Home from hospital - finally...
After 9-10 days in the hospital I signed myself out against hospitalists - doctors orders approx 11:00 pm last night
My primary care Doc and my oncologists advised I was fine to go home and continue recovery but the hospital doctor kept saying "just another day or two for observation"...
The hospital Doc wanted me to continue intravenous antibiotics for another 4 days and to spend an additional two days for observation
My doctors say 10 days of IV meds and 4 days of pills at home would more than suffice - they are uncertain exactly why they had not released me - approved of a discharge from care
It's slightly surreal as they normally attempt to treat you and street you expeditiously clearing a bed - were with this visit they seemed intent on keeping me
I encountered a newly implemented - new to me procedure were when they place a line / prepare an IV site they write the date in the tegaderm bandage or tape - and they now relocate the access point every 3 days
While I had fantastic nurses and staff during this stay I hate being in the hospital for any length of time
The damn antibiotics make me itch like crazy - even after taking benadryl - it's driving me nuts
Reread a book on the boxer rebellion and a book on the orange free state - spent most of my time wearing headphones to mask or block out the sounds of suffering
The hospital now stocks thin blue drawstring pajama slacks and an oversized gray short sleeved T-shirt - which are much nicer than wearing one of those damn open gowns - I always bring some comfortable clothes in my hospital go bag (assuming the nurses allow it and they don't interfere with treatment) but the new bed clothes seem to be a great improvement from my point of view
I have a lot of chores and projects and housework to catch up on
Mike
My primary care Doc and my oncologists advised I was fine to go home and continue recovery but the hospital doctor kept saying "just another day or two for observation"...
The hospital Doc wanted me to continue intravenous antibiotics for another 4 days and to spend an additional two days for observation
My doctors say 10 days of IV meds and 4 days of pills at home would more than suffice - they are uncertain exactly why they had not released me - approved of a discharge from care
It's slightly surreal as they normally attempt to treat you and street you expeditiously clearing a bed - were with this visit they seemed intent on keeping me
I encountered a newly implemented - new to me procedure were when they place a line / prepare an IV site they write the date in the tegaderm bandage or tape - and they now relocate the access point every 3 days
While I had fantastic nurses and staff during this stay I hate being in the hospital for any length of time
The damn antibiotics make me itch like crazy - even after taking benadryl - it's driving me nuts
Reread a book on the boxer rebellion and a book on the orange free state - spent most of my time wearing headphones to mask or block out the sounds of suffering
The hospital now stocks thin blue drawstring pajama slacks and an oversized gray short sleeved T-shirt - which are much nicer than wearing one of those damn open gowns - I always bring some comfortable clothes in my hospital go bag (assuming the nurses allow it and they don't interfere with treatment) but the new bed clothes seem to be a great improvement from my point of view
I have a lot of chores and projects and housework to catch up on
Mike
0
-
Glad to hear you're out Mike! I don't post much but keep up with your fight. Hang in there, there are a LOT of people praying for you. 0 -
I have allowed myself the conceit - I have embraced the illusion that here amongst what I consider friends and family and peers - alongside colleagues and acquaintances I possess a certain level of gravitas of respect and value...
Opening yourself adhesions and constructs and externalized labels of pride and familiarity and fellowship can often leave one exposed and undefended - a fragile target easily hit and destroyed or discarded
I allow myself that exposure - I drop my defenses because in this place there are men of good conscience and those endowed with strong hearts and minds who are in my corner - who bear my standard - who value me and care for me regardless of appearance or infirmity...
A core group here has not only declined the option of discarding or dismissing me - of turning their eyes away and instead focus treasured resources thoughts and prayers in an effort to support me in my fight against cancer.
Taking on emotional collateral damage and mental anguish while providing some solace and surety...
There are very few whom turn a blind eye - and when pain is bad and progress seems unattainable the support I receive here often makes a great difference in my outlook and guides me in a positive direction.
Mike0 -
Welcome home Mike. 0 -
Glad you made it home, Mike! As for those 'chores', don't overdo it! You don't want to wind up back in the horsepistol. 0 -
God speed on your recovery, mrmike. Take it easy, and don't over do it. 0 -
Pace yourself Mike. You're a "never quit" guy which is an admirable trait, but, in addressing chores, etc. keep the tortoise and the hare in mind. Too much too soon can be a bad thing. Good to hear that you're home. 0 -
Good news certainly. Just don?t work too hard trying to get caught up and have a relapse . We Enjoy having you around 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ChrisStreett
Pace yourself Mike. You're a "never quit" guy which is an admirable trait, but, in addressing chores, etc. keep the tortoise and the hare in mind. Too much too soon can be a bad thing. Good to hear that you're home.
That may get the nod for understatement of the year!0 -
Good for you Mike, hope you can stay out of those sick houses. 0 -
Best of luck and Glad your home 0 -
I have some laundry loads going and I need to clean out all the animal crates...
Need to test start the little 70's vintage ride on lawn tractor and make sure the mini snow plow mounted on front is working and that the tire chains are secure (we are expecting a snowy weekend)
Need to load up all 3 fireplaces and have the primary burn stacks ready to lite and supplemental wood / fuel ready to go on each hearth
Salt and sand and ice melt are pre staged inside the garage door
Winter bedding is layer out and ready to go and blankets / towels / bedding has been added to all the critter crates
Started a scratch made big pot of sauce and meatballs on the stove - have long loaves of French and Italian bread out of the supplemental freezer and defrosting
Need to run a bunch of kitchen knives and cutting implements through the sharpener and prepare them for a final touch up with stone - stick - and strop
Good solid distraction chores to keep me busy - plus I need to get some sleep in the recliner at some point
May make a chocolate cake in the bunt pan
At least when I am at home I can pretend that my busy work is an actual contribution to the household
Better than being stuck in a hospital bed with nothing to do
I am tired and a bit burned out - fried and frazzled...
Damn antibiotics make me itch and make me nauseous and turn my urine fluorescent orange
And make me feel worn out or fatigued
Mike0 -
Your home bed sleeps better than anywhere else. 0 -
The infusion pumps make quite a bit of noise when operating normally and the alert / alarm function beeping seems to activate constantly...
I had one - the roommate had one - he also had a wound vac and feeding tube - all dedicated noise makers
Every 3-4 hours a tech comes in to check blood pressure and pulse ox and temperature (vitals) and may use a stethoscope to listen to lungs and gi tract...
Then there are regular blood draws for lab work and of course periodic dispensation of meds...
House keeping and shift change and rounds and nurse assessment and turnover...
Food services and patient transport and portable x-ray and interfaith ministers and service dogs...
Hospitalists and interns and specialists and physical therapist and roaming police officers...
Code alarms and crash carts and screamers and restrained prisoners...
Lights on and off - constant noise.
It can be difficult to achieve and maintain any useful sleep time.
Mike0 -
So glade to see your post Karl AKA PERRY SHOOTER 0 -
And you as well, Karl. 0 -
All you Guys, take care. I wish nothing but the best for you all. In my thoughts and Prayers.
-Ken-0 -
Glad your home Ros 0 -
Glad you're home,Mike. Keep on keeping on. 0 -
My damn sleep cycle is all messed up - hopefully tonight while we get heavy snowfall accumulation and I have a nice burn going in the primary fireplace I can get some decent rem sleep...
Turn off the TV and silence my phone - get comfortable in the recliner with my nice Swiss army surplus heavy duty high quality oversized technicolor blanket...
Do some meditative breathing exercises and design a bolt action Mauser spotter scout rifle in my head / in my minds eye as a mental exercise - focal point of concentration...
Mike0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
19 comments