The Upward Slope At Last

Well.........finally.

It was certain there were some staff clearly overjoyed to see us leaving the hospital when on March 13 George was finally released from captivity. He had a long recovery ahead, (we needed to continue his intravenous antibiotics medication at home).........

BUT HE WAS HOME !!

At last he could recover. I have not included many of the details of this harrowing time, some head-shakingly unbelievable and best forgotten. George still has many doctor visits, much medication but is on the upward slope to recovery.

What an experience !!

Finally Heading Home

Going home day actually arrived (to our delight)........Feb 11, 2014.......and now he could recover!

We were both delighted and nervous about being on our own with this recovery process. It was a struggle of discoveries not meant to last for us as the 14th dawned on a troublesome high temperature for George and in general, feeling very unwell.
Being home was not to last...........(Happy Valentines Day)
I called the ambulance on advice of the Homecare Nurse and once again George was admitted to hospital (Surrey Memorial) with a serious staff infection, with which he had been sent home from Vancouver General. Some disheartened were we both, as a whole new series of struggles placed themselves on the table.

From emergency George was admitted and transferred to a 'holding' area of the hospital. It was the OLD emergency department of the hospital and certainly not suitable to house patients who had to spend any amount of time confined. There he would remain in this dark, dingy prison-like ward until we finally resorted to (me) very un-lady-like behavior. It was while housed in this horrible place he underwent another surgery (green laser) to relieve a blockage which would hopefully help him to be rid of the catheter still in place. Trying to return him to the same location following surgery, the hospital staff experienced my little 'tantrum' (which George supported) and he was finally transferred to a decent room........actually had a window to look out of.
After this last surgery George would receive a total of 5 units of blood over a period of 6 days. He endured countless episodes and incidents of less than adequate patient care, from seemingly unconcerned doctors to obvious inexperienced staff, who on one occasion (while inserting a catheter) inflated the balloon in the urethra.........there was so much blood it could appear he had just been shot. This episode took long to repair and very long for George to recover from. The frustration of it all is not having any avenue or recourse to 'fix' the situation at the time the incidents happen.........there is a route for complaints but it is clearly written that you can expect a response to your correspondence in 10 to 14 days..........perhaps the patient may have died by then.......what the hell ???
Our medical system truly needs reworked. It probably needs no mention but hospital food was indescribably bad........(more so for a vegetarian). Did you know that all the food served in these hospitals is prepared in Calgary, packed, frozen and shipped by truck out here to BC.???? 'Tis the truth! George's weight at one point was down to 130 lbs (he only knew this because he weighed himself).......if I had not been bringing in food from home every day I'm not sure what he would have gone down to and further, if they every would have checked what he weighed.        this saga really will end soooon 

Complications Anyone?

........and now he could recover..................or so we thought.

After surgery and in Recovery, George was for many hours fighting the breathing tube which is inserted to be in place during surgery. He was unable to explain what was going on (because the tube was in place), but it was not functioning properly and continued to fight his own efforts to breathe. Not knowing the machine was malfunctioning, they would not remove the tube until he could breathe on his own...........he couldn't breathe on his own because the machine was taking over...........a vicious circle and most unbearable circumstance for him to lie there enduring such a situation (and unable to speak about it). Finally, to his relief, it was over and the tube was removed after about 18 hours of torture.......not George's finest hour or most positive experience with intubation. He was moved to ICU that evening.

After a few days in ICU where he was monitored closely (not as close as Recovery but the care was pretty good) he was moved to the Step Down Unit. This unit was, like its name, a step down from ICU. It was here I began to have issues with 'patient care' and would find repeated opportunities to question the hospital and medical system; it seemed though that George was slowly moving upward and onward.

........and now he could recover..................or so we thought.  

By January 30th (while still in the Step Down Unit) he was in Atrial Fibrillation. Karli was visiting at the time and we were told by George's nurse we would not be able to accompany him to the Cardiac Unit. Based on this advice, Karli went home and I decided I was going to go with him anyway. Quickly taken to the Cardiac Unit he was sedated and given shock treatment in order that his heart rate would return to normal. He responded well, his heart returned to regular rhythm and as it turned out there was no problem with me being there with him; it was just the nurse deciding she was in charge of the world at the specific moment we asked the question..........frustrating and had I not decided to go in spite of being advised not to, George unnecessarily, would have been alone with no one to talk to or be with. Another hurdle over but now he could begin to make his recovery.

