Now I am Angry

We had an absolutely awful night last night.

Master had a serious coughing fit that lasted well over an hour starting at about 1:15 AM, and in spite of our repeated requests for something to help manage the ferocity of the cough, or at the very least, some way to reduce the pain He experienced because of it, we were met with indifference, hostility, and a general attitude of condescension. When I finally got stomping angry over it all, the night nurse gave in and called the resident to come look at the situation. He insisted that they wanted Master to keep coughing; that coughing is an important part of getting well; and he was simply unwilling to give Him anything to quiet the spasms. When I got my back up and told the arrogant jerk that this was NOT simply coughing; it was violent and wrenching and was leaving Him gasping unable to catch His breath. The best that the "medical professional" could offer -- IV morphine for the pain. There was just one problem with that BRILLIANT idea... Master's IV port had stopped functioning at around midnight, and no one in this supposedly "excellent" hospital was able to get a new IV started, even though four so-called "experts" tried. Some of those efforts were just brutal. They finally gave up on the whole business, and the coughing calmed on its own. At about 3:30 this morning, He and I finally fell into an exhausted sleep. We were not awakened by the usual parade of residents until 6 AM.

They did finally find someone who could efficiently and effectively re-establish His IV port this morning, and so as of now, He is once again being given IV fluids and antibiotics. He's also been given the go-ahead to restart clear liquids, so He's been given some apple juice and some sugar-free jell-o and a little warm tea. He did regurgitate a bit of that, but so far most of it seems to be staying down.

This morning, He has experienced repeated bouts of diarrhea, and there is some thought that perhaps He has now a C-diff infection. We are waiting to be able to get a stool sample that can be cultured. T is at home, and doing well, but understandably worried and wanting to be able to see Him. I may go home and get her later in the day and bring her down for a visit, but I am reluctant to do that until we know what we have going on here. She is doing so well. We do not need to expose her to some nasty bug and send her into a tail spin.

Mostly I am angry -- beyond angry, I am furious. The very excellent care that both Master and T received in the days immediately following the surgery has devolved to a style of medical practice that is seeming resentful, parsimonious, and just at the verge of neglectful. I am very aware, this morning that, had I decided not to spend the night here last night, He'd have been all alone in the face of the coughing and the horrible IV debacle; and no one would have cared. I find that just outrageous.

I am exhausted, but I am more than determined than ever that, one way or another, we will get the care that is needed here, and He will get better, and I WILL take Him home.

swan