Saturday December 10 2022

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2022

Good morning!

Joe, I hope your cat continues to improve.

Stars, hope you can get your husband in rehab soon.

J22, covid here in Florida has went from an average of only 400 a day in October to 4,000 a day and rated by CDC as "high" rate of activity of influenza. Some parts of the state actually show decreasing numbers of influenza but my county is increasing as are most of the populated counties. No talk of masks from public health officials because as DeSantis says he's all about the freedom. I would think some things are hard to quantify as a good deal of sick people get sick and don't seek treatment other than self-care. I see that Washington State is rated by the CDC as "very high" for the flu.

Dianah, hope you enjoy your day out today.

Ado, hope you enjoyed the conference. Are you home by now?

I'm taking this weekend off. Not sure what I'll do with the time time but will potter about and get some things cleaned and organized. I'm unmotivated as I didn't sleep well. Slept about 5 1/2 hours and wide awake so I just got up at 5:30. I need to get my sleep pattern fixed before I go back to work.

I had my windows open all night and turned the heat on when I got up. It was only int he 60's outside but I'm a wimp.

Have a great day!

No Stars In My Eyes · Dec 10, 2022

We are at 50 degrees and overcast, but I don't know if there will be any rain or not.

Another thing I don't know, is about hubby. I called him at 1:30 PM and he sounded goopy. He said something about "they're taking me down for a test in a few minutes." He doesn't know if they gave him medication (as in sedation), or what test he is going to have. He doesn't think they are detoxing him. Said he didn't know if they'll let him come home today or not. I hope he ISN'T getting discharged.

I just called back and left him a message, saying that I don't even know what floor he is on or what his room # is! Also that I would like for his nurse to call me if she could, because I have some questions. We'll hear what we hear when we hear it, I reckon. Not sure if his PCP is working or available, not quite sure who his doc is for this admission. I know he has been to a gastrologist in the past, and I'm guessing that doc is taking care of his case while in the hospital, but it being Saturday, getting hold of anybody is a real P.I.A.

Anyway, later, y'all.

nursej22, MSN, RN · Dec 10, 2022

It's 43 degrees and overcast, with showers. I jogged/walked 4 miles this morning. I petted one of my favorite dogs that I see regularly at the park. He is a handsome yellow lab, and was wearing a festive red and green harness. I would like to go see a movie today and get out of the house. dh has been buying up a storm, so I guess I don't need to worry about gifts. He said he was going to cut back this year, LOL. He talked to eldest son who is healing from his eye surgery. DIL's father has been ill, so they may fly to Maine to see him. They are in their 80s, I think.

Tweety, pets seem to do amazingly well with impaired or no sight. I don't think Angus see much at all anymore because of his cataracts. He can't catch popcorn or other treats anymore. He doesn't get upset at other dogs as much, and he often trips going up the steps. But in between long naps he loves his walks and car rides.

Dianah, I know you will have an enjoyable time at Sabbath School. You will be tired, I'm sure, after today.

NoStars, grrrrr, I don't think I would be as patient as you waiting for word on hubby. I am surprised if he is dopey that they aren't calling you for consent for procedures. I know, everyone is busy, but it's been what, 2 days without an update?

Joe, it is so frustrating when animals can't just tell us what's wrong, amirite? You are such a good animal companion. I hope there are new birds to see. We had a flicker at the feeder this morning!

Yes, we are "high" for flu, covid and RSV. And I don't want any of them, nor do I want dh to get them! I'm glad I got him to get boosted and his pneumonia vaccine!

No Stars In My Eyes · Dec 10, 2022

I guess I don't have to give my permission for him to have any procedures, since he is an adult 'in his right mind', ostensibly' (she said with a bit of sarcasm.)

Okay, I just called him again. He still sounds sleepy and goopy. He said that the test they took him to was an MRI. He said he guessed he won't be coming home today. I asked him again if he would ask the nurse to call me, and he said he would, "but she probably won't do it." No, the last couple of times he was in the hospital, no one called me about him then, either, and I never rec'd any discharge info other than the sheet he came home with. So, I am not feeling particularly edgy about not hearing from anyone at the hospital, to tell you the truth. I hope that doesn't sound too cold, but that's how I feel.

