day 2
Thursday August 06th 2009, 4:25 pm
Filed under: Crohn's flare,Life

Coming into recovery was scary–I couldnt hear. With my hearing aids. Nobody knows why.  It’s gradually coming back and is better mostly.

the phlebotomist filled a glove with warm water to raise a vein–and dropped it casually on my belly. The small scream she got still didnt clue her in much–she then leaned it against my belly.

ive made a point of saying shes not to work on me again. she wasnt mean, just in way too much of a hurry.

Im trying to be a nice patient but Im not doing a great job yet.


41 Comments so far
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You are a nice person, you are only going to manage to be as nice a patient as your caregivers let you, I’m *really* proud of you for looking after yourself so you can heal well *hug*

Comment by Mary 08.06.09 @ 4:46 pm

Whew! It’s great to hear from you this early in the game. Wasn’t expecting that for another day or two.

Ahem. Being a “good” patient and recovering from surgery methinks are two different things. Having been there (more times than I care to count), it is my considered opinion that the nurses have the first responsibility toward the patient. To me, being a “good” patient means things like not leaping out of bed and running down the hallway. Well, you get the idea.

Somebody’s comment, in yesterday’s post by Richard, suggested that you should not be reading my humor while engrossed with stitches or staples. I trust that the nurses and/or Richard will keep you sufficiently protected until you are ready. But when you are …

PERFECTLY CLEAR
INSTRUCTIONS

For many years, my late wife Amalie had used a chopper to cut up, mince, and dice vegetables. Recently the chopper she had been using broke, and she retrieved another from a closet where she kept a spare. The following is an exact duplication of the instructions on the chopper carton, including, um, interesting capitalization:

In order that the article has minced could be perfectly cut, Knocked Vigorously on the bud Superior hand Opened. The most or less great number of knocks determines the fineness of cup. The rotation of knives is made automatically and regularly.

For the cleaning, to pull the inferior bell and to release the recipient Superior. Well to rinse the machine, if possible to the running water. Re-assembly in Senses inverts. All parts metallic are executed in a materials has a test of the rust.

Comment by Don Meyer 08.06.09 @ 5:02 pm

So glad you came through the surgery with no long term ill effects that weren’t planned. You’ve been on my mind and in my prayers a lot and it amazes me to see that you’re already at the computer. Be as testy as you need to be to make sure you get the best of care. Hugs. {{{Alison}}}

Comment by Shelly H 08.06.09 @ 5:28 pm

Your number one responsibility right now is to take care of yourself, and that means taking whatever measures possible to heal, and reduce pain levels.
That IS being a good patient.
If you were requesting dancing girls and fancy cakes, the nurses might get a bit testy, but all you are doing is taking care of yourself, which will make any good nurse happy.

Comment by Diana Troldahl 08.06.09 @ 5:44 pm

Dear Alison You stood up for yourself. Good for you! I hope that the pain and discomfort start to ease up soon. It will get better. Hang in there.

Love ya

Bev

Comment by Bev 08.06.09 @ 5:54 pm

you are a blessing. I am so glad to read your words. you are an amazing person and I’m sure an amazing patient. Take care of yourself.

Comment by debra 08.06.09 @ 6:05 pm

Hang in there. Just reading about an unmindful person dumping things on your abdomen makes me wince with sympathy pains. I remeber similar things with some of my abdominal surgeries. Or the nurse who grabbed my ankle and pulled it up sharply because my foot “shouldn’t be resting on the bed”. My broken leg, that was. I think I screamed loudly enough to be heard at her supervisor’s desk…
Strength. Endurance. Respite from pain. I wish all of these for you in the coming days.
*hugs*

Comment by Beckett 08.06.09 @ 6:53 pm

What a great surprise to see a post from you today! I’m glad you are feeling well enough to let us know how you are doing. And I agree with everyone else who posted before me – the phlebotomist (and anyone who cares for you there) should know where you had your surgery and should show more care when performing their tasks!! Stand firm, dear friend πŸ™‚ Hugs, Cathy

Comment by Cathy (catsandyarn on ravelry) 08.06.09 @ 6:54 pm

You’re a good patient, Alison – you just had a bad phlebotomist! A good baby is still a good baby even though it’s screaming when stuck with a diaper pin…same sort of situation…you were just letting someone know they caused pain – that’s being a good patient!
Please continue to be a good patient. πŸ™‚ Thought of you all day today and prayed for you – however, I did not think to pray for a good phlebotomist…I shall remedy that as of now. πŸ™‚
Best of wishes,
Abby

Comment by Abby Baker 08.06.09 @ 7:01 pm

Some medicines are “ototoxic”, that is they have a negative effect on hearing. If your hearing is perfect, it’s not much of a big deal. However, if your hearing is precarious, every little bit counts. Hopefully this new deficit is reversible. (Would your surgeon ask for a consult with a hearing specialist?)

