Out Of There!

Last night, Mom and I went out for supper and then I dropped her back off at the hospital. I headed to Starbucks to knit with the Monday night group. About 30 minutes later, my phone rang and Mom said, "He's going home!"

Now, it was going on 7:00 PM, pouring down rain, and Daddy had no clothes.

Didn't matter!

They put him in a pair of nurses' scrub pants, his hospital gown, and a pair of those slipper socks and wheeled him out the door. No shoes, no underwear, no coat! Of course, once they told him he could go home, Daddy would have streaked home buck naked if he had to.

Lily was sooooo glad to see him and he was sooooo glad to see her.

Now, life changes a little. Daddy, who made it to the ripe age of 84 taking no prescription medications, will now have a few to take. He will now have a few more doctor appointments than before and will have to change his diet a bit. The change shouldn't be too life-shaking --- they mostly eat at home and don't eat a lot of red meat or fried food. The change to more fresh than processed food will benefit both of them. No more high sodium Campbell's Soup or chips. Thank goodness there are some good low soduim choices. He'll start cardic rehab in a couple of weeks and Mom is going to take it with him. That will be beneficial to both of them. He's a big walker and will soon be able to resume his daily walks. These changes are small potatoes and a small price to pay for continued time on this earth.

This picture was taken yesterday. I LOVE this picture!! It's great of both of them. What a difference a few days can make!

I still can't get over that the doctor's office sent him out of their office to drive to the ER on his own. As a nurse, I know well that you basically have three categories of patients - 1) those that magnify their symptoms and  have a very low tolerance to pain, 2) those that minimize, ignore, or don't recognize their symptoms, and 3) those that fall in between. As a doctor's office, I think you would have a certain responsibility to patients in Daddy's type of situation that come to you for care/guidance. When I called the doctor's office and asked about their policy on handling situations like Daddy's, I was told that the rescue squad won't come to their office to pick up patients. I was told that they instructed Daddy to go to the ER where he could get treatment. Yes, it was his choice to go home and get Mom but my point to the doctor's office was they should have acted differently. One question - "Is anyone with you?" should have been asked. When he answered "no", they should have said "let us call someone for you". They should have sat him in a chair, called Mom, and stayed with Daddy until she picked him up. Then, she could have taken him to the ER.

My point to the doctor's office - You had a patient in distress who recognized his situation enough to come see you. You recognized his situation enough to recommend that he go to the ER. But, then (in my opinion) you dropped the ball. You should have acted more responsibly and made sure your patient had the support he needed and never should have risked his life or the lives of others by letting him leave your office and get behind the wheel of a car. Even if the rescue squad won't come to your office, his wife would have.

Just can't express it enough - I want to thank everyone yet again for all the thoughts and prayers for Daddy! From so many of you from all over the United States to Samantha in England, the lines of communication to heaven were buzzing with thoughts and prayers full of encouragement for my father.

Now, for a lighter turn ---- Diane and Gaye braved the rain last night to knit at Starbucks. I was there long enough to snap a few pictures.

Gaye has a very lucky nephew. He places his request and Gaye knits for him. He was the recipient of a fabulous and intricate vest a couple years ago. Now he's going to get this handsome cardigan. She's going to use toggle buttons which will look spectacular. The neatest thing of all - Gaye's nephew is in his early twenties and is a student. I love that he is interested in what Gaye does and appreciates her handknits.

Diane had three things to show and tell. First, she was sporting a pretty scarf made from strands of all different yarns - various textures and colors. So easy and interesting.  Next, she was working on the Downton Abbey Knit-Along. For the project, she was using the suggested
yarn from Jimmy Bean. Finally, this beautiful Rockefeller by Stephen West. Typical Stephen West, the construction is very interesting - very architectural. I love the colors!! My favorite greens. Diane said the yarns are from KnitPicks.

I threw in several knitting projects as I packed in a hurry last Thursday. This is the one I've been pulling out to work on since I've been here. It is an easily memorable four row pattern so nothing to keep up with. I searched this pattern on Ravelry and couldn't find it so am unable to give credit where credit is due.