So I have another night of quiet time to myself after Nannie goes to bed.

Mostly, I wanted to know if he was coming home or not, because I am going to make Nannie and me some from-scratch salmon patties which involves raw onion being chopped up and mixed in with the other stuff (saltines, eggs, salmon) and his majesty doesn't like the smell of onions cut up or cooking.

Anyway, isn't 'no news, good news' ?

Time to fold clothes from the dryer. Then I'l start supper prep.

No Stars In My Eyes · Dec 10, 2022

After talking for 2 days that I would be making from-scratch salmon patties, come to find out, Nannie is 'not fond' of salmon. Do you suppose she might have mentioned this fact within those 2 days? Noooo! She ate her potatoes, green beans, and 2 small bites of the salmon. I said, "Do you not like the salmon pattie? It won't offend me if you don't want to eat it." She said it was 'okay' but she wanted to leave room for her chocolate pudding. HUH! Well, I thoroughly enjoyed my salmon patties! Have leftovers that I can make into a sandwich tomorrow. Poor, poor Nannie.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2022

Stars, I don't want to play devil's advocate but I never call the family of an alert and oriented patient spontaneously. I might if the family member asks me but that's not often.

However, I often talk to them when they call me or sometimes the patient will call the family member on their cell and give it to me. I'm happy to talk to them.

So might I suggest you call the nurses station and ask to speak to his nurse. Don't call during shift change please. But you take the first step.

They may cite HIPPA but have the nurse talk to your husband and get his permission, or a personal identification number. Or ask your husband to ask the nurse "what is my PIN # (or whatever system they use) so my wife can call you".

Sometimes I can get the hospitalist to call a family member, other times it goes in one ear and out the other.

They might have sedated him for the MRI if he said he was claustrophobic, or they might be giving him some

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 11, 2022

I am following your Mr. Stars saga, No Stars. Part of me is relieved he is in-patient, and that things (tests) are getting done. And THEY can watch him, rather than you watching both Nannie AND Mr. Stars. Thanks Tweety, for the advice re: how to call/when to call for updates on Mr. Stars. He is certainly not forthcoming with any information, but that is probably because he doesn't ask questions. The salmon patties sound delicious, No Stars! And yes, if Nannie doesn't eat hers, more for you! Hope tonight is quiet.

We JUST got in, at 1630! We got there about 30 min early, practiced a little. Then got to hear all the wonderful musicians who were lined up to do some sort of Christmas music. There were two AMAZING pianists, and a tenor soloist, and a young teen gal who played classical violin to one of the pianist's accompaniment. Heard a Christmas-related story. Twice I teared up: once during one of the tenor's songs (This Is Such A Strange Way to Save A World), and once during the story (set during WWII, a mom and teen son who had unexpected visitors one Christmas eve: 3 Americans [one wounded] and then, a few minutes later, 4 Germans).

Our music went OK, I wasn't in as good voice as I wanted to be, but it was what it was. It was a very comfortable, casual environment. Probably about 50 ppl there. After the program, we got to visit with a couple ppl we hadn't seen in a long time, and it was nice to catch up a little (though the band was waiting for us, to go to eat after!). Then we had yummy Thai food and a good visit, and decided we were not up to going on to a Christmas jam afterwards. We'd been up since early, and were tired and getting cold.

So, we'll have a nice quiet evening, cozy at home.

Tomorrow and Monday it will rain, on and off. We got reports this afternoon of heavy rains in Modesto, some 4 hr to the north of us. So, it's coming down to us!

Have a good evening!

No Stars In My Eyes · Dec 11, 2022

Eh, it's okay they don't call, I mean he isn't on the path, well, he's on the path, but this hospitalization doesn't point to an imminently fatal result. No "ICU stuff" is going on. I just want to KNOW stuff, y'know? Prolly not going to chase anybody down, but will talk with our PCP about rehab.Or get him to re-START the Taper.