Wellness

[Rock_chick]

On 2/3/2014 nantucket shore said:

So the doctor prescribed a medicine that made my mom "loopy", she was hearing a group of men humming, then a choir of women singing, then some other stuff and holy cow, this stuff did a number on her.

I stopped it immediately as soon as I got to the hospital, told the nurse, no more of this stuff and believe it or not, she stooped down next to the chair and said to my mom "do you want something to take the edge off?", I said " WHAT! " this stuff has her looped up already and you want to give her more drugs, no, out and make sure it's reported we don't want that stuff anymore.

Thank goodness the stuff wore off but it's crazy, literally crazy, the quality of care an elderly person is getting, seriously, I don't know what would happen if I wouldn't be there everyday.

She's getting out tomorrow, thank goodness.

I was amazed recently at the lack of care my Dad was given when having his knee replaced. It was at a really good hospital with a fantastic reputation, national rankings etc. My Mom has worked there for the past 30 years. One of us stayed with him at all times and were just appalled at some of the situations we encountered. It made me sad for the folks who had no advocate there with them.

[pepes mom]

I had neck surgery 6 years ago. Both my roomie and I had allergies to Aspirin and NSAIDS, yet, upon discharge, we were both prescribed them. As a former nurse, I not only spoke up to the nurse discharging us, that we were allergic, but also spoke to the doctor and person who wrote the discharge orders.

I had a boat load of steroids in the OR, and it raised my blood sugar. One nurse came in and said I have your insulin- how much do you usually take at home? I don't take insulin at home, as my glucose levels are normal. He asked me why I was getting insulin in the hospital then. Had to explain that the amount of steroids I received during and after surgery caused a spike in blood glucose levels.

My roomie joked that if it weren''t for me, they would have killed her. It is scary out there, especially if you have no medical background. Family shouldn't have to stay with a patient 24/7, but I understand why some choose to do so.