in Sydney another YAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!! |
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03 Mar 13 - 05:45 PM (#3485990) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Oh, I think I'm annoyed. We came home from the hospital with a handful of prescriptions -- only one of which, after thinking about it, it would be nice to have TODAY rather than get them tomorrow. So about 4:45 I called the pharmacy, which is in a grocery store, and asked for the pharmacy hours, since it's Sunday and I don't usually go to the pharmacy on a Sunday. I was assured the pharmacy was open until 8:00. So I got there about 5:20...and they had closed at 5:00. It just means that Tom will be without the Lidocaine patch until I go back up there tomorrow morning instead of having it when he gets up. And I'll make him a nice breakfast to take his mind off the pain he might have...hope that and aspercream works! It's not life-threatening or world-shattering but...I am very annoyed. I left Tom alone, still sort of napping, though I'd woken him up to tell him I was going out for a half hour to an hour. And, of course, I worried about him trying to get out of bed alone while I was gone or waking up and not remembering that I had told him I was going out for a little while. Linn |
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03 Mar 13 - 06:01 PM (#3486005) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Oh, rats. Holding you both in love to get you through the night, I hope! |
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03 Mar 13 - 07:03 PM (#3486026) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu "but I yelled at him first and reminded him not to have anything more than a sip until he's had lunch." Now, in hindsight, wasn't that a touch silly? if it wasn't a joke, of course. And what is it with ye wimin yellin at Giok about a martini? Be da lard tunderin Jaysus lasses!... he's a SCOTTISH SECRET AGENT on Her Majesty's command 24/7/365 and we all know them there secret agents likes yer martini's... shaken and not stirred up by the likes a you lasses! Some respect for a man not in uniform would be appropriate??? Please? Glad to be of assistance to a fellow officer of Her Majesty's Royal Secret Service, Agent 0.007. PS... BTW, 0.007... could you put in a good word for me to Beth regarding my application for a licence to kill? The neighbour with the yappy little dog won't train it properly to SHUT THE FUCK UP and it's REALLY pissin me off. If you can help me, would you adopt another dog? He's sooooo cute... just needs some training. I'll collect him even before the police arrive. |
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03 Mar 13 - 07:53 PM (#3486041) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Chortle. Gnu, the ol' man just needed a wee reminder that he hasn't had a drop in two weeks...AND it was just before lunch and I know how he gets if he's had even a Guinness (and that's practically food!) on an empty stomach. Variety is good. And John can drink what he likes. Right now I'm having a post-supper sip of some grapefruit infused vodka that I whipped up a few weeks ago and has aged just enough. (So I've declared it.) I'll filter out the grapefruit peel tomorrow. (Yet another thing that needs doing tomorrow...) Oh, it's nice... Need to get another batch in the works. I've been playing around with infused vodkas and they've all been good (chamomile, hibiscus & rose hip, pomegranate...) but the stars are the Earl Grey tea and now the grapefruit. Wow. Linn |
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03 Mar 13 - 08:37 PM (#3486051) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bill D Get a hypodeemic nurdle and inject the vodka INTO the grapefruit. Makes breakfast an adventure! |
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03 Mar 13 - 11:21 PM (#3486097) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass He's home! Let me add my Hooray! Phooey to the blankety-blank person at the pharmacy who doesn't know what the Sunday closing time is. |
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04 Mar 13 - 04:32 AM (#3486132) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: John MacKenzie Well g, I will do what I can to get you certified. However you should know that Madge, or Beth as you so familiarly call her, is at present in hospital. She is suffering from gastro enteritis, or as we call it in our house, bubble bottom. Rest assured that I will try to get things firmed up, so you can establish the canine elimination front, asap. |
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04 Mar 13 - 07:21 AM (#3486161) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu "canine elimination"? You have misunderstood my needs. It ain't the yapper's fault. It's the owner that needs "training". Bee is in hop?!!! Will the entire kitchen staff lose their heads or just the chefs? |
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04 Mar 13 - 08:32 AM (#3486175) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Tom did a few things yesterday afternoon and evening that very much reassured me that he would do absolutely anything he could to stay safe. He got up from his nap, out of bed and into the wheelchair by himself and without incident. He really must have needed that nap (understandable) because he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and he slept soundly. After supper and after reading to him for quite awhile, he had me help him into bed. He still has to take his time in working out the logistics of the move -- holding onto either the wheelchair or walker to stand and twist around to get into bed. He's cautious. And I appreciate that. I did have a lot of trouble falling asleep -- ear attuned to the downstairs in case of trouble. Low level anxiety. I guess that's normal, too. This morning around 4:40 I awoke and went into the bathroom -- and heard him try to whistle for me. His big flashlight had gone missing and he need light to safely do the necessary. Got that accomplished. He needs a different summoning agent, though -- he doesn't have the breath for the "wheeeee" whistle. We'll work on that today. Oh, yeah, I had a bit of trouble falling back to sleep. So I'm working on a sleep deficit today. Today's good news is that the foot swelling is starting to go down. His left foot is no longer shiny. After breakfast, my first stop is the pharmacy. Got a lot of things to check off the list today. Linn |
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04 Mar 13 - 11:51 AM (#3486247) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Mrrzy Hey, missing sleep together, how nice! |
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04 Mar 13 - 12:13 PM (#3486259) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bill D I got several types of easy-to-blow noise devices which might work... PM me iffn you'd like to add them to the repertoire to test. |
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04 Mar 13 - 12:43 PM (#3486282) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess He now has his bo'sun's whistle around his neck. That works. I can pin it in a handy spot when he's in bed. Time enough to look for an electronic solution if we need to. Just back from the pharmacy, Lidocaine patch on Tom's back, also paid the mortgage and picked up some stuff at the store and another drug store. Fed Tom lunch. (I ate standing up at the kitchen counter, ripping meat off the bones of a rotisserie chicken while putting everything in the sink into the dishwasher.) Visiting nurse due at 1:00. THEN I can start making the phone calls... Linn |
