Rob Update, 9/8/08 (barely) - He's home!!!

[greenman]

Just got back from ferrying Rob and Dawn back to their apartment, and making sure that he got upstairs ok. He probably pushed himself a little too hard (shocking, I know!) going up the stairs, but he DID stop about halfway up to rest, so at least he didn't try to be some kind of iron man.

I got the call about 12:30 this afternoon to let me know that they were planning on releasing him early to mid afternoon. Wrapped up what I was working on at the client site that I was at, and headed up to Illinois Masonic to make sure that I was there when they let him go. Little did I suspect...

At about 2:30 pm, they took a "final" blood test and determined that his hemoglobin level was 9.5. They wanted it at least at 10 before they checked him out, so they decided to give him another transfusion before they let him go. So it's a good thing that he didn't need an emergency transfusion. The decision was made by 2:30, but they didn't actually get the IV hooked up until nearly 5, and the transfusion itself took until 6:30. At which point they needed to wait for an hour before checking his hemoglobin levels again. They came around to take the blood at 7:30, and told us that they should have the results back in about half an hour.

... Tick.
... Tock.
... ad infinitum.

Finally, about 8:30 we started asking about the results. Rob was clearly getting frustrated, since he'd hoped to be home in time for the weekly Monday Night Jam Session that he and Dawn always host at their place. Fortunately, someone was there to let people in, since we didn't get the results until 9:15pm. And then of course it took nearly an hour for them just to wrap up all the paperwork, get a wheelchair to roll Rob out of the building, and all that nonsense. Then home, take much care in getting him up the stairs safely, and I took off shortly thereafter, staying just long enough to see his breathing slow to a normal pace.

And then my own trek home. And now, my trek to bed. To sleep, perchance to relax and chill. Going to try and go into work a little late tomorrow, in the hopes of getting a decent night's sleep before I kill something due to lack of cope.

Comments

[daddy-guido.livejournal.com]

Late to work is authorized.

[geekymary.livejournal.com]

That is the most frustrating thing about hospitals - it takes SO LONG to get anything done, especially when you're on your way out. I remember when Eddie was in the hospital for his wheezing, I told them at about 7am that I wanted to leave and we didn't get out until about 2.

[greenmansgrove.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when the nurse who was taking his blood the last time told him that the doctor had left orders that he couldn't be released unless his hemoglobin was above 10 (it had been 9.5 when they took it before, and that's when the transfusion was ordered) he told her that if his hemoglobin wasn't above 10 after the transfusion, he was going to check himself out anyway.

Dawn talked him down, pointing out that he might invalidate his warranty if he did that.

[tlunquist.livejournal.com]

Near as I can tell, the only difference between hospital and prison is that in prison, they're not allowed to use cruel and unusual punishment.

And how anybody ever expects a patient's blood to get right with itself when you can't leave them alone for ten minutes without taking some out or putting some in, is a mystery to me.

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

Very relieved to hear this.

[flechyr.livejournal.com]

Just glad to hear he's doing ok.

Cheers,

Adam

[dorothyk.livejournal.com]

The frustrating part is lost productive time. I have so often considered invoicing doctors and dentists at my usual rate for the sit-around time they've created for me.

Glad you got him home anyway, he'll likely recover better there then in the hospital.

[fiddlergrl.livejournal.com]

Yay, I'm glad he's home and ok. I'm glad you're ok too.

[tlunquist.livejournal.com]

*hug* for you

*hug* for Rob

*hugs* for Alyse, Dawn, and various other recipients of collateral damage.

[jesselinderbard.livejournal.com]

I haven't posted during all of this, but you have been in my thoughts, and will continue to be. I know how tough any health issue can be on the family, especially when you become the de facto caregiver. Hang in there.

[jil-fred.livejournal.com]

Congrats to you all and hugs all around.

[le-trombone.livejournal.com]

Good, I'm glad you're all home. Rest well.

[wiebelstez.livejournal.com]

*bear hug * to everyone..except rob...he gets a *gentle nurturing hug* with a promise of a bear hug when he can handle it!