(no subject)
I got a call from Chris. Mom is out of surgery and it went well. There was a lot of damage (prior to the operation) and the doctor was amazed at how much pain she must have been in for so long. It's not polite to say "No shit" to a doctor, so my dad simply explained how many hoops my parents have had to jump through just to get her diagnosed. The Air Base patient advocate had to become involved just to get an MRI done.
Anyway, the surgery went as planned and the doctor said she should be pain free in about three weeks. Evidently the nerve endings are confused and it takes a while for everything to settle down.
She was not on painkillers when she woke up. The first time Chris called, he said that she had been awake and crying for an hour. I told him to go to the nurse's station and go all Shirley MacLaine "Terms of Endearment" on their collective ass, but I think he was too intimidated to do that. I don't know if it is because I am now 42, or if it is because I am a mother now, but I am far less concerned with other people's perception of me. Especially if I need to take care of someone (friend or family) that I love. I am fairly certain that if I had been there, I would have done it. My mother would have done it for me. Maybe carrying a baby around inside you for nine months changes you.
By the second time Chris called, a nurse finally (did I mention it had been MORE THAN AN HOUR?)came in and administered a shot of morphine into Mom's IV. Mom's doing much better now, and her morale has been raised considerably. Corey said maybe there was a medical reason she didn't get the shot right away. I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I would really like to know what that reason was.
I told Chris to tell Dad to go to the patient advocate about this, if only to prevent them from doing this to someone else. I don't know if he will--my family doesn't like to make waves.
Anyway, she is doing well now. The doctor said the surgery went so well, he was tempted to send her home today. As it is, she may go home tomorrow. And she won't have to use a wheelchair anymore.