Resolution

My Nan is 96 years old.  A more pleasant and lovely person you could not hope to meet. Recently she has been having some trouble with a wound created by the degrading of a hip replacement she had in the early 1980's.  She is mentally very sound and still a pleasure to talk to but, as you would imagine has very limited mobility.  

Last December my Nan was admitted to hospital to have the hip situation checked out.  They kept her in for about a week, they didn't really do anything while she was there and resolved not to do anything going forward.  When she came back home the sparkle was gone.  She stopped reading and doing crosswords and was confused. This lasted for months but finally she returned to herself but caused us all much concern during this period because part of her confusion was that she thought she could walk unaided.  She could therefore not be left unattended even for the shortest periods.

My Nan lives with my Mum.  My Mum has never driven.    Yesterday on new years eve, her GP and the district nurses decided that she needed to go to hospital because of the chance of infection.  She felt fine, and was in no pain.  I managed to get around to the house whilst they were still there and outlined our families concern over the disruption in routine. They promised to minimize the disruption and arranged a bed and direct access to a ward.  with the promise of calm sailing I capitulated ( I have written consent to deal with medical matters on my nans behalf)

We took her over to the hospital in the mid to late afternoon. She was fine on entering the hospital.  

She was not fed while the doctors argued. She was freezing cold despite having all our coats while the staff did tests. She was sick as a reaction to the drugs they gave her so they gave her more drugs to stop it.  

She was confused and ill when they discharged her at 11pm on new years eve with some very vague transport plan that might turn up in a few hours.  She has no medical plan for the resolution of the original concerns raised by the district nurses or GP

... Do no harm...


The vast majority of the staff were extremely nice and caring as are our local district nurses and GP.  I have family and friends in the medical profession as far as I am concerned anyone who chooses that vocation have my admiration and respect. 

On  this day of resolutions and changes I am reminded that we are not sheep to be led, fettered and administered to.   We should not bow to the will of "the system", "the system" should service us. 

I am also reminded that situations are never simply black and white.

Sorry for the "rant" on this day of all days but today a bit of "Blip therapy" was in order.  

Happy new year to all!