A Day in the Life of President Bush (photos): 12.29.04

yahoo.com, whitehouse.gov, thislondon.com, foxnews.com ^ | Wednesday December 29, 2004 | GretchenM

[snugs]

Good evening homemom

Thank you for your advice. I do not know how long dad will be in hospital but it will be at least another week because that was the estimate of how long it would take to get rid of the infection. May know more after the 4th but that may just be hospital talk.

Regarding visiting hours as he is on a ward with other patients (which he prefers) they will not change their rules over this, several people have been ordered out after arriving early. I believe if you can prove you cannot visit between 2.00pm and 8.00pm then you may get permission to visit earlier but never between 1.00pm and 2.00pm which is official rest time or being cynical chat time for staff.

The problem with complaining too much you are then labeled as a nuisance and when I leave they can be unpleasant to dad and take even longer to do things. One example is water because he is on a fluid check only the nurses are allowed to get it most times this can take up to 30 minutes to get a jug of water, I am not allowed to do it. What makes you cross is that then they do not write on the chart but within the next 2 or 3 hours ask dad how many jugs, cups of tea etc he has had since asking him previously so why can't I get the jug of water? Does not make sense.

We have had better care today with a lovely west Indian axillary nurse who was so much more efficient and she got done twice as much work as 3 or 4 of the others who seemed to want to chat more than work. IMHO they are more unorganized than overworked at times they are very busy but most of the time they are not and in fact if they worked in the private sector they would be shocked as to the amount of work they are expected to do.

We would have to write to our local NHS trust to complain and to be honest having done this before really you get nowhere this is the problem when you do not have shareholders to answer to. If they had to make a profit I am certain they would be more efficient.

Sorry for my rant but it is just the silly little things that you see that makes one cross for just altering a few bits life there could be so much better.

The food for example so that they do not have to do 2 types of sandwiches no sandwich comes with any dressing but then they do not offer you a sachet of salad cream or something similar therefore a few times dad has not been able to eat the sandwich because it is so dry. The food is not done by the hospital but is sub contracted to a catering firm the type of firm that you see at motorway service stations which is never brilliant quality or appetizing food.

Anyway enough of this lets look positive that once the infection goes that maybe most of dad's problem will.

Happy new year to you hope all your house moving plans goes well including your decorating it should be a great exciting few months for you.

[Texaggie79]

[Wolfstar]

Thanks so much for your New Year wishes, Snugs. I can never fully described the depth of my appreciation.

[snugs]

Thank you for your kind thoughts much appreciated how are you feeling now?

[snugs]

Good evening thank you for your kind words.

[homemom]

Did you get the feeling of him being "right there"?

[rintense]

My heart is slowly healing... :)

[rintense]

I got the feeling that he secretly wants to be a doctor!

[snugs]

Good I hope the new year will be kind to you.

[homemom]

Well he can be my doctor any time . . . but let's not get started on all that--LOL!!! He certainly has the right handwriting for it!

[snugs]

What did you do on New Years Eve?

[homemom]

Hi Snugs--

Rant away if it helps! Your health care system is certainly different than ours, but ours sure has its problems too. Like you say, it just doesn't make sense not to make the small changes that could make such a difference!

I hope your dad gets the same nurse she had today; can you request her?

I understand about not complaining too much--I feel the same way about complaining about teachers at our school--you don't want to make matters worse. It's good that your dad is in a ward--I bet he enjoys talking with the other patients and doesn't miss TV as much as he would being all alone in a room.

Can you take/sneak food into your dad? I haven't been in the hosp. since our daughter was born and that was 11 yrs. ago this week . . . but at the time the food was actually pretty good. Here in the US at least some hospitals are getting more competitive in providing private patient rooms and better food. But then they treat their nurses terribly and you know that nursing care means more than any of the other stuff in the end, and if there aren't enough nurses none of the other things matter much.

Prayers for your dad's speedy recovery! And also for your peace of mind. I'm so glad your mum is in a nice place. . . .

[homemom]

Well, mr.h had to drop off some cattle south of here. We took the kids; our daughter went with me and we met my sister and niece and looked at home appliances and paint and 'house' things while mr.h and son dropped off cattle.

Then mr.h picked us up and we went home. I made hamburgers on the George Foreman grill . . . . the guys were asleep by 9:30 or so, I was asleep by 10:30, and daughter said she was asleep before 11:00. We didn't make it for New Year's in any part of the US! LOL!

Woke up to a cold dreary day, with freezing mist, started off the New Year with a fight with son and mr.h . . . but we all got over it after I apologized and had a nice afternoon/evening. Now I'm ready for a bath and bed!

How did you celebrate?

[snugs]

They don't mind food going in unless you have a restricted diet and dad does not but if he has anything to drink then this has to be noted.

You do not get allocated a nurse apart from the senior nurse which is just protocol there are just so many per section and it is luck of draw when you push the button which one answers. Today as dad had figured out that this girl was helpful we asked her for things when she came into the ward doing duties or was in the corridor outside.

You have hit the nail on the head regarding mum though her home though we get council grant towards it is private and therefore is accountable.

[mupcat]

"Does anyone else think it might be a subterranean room?"

It does have that feeling doesn't it. Think it might be because the ceiling appears to be low. Wish we could see the pictures behind him better. Wonder what and who they are?

[snugs]

I celebrated by toasting the new year in with Gizzy the Greyhound eating Stilton cheese and Scottish shortbread washed down with a whiskey mac (whiskey and ginger wine).

Then dozed for about 1 1/2 exchanged new year greetings with Phancy and Guffman which was lovely. Then watched FOX for the lowering of the ball in Times Square - Colin Powell seem to enjoy himself, then watched New Orleans and Chicago welcome the New Year in and finally went to bed about 6.00am consequently did not get up until about 11.30am this morning.

[snugs]

Good night have a lovely long bath, thank you for your kind words.

God Bless you

[snugs]

**"Does anyone else think it might be a subterranean room?"

It does have that feeling doesn't it. Think it might be because the ceiling appears to be low. Wish we could see the pictures behind him better. Wonder what and who they are?**

I think you are right it is the ceiling being low that gives this feeling. I know at work even though we have windows down one side because the ceilings are low it give this strange feeling when you are in the room especially for me as I live in a Victorian era house which have high ceilings.

[mupcat]

Hi Kitty Mittens,

I was just on your page and noticed that the picture of our president in the cockpit of his plane has him writing something with his left hand. I wonder if he's ambidextrous since all other signing pictures show him using his right hand. Just thought that was interesting.

[homemom]

Well, I'm glad you got a helpful nurse today. Hopefully she'll be back tomorrow!

Since your mom will be in her facility long-term, it's a real blessing she's in a nice one, and if it's private, as you said, she'll get good care and if you have any complaints you're much more likely to get someone to listen.

Sweet dreams!