Well, "the tomato" is gone, thank God. Dave had it removed yesterday morning, but not without some confusion. We went to the hospital at 8 a.m. or so, armed with the discharge letter that told us to be there that day. We went to the emergency room, which is where we were told to go. And of course no one there expected us and they looked at the letter like it was written by an ancient race in an incomprehensible cuneiform script.
We sat down in the waiting room. And waited. And waited some more.
Finally the nurses called Dave back and said the doctors wanted a blood test first, and both Dave and I got a bit cranky about not being told what's going on. We did not want to be delayed by a blood test, the results of which might not be available for hours. So they called the doctor to come and speak to us, and meanwhile we were sent back to the waiting room, where we waited some more.
Finally they suggested drawing the blood anyway, just to get things moving until the doctor appeared. Dave consented and that was done and not too much later, we were called back. The drain was removed, Dave spoke to the doctor about his healing, expectations for his movement and diet, and how to get his surgical staples removed in about a week. (It never ends!) We told the doctor we planned a Christmas trip to Whitstable and the doctor didn't seem fazed by that at all, so I took that as a good sign -- I was afraid he'd gasp, "Why, you can't travel NOW!"
Then we were back in an Uber headed for home, and I got myself to work by 11 a.m. or so, managing to salvage most of a very busy workday.
Last night, prompted by a comment on yesterday's post by Ms. Moon, we watched another Christmas movie -- "The Family Stone." I think I've seen it before, many years ago, because I remembered the gay son with hearing loss. But I remembered nothing and no one else, which is odd because it's a very good movie with an illustrious cast. We both enjoyed it a lot and of course we teared up in all the right places. I haven't cried at a movie in a long time but that one made it happen.
(Photo: Christmas decorations at a nursing home in St. John's Wood. It looks like work is being done on the facade which is why there's also a scaffold. Clearly they don't use that main door!)
It sounds like you and Dave had quite the adventure at the hospital! Navigating the healthcare system can definitely be a test of patience, especially when you're left in the dark about what's happening next. I'm glad to hear that "the tomato" has finally been removed and that Dave is on the road to recovery. The confusion and waiting must have been frustrating, but it seems like you both handled it well.
ReplyDeleteI think a little communication would help immensely. In a system as big as the NHS, it seems one hand never knows what the other hand is doing -- much less the patient!
DeleteI hope all goes well in Whitstable and the drain removal proves to be ok.
ReplyDeleteThank you! So far, so good.
DeleteThat tree at the door is a great way of saying “Do not use this door.” So glad the tomato is gone. Sounds like, all told, a pretty lousy medical experience. But just having that done will surely help with Dave’s recovery. What a time you’ve both had.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a roller-coaster! Dave never anticipated two surgeries!
DeleteDid you get any pictures of the "tomato"? Please don't share them on "Shadows and Light" as some people can be pretty squeamish about such things. I hope the doctor confirmed that the new, stronger netting is working well. Whitstable here we come!
ReplyDeleteI would never subject you to that, believe me.
DeleteHospitals are the same the world over, it seems. Wait, wait, wait, and wait some more, confusion, confusion, etc....but at least the "tomato" is gone! I hope Dave continues to feel better.
ReplyDeleteI guess there's bound to be a lot of waiting in an environment when so much depends on time-consuming tests and procedures. But it would have helped if they'd let us know exactly where to be and when, and what to expect when we got there.
DeleteA rather nice sentence, "looked at the letter like it was written by an ancient race in an incomprehensible cuneiform script."
ReplyDeleteA holiday coming up.
Thanks! I really wanted to use the word "cuneiform." LOL
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the movie. Glen and I started watching it again last night while we ate supper. It's a great movie in my opinion and yes, it does make you cry but it doesn't jerk your tears- know what I mean?
ReplyDeleteSo glad David is tomato free. What a relief. But yes, as Jennifer said, hospitals are places of deep confusion and no one wants to be there unless they really have to be.
It IS a great movie. I would describe it as a tear-jerker, but yeah, it's better quality than many, many holiday movies (on the Hallmark Channel, for example).
Delete"Hurry up and wait" is a phrase I often use in situations like that.
ReplyDeleteExactly! That was the vibe, for sure.
DeleteSo glad this phase of Dave's health "care" is done with. You'll both be glad to get away. Nobody in hospitals seems to know what anyone else is doing!
ReplyDeleteWe will be SO glad to get away.
