ChloeWatts.com

Thursday, March 11, 2010 — 001 PH

It’s been over 24 hours at home now. When Chloe walked in the house poor Ivey didn’t know who she was. She smelled differently, hospital smells, and she wasn’t talking to her. However, within a half hour they were on the floor together.

When we arrived the house looked like a medical warehouse. Stuff was everywhere and the equipment is plentiful and noisy. We will be doing some modifications to try and quiet her room up at least. Dana said it sounded like a helicopter over her head when she was downstairs. All that being said, Chloe told us she slept better last night than she has in three months. Maybe though, it was because Dana and Ivey were on the bed with her and I was on the couch on the other side of the wall…

I was on the phone twice with the company who supplies the equipment. There was one piece of equipment we couldn’t figure out at all and there was another that wasn’t operating the way we thought it should. I will say our questions were addressed immediately. It’s a good thing since we were both out on our feet.

Discharge went long yesterday. We were home about 6 pm after being done with therapy at 3:30. It was just one thing after another, but we finally were done and gone. It took three of us to get everyone and everything to the two cars. Sandy went right home with the equipment and we went to RiteAide only to find they didn’t have the prescriptions ready. Dana had to go back later. The same thing happened two years ago.

During the evening I sorted and stashed supplies. We had a fairly good system but found things that were wrong items and things that were missing. The supplier did come out today to go over things again and retake the order. We also need a different walker, as Chloe has decided it’s a great tool for getting around. However, this one just fits through the doorways and is way too wide for her.

The company providing the night nurse visited us again today. They discussed our concerns and had Dana fill out a packet of releases. They brought the last candidate for a nurse today and that meeting went well. It’s tough getting someone for those hours and especially tough for the weekends. Chloe will have a big say as to them being a good match or not. And my main concern is that they are physically able to get to Chloe in a flash and start suctioning. When she gets her blockages she needs someone right now, now in a few minutes. Tonight will be the first tryout I guess.

Dana won’t be getting much sleep again tonight I’m sure. She will be on guard with having a stranger in the house and having someone, with qualifications that may not be what we need, taking care of Chloe all night. We’ve brought her this far; we aren’t letting our guard down now.

It is great being home though.

Be well,
Ron