New perspectives
I’ve lost track of days and couldn’t figure out why people had stupid hats and weird make-up (I assure you it was subtle). It is apparently Halloween today…their costumes clearly just needed context!
Jade (my brother) and Mom have promised to put some candy on the doorstep for the kids….Fraser loved decorating for Halloween and during ‘The Covid Times’ he made a stick to attach the candies for the kids who needed some space. He insisted on full size chocolate bars…I wanted to give them ‘healthy alternatives to sugar’ but he told me to stop being a buzzkill. 😆 He will be disappointed he didn’t get to put up all his decorations so a bowl (of candies and chocolate against my better judgement) will have to do…and I know he would understand…maybe.😉
Finding the blessings, I am grateful for the terrible chair (I think they gave it to me on purpose) as I am definitely going to sleep in my own bed tonight…or maybe Caelin’s bed with Faya…she’s not ‘technically’ allowed on our bed…but Fraser hasn’t said anything, soooooo…..🤷🏼♀️ (Hey FRASER! FAYA IS IN YOUR SPOT ON THE BED! WAKE UP!😉
We must wear a gown and gloves if we touch Fraser (the healing touch of skin to skin contact is clearly not allowed) but not if we are just in the room. So, if I touch him I must remove my gown (at the door) and then sit back in my corner (no nest here) and remove the gloves but only if they’ve touched him and….the nurses have all said, ‘it doesn’t make sense but it’s just protocol’. I reminded them that I too travelled internationally and was cuddled up in his bed just yesterday. I asked what protocols I should use as I walk freely about. She laughed and shrugged her shoulders and said, ‘it’s up to ‘them’. Ya. I love how nobody seems to question protocol and just goes along with it…love it.😆But, I am, for once, trying to abide…but the rules are confusing…and it’s a pain for the nurses too.
One young nurse was clearly flummoxed that I had my gown on in my chair and told me I can’t wear it here. When I went to remove it she backed away and kind of shoved the bin at me. When I moved forward she kicked it with her foot and said, ‘IT GOES IN HERE…just stay there’. I honestly cannot imagine going to work every day in such fear. 😢 I found my compassion (I’m trying to keep it close at heart) and told her I was sorry and it must be scary. It must be horrific and his night nurse said it has taken a huge toll on his nervous system. It’s a good thing she could not see the thought bubble of the words that were actually forming. Compassion for the WIN!
Ok. Enough about my trauma 😆…We had our ‘rounds’ this am with the team of doctors and respiratory therapists and pharmacy and attending doctors…AND I am grateful I was able to be here for that (which was why I wanted to stay overnight last night). They thanked me for filling in some of the blanks (they want dates and all I have is, ‘5 days ago-ish or before this thing or that…it’s like a game of charades) as the ‘stack of files’ has overwhelmed them a bit. Clearly these two countries do things differently. It’s quite fascinating. If science is science….isn’t it just ‘science’? 🧐
After much discussion and questions, the Dr assured me, ‘we are going to do many things over the next few days’. They are not starting over but trying to get a baseline. The TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) has caused a multitude of issues (possible seizures; breathing issues; inflammation from infection etc. etc.) and they want to find out which issue(s) are related to what.
They are going to wean him from sedation and begin to treat each issue on its own. ie. Breathing (#2 on a list of 12 or so). When they shut off sedation (rather than weaning) his breathing becomes tachypnic (rapid) so they put him back on sedation. Then they try to illicit a physical response from him (he has had more nasty, full-on titty twisters than Gr.5 school boys..and I know you just felt that!) but they just gave him medication that reduces that response! So, they are now going to treat each issue and try to find out where we are really at without the multitude of sedatives and narcotics.
…and just now, as I write this, because he has pneumonia and came from another country, the Infectious Disease centre is implementing Covid protocols until his tests come back. Nurse said it’s ridiculous…and still here we go….FRASER, WAKE TF UP!!!!!
I’m off to go home for a few hours. I’m planning on coming back to check in this evening especially since they are reducing his meds etc. We will both rest 🙏
Dog in bed, driving his car, blogging… when he comes to Lucy you have some ‘splain in’ to do. 😜❤️💜😘
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I’m so proud of you for your compassion to the nurse and for trying to follow the rules Brooke. It’s so sad that they are so brainwashed but it’s also the industry they are in and what they are told - you’d think they could see for themselves but maybe they are too exhausted from the short staff. My own dear girl became a full fledged RN last week and we are trying to keep it real for her!
With all the crap that nurses have had to put up with in the last few years with covid and with lack of staff, it's no wonder that some are strict with infection protocol. If one of the team is down, they aren't easy to replace. People die from covid and then you put pneumonia on top of that. No one wants to get sick. They may have lost a colleague in the last few years so keep being patient with them. Can you imagine having to work that way all the time?
Thank you for the more in depth report of what the doctors are doing for Fraser. I've been so anxious for some details to understand. I didn…
Oh Brooke, my heart breaks for you listening to the way is unfolding here. Home is wonderful and yet our system in direct comparison like this, is simply ludicrous. Still, I’m grateful that the support exists and I continue to pray for the miracle that I trust this local health care can help bring to fruition. ❤️