I am groggy this morning, so bear with me. We were both awake at 0330 with no hope of going back to sleep. Yesterday was a DAY! Bill's cousin, Fredd, met Bill at the care home we chose for Ernie so both were there when the ambulance bringing Ernie from the hospital arrived. This is not a Hospice home but they take Hospice patients and a hospice nurse visits there. She took one look at Ernie's infected wound and decided he should go to a different hospital for treatment. We had no idea it was so bad. They called 911 and off Ernie went! Bill came home and switched vehicles (can't put 1-ton club cab pick-ups in little hospital garages.) I went, too, and we met Ernie at the hospital. The adult home owner and manager both went, too! This really surprised me! They spoke up for us when we were at a loss for words when being questioned by staff. They were wonderful advocates. These people go all out for their patient AND the family! The upshot was, Ernie got some IV fluids, pain pills, had his wound examined and redressed. Several doctors and specialists conferred and all concurred that our options - #1 - ICU with IV antibiotics, major surgery to remove the new, infected hip and debride the wound, let it heal, and in 8 weeks put in a new hip. It was obvious Ernie would never survive that ordeal. Or #2- return him to the home and keep him as comfy as possible for as long as possible and let nature take its course. Oral antibiotics wouldn't help much, but would have unpleasant side effects and only possibly prolong his life a few days, which at this point, would be doing him no favor. So back he went in his third ambulance ride of the day. We went to dinner with our friends and stopped by to see him on our way home. He was sleeping soundly and naturally. He was clean, comfortable, positioned properly under a pretty comforter. He looked better there than he has in the last two months! We knew then, if we'd had any reservations, we'd made the right decision. We told the caregiver how pleased we were and she got tears in her eyes and hugged me. She knew the story of Ernie's Journey. So now the goal is to keep him as comfortable as possible for as long as God lets us have him.
One thing we have noticed is that Ernie's "girlfriend" hasn't visited him or called about him since we took his truck and credit card away from her last August 6th.
In sewing news, I had about an hour yesterday to start a gift for my Secret Santa Elf! Amazing that on her wish list was something I happened not only to have a pattern for, but the pattern was sitting on my work table! So, I got to have a little sewing fun. I will probably work a little more on that today.
TINA - I'm glad you got in a little sewing yesterday. I can't believe your doctor has to put up with negligent staff. He should at least give them a good talking to. But happy you are getting some action. so very sad about Frankie's aunt. Sounds like all she really needed was maybe a college girl or a "widow lady" to live with her to help out. You are so sweet to make things for her!
IRISH - for years now, I've been noticing incompetent staff in doctor's offices. It's nearly criminal! I, too, left a skin specialist and drove clear north of SEattle to get a good one - 60 miles! But so worth it! (that first dr wasn't any better than his staff!). I'm happy to say that my GP has good staff. Really saves on the headache medicine! I hope you get your leaf peeping trip in. Maybe your sis will go with you.
Our two grandsons are coming for supper tonite. Alec (our chef) is vegetarian whereas Drew will eat anything that doesn't move! lol! I'm thinking mac & cheese (the REAL stuff!) made the old fashioned way like my mom did it. I will have a salad on the side and maybe roasted carrots. I should have a dessert, too, shouldn't I . . . . hmmmm.... I might make a pie of some kind, but I'll have to run to the store to get the fixin's. So I might just buy the pie!
What might you be having for your evening feast tonite?
