South Pond View

I have co-opted the computer and am writing a quick update for everyone! - KN

POD (post-op day) #1

Mom Noyes is back at the lake!

And the post-surgery recovery begins.

Today was definitely a less fun day than her relatively charmed surgery day yesterday. I guess a good RN/NP is a relatively tough judge of good nursing care, but also very willing to shower appreciation when it is done well. She absolutely loved her PACU nurse that was with her until 9 pm last night. She raved about Umass & the care she had gotten. When the 3rd year medical student came to do his post-op check, he remarked "I think you're doing better than any other patient I've seen today." He was chatty & professional, with dark circles under his eyes, just like every good med student on their surgery rotation should have. Mom gave him some teaching on a more systematic heart exam in exchange for his care.

I left the hospital at 11 pm after she had been brought up to the 6th floor. Apparently, her care was less than stellar today. She had a green nursing assistant who left her in a chair, hypotensive & nauseous, and the nursing call button out of arm's reach. Oops!

I found her RN when I arrived, pointed out the obvious, and told her I would be taking her home right away. We visited Mary Stone (just 1 floor up!) on the way out, and had a smooth ride home.

She is much better now that she's in her own bedroom. Her TV remote, books on tape, phone, & computer are all within an arms reach. She's definitely well-connected!

She was content with tea, toast, & oranges for dinner. She takes care of her own drain (at her wound site), and can hobble to the bathroom on her own.

Her fiestyness should make for a good recovery.

For most mortals, resigning oneself to bed can be quite a downer. And as you know, Mom likes to be engaged. So, in no particular order, she likes cheerful company, phone calls, emails, pictures, anything funny, and fresh flowers. Homemade soup is good too! (I'll work on that tomorrow).

Lots of love,

Katie

Disclaimer: I wrote this without the blog owner's permission. I'm still a naughty child.