For this baby blanket, I'm using Encore Colorspun by Plymouth Yarn (75% Acrylic, 25% Wool) on a size 8 needle. I love Encore for baby items. It washes and wears beautifully.  This pattern is fairly reversible looking - it looks nice on both sides.So, cast on and enjoy!

Garden Rose Rib Baby Blanket

Cast on 133 stitches

Knit 8 rows for border.

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2: Knit first 5 stitches, purl to last 5 stitches, knit last 5 stitches. (Knitting first and last 5 stitches creates a garter stitch border on each side.)

Row 3: Knit first 5 stitches, (K1, P2) to last 5 stitches, knit to end of row

Row 4: Knit first 5 stitches, (K2, P1) to last 5 stitches, knit to end of row

Repeat Rows 1-4 until desired length.

End with wrong side row. Knit 8 rows for garter stitch border. Bind off.

The pictures to the right - the top one is the right side and the bottom one is of the wrong side.

Last night, I talked with a dear friend of mine, Joan, that I haven't seen in many years. We were joined at the hip for years and then life happened and we lost contact with each other. Can't wait to see her tomorrow night for dinner.

Tonight, I'm meeting two friends from my elementary school years. Again, haven't seen Dianne and Jan more than once or twice since graduating high school. Should be oh-so-fun!!

Comments

[Gina]

I am so glad that your Dad is home. He really looks good and having recently spent 5 days in the hospital I do understand the desire to leave with or without clothing!

I was saddened to read of your conversation with the Dr's office, I cannot believe they wouldn't call for transport or at least call your Mom. That policy does not make any sense and puts so many more people at risk! They need to re-think how they handle such situations in the future!

[Lorette]

In our office we call the ambulance squad all the time to take people to the hospital. Sometimes it's a 911 crew when it's a real emergency, sometimes it's "just" someone who needs monitored transport by a basic life support crew. They are always very professional and prompt, and they never argue with us, I can't believe this isn't the case where you are. I'd follow up on this if I were you. This may just be the perceived case by your father's doctor's office staff, not reality.

[Jeanne B]

Argh. I'm of two minds about this. On the one hand, if the person they call isn't ready to run out the door, or if they were like my Mother (a full-blown panicker), the person might not have gotten there quickly enough.

On the other hand, a friend of mine who was only a year older than I am (47 at the time) thought she was having a heart attack; tried to drive herself to the hospital; passed out; wrapped herself around a tree, and died.

So I can see both points. How does one weigh it? It does seem that a change in policy needs to occur at doctor's offices or in the medical transport community. That IS their job, after all.

I'm just so glad he's all right now.

[Channon]

LOVE that blanket and pattern - and Encore for babies! But that photo of your parents is the best, that and the good news.

Shame on the doctor's office. As a medic, I've transported more than one patient from a doctor's office and I'm pretty sure whomever was on duty that day would have gladly done the same. Grumble!!!!!!!

[Kristyn]

What great news! I agree with you about the doctor's office they never should have let him leave alone.

[mrspao]

So good to see your dad looking fairly chipper. I am completely with you on that point re his doctor's office. I hope that he continues to prosper and get fit and healthy again.

[kathy b]

WOw you are one busy lady! I LOVE THE BABY BLANKET and willmake one this year..promise.

WOw I agree they dropped the ball on your dad!
SO GLad he's HOME

[Sharon]

I love it that you link to FB. I've become so lazy that I don't go to Reader anymore to find blogs. The update is a welcome report - so happy to see your dad on the mend and what a relief that is for all.

A friend of mine is also knitting that scarf and the picture just doesn't do it justice. She says the "wings" are pretty tedious though. JBW is my LYS - eat your heart out :)

[Robin Crittenden]

Love the picture. They both look so good and happy. Your Dads color looks rosier. Good for you on calling the doctor. That was stupid of them.

Question, whos feeding the cats?

[Merry Thornsburg]

You had some good points about the Drs. Office...same thing happened to my Mom...but I was with her to drive to the Hospital! What are they thinking? Anyways, so thankful that your Daddy is home now!

Sounds like you're getting to have a little fun while you're away! Enjoy!

Merry 💜

[Timmie B]

sorry I missed you at knitting last night. So glad your daddy is home. I thought the picture of your folks a good one also.