Saturday, July 5, 2008

Hi and Bye, Bye...



This past week was a pretty good week. I was so happy by only having to work a four day week, it makes me wish every week was a four day week! Work has been somewhat slow, which has been a nice change. Instead of trying to see eleven or twelve patients a day, I have had eight on my list, which allows me time to see all my patients. I am on the ortho floor right now, which is a nice and for the most part, welcomed change. The treatments seem to be easier on this floor and most patients don't mind participating in therapy because they have elected to have their surgeries.
I did have one patient the other day who was in an accident and broke both of his legs, he was young and had surgery to correct his fractures. The Physical Therapist and I went in to work with this gentleman and get him out of bed. The man did fine getting out of bed, but once he tried standing, he told us he simply could not. HE DIDN'T EVEN REALLY TRY! I calmly told him that because of his injuries and his surgery he was going to have pain and would need to try to work through it. He became frustrated and told the PT and I we didn't understand because he had just had surgery yesterday. We explained to him that we get patients out of bed the day after surgery all the time, and sometimes we get them out of bed the day of surgery. We explained to him that we do this with all patients, even the little 80 year old ladies. The man continued to refuse.
What made matters worse was that they were trying to get this man out of the hospital the next day. The man didn't have insurance and couldn't get any equipment unless he paid for it. He kept telling us he needed a wheelchair, but I didn't (and still don't) feel he needs a wheelchair because he is weight bearing as tolerated on both of this legs. I was so frustrated with the man and ready to leave work following that. To all my male readers, I am sorry but this reaffirms that to me, women have a much higher pain tolerance.
Ellison has had quite a remarkable week. She is able to stand unsupported for longer periods of time. She has learned how to wave hello and bye, bye, and we think (crossing my fingers) that she is finally starting to get back on a schedule. Ellison is starting to eat more solid foods and her little tooth continues to grow more and more.
Ellison also celebrated her first fourth of July! She really enjoyed the fireworks, which surprised me, and even fell asleep during the fireworks show, which further surprised me. Kam and I attended the ward pancake breakfast, and then ate dinner and had a fourth of July party at Kam's sisters house with some other ward members. It was a good time, and much better than last year, when I contracted all day long! Happy Fourth of July!

3 comments:

Heather said...

Sounds like a great weekend! I am glad you enjoyed time with family. Good job Ellie on the Hi and Bye Bye!

carolee said...

Ooooo... patients like that are SO HARD!!!! How do you get Ellie to keep her hat on (in the 1st picture)? Unless Dani has a strap under her chin its bye bye hats!

Schimmy said...

Ellie is so cute! Lisa I can't believe you have a baby! It is crazy. I just started blogging you can check out my spot at:
http://schimbeck-fam.blogspot.com/

Kristal