The last three years of my dad‘s life I took care of him along with my mother. I spent months at his house alone researching and trying to figure out everything that was wrong with him to keep him alive and comfortable as long as possible.
Any time he had to go to the hospital I was there. I had a notebook, or pad of paper, and a pen. When somebody would come in, I would ask their name, and I would write it down. I would take their stats every hour, and text them to my mom, or my brother who lived out of the country.
I asked lots of questions, and kept track of everything that was going on at all times. Once they had to put them in one of those stupid old folks homes, because of you know Obamacare, and I would show up at 12 o’clock at night, and stay until five or 6 AM. Those are the hours I feel patients are most neglected and places like that. I even brought cupcakes one night, to show them I appreciated them.
Recently my mom was in the hospital in Arizona, and I would spend most of my day into the night there. any time they brought anything in to put in her IV as a drip, I would take pictures of it with my phone while the nurse was standing there. Every day I would take a picture of the board on the wall that had the names of the doctors nurses and assistance that were assigned to my mom for that day. I would go home and sleep for a while, but I would be a frighten early and at the hospital around 7 AM. That’s when the doctors would do their rounds. I wanted to make sure that the doctor knew who I was, and then I could ask all the questions I needed to. She happen to have a doctor with five other doctors in learning I call them, following the main doctor around the hospital to do his rounds. I got to know each one of them personally, by name, and always thank them for everything they were doing. But of course that was after I asked all the questions I need to ask, and made my own suggestions!
Oddly enough this is during Covid right, maybe four months ago. I was able to be in the room with my mom any time of day and night, and most of the time I didn’t even have to wear a mask. It was really strange. The only time I wore one is when I went to the cafeteria, or when I was coming in past security. My mom had already had Covid, and we had documents from our doctor that showed that she had antibodies. They never once asked if she wanted to be vaccinated, or asked if she was vaccinated. Really strange.
I honestly think if anybody’s in the hospital, ever, even after this Covid nonsense, a family member needs to be present. At all times if possible, but I know that’s not possible but seriously… Make yourself known. Keep a smile on your face, be respectful, and document everything. And I mean everything.
The story I told above, regarding my dad in the hospital. One time the doctor actually came over to me and stood behind me. He saw that I was actually taking notes, and I was doing what I said I was doing. He said wow you are taking notes aren’t you. I said yes I am and I smiled. He smiled back, because he knew. He knew I was paying attention!
This is a great post, and great advice.
The last three years of my dad‘s life I took care of him along with my mother. I spent months at his house alone researching and trying to figure out everything that was wrong with him to keep him alive and comfortable as long as possible.
Any time he had to go to the hospital I was there. I had a notebook, or pad of paper, and a pen. When somebody would come in, I would ask their name, and I would write it down. I would take their stats every hour, and text them to my mom, or my brother who lived out of the country.
I asked lots of questions, and kept track of everything that was going on at all times. Once they had to put them in one of those stupid old folks homes, because of you know Obamacare, and I would show up at 12 o’clock at night, and stay until five or 6 AM. Those are the hours I feel patients are most neglected and places like that. I even brought cupcakes one night, to show them I appreciated them.
Recently my mom was in the hospital in Arizona, and I would spend most of my day into the night there. any time they brought anything in to put in her IV as a drip, I would take pictures of it with my phone while the nurse was standing there. Every day I would take a picture of the board on the wall that had the names of the doctors nurses and assistance that were assigned to my mom for that day. I would go home and sleep for a while, but I would be a frighten early and at the hospital around 7 AM. That’s when the doctors would do their rounds. I wanted to make sure that the doctor knew who I was, and then I could ask all the questions I needed to. She happen to have a doctor with five other doctors in learning I call them, following the main doctor around the hospital to do his rounds. I got to know each one of them personally, by name, and always thank them for everything they were doing. But of course that was after I asked all the questions I need to ask, and made my own suggestions!
Oddly enough this is during Covid right, maybe four months ago. I was able to be in the room with my mom any time of day and night, and most of the time I didn’t even have to wear a mask. It was really strange. The only time I wore one is when I went to the cafeteria, or when I was coming in past security. My mom had already had Covid, and we had documents from our doctor that showed that she had antibodies. They never once asked if she wanted to be vaccinated, or asked if she was vaccinated. Really strange.
I honestly think if anybody’s in the hospital, ever, even after this Covid nonsense, a family member needs to be present. At all times if possible, but I know that’s not possible but seriously… Make yourself known. Keep a smile on your face, be respectful, and document everything. And I mean everything.
The story I told above, regarding my dad in the hospital. One time the doctor actually came over to me and stood behind me. He saw that I was actually taking notes, and I was doing what I said I was doing. He said wow you are taking notes aren’t you. I said yes I am and I smiled. He smiled back, because he knew. He knew I was paying attention!