Something To Hope For

August 24, 2008
I thought I would get some needed rest and sleep in today but things don’t always turn out the way they are planned in my mind. The phone began to ring quite early and after I wake up there just doesn’t seem to be much hope for turning over and catching any more winks. First of all it was Marilyn’s dad just checking in and then the floodgates opened. Marilyn called – all upset that something was very wrong with an X ray and that I needed to get up to the hospital immediately. I had a quick shower, skipped my usual toast, fruit and juice breakfast and rushed off not knowing what to expect when I arrived.

My fears increased when I sped through the maze of corridors leading up to her room, only to find her bed empty. Thinking she must have needed even more testing I headed to the nurses station and began to ask questions. The answers I received were upsetting but far from surprising. I was told that Marilyn had put up a big fight with the X ray technicians, refused to take the tests and was livid about the whole ordeal. After all the poor communication I had gone through in the past few days I took this with a grain of salt and set out to find the real story.

Soon Marilyn arrived back on the unit and to my amazement looked quite calm and collected. She seemed confused as to why the tests had not been administered but definitely not a picture of livid rage. With the help of the charge nurse on duty the doctor on call was located and the truth started to unravel. It seems that Marilyn’s blood platelet count has been dropping at an alarming rate and is dangerously close to being in a state that would cause it not to clot properly – meaning that she could bleed without stopping. So – because of the blood clot and other infections certain precautions had to be taken to find out exactly what was causing the count to drop off so dramatically. This of course is a concern that must be watched with extreme caution but not at the critical stage by any means. The major cause of the fuss seemed to be either a clerk or technician in the X-Ray department who was either having a bad day or perhaps just was perpetually rude and obnoxious. Thankfully the charge nurse was there to buffer any more problems for Marilyn and quickly ordered Marilyn back to bed where she could be visited by the mobile X ray unit and complete the test in the comfort of her own bed. Shortly thereafter, in comes a portable X-Ray machine with a new technician and 5 minutes later Marilyn’s pictures were ready for examination.

I have become to expect the unexpected here at the Foothills Hospital, but also have learned to appreciate the care given here on Ward 47. They seem to have a way of diffusing the worrisome and difficult situations and put us at ease.

Here is another example:
Just before I left for the evening yesterday I decided to take Marilyn on a walk and when we arrived back I thought Marilyn should try her hand (feet) at a few more steps back to her room but before we had gone far she became weak and confused stating that she felt she was about to fall again. Out of nowhere came not one, but two assistants who immediately calmed her down and guided her into a position to be able to safely sit down in her wheel chair. I was so thankful that we didn’t have to go through another episode of falling and I have the staff of Unit 46 to thank for this.

Now as Marilyn rests quietly again I can reflect on our recent visit this afternoon from our son Steven and his expectant wife Erin. Unfortunately with all the events of the past 2 weeks neither I nor Marilyn remembered his birthday. This seemes to be his lot in life for as he was growing up, he often got the short end of the stick when it came to birthday parties. When your birthday falls in the middle of Summer holidays all your friends are off on their own vacations so often no one is around to celebrate. It is good that he is used to this arrangement and has come up with a few of his own coping strategies to work around the situation. Today he arranged his own party and invited me to attend a dinner at a favorite restaurant. This evening I will be dining at Tony Roma’s and probably picking up the tab. One very good deal though – Tony Roma’s gives a free meal to the birthday boy.

Tomorrow the charge nurse, Jen (bless her heart) has approved a visit from one of our only grand children, or should I say grand pets. We have three – two cats and a dog. Pantone (Stephen and Erin’s canine member of the family) has been allowed to break hospital policy and trot in for a visit. Anything to cheer up a patient and make them feel better according to Jen.

Well, I thought I was finished writing and in walks another doctor. What he had to say was so encouraging for both Marilyn and I that I can’t help but pass on his words.. Yes, medicines need to be changed and adjusted, Marilyn’s state of confusion at times is difficult to understand but overall he was impressed with how we are coping. He left us with new hope that Marilyn will once again find her place in life as a productive and useful member of society. These were words that brought tears to both of us – words we both needed to hear.

God Bless.

Bryon