My father is in the hospital

[lynnestankard]

AW Denyce when I went to bed last night you were on my mind and look what happened - this morning Good News!

I'm so pleased you've spoken to your Dad - I fully understand where your coming from when you refer to his inability to say I Love You - I had a terrible time when my Mum died regarding this very same thing.
But he's said it!!! I've shed a couple of tears here - I'm just so happy for you
Now you can talk to him - things wont be as worrying.

Keep us up to date with his recovery won't you?

Lynne

[RobiLee]

Aww, Denyce...I'm so sorry you have been going through such a hard time. Hang in there girl.. I"m so glad that you got to speak to your dad himself. I love the fact that you keep working at your relationship with your father and to actually hear him say I love you must have put you over the top.

Hang in there, Girl!

Big Hugs for you and lot of prayers for you and your day....Robin

[RICHARD]

Glad to hear your dad is o.k..

A few tips for people when calling a hospital for info, to speak to a loved one, etc.

Calls to a hospital administrator are useless. They will contact the Nursing Super, the Super will talk to the nurse.......

Call the unit and ask for the Ward Clerk or Ward Secretary.
They field the calls for the families. There are times you will get a nurse who will pass your call to another nurse. This takes time away from their work looking after patients. The WS can give you updates and answer some of your questions.

If you call to change the Person to be Notified in Case of Emergency- Call the Admitting Office, they fill out the forms.
Have a Social Security # or some unique info so they can verify that you are a member of the family.

A note in a chart is just that, a note.

There are Doctor's Order sheets and Progress Notes....If you call and speak to a doctor and he makes a note on the Dr order sheets it will get buried in the paperwork, same thing with a note made by nurse on the Progress notes...Each day a patient spends in the hospital the farther down in the pile your info will get buried....If you get the Person to be Notified changed you will be the FIRST TO KNOW ANYTHING... That info is readily available..not hidden in a pile of papers!


Try calling the unit your loved one is in at the same time everyday.
Find out the nurse's/ward clerk's name- be patient and cordial.
You'd be amazed at how many nasty phone calls come into a hospital each day. You will be remembered for your courtesy and you'll find it easier to get info, special favors, etc.

[Denyce]

Thanks Richard,

I haven't called at the same time each day because I keep trying to call based upon the information I get the previous day. They gave me the phone number for the Cardiac Care Unit desk rather than having to go through the main operator. When I say who I am and where I am from and that I am calling to find out how my father is doing they always put me on hold right away saying they will get the nurse in charge of him or ask that I phone back in 20 minutes till the nurse is done.

The first morning after his surgery I phoned at 7 am their time since they said they would be trying to get him into a chair at 5 am. Now that he is in a private room with his own phone I don't have to bother the nurses any longer but I am considering asking who is doctor is and setting up a time to speak with him.

I am very polite to the people answering the phones there. Even when they huff at me I don't say anything but pleases and thank you's and such. I always say Hi (insert name they just told me) and introduce myself without being pushy. I know they often feel overworked and underpaid. Don't we all. I just wish sometimes they would also realize that their job just doesn't just include taking care of the patient in front of their faces but also the family surrounding. Even if that family is far away. The young lady in the gift shop was the most pleasent I have come across so far. She was willing to read the backs of books to me so I could pick one out for my dad. *L*

I am hesitant this time around to change the "person to be notified" just because I don't wish to annoy my aunt who then might make things tougher with my father by bad mouthing me. I know that sounds wimpy. But I am going to have a talk with my dad once he is feeling better and let him know that next time I EXPECT to be put on the chart as the one to notify.

What this has been is an learning experience. I have never even thought about the fact that I never put his name down because he is in CA. Plus I know my mother would let him know. And my husband is the first anyway. And he would let my father know...but now I have things to think about.

I am going to make a card for my father that I want him to keep in his wallet in case of an emergency. With my information on it of course!

Denyce

[carole]

Denyce I am also so thrilled for you ,and yep along with lynne ,your story brought tears to my eyes, it does indeed take something scarey in our lives to happen and shake us up a bit, like with your Dad to finally open up and share what is in our hearts.

I hope your'e Dad continues to improve and that you get to see him soon if possible.

[kimlovescats]

Denyce this is such wonderful news!!! It brought tears to my eyes to hear of how he told you that he loves you!!! What a precious moment for the two of you!!! My father told me in confidence that his father had never ever said that to him, until he was in the hospital... just a few days before he passed away at age 93!!! So my father waited over FIFTY YEARS to hear those words ONCE from his Dad!

Love and Hugs for your father's continued improvement in health and a continued budding and growing relationship between the two of you!!!

Kim