—–Original Message—–
From: MomHOP
Sent: Aug 15, 2006 9:55 AM
To: Kim
Subject: Thanks to Bloggers
Okay Honey, here it is….
Hello to all of you who sent wishes, prayers and good thoughts my way for my surgery through Kim’s blog and to those who lurk behind the scenes: THANK YOU!!!. I am humbled by this electronic community of friendship and love.
Because I had worked in hospital administration and legal affairs in the past, I know what can go wrong in any surgical situation, so although I put on a good front for family and friends, I was deep-down scared about undergoing real anesthesia with intubation. I think that is why I’ve put off this surgery so long.
Funny, the only way to stop my churning thoughts and relax enough to fall asleep the night before was to pray.
Surgery went well. My surgeon was terrific, always telling me what was to happen and looking me straight in the eye (with his lovely blue ones) so I know he wasn’t just patronizing me. My hospital stay was uneventful. But there is one issue that I found myself on the other side of – our current national nursing shortage.
I empathize with the world of nurses out there who are overworked with too many patients to handle and not enought pay to make it worth it. Today we must be our own patient advocates and educate ourselves on the care we need and pay attention to what our doctors are telling us. Twice I had to call for medication that did not arrive when it should have; twice I had to call for re-stocking the bathroom for toilet paper. I should have gotten out of bed the same day as surgery, but nobody came around to help me with that. My roommate and I felt abandoned between quick nursing checks. I am NOT complaining about the nurses or the care – they were wonderful – there was just not enough of it.
Well, I am now home resting. It’s interesting that I really don’t do much during the day, yet I feel the need to nap, and not for just the usual 20 minute power nap. I have time to read the books I’ve been saving up: Patricia Cornwell’s latest Kay Scarpetta novel, Matthew Pearl’s new book, The Poe Shadow (his first book, The Dante Club, was excellent and I know him too), and others I haven’t had time to read. When my abdomen is feeling better and I can sit up straight for longer periods of time, then I will hit my quilting studio and get to work on Kyle’s sailboat wall hanging and other cute things I’ve got planned for him. I plan to see a lot of movies with my friends who are retired. I am going to see a Red Sox-Yankee game next week at the movies – it’s supposed to be just like being at Fenway park, with refreshments and souvenirs, and being able to scream and holler at will! I plan to visit a dear friend who has retired to Maine. Above all, I plan to rest from work.
I have to say I have visited all of your own blogs and find that I am getting hooked on reading your own postings and looking at your pictures. I’ve been asked to start my own blog, but forget it. I’d much rather be quilting!
Again, thank you all for thinking and praying for me. My love to you all.
Mom
YAY for Kim’s MOM! Glad you are feeling better and getting the chance to recover, read good books and spend time with friends. I love Kay Scarpetta by the way and if you are reading then one I think you are then you’ll enjoy it! Continue to take care of yourself!
Kim’s Mom, glad you are recovering well. Maybe you could just start a blog to post pictures of the quilts you make? This quilter (well, I used to be before my 2-year old came along, but one day I will be again) would love that!
I agree completely with what you said about the nursing shortage. I left the hospital for a doctor’s office 6 years ago after too many nights of being dangerously short-staffed and unable to in any way provide proper care for my patients. One night I was the ONLY staff member for 30 patients. No other nurses. No other nursing aides. And one of my patients was a teen-age quadriplegic on a ventilator. Frightening. So nurses leave the hospital for these reasons and this only makes the nursing shortage that much worse. All the nurses I work with say we would never want to have to go back to the hospital.
Keep recovering and enjoy catching up with books, friends, and movies as you do.
MomHOP, hello! And thank you for posting! I am so glad you’re on the mend. KHOP was very worried about you, as you know, and thus, so was her blog-o-sphere. Your quilting work is stunning. My favorite part is the Pices sign you quilted into the white space on KHOP & HusbandHOP’s bed quilt. What gorgeous work you do! We at S@L are intrigued by the Yankees/Sox “movie” idea. When Zoe is older, we will surely take her. Come visit us in MA on your way to Maine! I think you should have your own blog. My mom has one, so you should, too! All the mom’s are doing it! It’s here: http://www.jeansnotebook.blogspot.com She mostly blogs (brags?) about her grandkids. 🙂
Wouldn’t the blog-o-sphere love to know that S@L’s real name is a variation on the name LISA? Because you’re not allowed to comment unless your name is a variation of Lisa or Kate.
(Unless it is the name of one of my other readers.)
Yay KTP’s mom! I’m so glad you’re feeling better! 🙂
I’m so glad everything went well for you. Hope your recovery is quick and uneventful! Thanks for letting us kow how it went. That’s a little scary to know about the nurses, though.
My name starts with a K so I’m allowing myself into the “cool kids club of Lisas and Kates.”
KTP’s Mom, I’m glad to hear you are on the up & up and think your plans for your “R&R” while on the mend sound great. I to am intrigued by this Yankees/Sox game on the big screen – it sounds like a blast.
KTP,you’ve formed a really great community on your blog – and I’m happy to count myself a part of it!
LOL at KTP and the names. It is true it seems all your readers are a variation of Kate or Lisa!
I am so glad your mom is doing better!
You do have a lot of Kate and Lisa readers!
Okay I might get zapped for writing with a non-kate or lisa name, but here it goes…
MomHOP, I am so glad that you are doing well, getting the much needed rest you need to recover, and diving into entertaining reading and activities 🙂 I agree that it would be cool if you started a quilt blog. Remember to eat lots of protein to help your body bounce back faster. {{{{hugs}}}}