I am patient. I am flexible most of the time. Tonight, I have thrown it all out the window.
Owen was put on the floor in a "shared" room. We were the first ones here so we got the window side of the room. They brought in a little sweetheart with a Berlin Heart to be Owen's roomate. It's been crazy!
Loud. Lots of nurses chatting. The door to the room has to remain open and the lights ON and a nurse has to be in here 24/7.
I've been ok all day. Cranking up the volume on Owen's television so he can hear it over the other distractions.
It's been okay until 9pm. Our neighbors' family showed up to wake the baby and play!! Lights ON. Lots of family members chattering, taking pictures and now the nurse is doing her dressing change. You have NO idea how loud it is in here. Owen is trying to sleep but is tossing and turning. I don't know how he can even shut his eyes other than he is totally exhausted.
The nurse said he'd turn down a couple lights in a while when he was done. There are no visiting hours, so the other family can chatter all night. I am exhausted. I am done with hospitals.
If we had a private room the door would be shut, the lights would be off, and we'd both be resting comfortably. If we had a private room.
Ok. I'm done venting.
I just broke down in tears of frustration when the cardiology fellow came in. I told her that we have to be discharged tomorrow or they need to find us a private room.
My heart is sad. I'm sad that Owen can't get a solid nights sleep after such a long day! It's not fair. There are open single rooms available.. they are "saving" in case they get kiddos that need isolation. I NEED ISOLATION.
I'm really done venting now. I just have to post that I am human.. not superwoman, all the time.
Tomorrow will be a better day.
Monday, February 14, 2011
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14 comments:
Vent away!!! Your frustrations are totally understandable! I'm a little amazed they'd put a Berlin heart kiddo not in an isolation room?!? Wouldn't infection be scary? And what's up with the family not considering that they have a roommate. Some people are just inconsiderate. Sorry...
Owen is doing so fantastic! Hopefully you'll be posting about your discharge plans tomorrow :)
Hey- ask the nurse for ear plugs, an eye mask & noise machine, see what he says! Just curious if he'd catch on this way :)
He just turned off the lights and told them to be quiet so we could sleep. Then they said "Oh.. there is a roomate?" Very cute. I have been walking around in my socks and jammies.. I'm SO not a nurse! :)
Yeah.. um.. Berlin heart shoud be in isolation in ICU! Not in a general floor shared room.
im so sorry my friend. i know how hard living in a hospital can be when you not only have to be disturbed my nurses, doctors, and rt's coming in and out at all hours of the day and night, but to also have loud neighbors staying way too late...ugh!
praying for a restful night...
will text you tomorrow to see where you're at!
xo,
victoria
I'm sorry. I don't really know you, but I am going to share an experience of ours.
My daughter was 3-4 weeks post-op (5-6weeks old) and my parents hadn't seen her yet because she was flown out to Seattle hours before they arrived into town. They were able to get a connecting flight through Seattle after caring for my other two children for almost a month. The only time that they were able to seen my daughter was around 11pm after rushing to the hospital from the airport. So exceptions were made, even in the CICU. They were so thankful for the opportunity to see their granddaughter even though it was for less than an hour because they may not have been able to see her again.
I guess my point is, we never know the full extent of other peoples situations. I've been in your shoes and it's not easy. Hopefully I didn't give you too much of a downer...just a little perspective. Hang in there. Glad Owen is doing so well.
Good morning!
Hopefully the Rock Star and his mommy were able to get some rest.
There are many perspectives, of course, but RESPECT and thoughtfulness are the keys to most situations, aren't they?
Had someone, anyone, from the roommates family spoken with you, or even acknowledged Owen and you, and communicated that visitors were coming later this evening, somewhere around 9:00, you would at least have had a heads up. Not liked the situation but at least been communicated with and prepared with ear buds for both of you.
I am sorry, Andrea, you two have this situation.
Hopefully it will dawn and be a great day of healing for everyone.
I am hoping you will both get some sleep soon. Roommates are hard and no matter how you try...you just can't sleep. I can't sleep in the hospital anyway, so I know how you feel.
Praying Owen is discharged real soon so you both can get home and get some great sleep!
I'm so sorry that you are going through all of this. It is not fair that heart kiddos have to share rooms after surgery. Thankfully at our hospital that NEVER happens. I know that the other peds floors can do that, especially the GI floor but thankfully the majority let families have private rooms. I honestly do not know how they expect anyone to heal in a shared room especially from the sound of the one you are experiencing. {{{HUG}}} Praying they can get things better suited for everyone soon!
I'm so sorry ~ I hope you find some peace and rest today. You are in our prayers.
You are sooo allowed to vent. I would definitely have a word with the roomie's family members. I'm sure they are feeling much of the excitement and anxiety you are are feeling. I am also sure they would welcome a reminder on manners and nightime etiquette for their sick child. If not, Auntie Kelli would be willing to fly over and open a can of whoop-ass on the hospital if need be. I love you both. Be strong. See you home soon.
I don't really know you, but I have been praying for your boy for many weeks now. And what a boy he is! I have grown to love him through your stories of him. I have thankfully never experienced a sick child, but I have much experience with a sick husband (liver transplant and now cancer). And I have spent many many nights in the hospital with him. I totally understand what you are saying and how frustrating it is. I know I have an intense hatred for IV alarms for the same reason. At a time when a patient needs sleep the most, it seems that the hospital does everything in their power to prevent them from sleeping! Glad to know Owen is doing well and will go home soon to the comfort and solace of home. Hang in there. Better days are coming!
Linda (in Kansas)
Andrea!!! I'm so sorry to hear you had to share a room. I had to share a room with someone after Kyson had the Glenn and it was one of the WORST night of my entire life! It really was that bad. I remember coming home and just crying because I was so SO grateful for the silence in my own house. I hope you can enjoy the silence of your home soon too.
So I am wondering why that Berlin Heart kiddo is not in isolation as well. Kaidence was the WHOLE time she was on it. A heart could come any moment and if she were to get sick they would have to turn down the offer. Seems a little weird to me. Just get a little crazy on them and they will give you Isolation. Just dont go too crazy or it may become a padded isolation room;)
Hang in there. I know its crazy and those dressing changes take FOREVER. I insisted that they did Kaidence's during the day. No baths in the middle of the night...nothing. we are the ones that have to take these kiddos home and get them on schedule again. That poor girl should have a better schedule. It would benefit her AND you! Keep your chin up.
You are much nicer than I am. I would have gone out and requested to talk to a supervisor.
BTW--I'm a lurker; don't even remember how I found your blog but I know I've followed it for nearly a year. Your children are precious jewels. Keep up the great parenting work.
Carolyn (in Las Vegas)
I agree...vent, vent, vent. We're here to take it. So glad he's doing well enough to be moved, though.
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