I'm trying really hard NOT to be the type of relative we all complain about.....

[TazziRN]

My dad's in a tele unit tonight, with CHF. I had so many requests of the staff that I finally told the nurse "I really am not trying to be a pest but...." My dad is 75 years old and part of the problem is that he doesn't remember things when a staff member is in the room. The other part is that he doesn't know what he's "allowed" to ask for. I've caught myselff stopping and mentally asking "Do I need to do this now or can it wait until someone comes to check on him?"

[TazziRN, RN]

Dad's fine!!! Turned out not to be CHF, but COPD exac. The cardio can't explain why his XR showed fluid, since his BNP was normal. The echo was normal and the stress test was normal. No cardiac involvement at all! The doc thinks the chest pain was actually chest wall pain from his resp effort. He's much much better today, breathing easier, and pain free. He's allowed to roam the halls today and will probably go home tomorrow.

Thank you for your good wishes for him!

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

Tazzi so good to hear your Dad's doing better! Nursing background or not, it's terribly difficult to watch when they're hospialized with an illness. I've also experienced both sides of the situation with both my parents during their last illnesses. I was not a nurse yet when my Mom was sick and felt pretty helpless. By the time my Dad was in the hospital I was a nurse and could be much more proactive just because I knew in general how hospitals work and what each kind of healthcare worker is responsible for. I was better able to anticipate new concerns as they occurred and didn't feel so "blindsided". Early on, I identified the nurse and CNA who would be caring for my Dad each day. When I saw the nurse-ideally when s(he) came into the room- I would say "When you have time, could you tell me if there's anything I can or cannot do for my Dad in terms of diet, activity, etc" and I would ask if it was OK to access the pt kitchen/ linen area for him. As another op suggested, if I had concerns to discuss I tried to group them together, again asking the nurse for a couple of minutes for questions.

(That being said, nothing makes my heart sink more than hearing "I hate to be a pest BUT...)

[flashpoint]

Prayers being said for you and your dad, my friend. I'm glad it turned out that he is OK.

(((HUGS to you and Bundle)))

[nuangel1, BSN, RN]

i am glad your dad is feeling better tazzi .takecare.

[rnurse2b]

Tazzi,

I'm praying for you and your dad. Please don't think that you are being a pest, you are there for your dad.

I just buried my mother on Saturday, she passed away in the same hospital that I work at, on a floor that I have floated to several times. I didn't want to be a "pest" either, but since I knew where things were, I did a lot for her without "bothering" the staff, the only things I asked for were her pain meds.

I told the staff that I wasn't "nurse" at this time, I was definately "daughter" and please treat me as such. When she passed, there wasn't a dry eye on that floor, they cried with me as they pronounced her.

[Soup Turtle]

I'm glad to hear your dad is up and roaming the halls!