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04 Mar 13 - 12:53 PM (#3486287) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Pete Jennings 8 minutes to 6pm (sun over yardarm time) here in the UK. I'll have a belated scotch (with a drop of water to wake it up) with you. Pete |
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04 Mar 13 - 01:25 PM (#3486302) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: John MacKenzie The advantage of living further north, is that the sun goes below the yardarm, that bit earlier. Sometimes, it happens at around mid-day. Depending on how thirsty I feel. |
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04 Mar 13 - 01:29 PM (#3486304) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: LilyFestre YAY!!! There's NO PLACE like HOME!!!!!! Best wishes for continued progress!!! XOXOXOXO Michelle |
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04 Mar 13 - 03:52 PM (#3486353) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: fat B****rd What Lilyfestre said. ATB from Charlie as usual. |
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04 Mar 13 - 04:10 PM (#3486362) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu Linn... I will still invest in a few strategically placed bells if it suits the eyesight. Cheap and his whistle needn't be forgotten if he decides to forage at night without waking you. |
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04 Mar 13 - 07:50 PM (#3486416) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess A day filled with minor aggravations, but got a lot accomplished. All those morning errands required standing in line at each and every place. The visiting nurse spent several hours (during which I couldn't get anything else done, although she DID set up Tom's appointment with his cardiologist -- waiting for a call back from his PCP), and then got stuck in the driveway. Had to call the place I got his walker -- they gave him the wrong size. So I have to take it and the paperwork back tomorrow and exchange it for the proper one. He's not used it except to get into the house. I realized they'd given me too short a one when it would only go a notch higher. Too short for me, as they told me to adjust it -- I'm 5'4 and Tom's 6 feet. It measures 33" to the black handles -- way too short. Bart, Tom's physical terrorist (who will be back) would be very upset. It's just been a day of minor aggravations. I even had to complain at Rite Aid, but I haven't killed anyone yet. (I don't usually complain about retail stuff, but of all the vitamins and supplements they had, the only echinacea they had was super expensive and marked "buy one, get second for 50% off -- I didn't WANT that brand at ALL, so I'll buy it elsewhere for less, but it's an aggravation to not get it today.) Everything wanted to fall on the floor, and I DO have to remember to clean the spilled sesame oil off the burner tomorrow. (The fried rice was really good, though.) My back and neck and shoulders are killing me. Time to fix myself a Rob Roy and go upstair and try to get through to my sister. G'night. Linn |
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04 Mar 13 - 07:52 PM (#3486418) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess And I'm not going to tell you about the password aggravations on one of Tom's email accounts. Arghhhhhh! But I did get to talk to a really nice tech with TDS who agrees completely that there's nothing like sacrificing a chicken on the keyboard to get a computer to behave. Linn |
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04 Mar 13 - 09:48 PM (#3486444) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass Good to know that both of you made it safely through Tom's first night and first full day home. I hope you have less busy days ahead. |
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05 Mar 13 - 08:20 AM (#3486565) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess An uneventful night and we both got a good night's sleep. More running around today, then phone calls. It would be nice if Tom's PCP would call back with an appointment, so I can plan our lives a bit better. Got an appointment right away for his cardiologist. BTW, when the hospitalist gave Tom a Rx for Lisinopril, we questioned it -- his cardiologist had taken him OFF it two years ago. The hospitalist insisted. When I filled the Rx yesterday morning, the PHARMACIST questioned it. I told him the story and assured him Tom would be seeing both his cardiologist and his PCP within the next few days. Then the visiting nurse questioned it when she got here yesterday afternoon and ran down his list of meds. She called his cardiologist and verified -- NO Lisinopril no matter what the hospitalist says. Gotta be on top of EVERYTHING. And hospitals are dangerous places and not really good for people except in extreme circumstances. I am REALLY pleased that we got Tom home so he can improve rapidly instead of developing more problems. All of the things I had been concerned about -- confusion, time confusion, lack of mental stimulation, constantly changing people around him complicated by the fact he's BLIND, swollen feet, getting proper nutrition -- ALL of it has improved or the problem has gone away completely just in the short time he's been home. Whoever changed the thread title with the addition "Home Again!" -- THANK YOU! Linn |
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05 Mar 13 - 01:18 PM (#3486673) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Okay, appointments set up with Tom's PCP, cardiologist, and W-D hospital for a pharmacological stress test. And I'm off to exchange his walker for one of the proper size, since he'll be needing the correct one to actually GET to those appointments. Linn |
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05 Mar 13 - 01:27 PM (#3486675) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: GUEST,SINSULL Misread the top two titles as Curmudgeon in same sex marriage. Will have the glasses checked. Meantime how is Tom other than a good night's sleep? M |
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05 Mar 13 - 04:54 PM (#3486739) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess I'm glad Tom is seeing his PCP tomorrow morning. While the swelling in his right foot is almost non-existent, his left foot is still swollen and the front part of it is red. Need to make sure that infection is really gone. And now he has the proper sized walker, not the "junior" size he was inadvertently given last Friday. He'll need it to get to his PCP tomorrow morning and his cardiologist on Thursday. But, Mary, he is just so much improved just by being HOME rather in the hospital. He's sleeping better, eating better, and has his mind engaged instead of vegetating. He's taking a nap right now. Wish I could, but I've got too much to do. Linn |
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05 Mar 13 - 05:10 PM (#3486746) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu "... he is just so much improved just by being HOME rather in the hospital" That is great news! |
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05 Mar 13 - 05:33 PM (#3486761) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: catspaw49 LOL @ Sinsull. I got me some real fine glasses that can read right through things aand are damn handy when cutting toenails......LOL.......... Spaw |
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05 Mar 13 - 07:09 PM (#3486800) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: SINSULL All good Linn. My one hospital experience was a nightmare of complaing roommates and the wish to click my heels together and go home. LOL Surgeon told me I could go home on Day 4 (not &) if my stapled stitches came out easily. They fell out much to his amazement. I left to the whining complaints of my next bed mate who had been there for ten days and had no intention of leaving. Home. My own bed. My own TV. Heaven. Good on you Tom. PS Spaw, for pity's sake put those glasses away. LOl |
