Our stay in the Mount Hospital drew to a close after lunch on Friday. What a turnaround from last time, so we left with gratitude and gladness in our hearts. The Karri Ward nursing staff were cheerful, considerate and attentive. They were also, for the most part, prompt to the patient bell. . I can't help feeling that a substantial reason for this change has been the recently appointed Director of Nursing, Bec Siebenhausen, who hails from Toowoomba Queensland. She visited Michael and me in our room the morning after his surgery and I was mightily impressed with her. Whilst oozing efficiency, she also displayed understanding and compassion. I think the Mount may well be on the road to better patient outcomes whilst she remains in her role. She is young, energetic, enthusiastic about her job and committed to improving the Mount Hospital's services and protocols.
This change in the Mount was best illustrated by Michael's care, particularly after he began developing symptoms of Post Operative Delirium once more. He was confused and disoriented, describing his mind to his nurse as being a tad "wonky". We swung into action with two IV doses of Haloperidol, which calmed his mood and allowed him to escape the brain fog. Friday morning, he woke up sounding like himself again and the deep anxiety present in his eyes was gone.
The development of a new health condition always delivers bewilderment and uncertainty. That Michael is prone to Post Operative Delirium means we now need to familiarise ourselves with new terminology, new symptoms and new pharmacological and non-pharmacological ways of dealing with this additional issue. These feelings were last evident when we discovered Alex had indeed suffered a stroke thirty years ago after cardiac surgery.
On his first night, sleep eluded him, so he was given a Diazepam to settle him. Unfortunately, Diazepam became his latest drug to cause an allergic reaction. As he was attached to a catheter, with a block between his legs, showering was impossible. Instead, he was given a dose of Phenergan and we soothed the itchiness with the application of body wipes. Misery was his constant companion, his fingers blew up like sausages and the red welts continued up his arms to his shoulders. There was not a lot of sleep for either of us.
Thankfully, a new drug regime was swiftly organised for him. He began using another derivative of morphine that agreed with him and kept his pain in check. Thursday night, when given a familiar sleeping tablet, he was off to Cloud Cuckoo Land in no time. The antibiotic was only given twice through his IV and he had no problem with that drug whatsoever. I was asleep by seven thirty that last night and apart from waking for about an hour at ten o'clock and a couple of wee breaks and well spaced observations, we then both slept through until seven o'clock. What a difference a decent night made for both of us.
We waited for Michael's drugs to be delivered early afternoon. By that stage, we were packed up, showered and longing for home. Although this hospital stay was most satisfactory, Michael's real healing began once we were safely home in Station House, along with Piddling Pip, Miss Stella, Mister Chop and Red the rude parrot.
We returned home to them all in triumph. Till next time...
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