My mother could use a little mercy now
Mom entered the hospital because of I believe a carelessness in prescribing her Cymbalta and then further carelessness in abruptly stopping the drug. Granted she’s an alcoholic and smokes heavily and these are all bad, but the Cymbalta took a bad situation and pushed it into critical. If it wasn’t bad enough to stabilize her heart, go through four days of DTs, and then not be able to breathe or swallow, it was worse that on Friday, when it looked like she was on the mend, she got up out of bed in the middle of the night, disoriented, and fell flat on her face smashing her cheek, forehead and nose.
Now in ICU, with a ventilator, and heavily sedated, they have decided she needs plastic surgery to fix the cheek bone tomorrow because it is not healing properly and there are free floating bones in her orbit area. This requires inserting two metal plates. And of course, it requires surgery, anesthesia, and all that that involves.
Since I have medical power of attorney, it’s been left to me to sign the waiver and so I set about calling each of her doctors to speak to them about her condition. You’d think I was asking them to lend me $5,000. Every one of them have reacted arrogantly except for the ahem, female doctor who has been her attending physician since she checked in. Ask me if I give a rat’s batushka who they think they are, I want to know if she is stable enough to endure a four hour surgery, for goodness sakes.
But today, T and I went to see her in the hospital and to stroke her head and to tell her we love her, and really what I’m asking for is for her to have a break because she can’t seem to get one these days.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:32 am
Rachel, I’ve been following your entries on Pat’s condition with concern. Just wanted you to know y’all are on my mind and I will pray to whatever gods there are for a good outcome. It’s too early for her. Love, L
P.S. Call if you just want to talk a bit with an old buddy who, for obvious reasons, has no difficulty imagining what you’re experiencing.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:23 am
Thanks honey – you know you think about this in abstract but then the time comes where reality knocks on your door and it basically eviscerates the ground beneath your feet. It’s too early for me – you know what I mean? I’m just holding my breath – her surgery is at 3 today and it is four hours. My moments of being have shortened to minutes and hours.
Thanks and I appreciate your note. R
July 21st, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Rachel,
Estaré pensando en ustedes, especialmente en Pat para que pueda recuperar y estar con nosotras nuevamente. Sabes que siempre están en mi corazón. un abrazo
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
Gracias Ivette – estaba pensando de ti durante todo esto – quiero regresar a sentar en el front porch y fumar, y tomar, y reir.
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
yo también quiero sentarme en el balcón a fumar, tomar y reír. Un beso
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Besos a ti tambien – mi sobrina esta aqui ahora pero se mudo a Puerto Rico con el Coast Guard, esta alla para dos anos (y ella tambien es una mariquita, entonces quiero que te conoces).
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Besos a ti tambien – mi sobrina esta aqui ahora pero se mudo a Puerto Rico con el Coast Guard, esta alla para dos anos (y ella tambien es una mariquita, entonces quiero que te conoces).