Step-Down Unit

Mom was moved last night to the fifth floor into what is called step-down care. When i got to her room this morning, she said they took out her tubes - but they haven't yet. She said her blood pressure is really high, but it is 122/59. So i'm not sure what is going on. She is right near the nurses station so it is possible she is overhearing conversations of other patients. She keeps groaning so i will go look for some breakfast for her now.

What a wild ride she has had in the last 12 hours! The night nurse made her sleep on her left side, which is extremely painful for her. Her rotator cuff was injured in the accident in Massachusetts several years ago and has never stopped causing pain when she lies on her left side, not to mention the broken rib she got in September. I raised some Cain with the day nurse and the doctor who came in. Now all day she is suffering from having been forced to sleep on her sore spots. Plus, we had ordered oatmeal for her breakfast and opened her plate to find eggs and hash browns. I waited for him to come back with her oatmeal and he never did, so i went down to the cafe and got it myself and raised some more Cain down there!

Finally Mom had her breakfast and started coming back alive. Without a good night's sleep, she is not doing well. The Physical Therapists (PT) came in and I shoo'd them out. Patient Relations came in and interviewed her about her night situation. Mom said she likes grapes after her breakfast and the lady brought in a beautiful plate of grapes! Then another nurse brought in some info on cardiac rehab for later when she is better. She will get to take 36 classes that consist of education, exercise and psychological counseling. That will be a great experience for her.

Her day nurse today is Patty and she came in and switched out her chest tubes that were flowing into one. She separated them to see where the most fluid is coming from. We keep hoping they can take those awful tubes out soon, but have to wait for the drainage to diminish. They cause a burning pain where they are in her chest. It is about 11am and she is taking a cat nap now. Soon Patty will be in to give her a bath and change her linens and get Mom sitting in a chair, maybe PT will be back to get her to take a few steps. I think getting her up and moving around will get the kinks out from her lousy night.

All in all, having gone through major surgery only a week ago, she is doing really well!