I’ve been in them so much I have developed a list of The Best Things About Hospitals. (I have a list about them that are also about the the worst, but I am trying to focus on the positive right now. :) )
WHEN YOU HAVE EXCELLENT NURSES.
Yes, how good your surgeon/doctor is will depend greatly on how well your procedure goes, but as far as your actual hospital stay, you’ll likely see your doctors twice a day for 20 minutes. It is your nurses that will make or break your hospital stay. Compassion, kindness, listening to the patient seriously…these are just a few hallmarks of a good nurse. Luckily, my nurses this visit were angels and they had such compassion for my situation. (My surgery took much longer and the recovery is much more painful due to so much debris being packed into my vertebrae. He said he was taking out massive pieces of debris,too, so it’s no wonder the pain was so bad.)
WARM BLANKETS
If I were wealthy I would seriously buy one of those doo hickies that keep blankets warm. There are few things as comforting as a warm blanket when you feel so awful.
GOOD DRUGS
Really, does this need to be explained? The only problem is this is that it takes you 8X’s as long to read your email or type a post. (Hello, I’m posting at 5pm on a Friday? Yeah, I just have to throw caring about comments and traffic to the wind.)
GOING HOME
Nothing makes you appreciate your own bed and home like being away from it. I came home yesterday. It’s what my insurance would cover. (But I am SO grateful to have it.) Today has been really bad. I can’t get on top of my pain and man…it just hurts so much and I can’t really DO anything. But I know it will get better. I just need to keep on keeping on.
What are you all up to?
Im glad youre home and that you were able to write about what you do love about the situation despite being in pain. Wishing you really good sleep meds tonight, and a quick, thorough recovery. Since you asked, tonight I’m going out with a girlfriend for sushi. Needing some self care after a difficult week. You be good to yourself too, indulge where you can to keep your soul fed. *HUG*
Pretty much the same. Outpatient surgery yesterday. The warm blankets are the best.
Hey Lady! I like your list… I’ve (luckily, I guess?) avoided hospitals so I don’t know these things.
I’m uh having Margaritas at home. And ducking the SXSW crowds, they’ve taken over the place, damn tourists! LOL!
Sorry you are in so much pain but I am happy to ‘see’ you. *smoochies*
Sending you love, happy and kind nurses, people with treats, and maybe, if you’re lucky a therapy dog (like the beauty who visited me during hip surgery).
I know things are mending beautifully and you’ll be out of pain soon.
xoxox
The warm blankets are the best. I had surgery in January and I couldn’t get enough of those. They make the whole experience better.
Glad you’re on the mend.
You are right about all of those! I’m just glad you’re on the road to recovery!!
Hey girl.
I’m so sorry you had to have the surgery. I have major back problems and hate back pain.
I hope the surgery really helps you.
I love the warm blankets in hospitals. I always would freeze after having my babies, and would
get like 5 of those warm blankets piled on me, it was awesome!
I’m glad your home, but bummed you’re not on top of the pain. :(
Hang in there, I know you will make it through this. You’re a strong woman!
xoxo
Glad to hear you are doing ok. I miss you! We are just starting Spring Break here, so I’m kinda stoked about a week off. :)
Let the healing begin :) hope it is a speedy recovery!
~C
I’m SO GLAD your are home and able to blog a little bit! Good for you! And good for you for keeping positive…it makes all the difference. I’ll text you on Sunday to see where we are. As for me, I’m on my way to take refreshments to a regional dance – chips, salsa, carrots, dill dip, and M&M’s. Hope it’s all good! Talk to you soon. I love you.
Glad everything went well. Hope you get better soon. How long til you are up and about? I hate leaving the hospital. It makes me feel so helpless and alone.
I have made 25 jars of strawberry jam today and have ten more to go. It’s strawberry season in Texas!
Those things that keep the blankets warm? They are usually called electric blankets. Under $10 at WallyWorld.
Glad you made it through – hope it all evens out quickly for you.
So glad you are home. I hope you are able to get control of the pain. Take Care of yourself and feel better!!.
