Covid19 Spare time

diyer2 · December 18, 2023

Medical system isn't what it used to be.

The wife tripped over the front door threshold. Her foot got sore and got a bump on it. Getting a referral for a specialist, waiting for the appointment for the podiatrist took almost 6 weeks. She had a broken bone that started to heal because it took so long to see the doctor. The doctor prescribed shoe inserts that made her feet hurt. What a joke. His bill was over $400.

The pain wasn't bad enough for an ER visit.

I have been having sinus issues. I had surgery about 2 years ago. An office visit to my ENT starts at $500, and it's 4-6 weeks out.

KARNUT · December 18, 2023

1 hour ago, diyer2 said:

Medical system isn't what it used to be.

The wife tripped over the front door threshold. Her foot got sore and got a bump on it. Getting a referral for a specialist, waiting for the appointment for the podiatrist took almost 6 weeks. She had a broken bone that started to heal because it took so long to see the doctor. The doctor prescribed shoe inserts that made her feet hurt. What a joke. His bill was over $400.

The pain wasn't bad enough for an ER visit.

I have been having sinus issues. I had surgery about 2 years ago. An office visit to my ENT starts at $500, and it's 4-6 weeks out.

I just turned 68. I can tell several horror stories of run ins with incompetent doctors. From almost losing a daughter in the seventies to my wife’s 5 years of surgeries and recovery from a routine botched first surgery. Doing research and not settling led to an almost normal life for my wife after. My wife in her early twenties not believing the doctor regarding his diagnosis with our daughter. Saved our daughter’s life simply by just showing up at a different doctor office. Always get a second opinion.

Donstar · December 18, 2023

Local news last night reported covid outbreak on one floor of our hospital. This, so far, shouldn't cause a delay in my wife's surgery this Wednesday but serves to validate some of our pre-planning. We have asked for no visitors for their protection as well as for the hospital patients. As long as the hospital doesn't kick me out, we all have cell phones and those concerned will be updated in actual time as to the success of her surgery and her progress. I guess I won't need a pocket full of dimes to go out to the hallway to use the payphone and have a smoke!

Grumpy Bear · December 22, 2023

Surgery went well. A lot more hardware than expected. Prognosis is good. She's loopy and I'm running on empty. Huge turnout of support is keeping us treading water. Food. We got food :crackup: Equipment galore. Now if I could find five minutes to have an entire cup of hot coffee.

She started calling me Teddy Bear. I think it's the drugs. :rollin:

Edited December 22, 2023 by Grumpy Bear

Donstar · December 25, 2023

On 12/22/2023 at 9:53 AM, Grumpy Bear said:

Surgery went well. A lot more hardware than expected. Prognosis is good. She's loopy and I'm running on empty. Huge turnout of support is keeping us treading water. Food. We got food Equipment galore. Now if I could find five minutes to have an entire cup of hot coffee.

She started calling me Teddy Bear. I think it's the drugs.

Glad to hear! My wife's surgery also went well and I brought her home Friday afternoon. She is still hooked up to a vacuum pump for her wound and is very dependent on support. It is nice to have her home. Like you, my workload is exhausting but very precious. Others have been terrific. I tell all that I got the best Christmas present ever when I was allowed to bring her home and care for her! Merry Christmas, Mr. & Mrs. G. Bear!

Grumpy Bear · December 25, 2023

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

Glad to hear! My wife's surgery also went well and I brought her home Friday afternoon. She is still hooked up to a vacuum pump for her wound and is very dependent on support. It is nice to have her home. Like you, my workload is exhausting but very precious. Others have been terrific. I tell all that I got the best Christmas present ever when I was allowed to bring her home and care for her! Merry Christmas, Mr. & Mrs. G. Bear!

Glad she's home with you. Happier still it went well.... for both of you. You will both feel safer there than anywhere else. Even though it is a strain I take some comfort in the fact that on the day to day, I can give her better care at home and in a home or rehab facility. I have but one patient for whom I have a vested interest.