So much for talking shop – I’m just thrilled to hear from you, my friend. Hope you’re better yet tomorrow.

Comment by Barbara-Kay 08.06.09 @ 7:12 pm

I should mention that I got her a new very light weight laptop for this hospitalization. She typed that note two fingered with monitors and IVs on both hands/arms. The laptop positioned to her side on a top of a pillow. Awkward, but with a large enough font it worked.

Comment by Rich 08.06.09 @ 7:42 pm

I have to post again to say what a thoughtful, loving husband you have there, Alison! But you knew that πŸ˜€

Comment by Cathy (catsandyarn on ravelry) 08.06.09 @ 7:59 pm

take care of yourself and know you are loved!

Comment by grace 08.06.09 @ 8:14 pm

I’m so glad you stood up for yourself. It is wonderful that you’ve come through the surgery and are already feeling ok enough to post. My prayers are with you for a speedy and uneventful recovery.

Comment by TripletMom 08.06.09 @ 8:16 pm

Good to hear from you, and glad that you are taking care of yourself – and that your angel Richard is taking care of you. Get lots of rest – I know, you want to be knitting for someone, but don’t worry about that for a while. When you do start knitting again, don’t try to knit your IV lines into the fabric!

Comment by Kathy in San Jose 08.06.09 @ 8:21 pm

Alison, I’m glad you’re feeling good enough to tell us how rotten you feel. It’s a big step up. And when someone is hurting, it is your duty to say “ouch!” Keep getting better.

Comment by LauraN 08.06.09 @ 8:36 pm

One of the first requirements of being a good patient is giving your caretakers accurate and timely feedback.

HEAL!

Comment by wunx~ 08.06.09 @ 9:06 pm

OUCH! OWIEE~! You have every right to say something when it hurts. May you heal quickly and well. I am so grateful that you were able to communicate with us so quickly. I’m sorry about the hearing issues. That sounds terribly scary.
Hugs to you. Gentle soft hugs.

Comment by Joanne 08.06.09 @ 9:14 pm

You must have been very frustrated, not to mention worried, when you could not hear! I am sorry you got that phlebotomist but I am glad you are able to say she is not to have further contact with you. I am really happy that you are well enough to post tonight. Hugs and all that mushy stuff.

Comment by sherry in idaho 08.06.09 @ 9:36 pm

Love you honey, hang in there.

Comment by Tiny Tyrant 08.06.09 @ 9:41 pm

I was happily surprised to see you posting already! Alison, there’s being a nice patient and there’s “Hey! Try not to ruin the surgeon’s work here! Ok?” I can think of a few more if you need them. :o) Make a little “please don’t touch” sign and put it on your tummy. Hang in there! We’re all praying for you!

Comment by Gretchen 08.06.09 @ 10:23 pm

Posting a prominent sign is such a good idea, Gretchen, but the tummy is probably not the place to put it. Alison, I was so happy as soon as I saw you were able to write. And like the others said, you aren’t being a bad patient for requesting to be treated gently and with tenderness to prevent additional pain.

Comment by LynnM 08.07.09 @ 12:23 am

Sending healing thoughts your way, Alison.

Comment by Kathleen 08.07.09 @ 4:19 am

I’m grateful for lightweight laptops, for you guys having bought one, and for this post.

When I had my gout attack, I bought Birkenstocks thinking they would accommodate my swollen foot. As the young lad who sold them to me went to buckle one, I had my choice. I could either ask him to make a new hole in the strap or scream (although I could imagine myself hitting the ceiling). Screaming didn’t seem the nicer option. Sometimes one just has to say Do * Not * Touch.