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06 Mar 13 - 08:15 AM (#3486997) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess It's going to be a complicated morning...already has been. First, Tom had trouble getting from bed to wheelchair this morning. Even with a gate belt and me hauling. But just sitting for awhile helped and he got into the chair and over to the table by himself. He has a 9:30 appointment with his primary care doctor. I'm really glad he was able to get in to see him so early because, besides the hospital stay follow-up, I'm concerned about his left foot swelling and redness. The right foot is now normal. I had to turn the car around so the passenger side is closest to the house. Of course, it's fuckingsnowing (that's one word). The path is still very similar to what it was on Sunday -- under water on one side and soft on the other. But not as soft as the mud under the car. I had to do quite some maneuvering to get Tom the best surface by the car door. Wish us luck; I think we're going to need it. Hope tomorrow's snow doesn't keep us from his cardiologist. Linn |
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06 Mar 13 - 09:13 AM (#3487022) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg GO TOM! GO LINN! (Then sleep.) +++ ~Susan |
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06 Mar 13 - 11:22 AM (#3487067) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Stilly River Sage Once you get past snow and mud seasons this should be easier. One day at a time. You're moving forward - keep up the good work. SRS |
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06 Mar 13 - 01:28 PM (#3487135) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess The visiting nurse came (without calling first) about 15 minutes after I got Tom into the house after his doctor's appointment. She just left after drawing blood so we don't have to go anywhere else to do that. (She's driving a Jeep, by the way, but she still walked down the driveway.) This weather is just relentless. A snowstorm before the last snowstorm of February, made it the third snowiest February in New Hampshire history with 41.1" as of 2-25-2013. February 1969 had 49.8" and February 1893 had 59". Tom's got an appointment with his cardiologist tomorrow and we really want to be there, but if we're in the middle of getting the 4-8" they're predicting, Tom is NOT going to be able to get from the house to the car safely and, quite honestly, if the driving sucks, it's a hell of a lot safer for us to NOT drive the 50 miles to the cardiologist and back. I'm really fed up with snow (and mud) this year. We've had a two year reprieve. Linn |
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06 Mar 13 - 06:56 PM (#3487283) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess I had a LOVELY and much needed nap (three hours). Been trying to do that for the past three days. Tom said he napped, too. Linn |
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07 Mar 13 - 12:12 AM (#3487374) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass I hope your roads are good tomorrow, but if not, staying home is a wise idea. No sense having a heart attack while trying to get to the cardiologist! |
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07 Mar 13 - 08:10 AM (#3487476) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Sandra in Sydney I'll second that sandra |
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07 Mar 13 - 03:30 PM (#3487660) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: fat B****rd Further good thoughts and best regards from here in Scotland. Charlie. |
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07 Mar 13 - 03:36 PM (#3487664) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu Got my snow shovels crossed for tomorrow. And, I gotta LOTTA snow shovels... and a scoop... and a blower. |
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07 Mar 13 - 04:41 PM (#3487699) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Well, THAT was fun...(NOT!) Heading to the cardiologist was uneventful. I like uneventful. Flow snurries snurrying in the air, but the road surface was only a little wet. Nothing sticking. Borrowed their wheelchair and got Tom up the long ramp and walk and someone kindly got the door open. Had a good and productive discussion with Tom's cardiologist. But by the time we were finished there, it was snowing a lot more heavily. Had someone assist in getting Tom to the car. Someone had parked too close to the passenger side to get the wheelchair in there, so I moved the car. Done. And then I also didn't have to take the wheelchair back. Decided to give the other Portsmouth errand a miss and just did the two closer to home. Wanted to get home before the snow built up too much. Driving wasn't bad (some reduced visibility), but I was really worried about getting Tom from car to house safely. Getting Tom into the house again was the real fun part. There was close to an inch of snow on the deck, steps, and the already mushy and wet path to the steps. But we did it and neither of us fell. Deep sigh of relief. His Curmudgeonness says he's not going anyplace until winter is over. (Including to The Press Room tomorrow -- but I'll put in an appearance if the weather cooperates a little bit.) Okay, the results of today's consult was, first, that Tom is definitely to NOT take the Lisinipril that the hospitalist was insisting on. (Yes, we straightened that all out on Monday.) And that he should be taking the furosomide every day, not just three days a week as the hospitalist wanted. And the major decision was to cancel the hospital-scheduled pharmocological stress test on Monday. There are too many risks for the test when the results would be unhelpful as any treatment resulting from any new knowledge would also involve too many risks. Glad we're home...safe, dry and warm. Really really tired of winter. Linn So basically Tom's doctors have just countermanded all of the hospitalist's orders -- because they know him and his history better. |
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08 Mar 13 - 12:48 PM (#3488099) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess I'm not trying to monopolize people's attention on Tom's recent health issues, but I know there are some non-Mudcat friends who do not do Facebook who are checking here for updates. Today has been declared a snow day (conveniently decided because it's SNOWING AGAIN). The visiting nurse called early to see if it would be okay to come on Monday instead -- the driving is very slippery (even in her all wheel drive). After breakfast (blueberry pancakes, bacon and New Hampshire maple syrup), Tom moved to a comfy chair and put his swollen foot up as suggested by both his docs. He even got a nap in, too. Meanwhile, I made more necessary phone calls and actually got a few minutes to rest, read and sip some tea. A little later I'll shovel off the deck and steps and clean off the car. Plow guy did a pass through, too. But it's supposed to be 50°F tomorrow... Go figure. I'm back to putting the Amergel that Katlaughing suggested last year after his broken ankle on Tom's foot and ankle. We're getting things worked out. Linn |
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08 Mar 13 - 06:01 PM (#3488189) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bill D Yep.. sounds like things are getting sorted... and 50 degrees means Spring IS coming. |