As a side note, thirty plus years and I still find new things about her, about myself with her. Day in and day out you don't visit the extreme edges of your personality, physiology or spirituality.

Donstar · December 26, 2023

I proposed to Mrs. Donstar on Christmas Day, 1977. We were already living together and had a quiet Christmas accompanied by our 16 month old son. Yesterday was also a very quiet Christmas. We mused about all of our huge family Christmas dinners over the years, but most are a blur. Christmas of '77 and '23 will both be fondly remembered with uncanny clarity! Ditto on visiting the extreme edges ^^^^. Suddenly finding yourself as the primary care giver for a physically and emotionally dependent spouse will take you to the edges and tell you the strength of your relationship. My wife and I will head into '24 with refreshed excitement, optimism and passion we faced in '78!

Donstar · January 2

Yesterday we went for our first drive together since December 22's ride home from the hospital. Our destination was a beautiful off-leash park to give our dog a much needed run. It was a coincidence that it was New Years Day, but we were brimming with resolutions for our future. It is absolutely amazing how much control we can have over our own happiness. The "honeymoon" following our recent event will end but it has been a valuable test on our wedding vows. You know.... the old, "In sickness and in health" part. You'd think this was simply something you both agree to in order to get the good stuff. In fact, it's actually a privilege! Given the trust of another human being for their total care is an expression of love that tops all the others!

Grumpy Bear · January 2

8 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Yesterday we went for our first drive together since December 22's ride home from the hospital. Our destination was a beautiful off-leash park to give our dog a much needed run. It was a coincidence that it was New Years Day, but we were brimming with resolutions for our future. It is absolutely amazing how much control we can have over our own happiness. The "honeymoon" following our recent event will end but it has been a valuable test on our wedding vows. You know.... the old, "In sickness and in health" part. You'd think this was simply something you both agree to in order to get the good stuff. In fact, it's actually a privilege! Given the trust of another human being for their total care is an expression of love that tops all the others!

Christ thought so

KARNUT · January 2

It must be unusual when a partner stays with a sick spouse. 10 years ago when my wife was finishing up with all her surgeries. From an original botch surgery. Five years worth. One surgeon was surprised that I was still around. That was never a question. My wife was always my best friend. I can’t even imagine letting her down.

Grumpy Bear · January 3

We've had an uptick in all raspatory ailments in our county. COVID levels alone have brought back mask requirements in all health facilities.

KARNUT · January 3

14 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

We've had an uptick in all raspatory ailments in our county. COVID levels alone have brought back mask requirements in all health facilities.

All my kids and grandkids came down with the flu after visiting us Christmas Day. So far we been fine. Amazingly. For the New Year’s Eve my mother in law somehow broke her leg. She goes to rehab today. I just asked my wife about masks. So far not a requirement.

Grumpy Bear · January 3

1 minute ago, KARNUT said:

All my kids and grandkids came down with the flu after visiting us Christmas Day. So far we been fine. Amazingly. For the New Year’s Eve my mother in law somehow broke her leg. She goes to rehab today. I just asked my wife about masks. So far not a requirement.

YIKES!! Sorry to hear that. Hope they treat her well. It's double tough when you get older. I feel for her.

Donstar · January 3

6 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

All my kids and grandkids came down with the flu after visiting us Christmas Day. So far we been fine. Amazingly. For the New Year’s Eve my mother in law somehow broke her leg. She goes to rehab today. I just asked my wife about masks. So far not a requirement.

Sorry about your mother-in-law. I hope she recovers quickly and is getting all of the support she needs. I'm confident you will make sure that she does!

KARNUT · January 3

3 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

YIKES!! Sorry to hear that. Hope they treat her well. It's double tough when you get older. I feel for her.

She needed a rod inserted. There was talk of possibly not doing it because of her age. That would have been a death sentence. They at that age are worried about survival through the process. I’m like really! Do the surgery. Death is certain otherwise. She walks a lot. This is why I walk everyday. Walking daily probably saved her life.