After a few days in the Step Down Unit (where the care  was questionable) he was moved to a private room (much more pleasant). During this entire time he was also contending with a catheter which it seemed he could not eliminate from his life (little did we know how long this would prevail). While in this private room George was not being monitored closely enough (ie: doctors wanted his blood pressure to be at certain levels); his doctor visited and found his blood pressure to be extremely high; this resulted in a move back to the Step Down Unit where it was thought he could be watched more closely (and should have been because nurse to patient ratio was 1 to 2)........but that was another fallacy we learned about. There were extended periods of time when all nurses were totally absent from the unit; patients left alone and when I enquired was told "Well, they must have gone to get something." It almost felt like a nightmare from which we could not waken.
Well..........we did wake and George was moved again to a private room where he had a male nurse who took very good care of him (probably some of the best care he had during his entire stay in hospital). Alas this also was not to last; by Feb 6th it was confirmed there was still leaking from an artery in his arm for which they would perform an angioplasty to the left subclavian artery, a routine procedure to stop the leak (or so we were told). This procedure was done in Radiology; George was awake during the process which he said seemed to be performed by perhaps students being given instruction. After much discussion about how best to get the job done they finally got it done. Upon removing the instrument used to perform the coiling, a device was deployed to close the puncture; the device instead closed the vessel entirely and he had no blood flow to his left arm. Very quickly he was experiencing extreme pain and was finally taken (once again) to OR to by-pass this screw up and return blood flow to his arm before he lost the use of this limb.
I assumed he would return to his private room following this hullabaloo so I left my belongings in the room when I accompanied him to surgery. When I returned to the room to get something I was shocked to find someone else already in the bed and all our things gone. I was informed he would be going back to step-down following his surgery and time in recovery. Oh my god the nightmare continued and back to the step-down he went.
But George persevered (he had no choice really) and after many bids to have him moved from this unit (unit which was curtained, light restricted and so not conducive to good patient care) we were finally advised he would not be moved from the unit until there was a replacement patient for the space he occupied; the hospital would not leave a critical care bed empty! As unbelievable as this sounds and the implications of that statement it is the TRUTH; a truth we had great difficulty with. Eventually there was a patient who needed the critical care bed and he was evicted (so to speak) to take up residence in a room which I feel certain they chose especially for him because we had questioned their motives, actions and policies etc..........it was also less than pleasant; we had no choice but to make the best of it though.
........and now he could recover..................or so we thought........apologies for sounding like a broken record but there is no describing the hopeful times we thought he was on the way to recovery.                      this saga to be continued

And Then...........The Sky Fell In

.......or so it seemed.
Late night January 19th. would be the outset to two months of very stressful, troublesome times for George when he suffered an Aortic Dissection. Over the next weeks we would ride the roller coaster of life shrouded in the health care system and oh the things we discovered!

All manner of circumstances dictated our choices and direction, from knowing, not knowing, being told, not being told, thinking, guessing, hoping, wishing, wanting, needing; from frustration, humor, sadness, anger; and the questions, oh the endless questions seeming never to be answered. It was an interval of strife for both of us, especially George; I cannot comprehend how he managed to maintain his calm acceptance of the entire two month ordeal.

As I try to recount George's experience, our struggles and our fights, I so wish I had been keeping a diary of the whole episode from start to finish, but once more I am shown how extremely sharp hind sight is.

On admission (January 19th) to Surrey Memorial Hospital doctors told George he was lucky; his dissection went downward not up, and would not require surgery as would a dissection upward (just some healing time). Well, that was the first fallacy; by the 22nd. another scan revealed the dissection had continued down and was threatening to compromise blood flow to vital organs. A request for transfer to Royal Columbian was made by the attending specialist. To the credit of this doctor, when there was still no bed available at Royal Columbian by that evening, he used his influence to get George into Vancouver General Hospital; transfer took place on the 23rd. when he was taken to emergency and seen by leading Cardiovascular surgeons who performed emergency surgery that same evening. An aortic stent was placed and by-pass done to reroute blood flow blocked by the placement of the stent. It would seem the problem was discovered early enough, corrected and now he could recover..........                                                           this saga to be continued

Passing of Time

Greetings........

This is a precursor to the following four blog posts which have remained in draft since June 2015 when, after many difficult months of illness for George, I wrote about his medical journey spanning two months (January 19, 2014 to March 13, 2014) in hospital and many weeks of home care and recovery following his release from hospital.