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09 Mar 13 - 11:57 AM (#3488423) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass Glad you made it to and from the doctor's office safely. Lovely to have one test cancelled and not need to do the running around for that! Keep breathing! |
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09 Mar 13 - 01:38 PM (#3488471) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Tom says he feels better today than he has since came home from the hospital last Sunday or even since he landed there in the first place on February 18th. Some of it may have to do with the sun being out. I think it's the first sunny day with a clear blue sky all week. And it's not snowing! I noted several signs of Spring today -- sap buckets on maple trees, a customer at Radio Shack wearing short plaid pants and a short-sleeved lightweight t-shirt, and, coming the opposite direction on Rte. 152, a dog with his head hanging out the passenger side car window. Now if all the snow will go away and the driveway mud dry up... I'm glad Tom doesn't have to go anyplace for awhile. Linn |
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09 Mar 13 - 06:01 PM (#3488474) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Jeri I went to the gym. Got out of the car, and took my jacket off. Ladybugs on windows trying to find a way out. Yeah, I hope it stays like this for a while. |
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09 Mar 13 - 10:33 PM (#3488549) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Stilly River Sage Don't you go from snow season to mud season? Good luck with that, and I'm glad Tom doesn't have to go anywhere for a while. I hope you can settle in and enjoy the simple life now. :) SRS |
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10 Mar 13 - 12:14 AM (#3488569) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu Gee... glad to hear you made it... seems the consult avoided a lot of potential problems. Yo, TOM! Keep on keepin on. |
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10 Mar 13 - 08:38 AM (#3488668) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess It WOULD be nice if Tom can get to the next Friday Press Room session, but he's got a week to work on that (with Bart, his physical therapist, who will be back on Tuesday for the first time since last summer). And next Saturday is the monthly sea music singaround. So far this year, Tom missed January (and I kept the session on an even keel) but made it (in good health! -- 2 days before he landed in the hospital) to the February session. Which reminds me, I have to post the session... Linn |
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10 Mar 13 - 09:06 AM (#3488678) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess I just took a look at Tom's foot and I REALLY don't like the look of, especially, the big toe and the one next to it. The foot, after being better the past two days, is red again. Getting dressed and taking Tom to Lee Urgent Care, then, if necessary to Wentworth-Douglass ER. Linn |
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10 Mar 13 - 09:49 AM (#3488700) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg +++ |
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10 Mar 13 - 10:00 AM (#3488708) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Okay -- when I started helping Tom get dressed, the foot didn't look quite so dire. It's still red, but the two toes weren't purple. Instead of taking him to Lee Urgent Care (it's still complicated for him to get to the car), I called the VNA and they are sending a nurse out around noon. I just need to have a better trained medical eye take a look. He's still on a 3-times-a-day antibiotic (which I have to get refilled this afternoon) and right now he's sitting with his feet up, ordered by both his doctors, and which he's been very good about doing. I've now got a couple hour reprieve to get my hair washed -- I've missed several windows of opportunity lately and it's desperate. Linn |
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10 Mar 13 - 03:54 PM (#3488849) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Anybody mind if I scream? (Out of relief at being back home.) Visiting nurse (not our usual nurse) came around noon. She also didn't like the look of the foot, although by that time I thought it looked a lot better. She suggested Lee Urgent Care and helped me get Tom to the car. Nothing goes rapidly, of course. By the time Tom got in to see the doctor (actually first the nurse, then a PA, THEN the doctor), the foot looked pretty good -- no purple toes and less red than it had been earlier. But we sat there for over two hours. We finally all agreed that we should just go ahead as we'd planned: fill the Rx for the same antibiotic 4 times a day instead of 3 time (as per Tom's PCP on Wednesday), continue to elevate the foot, hot compresses, and be seen by his regular visiting nurse tomorrow. Then, after getting Tom back into the car (I haven't lost my touch with the wheelchair), I had to deal with Market Basket on a Sunday. And then (after just sitting and pounding my head on the steering wheel until I felt better) drive to Hannaford's pharmacy and wait for his prescriptions. (The timing was good -- got there JUST as they came back from lunch at 2:30.) Arghhhhhhhh! I wanna go home! (Oh, wait. I AM home...) Now that it's almost 4 p.m., I think we'll have some lunch. I. Am. So. Exhausted. Linn |
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10 Mar 13 - 04:34 PM (#3488862) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess I hope Tom can fend for himself for a little while (preferably in a chair with his feet up) so I can go upstairs and read, maybe nap. I'm so physically exhausted I feel sick. Linn |
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10 Mar 13 - 07:22 PM (#3488924) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Read for a bit, then took a nap for about an hour. Woke up still so drained I could barely move. Ate chocolate. Read. Finally came downstairs. Seven PM and Tom says he wants to go to bed soon. Haven't had supper yet (I was thinking leftovers instead of the Moroccan chicken I had been planning) but neither of us are really hungry as we had a light lunch at 4 PM. I feel as if gravity has been turned up past 10. Linn |
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10 Mar 13 - 07:31 PM (#3488926) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg +++(((Linn)))+++ ~S~ |
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10 Mar 13 - 07:39 PM (#3488931) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Well, today was shot to hell. I probably over-reacted this morning when I looked at Tom's swollen foot and two purple toes. Then, when it was better, I still wanted a visiting nurse to look at it. And, since she hadn't seen it before, she thought Urgent Care was a good idea. So off we went...for somewhere between 2 and 3 hours. To find out...keep doing what we've been doing. Fill the new 'script for the antibiotics (which actually WAS on the list for today), continue taking them, continue putting the foot up, put some hot compresses on it...and let Tom's regular visiting nurse look at it tomorrow. By the time we finally got home around 4 p.m., I knew that NOTHING was going to get really accomplished today. (Well, I got a couple of Tom's 'scripts filled and ran into a woman I worked with over ten years ago.) Walking upstairs drained every last bit of energy I still had left. I'd had stuff on my list... I haven't the energy to open the file drawer behind Tom and see if it might be a good place to put all the financial crap we have to keep. Not the really important stuff, just all the other papers. No energy, either, to call anyone. Damned little now to maybe throw some leftovers in the nuke for supper. Even Tom wants to retreat to bed very very early. Tom just came to get me -- he wants to go to bed. Now. I'll get him tucked in, set up the coffee and shut the house down and do the same myself. Tomorrow is another day... Linn |
