Today I went to be with my in-laws while poor Dario was still in the hospital. It is nice that we have a strong family unit and we come together during times it is needed. Dario has charmed the nurses. Even the nurses that weren’t his, today, stopped by to say hello.
I picked up Joanne and we headed to the hospital. I follow the directions to his room exactly how Paul described them to me. He gave great directions.
We had a bit of a vehicle switch this morning due to my van having a temper tantrum with the wheel bearing. Paul took my van, Ethan took his car so I could drive his winter jeep. I guess that is the advantage of having more cars than I can count.
We got to the hospital with the promise of Dario being able to leave today. He had to show them he could do one thing. He tried but was able to.
Minutes turned to hours. They brought him lunch. Lunch was 3/4 cup of soup, 1/2 cup of peaches and water. This was consumed in 12 seconds flat. This man eats! He eats a lot of food! He doesn’t pass go. He doesn’t collect $200. Paul is the same way. I looked at his papers and it said he wasn’t on a restricted diet. Why give him such a small meal?
I called the nurse. I politely asked if he could have more. His meal was minuscule. The nurse came in. We chatted and I verified his dietary needs. We concluded that Dario could have more food. He was ordered some penne and meatballs.
He was over joyed when the food came. He popped the entire meatball in his mouth. He was a happy man. He is 88. If he is cleared to eat a meatball….we are getting him one.
He was able to complete the task the doctors wanted him too and he was promised they were going to get ready his discharge papers. He was so excited to go home.
This man was told Saturday he was going home (in the morning) and that was reversed in the afternoon. Sunday morning he was told he would probably go home only to have that reversed in the afternoon. When they said it today, he was tired of being there. So at 2:00 ish when they told him they were starting the discharge paperwork he was ready!!!!
Around 4:00 they came in and said that they needed one group to sign off on his discharge. They said because it was later in the day it wasn’t looking so good for a discharge today.
They could evaluate him in the morning. He would have to stay one more night. His spirits plummeted. I have seen this happen with Ethan so many times. The disappointment was palpable. The panic was stirring.
I told them not to worry, we were leaving. Today!
I whole heartedly knew that we had family invested in his success. We had shifts covered. I had ordered groceries to support his specific dietary needs, being delivered. They could just stay home for a few days and let him recover.I went with Joanne, a meal plan and combinations that would lead Dario to his intake goals.
I told Paul it was hard for me to be at the hospital and not treat Dario as MY patient. We had spoken with doctors, we had completed the things asked. It was time for the prize, freedom out of the hospital. Time to put on my advocate hat on.
I went and found the nurse and had a private conversation. I had made talking points that were unable to be debated. I had created enough of a question that the doctor was pulled in. I assured the doctor that we had a family plan of support. After being told multiple times, No, we were granted a yes. Yay!
If anyone needs an advocate I am really fine tuning my skills. I am honing in on the right phrases to persuade change. I also feel that this was the right decision. If Dario wasn’t ready, I would be arguing against it. Another hour plus went by before he was officially released. I listened to the instructions, picked up the medications and pulled the car around.
Joanne accidentally took Dario’s clothes home. He just had his undershirt and undershorts. I asked if they had some clothes he could borrow. They gave him a pair of scrubs that looked like a prisoner outfit. We were laughing at how he was making a break. The funniest part was his gold chain. Classic!
We finally got him home around 6 pm. Phew!
He shared that the bed was horrible and was glad to be back to his bed.
Paul’s sister stayed until bed time. She will be back in the morning. Teamwork!
I got home and still had 2 more hours of work today. It was a long day but we made it!
I arrived home as Paul was working on getting things ready for an electrical inspection of the barndominium tomorrow. Once that was completed he headed back to his work around 8:00. He went to fix the wheel bearing so I could drive it again. It will be a late night for him.
Tomorrow is Ethan’s appointment, back at the hospital.
I am glad my Sweden/Denmark trip is coming soon. It has been a busy few weeks.
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