During the time between January 7. 2014 and today, January 18, 2018, I have posted nothing to my blog. For whatever reason I didn't even post the story I had written about George's illness. I will post it now. 

Cabo San Lucas Here We Come

December 20 and we were off for another Christmas in Mexico.

 

We stayed at a smaller resort; we did take part in a few activities, even though this was to be more of a relaxing holiday. We spent some time in the pool and relaxing in the sun by the pool.

 

 

Always enjoyable the 'Sunset Dinner Cruise'; we went this time aboard the Caborey complete with drinks, wonderful dinner, excellent entertainment and of course the beautiful sunset; a totally delightful evening; weather was beautiful.

 

Christmas dinner this year was Mexican fair at 'Las Guacamayas Restaurant'; good food, service and very friendly staff.

New Years dinner was Italian (yup Italian in Mexico) at Pan Di Bacco.

 

 

Parasailing attracted us again this year. It is just so peaceful and incredibly quiet floating up there in the air. Another pleasant afternoon and I'm sure not the last time we will take part in this activity.

 

 

I had an awesome massage on the balcony of our resort.

 

 

Sad to be going home but as is said 'all good things must come to an end'.

 

 

 

 

I'm sure we will return to Mexico again .

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Mexico

 

The BOSS That Wasn't

THE BOSS......

 

Hmmmmm let's see; over the years there have been bosses in my life I would have walked on hot coals for; bosses I would have gladly run over; bosses I tried my very best to ignore; bosses I learned from; bosses I gave lessons to. During my working years I was fortunate to have worked with some for whom I have great respect for...(still today).

Occasionally we all (I am sure) encounter a boss who is less than desirable in terms of 'boss material'.

How about a person in charge of the entire operation who leaves for vacation and doesn't inform anyone until the end of the day before he is to be gone. Very inconsiderate especially when he holds the purse strings, the signing authority and ALL the SAY.

How about a person who makes plans, changes and decisions regarding your position without telling you he has made these changes; you find out only by chance when you enquire about something unrelated.

How about someone who will not contribute to flowers for an employee who is in hospital (nor does he send flowers on his own).

How about a boss who will not give his receptionists (at Christmas time) even a box of chocolates when others (technicians) in the company get performance bonuses based on the performance of the company.

How about a boss who walks right past your office door on his way in and doesn't even acknowledge you with a good morning........leaves at night past the very same door without a good bye, good night, or see you tomorrow.

How about a boss who displays all the traits of a 'male chauvinist' as he looks towards a male co-worker even when replying to a question you (a female) have asked (just as if you don't exist).

How about it; how about it; how about it...........? I had a boss who was all of the above and more.........he was the BOSS that WASN'T as far as I'm concerned and will never have even one ounce of my respect. Now I got that off my chest he can go to hell and I can forget him and never be frustrated over his stupidity again ever, ever, ever.....!
My last day at Pentlands was December 10, 2013 !!
And he said to me when I gave my notice.................."Why?" 

Prep Month

November soon to turn into December, into Christmas, into our trip to Mexico.

The Chiropractor, after many months, didn't seem to be alleviating my neck problem........so on to another option (physiotherapy)........which would continue for all of November.

In preparation for the Mexican sun we started Tanning sessions on the 18th and they would continue for the rest of November. We were looking forward to our vacation and a relaxing two weeks in Cabo San Lucas.

With the exception of the end of Daylight Saving Time, Veteran's Day (US) and Remembrance Day, November was otherwise an ordinary month without any earth-shattering happenings.

Time For the Goblins

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE !!

            HALLOWEEN EVERYONE !!

                                  EVERYONE !!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE !!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE !!

Is That So?

Shall I say......, can I say......, will you listen.......?

I have no words adequate to express my frustration at this moment as I write today's entry.

At this time I find myself bombarded with advertisings about everything from the air we breathe to the makeup of our headstone. It has become difficult to sort out the chaff from the wheat (which is also becoming a bad word today) of advertising in my world.......and......I watch very little TV so I can just imagine what it must be like for someone who spends a lot of time in front of the tube (not expressing an opinion about whether watching TV is good, bad or indifferent and there is certainly a lot of advice about that as well). Not only TV but magazines, billboards, the grocery store and every corner you turn offers up some advertising about something. I have no idea what is true, false or in between; further I have no clue how to find out. It seems that my privacy is being threatened on a daily basis just because I am forced to look at all this advertising.

