Thursday, October 15th, 9:45am

I didn't have a chance to post any update last night - I was just too tired.

Last night's visit went okay. Still no improvement in speech, and the ability to swollow is getting worse, if anything. Also, he has developed a very painful cough and rash.

I got there at 5:45pm, and after Ken described how his day went, I asked about the cough and the rash he had been experiencing in the past few days. He said that both were very bad and very painful. I asked him if he had told the nurse, and he shrugged his shoulders (this usually means, "I did but they can't understand me"). So I pressed the nurse call button.

The box that the button is on, also has a speaker and a microphone. Someone comes on and says, "Do you need something?"

WHAT THE HELL KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DONT THEY KNOW THE PATIENT IN 275-2 CAN'T SPEAK??????????

So, I said, "Can you please send a nurse in for Ken Hauser?" "She'll be there in a minute."

Fine.

Cut to - 30 minutes later. No nurse.

Ken has spent a total of 9 days at this hospital, counting the surgery last week, and we have NEVER had the same nurse twice. AND never had the same night nurse twice. All of the nurses have been very nice and kind, but the LAZIEST group of bitches I have ever encountered in my life.

Finally, I walk to the nurse stationfor help only to find about 8 nurses in a circle talking about how drunk they got last weekend and how they are not going to let that happen again this weekend! (giggles all around)

I stand at the window, but say nothing. I'm looking at them. No less than 6 of them make eye contact with me and IMMEDIATELY look away and/or turn their back to the window.

I ask, "Is Lori here?" (That is the name on the board next to Ken's bed saying who his nurse is)

One of the girls turns to face me with a look on her face as if I had just called her mother a whore and says, "She went home", then turns back to the group.

I go back to Ken's room because I found myself reaching for my can of whop-ass, which is a bad sign, and that is not going to help anyone. It is now around 6:30. No one has been in to see Ken. He says the last time he saw someone was when they came to take his lunch tray away at around 3:30pm. No wellness check. No blood pressure/temperature check. Nothing. Since he is on an IV that has to be disconnected before he can get up, that also means no bathroom visits either (can't take the IV with him as the arm holding the bag is not movable)

Now, Lori shows up . . . I say I thought you went home, she said, AND I QUOTE, "That was black Lori"

Okay, whatever.

I say that ken has a really bad and painful cough.

Lori's response: "Wow, really?"

I say yes, and that he has a very bad rash on his back that itches terribly. He has had it for about 5 days. Can he please have some cortozone or benedril to help with the itching.

Lori's response: "Oh, I don't know"

Todd: "Did a Doctor come today?"
Lori: "Um, I'm not sure"
Todd: "Did speech therapy come today?"
Lori: "Oh, let me look. I don't see anything"
Todd: "Did physical therapy or occupational therapy come today?"
Lori: "Yea, I really don't know."

Long pause . . . . .

Lori: "So do you guys need anything?"

I don't know what else to do. I tell Ken that I will get some Vicks 44D and some Corizone cream at the store and bring it with me the next morning (today).

I go home, and Ken calls me around 9:30. Usually, when we have the phone calls, since we are not face to face, I ask a lot of yes/no questions, and he is able to answer them.

Todd: "Hi, sweetie!"
Ken: "Hi!"
Todd: "Did you get your night medicines?"
Ken: "uh huh" (yes)
Todd: "Did doctor bernard come by?" <--- I no longer capitolize his name
Ken: "uh huh" (yes)
Todd: "Oh, good! Are you going to have that 2nd MRI tomorrow?"
Ken: "uh huh and guess what"
Todd: "What?"
Ken: "Home!"
Todd: "Home? He said you can come home?"
Ken: "Yes!"
Todd: "When?"
Ken: "Tomorrow!"

I'm going to need to clarify this when I visit today at 11am, but I think the doctor is going to release him today. I find that kind of hard to believe. No one called me to tell me. Wouldn't they call the POC to let them know to come by and get him. Someone needs to bring him clothes to wear home. Surley they did not ask Ken to tell me. Why would they ask someone who can not speak to dictate discharge info to the POC?

How can he come home? He can't swollow? He is on an IV? I think he has a serious chest infection and no one seems to care.

Those are my thoughts so far. I've got to get back to work. More updates this afternoon.