an update on Mrs. Venation

[Bertha Venation]

For those not in the know, she's been in hospital since Monday with acute pancreatitis.

The cause is not known, so tomorrow she is to be transferred to Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, for testing.

If any day with pancreatitis can be called a good one, today might qualify, at least in part. First, she had her first shower since Sunday morning. But better, her doctor ordered morphine. She had been given dilaudid (sp?), which caused nausea and severe headaches. The morphine has no such side effects and has knocked out the pain so well that she is actually getting real sleep right now. Of course that can't last all night, especially in a "semi-private" room. But I believe she'll get better sleep tonight than she has the previous two.

We go to Georgetown tomorrow with no little trepidation. An infinitely better hospital, seeing an honored and trusted specialist. But who knows what will be revealed?

[kimi]

1. Aw, best wishes to you both

Hey, I'm in Rockville, going out of town in a few days. If you'd like some company let me know. I've heard that Georgetown is a great hospital, really, but sure do understand your concerns.

Take care, both of ya, and glad that Mrs V is getting some decent rest tonight.

[auntAgonist]

2. Still keeping a good thought and sending best wishes

to both of you. To her for a speedy recovery and to you for the strength to endure. It's hard seeing our loved ones hurting.

So glad you're going to the other hospital. It sounds like a good move.

:hug:
:loveya:
aA
kesha

[Bertha Venation]

15. It will be a good move if we ever get there, kesha

Still no beds. grrr

:loveya: :hug:

[elleng]

3. Welcome to 'our' hospital, daughters born there,

and good to hear you'll be seeing a trusted specialist.

What hosp y'all at now?

Do like the place. You'll stay where?

:thumbsup:

[Bertha Venation]

16. Civista Madical Center in La Plata (Charles County) MD.

VERY eager to leave this place. Waiting for a bed is getting quite tiresome.

I will stay in the room with my beloved, driving home once a day to bathe and feed the cats.

[elleng]

19. B.V., if the drive becomes too burdensome

(and you can find someone to feed cats) let me know; I'm in Silver Spring (and Hagerstown), and have several showers available for your use. P.M. me. 'Guest rooms' also available, for overnights and/or naps.

E

[spinbaby]

21. You stick with it

I've been in the hospital a couple of times in the last month and nothing mattered as much as having my husband there with me. Hang in there, it will get better.

[Odin2005]

4. Best wishes!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. It sounds like a good move...

I know this is a scary time, but you do want to know what's going on...

No matter what it might be.

My very best vibes for a terrific outcome, for both of you...

:hug:

[bluesbassman]

6. Best wishes to Mrs. V.

Strength and comfort to you Bertha. :hug:

[blogslut]

7. Please be well, Mrs. Venation

May the cause and cure come quickly.

[denbot]

8. Thank you for the update.

Best wishes,
Denbot and tribe.

[old mark]

9. You take care, BV- My wife is chronically ill, and I know how it feels

to be watching that happen.

All the best,

mark

[MiddleFingerMom]

10. I'm still sending out those vibes -- I'm very glad to hear that she can rest more... that's crucial.

.
.
.
And I know what you mean about semi-private rooms. Most of my stays
over the last few years have been private (I think a reflection of how
serious my condition was AND the quality of my healthcare from my
job), but I HAVE had two horrendous experiences with semi-private
rooms.
.
The first was long ago after my bad motorcycle accident. My first
roomie was this young guy -- GREAT guy who dove blindly into a lake,
hit the bottom and broke his neck. Sad state -- a quadriplegic waiting
for space at a rehab center.
.
His replacement? They came in and warned me that he was a prisoner
being held for observation. I was flat on my back and helpless -- I
couldn't even go to the bathroom by myself and THEY'RE BRINGING IN
SOME HOMICIDAL MANIAC?!?!?!?
.
No problem... he'll have a guard with him. "A guard," says I, "who
will have to go to the bathroom himself!!!"
.
Turned out to be this older guy doing time for the umpTEENTH time
for drunk & disorderly. He complained incessantly -- I wanted RED
Jello, can't I have any GREEN Jello, my pillow's too hard, my pillow's
too soft... until I screamed at him to STFU, GOLDILOCKS!!!"
.
Fortunately... he heard me.
.
There was a more difficult one last year -- some bipolar guy who was
my roomie for two days. I don't think he slept for LITERALLY the whole
time and was incessantly using his nurse call button and griping the
whole time out loud whether they were there or not -- not someone I
would feel proud of myself for shouting at him to SFTU. Though it had
been a CONSTANT temptation.
.
The nursing staff was EXTRA nice to me as they knew what I was silently
dealing with because of him.
.
Hopefully, none of that for Mrs. V. She can have some of the positive
roomie karma that I MUST have accrued during those stays.
.
.
.

[Callalily]

11. Thanks so much for

the update. I'm keeping Mrs. V in my thoughts and prayers, and sending both of you strength.

[sarge43]

12. Good thoughts for your wife, BV.

Thanks for the update. May all go well.
:hug: for both of you

[WolverineDG]

13. sending both of y'all good vibes

best wishes for a speedy recovery!

dg

[Oceansaway]

14. good luck !!....nt

[hamsterjill]

17. I know this can be an agonizing time!

Hang in there! I hope they quickly find the problem and that it is easily fixed. Don't forget to try to take care of yourself during all of this!

[Lucinda]

18. I'm glad to hear she is responding better with the morphine

AND I know how good it is to get that shower after days of feeling rotten. That really is a good thing!

Continued prayers

[Call Me Wesley]

20. Strong vibes coming for Mrs. Venation.

Hang in there. :hug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

22. thanks for the update ... good vibes and healing energy for MrsV.

:grouphug:

[foxfeet]

23. More good vibes en route to you both!

Thanks for the update, Bertha, and please take care of yourself.

[LisaM]

24. I hope things improve.

Best wishes.

[eyepaddle]

25. Just in case you missed my (late) repsonses in the other thread

Best wishes B.V. and Mrs V.

I've been hospitalized five times with pancreatitis--fortunately I seem to recover fast once I get the pain controlled and don't eat for a few days. Once I get that first shower in I seem to be well on the mend.

At least in my case I think feeling like I want a shower is an indication in itself that I am starting to feel better. And once your digestive muscles (peristalsis) starts working again that is a very good sign.

I sincerely hope things get better soon.

[Taverner]

26. Best wishes to her and you

:hug:

[Demoiselle]

27. Sending prayers, vibes, all my best wishes.

It will be good to get into a fine hospital and see a such a terrific specialist.

[applegrove]

28. vibes to you.