Also flooding me is all the advice about what is good for me, what is bad for me, what is going to surely kill me, what will cripple me, what has killed a child, what has miraculously cured someone of some horrible fate caused by eating or doing the wrong thing..........the list is endless. My frustration with it all seems endless as well.

XxXxXxXxXxXx
Everyone rants about something, offers up advice about something, passes along information about something.........that will save you, kill you or anything in between. Good grief people, do you have any idea what you are doing......, what you are saying........, if it may be true......., if it may be false (or anything in between).....????

I know, I know, I need only to look the other way........ignore what is constantly in front of me; it means essentially I pay attention to NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING at all.
Instead I will pay attention to my beautiful little Mocha who runs in abandon through her adventures, which is what I wish I were able to do through all the 'stuff' I don't care about and don't want to hear, that bombards me every single day.

Surrey International Writer's Conference

I am playing catch-up on my blog here; can't believe how long it's been since I last wrote but now that I have decided to catch up I can't remember many details about that which I wish to write........hmmmm.

Recalling the Writer's Conference, the highlight for me was being able to attend with Keltie. She spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night with us and we went 'conferencing' Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I guess it would be on the negative side to say I didn't get a great deal from the week-end but I found the presentations leaned towards the authors making splendid effort to reinforce their 'look-what-I-did' attitude as opposed to offering any real advice, as well the conference offered a great vehicle to sell their books. I was especially looking forward to seeing and hearing Diana Gabaldon but came away from her presentation somewhat disappointed as I did most of the others.

It was another learning experience for sure and wonderful to get to spend time with Keltie.

A doorprize came home with both Keltie and I (books) and Keltie bought me the book by Christopher Vogler 'The Writer's Journey' which was so thoughtful of her.

So......another adventure in my life and times.

She Has Arrived

September 30 @ 10:34 am, baby Arwen Alexandria arrived........

weighing 8 lb. 1 oz.......

to the delight of her mom and dad, Robin and Eric and of course her big sister, Tesla.

Another beautiful little grandbaby to get to know! Welcome sweet little girl!

Busy Summer

At last time to reflect.............

A good but busy summer it has been (indeed), without much time for thinking or being lazy or just being a vegetable.

So now its back to work for George, continue working for me and some time to just think about our summer, fertilize our roots and grow a new leaf or maybe a tomato or two. Whew!
We have a new grand baby on the horizon........coming on Sep 30; that is exciting. I'm sure her mom will be overjoyed when the miracle has 'happened' and they can work the new arrival into the routine of their busy life. In any event we are excited to meet the new granddaughter 'Arwen'........I'm sure she will be a delight.
Time now to think about what (or where) we should enjoy a winter vacation this year (maybe Christmas away again......). It's a hard decision when there are so many places we would like to go.
The War Horse play caught our attention so we will be enjoying that at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Sep 27 as well as the Bon Jovi concert on Oct 2 at Rogers Arena and I plan to attend the Annual Surrey Writers Conference Oct 25, 26 & 27.............Wow did I say our summer was busy?
 

One Hundred Days

 September 9th. was Hannah's 100 days birthday celebration.
We joined friends and family for a Chinese Celebration in her honor with lots of Chinese Food and visiting. Here she is at her celebration......awake for awhile and eventually she crashed, even amidst the noise and hullabaloo.

I am told there is no particular symbolism behind the 100 days; just a celebration which comes before (and without having to wait for) the first birthday.

 

Big sister Ava enjoyed the festivities as well; even wandered away by herself to watch the dancing at another celebration in an adjacent party room.

 

Exploring North Carolina

Air Canada flew us safely to North Carolina for a few days (Aug 21 and back home on aug 26).

While there we attended a Kryon Channeling by Lee Carroll.........enlightening! We also had a nice visit with Gary and Ginny who attended the Chanelling with us.

Arriving in Rawleigh-Durham Aug. 22 we spent the day at Gary and Ginny's. They took us for a nice lunch (Mexican) then we visited at their place. On the 23rd Gary drove us to Asheville, a very unique and historical city with much to see and explore (although we didn't have too much time for that). Everyone enjoyed lunch at the Green Sage then George and I were treated to a session in the Salt Cave which was awesome. (Thank you so much both of you.) The Cave is constructed of approximately 20 tons of Polish salt. The floor is covered in Dead Sea salt. Temperatures are maintained at 68 to 72 degrees with 50-60% humidity; relaxing within puts you in a calm stress-free state of mind. It was a unique experience. If ever you visit Asheville I recommend a session in the Salt Cave.