DeleteGlad Dave got his drain out, although it sounds like a shitshow, at least it's out.
ReplyDeleteI love that movie. I'll have to rewatch.
Well, it could have been worse, I suppose. And ultimately it did come out. We were a little afraid the doctor might demand it stay in longer.
DeleteThe healthcare system always seems incomprehensible from the outside looking in. Each patient needs their own individual sherpa!
ReplyDeleteIt's true! The communication is just terrible.
DeleteI guess they wanted the blood test to see if there was any indication of infection. anyway, glad the drain is gone despite the seemed confusion. now off to holiday.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's exactly it -- they were checking for infection. The last time Dave had a blood test in the hospital he had to wait something like eight hours in the emergency room for results. I was glad that this time they were content to take the blood and send us home.
DeleteYour description of the hospital staff reading your discharge letter had me laughing out loud. I've seen that look so many times.
ReplyDeleteThat movie sounds familiar but I can't place it. I'll look it up.
Love that photo of the entrance to the building. Very festive and bright.
It was like we were the first people in all of humanity to present such a document!
DeleteOne more step toward putting this all behind you.
ReplyDeleteLittle by little!
DeleteI had never heard of The Family Stone so went to the Internet to see what it was about. As you said it has a good cast but I'm not a fan of Christmas movies, unless they're very old ones or unless it's A Christmas Story. Well, I guess that's an old one now but I was thinking of the v-e-r-y old ones made before color came about. Gimme a good old Scrooge movie any day, especially the ones starring Alistair Sims or George C. Scott. Bah, humbug!
ReplyDeleteI remember watching that Alistair Sims "Scrooge" movie when I was a kid. I don't think I've seen it since then, actually.
DeleteA medical appointment would be unusual without the confusion, wait and more wait. It took some time and effort, but you got everything accomplished. (Just imagine the confusion if you did not bring the letter showing follow-up instructions!) All is well and you are off on holiday. Good times ahead!
ReplyDeleteWe have learned to always, always bring the letter!
DeleteIt's amazing with all our technology and ability to communicate that the medical field doesn't seem to do so! I dealt with that with my late husband and father for appointments, tests, scans, etc. It was SO frustrating! I'm glad the tomato is gone and it's (nearly) on to vacation!
ReplyDeleteYes, we are almost there, thank goodness!
DeleteHealth issues are a problem when you don't feel well and things go sideways.
ReplyDeleteI think it would have been hard for Dave to deal with this all by himself. I like to think my presence helped!
DeleteLove a good movie cry, very healing sometimes.
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly! It's such a release. I wouldn't say I was out-and-out sobbing but I did get teary.
DeleteGood news about the tomato and no doctor's orders not to travel; go, rest, relax, recover!!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful festive entry! It screams Christmas, in a good way.
Ha! "Screaming" Christmas sounds, well, scary!
DeleteI'm glad that the trip won't be an issue. Y'all need that time away.
ReplyDeleteWe are so looking forward to it.
DeleteEnjoy your trip!
ReplyDeleteThank you, e!
DeleteYou got through by 11 am. Could definitely have been worse. But by bit, Dave is mending. I did enjoy The Family Stone.
ReplyDeleteYes, in the grand scheme of things, a couple of hours in the ER was no big deal. When they said "blood test" we feared we'd be there much, much longer.
DeleteIs Loveday in that first picture a senior care facility? Really? It must be where the rich people go. That's an amazing building.
ReplyDeleteOh. And I forgot to say that my sister said getting the drain removed was perfectly awful. Sounds like Dave skated right through.
DeleteIt used to be a building of flats, which was then remodeled into the existing facility. All they saved was the facade. It is for memory care, as I understand it.
DeleteDave's drain removal wasn't too bad, but we were surprised how much tubing was inside his body. I think the doctor withdrew about six inches of tubing!
I saw The Family Stone for the first time just last Christmas, so I don't need to see it this year. Maybe next year again. I have a hard drive with nothing but Christmas movies on it, most of the the Hallmark variety, but some really good ones.
ReplyDeleteI watched some of those Hallmark Christmas movies when I went to visit my mom several years ago. I remember one specifically with Patrick Duffy. They were pretty tedious!
DeleteMost seem to be the same script, same actors, just a different location.
DeleteOh, I'm so glad that Dave is free at last from the tomato. Onward. I hope everything related to the travel goes well and glad the doc didn't halt that. Another pretty house. They do it up well in that area!
ReplyDelete