So glad you are home – I am sure you will be doing so much better as soon as you have time to heal a bit. I’m really glad you were able to have the surgery. Debris just doesn’t heal. You have to get rid of it. No wonder you were in so much pain. How is Butterlump handling all of the down time for Mom? I bet he struggles with it – good he has big brothers to help with him.
I love the blanket warmers too – nothing better when you are a little shocky – I always am right after a baby. They toss one of those things on me and the shaking stops pretty fast – lovely!
Feel better – I will continue to pray for your recovery!
Back in 1978, I had a hernia surgery in Twin Falls, Idaho. My favorite nurse told me, “Look, I can’t give you my phone # until you heal up and go home because we aren’t allowed to fraternize with patients.” We became great friends. Later of course. :-O
I hope you are doing well!
I know EXACTLY what you mean with all those things. I’ve been in hospitals so much starting since I was 16 years old (diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, 23 yrs now), that I find them COMFORTING! Isn’t that crazy? When you’re in so much pain, a good nurse and some good pain medicine make everything better.
I also had major surgery last July, and the pain was awful. I also had trouble with my staples and healing. I am so happy to be home, healthy, and pain free now. I hope the same comes for you soon! xo
i am also a huge fan of those warm blankets! I am thinking of you and hope that you call me when you are better so we can go puppy shopping!
Hope you are up and around and pain free soon.
I hope you have some great movies to watch while you recover! And I hope you get feeling soooo much better very soon!
It’s not just that the blankets are warm, they’re heavy, and when they pile them on you, it’s this huge weight and I always felt secure. Kinda like swaddling. A blanket warmer is on my “when I win the lottery” shopping list. Along with heated floors of course. :-) As for us, we’re childless this weekend, so we’re whooping it up, reading books, watching movies and eating very well. Thinking of you and hoping this is a good night for you. Sending good vibes your way!
Wishing you a speedy and painless recovery (without having to double up on those meds!) And maybe hoping for someone to throw a few blankets in the dryer for ya!
Glad you are home and the surgery is over. I hope the pain becomes manageable. The blanket trick works great in the micwave. Last time I left the hospital I told the nurse I would miss the blankets and she told me , “its basically just a microwave.” I have done it and it works great!!
I am glad you are home, though not happy that the pain is bad. Praying you heal well and quickly.
Sending Best Wishes and Good Thoughts your way LL!
Glad you’re home and on the mend! Good thoughts headed your way. Sorry about the pain. Hopefully, it will be better soon! And yes, nothing beats a warm blanket!
Coming out of lurking to wish you a speedy recovery!! Hope you are feeling better today!!
I’m glad you’re home. Use your meds! And if it makes you feel any better…I was able to sit on the floor, criss cross apple sauce for the first time since my back reconstruction! Hip hip hooray! There IS light at the end of the tunnel girlie. Hang in there, we’re all rooting for ya.
I am glad you are on the road to recovery. Yes, now I am also googling blanket warmer. Thanks for the spontaneous possible purchase. I have missed your posts.
So happy you are home. I am a nurse on a med-surgery floor and I truly appreciate your kind words about nurses. When I hear positive things like this it makes all the hard work seem worthwhile. I wish you a speedy recovery. Stay on top of your pain meds, because once pain gets out of hand it is hard to bring under control. I don’t have to tell you that. Oh-those blanket warmers at the hospital are big and expensive. I have never looked for a home version. Patients love the warm blankets. Hang in there and feel better soon. Make your men take care of you!
Totally agree about the nurses. It makes all the difference in the world. Wish I could hit the fast-forward button to get you through the worst of it!:)
Just swinging by to make sure that you are getting better. Like all Lexians, you are Badger Approved!
Good nurses are absolutely key to a good hospital stay! So glad you are home. Hope you are feeling tip top in no time at all!
Another Lexican stopping by to see how you’re doing. Glad to see you posting again, that’s a good sign. Feel free to do it a lot more now that you’re back. We’ll be here for you. :)
mark
Oh, Loralee. I am woefully behind on all things Internet and had no idea that this was all going on.
Big hugs, friend.