Well, things have not gone very well lately. Today Mom was moved onto the hematology floor (from medicine) into a large private room with private bath and walk-in shower. The other patients all looked VERY VERY ILL. The floor almost looked like a palliative area: small family lounge, private and semi-private rooms only, very very quiet, first class nurses only (no CA--clinical assistants---former cleaning staff who were promoted?) No broken legs and maternity cases: just very sick people.
Mom has been transferred to the care of a big-name oncologist. The other day she had 8 litres of fluid removed from her abdomen; 1.5 litres from her lung area. She has been very 'uncomfortable'. There will be more fluid removed again today, and some further tests tomorrow.
Her former floor was supposedly 'the worst run in the hospital'--as reported by a family friend who is a nurse. Mistakes galore, sloppy nursing, FILTHY BATHROOM (no daily swish & swipe here), hideous noise, lack of decent equipment.
I will be frank: brother and I talked quietly about this together: we have been horribly upset, not by the future (or non-future) facing mom, but by her current suffering and pain. Yesterday, she was told by one doctor that she should be discharged. They would do the fluid removal AT HOME. The clamp in her abdomen is huge, my mom can barely walk or eat, she is FAR WORSE than when she was admitted to hospital, 5 weeks ago today. PLUS she has endured test after test after test, all painful, many botched. I was HYSTERICAL with fear that she would be sent home: how in God's name would we cope with this?
Then another doctor, the oncologist, walked by, saw my mom, had a chat, did the paperwork RIGHT THEN and THERE, to move Mom. Mom's relief was enormous. I am sick with anxiety and disgust about what my mom has faced in the pain and suffering department. She now weighs 10 pounds LESS THAN ME! She is shrinking in front of my eyes!
But at least RIGHT NOW my mom is in a quiet, more caring environment. We visited for 10 minutes, then Mom asked us to leave so she could sleep. Tony will return later again tonight. I just had to see the new room for myself, to know that she was well-cared for, perhaps for the first time since admission.
Thanks to all for your prayers, kind words, hugs, support, and good advice.
Luv from Script
