Now I understand

[learning2fly]

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Everything is seemingly calm at the moment. I'm alive, everything is ok, and yet there are some major problems going on around me.

I survived another weekend covering the hospital rotation. I'm learning more and more how fragile the human body really is and it scares the crap out of me. I worked with a 48 year old man who had an above the elbow amputation on the right arm a few years ago and now has a recent stroke affecting his left arm and leg. The central nervous system can be such a heartless bitch. Down the hall another patient of mine is fighting terminal cancer and losing the battle. My heart sank Sunday morning to see a food and beverage cart outside his room for his family. That is never a good sign.
As for my other patients, my message to them is get the hell out of this place as soon as they can.
I came home on Saturday to my whole family waiting for me at my apartment. Dad was on my computer taking advantage of my DSL internet access and was downloading music like crazy. Mom was very quiet, and for good reason. A good friend of the family's father just passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's and other huge medical problems. A few weeks ago he had a really bad fall and fractured 5 ribs. Medicare only covers 2 days in the hospital, so he was shipped off to a rehab facility for 10 days. He grew steadily worse and had to go back to the hospital, only to discover he was still wearing the wound dressings from the hospital and was poorly taken care of at rehab (I won't gross you guys out with details, let's just say it's horrible horrible HORRIBLE). It really pisses me off to hear about other healthcare professionals out there neglecting patients like that. I don't care if the patient has dementia, he is STILL a person and should be taken care of regardless. The family is outraged and hurt. This poor man had to spend his last days treated like garbage. I hope they get that Rehab facility shut down. The hospital doctor said he will back them up with good documentation. It's bad enough the family has to deal with their father's passing, now they have to deal with legal issues on top of it. Mom and Dad drove down last night for the funeral today. I hope everything works out all right.

Later that afternoon my family celebrated Hallmark Day (or Mother's Day as they call it) since both Heather and I had to work on Sunday. Mom chose to go to County Claire, a beautiful irish pub/ restaurant and B&B in downtown Milwaukee. They had Strongbow cider and Guiness ON TAP. It was wonderful. That morning Mom and Dad traded in Rusty (the red Corsica) for a Mitsubishi Spyder...a tiny convertible that has a lot of spunk. Don't get me wrong, it's a really nice car (Dad drove us all to the pub in it and made a good show out of how fast it can go) but I wish they would have gotten a less expensive car and helped Heather out with her financial woes. Our parents haven't helped us at all with our college tuition and expenses and it's really starting to get to Heather. She was looking daggers when she saw that car. I wish there was something I could do to help her, but I'm just as poor as she is.
She is not doing well right now. Lots of work to be done to finish off the semester. Next week she and Dad will be going up to the Boundary Waters for some hiking and canoeing. I think the timing is great. I'm hoping it will help her find some peace.

Comments

[apple-tree-meg.livejournal.com]

it is always a sad feeling when your body is fighting a battle and possible losing the battle. I feel so bad for that family but he is in a better place now. there is no more pain for him.. granted it hurts us all here because we wish he were back but think of all the pain he was in when he was here with us.. easier said then done I know for a fact..

I feel bad for Hezzy your parents should help her out.. I noticed she hasn't been herself lately and it is hard to see her that way expecially when she is normally a happy go luck girl. I hope she feels better soon.. we should take her out for a night on the town some night maybe that will help her (she doesn't have to buy of course)

[april-tehe.livejournal.com]

1) The human body is tender and fragile, but don't forget how resiliant me are too, i mean we repair ourselves, thats better than any machine, and we live for so long! don't let your job tell you otherwise because you see the hurt people, theres so many in good shape old people, keep that in mind.

2) your parents didnt help at all? and oh man hethers at a private and expensive school now. tell he ri wish her luck, and keep hope up.

3) love you mel, hope you are well in the calm you deserve.

[beckysioux.livejournal.com]

It sucks when parents don't help out their children. I'm lucky with my mom, she's housing me (practically free) until Eric and I can afford to move out together. She's also paying for my car insurance. But other than that, I had to pay my way for college and my car. Not to mention all the debt I have gotten myself into with credit cards (that's not her fault, it's all mine). I've bought all my clothing since I was 17 (when I got my first job).

But I am glad to hear that you aren't in any drama at the moment. Even if it's a relative calm, it's much better than major dilemmas.

[learning2fly.livejournal.com]

I don't mean to sound like an ungrateful child- my parents rule. I am so lucky to have such fun and supportive parents. I just wish they would help us out financially as well as everything else, you know?

[beckysioux.livejournal.com]

I understand what you mean. I wouldn't trade my mother in for the world. I would really love for her to help me out, but she can't really afford it either.

But yes, you're parents do rock. Even though they *love* the Packers, more so than you.