A bit of exploring then we headed for our hotel where the conference was being held for Saturday and Sunday.

This is the Kryon Prayer:

I give this day to

all that is Divine

Each step that I take,

let it be anointed and blessed

When the challenges come forth,

as they will in duality

Let me celebrate them

and move through them

With appropriateness and Love

After the conference on Sunday we drove back to Gary and Ginny's; it was about a 4.5 hr drive so it was very late when we got back. Our flight home was in the afternoon the following day; off we flew for home, arriving about 9:30 pm. Tobias picked us up from the airport, we drove home, unpacked and hit the sack for a good sleep.
 

Winnipeg Visitors

Danielle, Tyler, Levi and Austin came out to the coast for a visit; they stayed over with us on the 16th. and we spent Saturday (17th) with them. We had a visit to Bear Creek park where the kids played (the big kids toooo), had a ride on the train and a nice walk amidst the flowers and plants (a pleasant morning). Back home we ate lunch then everyone took a nap. After our nap we went to Langley to meet up with Eric, Robin & Tesla and Tobias, Karli, Ava & Hannah for dinner and a get-together. It was a most enjoyable day.

 

We were invited to celebrate the Hendren b/days on the 18th. at Claudette's (all three of the guys) where we had burgers, corn, fruit, birthday cake and of course the birthday boys got presents. Another enjoyable visit with the whole family together; good photo opportunity and we did get a few of those.

 

They left for home Aug 25th. Levi will be going to Kindergarten this fall.......how time flies. It seems like only yesterday he was just a baby. Now he has a brother, three cousins and another cousin on the way !!! 

Tradgedy Strikes

On July 29th (we learned the date later) Pemberton Soaring flight, with owner and one passenger, collided mid-air with a Cessna 150 (also with pilot and one passenger - husband and wife as well as their dog) killing all four people on board both planes.

 

This is significant for us because I had purchased a soaring aerobatic flight for George's birthday in March from Pemberton Soaring. He phoned to set up and make arrangements for his flight only to find out that the company (following the tragic accident) had ceased operations.

 

There but for the grace of god go George.............WOW; I can't imagine and really don't even want to think about it.

 

So..........leery of another soaring flight???...........(I certainly was) but no, not George; he went on line looking for another company he could replace his flight with and immediately found 'Vancouver Soaring' flying out of Hope Airport...........so off to Hope we went on Saturday Aug 10th. for a glider flight. He thoroughly enjoyed his flight (aerobatics and all) and I'm happy to report that he came back safe and in one piece with a huge smile on his face. He thinks he would like to do it again. I'm sure that he will!!
He is here in the picture with instructor, Ejub Duric.

Grandbabies Come Again

..........and I'm so glad they did!

 

Aaron and Diane came to visit (for just a few short days, Aug 1st to 4th) but we were happy to see them.

 

The first evening after they arrived we went for All-You-Can-Eat Sushi and we did eat...........I was so stuffed! It was very good.

 

First day found them across the border to do a bit of shopping. That was a successful day with some purchases to take home.

 

Second day I went with them to Granville island. (George stayed home to rest up his sore knee - with Mocha - ). On the way we stopped of course at Tim's for a coffee, then at SFU so Aaron could get a calendar. While I was waiting in the car at SFU Katie came walking across the parking lot.......what a surprise and what are the odds..........I couldn't believe it! That was surely a surprise! On to Granville Island............we wandered around, did some shopping, some looking, had a nice lunch together then drove home and had pizza.

 

Third day we all went to Whistler for the day. It was a very hot day, a beautiful drive and scenery was gorgeous. We took lunch with us, had a beer in the Irish Pub, walked around, did some shopping, some looking (again) and then drove home and had all-you-can-eat fish and chips.........ate ourselves stuffed again.

 

Too soon Monday came and they had to leave. Sad to see them leave but it was a very enjoyable visit!  

The Skies Over Vancouver

Another ultralite flight!

George got me another flight for my birthday which I took on July 25. This time instead of over the mountains, we flew over Vancouver. It was great (not as scenic as over the mountains of course). I got to fly the plane again which was pretty neat.

(....................Thinking of taking lessons..........???.....maybe)..:)