Comment by RobinM 08.07.09 @ 4:48 am

Glad to see you are posting. Even happier that your hearing is coming back. Even happier that you are being assertive about your care and who will do it. That person needed to be more gentle with you (no matter what kind of day she was having)……….you need to come first!!!

Comment by Joansie 08.07.09 @ 4:53 am

Just like that you’re done with surgery! You are amazing.

Comment by Michelle 08.07.09 @ 5:22 am

That is a surprise to hear from you already! A nice one, I assure you. πŸ˜‰

Please take the time you need to recuperate.

And I’m sure you are a better patient than you give yourself credit for.

I promise to knit a few rows of my Julia with a smile for you again today.

Comment by Suzanne in Mtl 08.07.09 @ 5:44 am

Welcome back to blogland! I don’t believe patients should have ANYTHING dropped on them… hrmph.

Comment by Channon 08.07.09 @ 5:46 am

What a pleasant surprise to hear from you, Alison! And, just having had abdominal surgery myself (3 weeks ago now), I can sympathize with the “don’t touch my tummy” feeling! It really does fall on th doctors, nurses, techs, etc. to be careful of you and your senesitive points. I agree with others — you’re being a good patient when you tell the people helping you what hurts.

Prayers and hugs!

Comment by Pegi 08.07.09 @ 5:54 am

Didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Go forth and recover. I’m send prayers for you, oh, and swat the doctor who leaned against your tummy.

Comment by ruth 08.07.09 @ 6:09 am

Wow! Already commenting on the blog! That’s a good sign. Re: the phlebotomist…I found out the hard way (when the needle punctured the nerve in my arm instead of the vein – YOUCH!) that not all the staff who draw blood are phlebotomists. You have to request one if you want the best. Feel better soon. XOX

Comment by Jody M 08.07.09 @ 6:17 am

It’s all been said, so ditto. . .still praying. . .love and gentle pats on the head, nowhere near your mid-section!

Comment by Pam 08.07.09 @ 7:42 am

Sweetie? Being a nice patient and protecting yourself from harm are not mutually exclusive.

Can’t believe you’re typing already. Rest, sleep, get well. We’ll still be here.

Comment by Lene 08.07.09 @ 7:45 am

keep sticking up for yourself — there is no excuse for medical personnel to treat you with anything but the utmost respect — and that isn’t!

glad to see you blogging already — take care

Comment by Bev 08.07.09 @ 8:03 am

You can’t help but be the nicest, so don’t feel you have to apologize for taking care of YOU. That’s the goal, and all should be helping you. More good healing thoughts, and patience to all your care givers. Take care.

Comment by DebbieR 08.07.09 @ 8:37 am

Fantastic that you are feeling well enough to be able to blog, even with two fingers, on your new, lightweight laptop. Good call, Richard!

I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes so glad you are done with the surgery and just have to deal with dunderheads who can’t/don’t know where to put a warm balloon! And, this is probably someone who needs an Alison special — they just don’t know it yet! Keep up the good healing!
Love, Nancy

Comment by Nancy 08.07.09 @ 8:42 am

The hearing going would be very scary. And that phlebotomist was an idiot. Hope you are feeling on the mend. Good htoughts coming your way.

Comment by Carol 08.07.09 @ 9:28 am

Studies have shown that NOT being a good patient – ie standing up for one’s own needs – is a GOOD thing. Richard, go tell her that it’s OK and you will do any more yelling if it needs to be done, OK, so she doesn’t feel guilty? Take care, kiddo (or as a dear friend has always written me – so long sunshine. He’s a kook, but a good friend.)

Comment by afton 08.07.09 @ 1:21 pm

I’m sending good thoughts to you and am glad you felt able to post.

Comment by Kathryn 08.07.09 @ 1:24 pm

You did just the right thing in standing up for yourself and in making in known that she is NOT to “care” for you again.

I’m glad to hear you speaking to us for yourself and that you were speaking up for yourself.

Best wishes,
Leslie

Comment by Leslie 08.07.09 @ 1:56 pm

You are a perfectly good patient.

You do not need to be worked on by an idiot-in-a-hurry. Neither does anybody. And maybe someone will tell the phlebotomist why she is not to work on you again, and suggest she be a little more attentive and a little less hurried with other patients.

Or we sic the guy from your insurance non-provider on her for something.

Comment by Margo Lynn 08.07.09 @ 2:33 pm



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