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10 Mar 13 - 08:11 PM (#3488937) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Jeri Stress has been high, and running around is tiring, so sleep this early doesn't seem strange. Food is a good idea, because low blood sugar can make fatigue worse. Rest well. |
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10 Mar 13 - 10:18 PM (#3488968) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass Thinking of you and Tom and hoping things settle down soon. Keep breathing. |
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11 Mar 13 - 12:05 PM (#3489160) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg Linn, I will say all the below after many weeks on home health and serious post-op complications. The following is not to say you have not been doing a great job-- YOU HAVE. But the health care system we now have is designed to wear you to a frazzle so that you become the next patient. So it's a good idea to be smarter than that!!! :~) BEST: The visiting nurse, if you trust him/her-- the main, regular one-- will be able to tell you exactly what to look for that needs immediate attention. (Mine did, twice, and the "extra one" who came when called on main-nurse's instrux... saved my life-- twice.) So don't beat yourself up for "over-reacting", and please know that the main nurse can save you all that worry in future. (Mine wrote down the specifics, because I was on enough pain meds that I needed Hardi to see the instrux himself and not take my word for my recall.) NEXT: But ultimately you have to trust your gut, and if you need to take Tom to get checked, do it-- but please ALSO remember that you may have friends within phone reach to help manage the process (and the aftermath). A HUGE part of my recovery has been thinking clearly and creatively about non-medical supports that are so GREAT it's hard to believe that, for the helpers, it was a piece of cake they were happy to help with. One BIG one was the till-recently "anonymous" January shopper: groceries, prescriptions, a print job.... at a time when I AND my spouse could not shoulder one more thing. I also had a laundry helper on call, people bringing the right kinds of meals on call (from their freezers), people who took me to appointments when I needed help in and out of the car...... this weekend I repaid that into another friend's support system (lung cancer post-op, daily shifts of non-anxious helpers). So please, share the load. People love you and Tom. They just need a little direction so they don't feel.... intrusive. (My shopping friend's interruptive response, when I tried to thank her-- "Are you SERIOUS!?!?!?!") ~Susan |
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12 Mar 13 - 12:03 PM (#3489557) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: GUEST,SINS Purple toes can't be ignored. You followed your instincts which is good. Keep your chin and your toes up, Tom Mary |
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13 Mar 13 - 08:02 AM (#3489891) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Bart, Tom's physical terrorist from the VNA, came yesterday to do an evaluation and will be back to get Tom on the right track to walking again. Hope his visiting nurse at least calls this morning. She was supposed to come on Monday, but never called and never showed. It would be nice to know how to plan the day -- I have to go out and pick up the cordless phone that should solve some of Tom's recent problems and frustrations. It's got a large, clear display and large buttons so he can see them and not hit the wrong ones in the middle of a conversation. Then I can look at a couple potential "new" cars, since I need to replace my '97. Linn |
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13 Mar 13 - 08:32 AM (#3489902) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu "She was supposed to come on Monday, but never called and never showed." That's unacceptable. Ask her for her phone number so you can call her when she is late by a few hours. She will give you an excuse. Keep the number for the VNA handy and call them late in the day and ask them when the next visit will be so you can schedule your day... with a smile, of course. |
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13 Mar 13 - 09:38 AM (#3489923) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg RE: VNA-- I SO agree with gnu. They respect the schedules they have to respect, and they fudge what they can fudge, all in the name of triage-- and that IS reasonable-- but remember that they want your insurance bucks and respect-- while you want care, and respect. That is the basic transaction, and they expect to be held to it. Just think how crushed one would be to arrive and find no one there to let them in, after the trip to GET there-- so they have to work not just with Tom, but YOU. :~) Work it, girl! ~Susan |
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13 Mar 13 - 09:39 AM (#3489924) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg PS depending on the agency and its practices, your best friend may be the scheduler, not the nurse. ~S~ |
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13 Mar 13 - 10:49 AM (#3489948) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: katlaughing our vn from home health calls every morning to schedule for the day. they have all shown when due and are totally into the patient. never any money-grubbing; in fact, all charges were discussed and agreed to up front. excellent management and service. |
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13 Mar 13 - 11:18 AM (#3489957) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess The nurse is supposed to call between 8 and 10 AM and say when they are coming and work out a schedule if the original time won't work. And they've been very good about it in the past. The boss lady nurse told us last week that for a couple weeks it will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday and then cut down to twice a week. His current VN just showed up last Wednesday -- right after Tom got home from a hospital follow-up appointment with his PCP. Normally, she shouldn't even COME on a day he's seen a doctor, but it was okay because she needed to do a blood draw for the hospital-ordered blood work. She was supposed to come on Friday (and, we assumed, would call between 8-10 to let us know when she was coming), but the weather sucked, so she called (see! she DOES know how to use a phone!) to see if she could come on Monday instead. Never heard from her on Monday, although Tom thought someone may have rapped once on the door. Unless Tom is going out or expecting someone, he usually doesn't put pants on. So, besides the fact it would take him awhile to get to the door in the wheelchair, he wasn't about to answer the door half dressed. I was upstairs, I think, and didn't hear a thing. (We don't have a door BELL.) It's 11 a.m. and we haven't heard from her. I did just call scheduling and complain. I have to go out and do a LOT of errands after lunch. Tom IS dressed in case she just shows up. An earlier phone call with ETA would have been really nice... His therapist always sets up the time of the next visit before he leaves. It's really nice to know in advance how to plan the day! It's just a further complication of an already complicated schedule. Linn |
