Little Things That Kill

[caladon]

During the past couple months, I became familiar with the intensive care unit at our local hospital. Fortunately for me, I was not the guest of honor; I was merely visiting. Unfortunately, my father-in-law has been having a really tough time there, and he was recently flown to a more advanced hospital. Any prayers, magic spells, or other rituals

Comments

[drankthetea]

I can understand having some comfort foods in a hospital cafeteria, but the disgust factor allowed in hospital food is criminal. I'm not talking about extra carbs or fat or salt, but failing the "Is this grosser than what my middle school tried to feed me" scale. Many former patients report feeling better *after* they get out and can finally eat something that doesn't taste like boiled death. When sick, your appetite is usually one of the first things to go right when you need nutrition and that stuff doesn't exactly entice someone to consume any calories for healing energy. So, yeah, serve mashed potatoes instead of quinoa and lentils, since adding new foods right now might be a little too distressing for the patient (unless they ask for it, of course!). But don't serve boiled death, waxy paste, or mystery meat. Well, unless you're the low bidder, then you can. Bah!

And then there's the lack of ability for patients to rest causing major sleep deprivation. After a few years in a hospital, I suspect this is part of why my sister went insane towards the end. I could babble for ages on my thoughts towards modern medical care and how the patients are now just uncooperative products.

Best wishes for the father in law. Hospitals suck.

[caladon]

Yes, I see the low bidder thing just about everywhere. It's a sad practice employed by the greedy and dispassionate.

My father-in-law has complained about the sleep thing too. Says whenever he starts to fall asleep, somebody's in the room to make him do one thing or another. I can hardly handle a night with little or no sleep. A month or a year would surely drive me batty.

You're welcome to babble about modern medical care if you wish. I'd listen.

Thanks, and I agree.