127 Hours

Today at around 5:00 we passed the 127 hour mark of temporary residence at Howard County General Hospital. Rabbi Harris paid a call yesterday and Marilyn came by today. Margo picked up Jamie from play rehearsal and the two spent a few hours in this 12' X 12' room. Tanya, David and Donna came by. Brother Russell stopped by this evening. The room is now properly equipped with flowers.

Faina had a rough night last night. She was uncomfortable and in some pain, usually 5-8 on the 0-10 scale. She got out of bed at about 4:00 am, got caught in the tangle of hoses and cords, slipped and fell. The cold thud of her 120 pounds dropping to the floor woke me up to an un-pretty spill with an arm and wrist looking oddly twisted. It took two nurses to get her back on her feet. The only price she paid was a slightly bruised wrist, a better deal than the other 127 hour person.

By early afternoon Thursday, it was clear that another night would be spent on the fourth floor of this house of healing. As a door prize we will be taking home a pumper pack of hydromorphone. This was the sticking point that kept us here an extra two days. The pumper pack requires a steady dose in addition to an on-demand fix, the PCA had been set to only an on-demand dose. The PCA had to be re-set to a base, steady dose and an on-demand dose, with a 24 hour period to make sure the new settings are right. It made me think of the page I get with every BC/BS EOB statement about health insurance fraud. Faina has received excellent care over these 127 plus hours, but these last two days here could have been avoided with more careful, thoughtful administration. Such is our health care system and I'm not complaining. We have met some exceptional professionals over the past few days. The PAs, the pain management specialist and the nurses with whom we have been interfacing have been good to exceptional, sensitive, patient, and caring.  Nonetheless, we look forward to getting home.