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13 Mar 13 - 07:22 PM (#3490001) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess She never called or showed up. I called scheduling again around 4 p.m. -- evidently the person I talked to this morning didn't do anything except make a note of my call. They say the nurse will call tomorrow morning to schedule a time -- I told them his physical therapist (also through VNA) is scheduled for 3 p.m. -- Bart is exceptionally prompt. He'll cross the threshold at 3 p.m. precisely. Gotta go upstairs and make my to-do list for today (12-1/2 hours late) so I can cross off what I did and feel more or less accomplished. Linn |
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13 Mar 13 - 07:52 PM (#3490014) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu My ONLY point is... when you can't meet your sched... CALL! It's just good manners and it applies to EVERYone. My old man told me one a his guys called at 8AM.... Dad: Owens here. Guy : Do you know where I am? Dad : No. Guy : Well, it wasn't long distance so I'll be in to work soon. THAT is good manners. |
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14 Mar 13 - 08:38 AM (#3490202) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess 8:20 this morning Jeannie called and said she'd be here between 10 and 11. That's what she's SUPPOSED to do. Tom slept well last night. Wish I could say the same, but a black purr box with tickly whiskers kept waking me up (and I had a bad patch after midnight when I just couldn't get back to sleep). I'll live. Linn |
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15 Mar 13 - 12:39 AM (#3490546) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass I hope Jeannie showed up on time and that as I write this you and Tom are both sleeping well. |
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15 Mar 13 - 09:02 PM (#3490916) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: GUEST,Dianne Arrrggg! Poor Tom fell again, this time at the Press Room. I do not know all the details because I arrived as he was being helped out to the car where Dear Saint Linn was set to take him off for stitches! I am sure Linn will chime in with the full story when she can but she will be very tired and stressed tonight and we may not hear from her until tomorrow. |
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15 Mar 13 - 10:21 PM (#3490938) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass Oh, no! I hope his injuries were minor this time. |
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15 Mar 13 - 10:55 PM (#3490942) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Amos Fingers crossed, Linn. This is too many slips and falls and such. Time for it all to get straight and comfortable again. A |
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16 Mar 13 - 08:18 AM (#3491041) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: maeve Update found on the Press Room thread: ****************** Subject: RE: March Press Room (NH) Shanty Sing From: Bat Goddess - PM Date: 16 Mar 13 - 12:10 AM "Tom fell tonight on the sidewalk in front of The Press Room (gust of wind caught him) and he put a gash in the back of his head that required stitches. Took him to Lee Urgent Care which is on the way home (and close to home) and he got in right away (at 5:30 PM), but because he's on blood thinners, he needed a CAT scan to make sure there was no blood leakage in the brain. They couldn't do that, so sent us (sort of backtracking at a different angle) to the Emergency Room at Wentworth-Douglass in Dover. And there we waited. And waited. The ER was busy tonight. By about 7 we got out of the waiting room and Tom got into a bed in the hallway in the ER to wait another two hours before finally getting that scan. After that things started moving faster and he was stitched up and we were out of there by 11 PM. (Arghhh...only seven hours after he fell.) I have no idea when we'll finally get to sleep tonight. I have no clue as to how the fall (even without the gash in the head) will make Tom feel tomorrow. I have no idea how I'LL feel tomorrow..." I'll keep you all posted, here and at Facebook. I may have to call on a substitute adult influence to take charge of the session. Linn ************** |
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16 Mar 13 - 11:06 AM (#3491103) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Charley Noble Linn- I'll plan to be at the Press Room at 3:30 pm sharp. Charley Noble |
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16 Mar 13 - 08:10 PM (#3491240) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Sorry, too damned tired today to do much (see De-clutter thread) today. Didn't get to sleep until about 1:30 and my body insisted on "waking up" at 7:00. I don't function on too little sleep. But both Tom and I slept well, what sleep we got. And I did get about an hour's nap, not that it did much good. Tom fell yesterday on his way into The Press Room for the session and put a gash in the back of his head. He insisted on using just a cane and refused the steadying hand of a friend and got thrown off balance by a gust of wind. He was okay other than the cut, and the bleeding pretty much stopped right away (amazing since he's on Plavix), and he REALLY wanted to visit with people (since it had been a month since he'd last been to a session) so, despite the fact I thought it needed to be looked at by a professional and probably needed stitches, we stuck around the session for a bit. A friend called another session regular who is a is a FNP-C and she brought her gear to look at the wound and pronounced that it, indeed, needed stitches. So at 5 PM (we'd actually only planned to stay until 6:15 so Tom could get into the house before dark) we headed to Lee Urgent Care which was on the way home. Sigh. Good idea and Tom got in right away, but...because he's on blood thinners he needed to have a CAT scan and they couldn't do that, so sent us on to Dover (semi-backtracking on the 2nd leg of a triangle from Portsmouth) to the ER. And the Wentworth-Douglass ER was having a busy night. 2-1/2 hours waiting until he could get the CAT scan. Then wait for it to be interpreted (it came out fine; and a doc said the interpretation was the quickest he'd seen accomplished, too), then wait to get stitched up. Stitches, not staples, because the wound was (we were assured it wasn't as bad as it sounded) "macerated". Five hours (at the Wentworth-Douglass ER) -- not counting the time at Lee Urgent Care and the half hour drive. We managed to maintain our sense of humor, though. Especially about the NOISE. The cacophony resembled a John Cage orchestration. Just when we though we'd heard all the weird noises (door constantly slamming behind me, beeps, bells, gongs, whooshes, one nurse's clattering shoes), something else would chime in. If you didn't laugh, you'd slit your wrists and there's no future in that. We didn't leave the hospital until 11 PM. (He fell at 4.) Oh, and it was FxxKING SNOWING when we came home!!! Arghhhh! Hadn't eaten anything since lunch and McDonalds had just closed, so the only option was the drive-thru. Very unsatisfactory. Fun getting Tom safely into the house, too, since there was fresh snow over the kitty littered ice. Couldn't go right to bed, of course. Plus had to post at Facebook so people wouldn't worry since they hadn't heard from us sooner. (Tried to call the Press Room but my cell wouldn't work in that part of the hospital.) So didn't turn out the light until 1:15 -- and woke up at 7:00 AM. I don't function on too little sleep. Did get a short nap, but it didn't help. Made a couple phone calls, etc., this morning to get this afternoon's sea music session squared away. Hope we get a report on that since neither of us were up to going. The wound on Tom's head hurts, but he doesn't seem to have any other aches from the fall. Linn |
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16 Mar 13 - 08:22 PM (#3491242) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu Aggghhhhh! |
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16 Mar 13 - 10:02 PM (#3491273) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: katlaughing thanks for the card. apart from all you've had to do, how is tom filling his days? how is he feeling about life in general? we miss his voice, too, no offense. luvyakat |
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16 Mar 13 - 11:13 PM (#3491289) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass It's nice to know that he was finally sent home instead of being admitted. What a shame that you both had to go through another ordeal. |
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17 Mar 13 - 06:27 AM (#3491339) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Oh, honey, somehow I missed this. Sending even more love! |
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17 Mar 13 - 10:25 AM (#3491404) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg !!! ~S~ |
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17 Mar 13 - 10:31 AM (#3491407) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Alas, Kat, Tom can't SEE well enough to do much at the computer. I read things to him and handle his email (with him at my shoulder for replies). I think I need to spend more time with him here at Mudcat and nudge him to post more often. I can read for him, I can type. Tom's in really good spirits despite everything -- including the fact that it's a couple days past a year since he broke his ankle and he's still living downstairs (in other words, not in our bedroom) and life is still not back to whatever passed for normal before that. Mostly he likes to listen to NHPR when not on the phone with a friend or entertaining visitors (which we really need to do more often). I also read aloud to him. (Right now we're reading "A Cordiall Water" by M.F.K. Fisher.) And I've been trying to get some sort of a routine hammered out where we can do some writing together -- we make an incredible team. Tom's debate background means he's exceptionally good at outlining and organizing a written piece. But he has a tendency towards verbosity and the passive voice, so after he's blocked it out, I go in and edit and punch it up to be more effective. One plus one equals five. Later today we'll post an obituary for our old friend Ted Scourtis who passed away last night. And I've been trying to get him to teach me his "Anglo-Saxon crash thud" style of guitar playing. Actually, completely reteaching me guitar since it's been so long since I've played (and I never was any better than a minimal accompanist to my singing). And, even if I have to dig out the whip, he IS going to wrap his brain around playing concertina and finding his key without looking at the buttons. Linn |
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17 Mar 13 - 12:57 PM (#3491457) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: katlaughing thanks, linn. i knew he couldn't see, but what you posted helps to visualise his and your day. i hope you do talk him into coming on mudcat and WRITE, the tw of you. that is exciting! luvyakat |
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18 Mar 13 - 09:09 AM (#3491722) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess I started regularly reading aloud to Tom in the evening after his heart surgery in 2004. I mean, books rather than the usual (for as long as we've been together) good lines or interesting bits from what I'm reading. (You know, those things you just HAVE to read aloud even if there's only a cat in the room...) That was a long time before his vision started going south. Reading aloud was a way, too, of reading the same book at the same time -- such as the Harry Potters as they came out. Linn |
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18 Mar 13 - 06:21 PM (#3491899) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess If it's not one thing, it's another... Late morning and early afternoon was taken up with visiting nurse and physical therapist. After everyone left, I made lunch and then intended to head out to do some errands before it starts to snow again (later tonight and all day tomorrow). Car said, uh uh. I hadn't driven it since we got home from the hospital just before midnight on Friday. I was frozen deep in a coupla three inches of ice. Stuck kitty litter fore and aft all the tires, tried backing, tried forward in 1st...nada. Littered everything once more and tried again. No go. A friend came over to schedule some plumbing, gave me a look like "Girl driver..." and tried. Vindicated. He couldn't get it out of the ice either. So I called a neighbor with a truck and a length of chain and he got me right out. So I picked up Tom's prescription, got some groceries and white wine and picked up some miscellaneous stuff at the drug store to help make Tom's life a little more pain free and help his foot heal. Oh, I took notes last night before Tom went to bed when he was reminiscing about when he met our friend who passed away Saturday night. Even though they were both working and performing in Boston in the '60s, Tom didn't meet him then, but later through some other friends which led into where he first met various people, the different music communities in Boston in the '60s, and stuff like that. Should have gotten the notes transcribed today, but didn't. Mañana...if we don't lose power. Linn Linn |
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18 Mar 13 - 06:38 PM (#3491904) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Oh, yeah...AND I signed up for six weekly 1-1/2 hour classes on "Powerful Tools for Caregivers"...how to reduce stress, better communicate, balance my life, increase my ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. First one is April 9th. Looking forward to them. Linn |
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18 Mar 13 - 07:18 PM (#3491913) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu I hope the course helps you both. |
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18 Mar 13 - 09:42 PM (#3491975) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass What gnu said. Also, I'm sorry you had to do battle with your car on top of everything else. |
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19 Mar 13 - 04:25 AM (#3492040) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Sandra in Sydney how will you find time to do the course? |
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19 Mar 13 - 09:26 AM (#3492132) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Six classes an hour and a half each on Tuesday mornings. Tom can be alone for such a short period of time. They DO offer respite care, though, if it's needed. If it ever fucking stops snowing! Today's Tuesday...and we've got at least six inches of miserable white stuff out there and it's still snowing. Supposed to snow all day. THAT'S what I need respite from! Linn |
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20 Mar 13 - 09:49 AM (#3492574) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess We got a foot of snow. I've got the bare minimum (door area over to back of deck and over to steps) of the deck cleared plus the steps and a path to where it was plowed yesterday. Have to take trash to the road (on foot -- 225' uphill) and a shovel up to my car. Probably won't bring it down to the house until my plow guy cleans up the driveway. (He did a pass yesterday, but it was still snowing when I got up this morning.) I've got to bring the blinds from the car into the house so they can get put up this afternoon and Tom will no longer have to fight the glare from the windows next to the table. As it is, I'm not sure Tom is going to be able to safely leave the house until June... Linn |
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23 Mar 13 - 08:01 PM (#3493991) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Since, with the conditions in our driveway changing by the hour (ice, melting, mud, snow, more ice), Tom may not be able to safely get out of the house until June. I certainly hope I'm exaggerating because he has a doctor's appointment next Friday when I can talk to the doc about the possibility that Tom's foot pain is neuropathy caused by his really poor circulation. But on Monday, the visiting nurse (who came today to change the dressing on his ankle wound) will take out the stitches in hiis head gash because I can't safely get him to Lee Walk-In. I'm really sick of winter. Last night because I REALLY needed the R&R and to get out of the house, I went to The Press Room session. Last week didn't count; it's been over a month. Sat in Tom's chair, got four songs in and two Guinnesses. Did some socializing (and got to see waitress Ari who left the PR a few weeks ago for a job where she can get home by 9 p.m.!) and collected some very needed hugs. Good conversation, wonderful music (hadn't sung in over a month), great friends. Stayed a little longer than I'd intended, but left about an hour before the end of the session. (I was there for four hours.) Brought home some egg foo yung for supper. I REALLY needed to spend time with someone other than Tom and medical people! Linn |
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23 Mar 13 - 09:22 PM (#3494006) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Stilly River Sage Every little bit of TLC you can work in is therapeutic! No snow here, but we're under a layer of pollen. That's right - when the snow goes away, here comes allergy season. I hope it doesn't bother either of you! SRS |
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23 Mar 13 - 10:03 PM (#3494015) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg Linn, does your county's Area Agency on Aging (or your state's counterpart) offer medi-bus service for patients from home to appointments, where the driver comes and loads the patient? His doctor will know how to make a referral if it is available.... ~S~ |
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24 Mar 13 - 02:34 AM (#3494037) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass I am glad that you were able to get out to the session. It sounds like a good thing for you to do. |
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24 Mar 13 - 07:01 AM (#3494084) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: AllisonA(Animaterra) So glad you got to get out, be with good friends, and SING! Hang in there, Spring is coming! |
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24 Mar 13 - 08:52 AM (#3494125) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess W y s i w y G, we're too spread out, here in NH (except in the cities). Here in Nottingham, we're at least twenty miles from everywhere. That service is only offered in a couple cities. Besides, the problem right now is the driveway -- ice, mud and constantly changing conditions. So far I haven't had any serious problems with the driveway -- I've got an AWD Subaru. But I might have to park the car up above the mud zone -- and that's way too far for Tom to walk. Tom's not walking anywhere near as well as he was earlier this year. He's still fighting the cellulitis on his left foot, the undiagnosed neuropathy (caused by bad circulation, not diabetes), and weakness from two weeks of inactivity. By the way, The Press Room is also out right now for Tom because of the condition of Portsmouth sidewalks and streets. Friday afternoon I couldn't climb over the snow from the car to the sidewalk; had to walk in the street to where the Press Room had shovelled a decent path. Tom could not have gotten to the sidewalk that way. I don't think he would have had a much better time even at the corner. Until the snow is GONE, Tom's out of luck. I have to weigh the desire or necessity of getting Tom to and from the car with the risks. It's very exhausting...for him and for me! Believe me, I know what services are available! Linn |
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24 Mar 13 - 05:52 PM (#3494344) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: wysiwyg I know you do. Our area is nearly as sparse, which is why I thought you might have what we have. ~S~ |
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25 Mar 13 - 06:17 AM (#3494527) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: gnu Sucks big time! Hang tough. |
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25 Mar 13 - 07:25 AM (#3494552) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Pete Jennings Spring will come soon. The snow will go. Things WILL improve. |
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25 Mar 13 - 08:21 AM (#3494572) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Mud does seriously suck...literally! Since things are still frozen in the morning, I just moved my car further up the driveway so I KNOW I'll be able to get to an important appointment mid-day. Ranger1 is visiting late this afternoon -- she'll be walking down the driveway... Linn |
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25 Mar 13 - 08:56 AM (#3494582) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ranger1 Promise me that Dog and I won't disappear into the quagmire... |
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25 Mar 13 - 09:29 AM (#3494603) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: John MacKenzie Yes, little legs and deep mire, do not mix ;) |
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25 Mar 13 - 09:33 AM (#3494605) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Fine on foot. Avoid the mire on the right where it starts to level off -- walk over the hostas. I just don't like tire tracks over them! Linn |
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25 Mar 13 - 09:50 AM (#3494614) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: maeve Ranger1- Kindly give a big hug each to Linn and Tom. Linn and Tom- kindly do the same for ranger1. TooFarForHugs Maeve John- Those legs may be little but goodness they work hard for friends in need! :) |
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25 Mar 13 - 11:46 AM (#3494667) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: Bat Goddess Silly, silly woman! From the VNA. I TOLD her to stay away from the right hand side of the driveway, but that's the side she chose to walk on. And then was surprised when there was no bottom and she almost lost her shoe (and got her stockings very wet). Ach! I guided her out where the driveway is a LOT firmer! Tami, I KNOW you'll be smart enough to not only listen to me, but to SEE where the most mud is. Ah, well. The stitches are out. (Five; didn't know before.) Gotta head out to a meeting in Portsmouth. Linn |
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25 Mar 13 - 11:10 PM (#3494910) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ranger1 Hugs and greetings delivered, driveway successfully navigated, dog reminded that chasing turkeys no in his best interest, and a lovely visit with two of my favorite people. |
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26 Mar 13 - 09:28 PM (#3495313) Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon in hospital again - HOME AGAIN! From: ChanteyLass Good work, ranger1! |