tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716041983946997567.post8230544653701096088..comments2020-04-13T04:15:27.829-04:00Comments on The View from Thunder Ridge: My Weekend: Tales of the Pale RiderAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11137413128188261428noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716041983946997567.post-345495940054886982012-10-28T15:16:36.485-04:002012-10-28T15:16:36.485-04:00And now the story ends. D died at 12:03 pm October...And now the story ends. D died at 12:03 pm October 28, 2012. She was surrounded by family. Her sister and nephew arrived from WI about 15 minutes before. We all gathered around D's bed and told her it was Okay for her to quit fighting. Her breathing slowed down, with minute long pauses, until she finally took her last breath. We all had a hold of her in the end. Hospice and the funeral home have both come, so D has left the building. At this point, some 3 hours later, I think we're all done crying. The service is all planed out. D picked her own songs. We haven't decided when the service will be held, but the priest will be back at 4 pm and we'll plan then.<br /><br />I want to thank everyone for their prayers, condolences and/or kind words. <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11137413128188261428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716041983946997567.post-50110797626452268292012-10-28T12:26:42.951-04:002012-10-28T12:26:42.951-04:00Thank you for posting this. These are hard but imp...Thank you for posting this. These are hard but important things. I am so sorry to hear of your sister in law's passing. My condolences. <br /><br />Tracy <br />@tracyurqAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15299423784793729486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716041983946997567.post-84810707041248247122012-10-25T16:36:16.009-04:002012-10-25T16:36:16.009-04:00Yes, Dr. Krupski. (My original guess was Krebski, ...Yes, Dr. Krupski. (My original guess was Krebski, by I didn't think that was right.) <br /><br />Also, My Brother in Law on the FaceBook version of this post commented: "I agree completely with J's thoughts. The care we all received was above and beyond what I had expected. The focus was on D and her care but they also looked after us and were concerned for us. I can't praise the staff at UVA Hospital higher. Thank you all."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11137413128188261428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716041983946997567.post-43071288657541535262012-10-25T10:35:04.556-04:002012-10-25T10:35:04.556-04:00Thanks for mentioning our staff. We'll share t...Thanks for mentioning our staff. We'll share this with the manager on that unit and the doctors, and I know it will mean a lot to them to be thanked publicly like this.<br /><br />Is the urologist perhaps Dr. Krupski? http://uvahealth.com/doctors/physicians/554Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09751557404046502394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716041983946997567.post-71775435558637582792012-10-25T02:45:29.312-04:002012-10-25T02:45:29.312-04:00Update: D is home and resting comfortably.
Here&...Update: D is home and resting comfortably.<br /> <br />Here's how I characterize the past week: <br />Friday - Stroke and bleeding from the bladder discovered, <br />Saturday - Identifying the problem,<br />Sunday – Figuring out what to do about it,<br />Monday – The decision is made,<br />Tuesday – Get her home,<br />Wednesday – Figuring out the routine.<br /><br />I want to thank everyone who has expressed their concern. <br /><br />I also want to take this opportunity to thank and praise some hospital staff for their help and support. I was very impressed with the care shown not just to D, the patient, but also to the family. The Nurses and PCA’s who were caring for D were also concerned for us. They’d chat with us when they were in the room. Get to know us. Get a feeling for our mental state. Offer pillows, blankets, sodas, snacks, whatever it took for our comfort too. <br /><br />I will admit we’re an unusual family. We unfortunately have a lot of experience with hospitals. Surgeries and hospitalizations we’ve been present for include 2 liver transplants, 2 coronary bypasses, 2 carotid endarectomies, 1 Fem-Pop bypass, 1 cervical spine fixation via metal cage, 3 strokes & numerous TIAs, along with the more common surgeries like knee replacements, cataracts, trigger finger releases, problem pregnancies, etc. Because of these experiences, we were there to help. We don't just sit in a room and watch people clean up our loved ones. We stand up and help. We knew on Saturday that we may have to help care for D at home, so we were involved. We were hands on so we could learn what we'd have to do. At 3 am in the morning when you're woken by a scream is not the time to learn what to do. You have to perform these actions with untrained volunteers and family members. The experts are in the hospital, so that’s the place to learn.<br /><br />I want to specifically name some of the people who made a good impression on me. This isn't to say that others weren’t just as good, but these are the folks I remember. They did an outstanding job and made my time visiting their hospital a better experience than many other hospitals I've been in. They really made the words on those orange bracelets true: “Care Partners.” We felt like we were equal partners in the care of our loved ones. We were respected as equals, taught, shown, listened to, and, above all else, involved.<br /><br />These are the folks I want to specifically thank:<br />Nurses: Deron and his trainee that night Ju, Susie, Mika, Mira, Michelle, Angie,<br />PCAs: Amy, Katie, Betty, <br />Doctors: Dr. Sneed, Dr. Blevins, Dr. Asram, and the Urologist whose name I will not get right so I'll just put Dr. K-ski and I'm sure you'll know who I’m talking about.<br /><br />I want to make special mention of Dr. K-ski. She did something wonderful on Sunday that showed she is a true professional. After she drew some pictures to help clear up some confusion on D’s Bladder tumor, and discussed some things we could do to resolve the problem, I talked about some of the other health problems that D is suffering from (explained in the original post). She stopped, obviously considering that new information, and said, ‘ You're right. I’m sorry but I was entirely focused on “my disease”. Stepping back to look at the whole person, you're right and I agree 100% with your assessment.’ (paraphrased)<br /> <br />In my experience, that’s the mark of a real professional. People that aren't confident in their skills and knowledge will try to bullshit their way out of mistakes. A true professional will reevaluate, admit any mistakes made, and carry on. They aren't so concerned with their ego or how they're perceived. They know that life is a constant flow of changing conditions, accept it, and go with those changes, roll with the punches, however you want to say it. <br /><br />I only interacted with Dr. K-ski for 15-20 minutes, but she made the biggest impression on me. She really stands out above an excellent team. <br /><br />I plan to continue to update this post via comment as the story continues, but now is the best time to say a hearty THANK YOU to all who've helped so far.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11137413128188261428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2716041983946997567.post-33929952575013826702012-10-22T19:43:20.252-04:002012-10-22T19:43:20.252-04:00The story continues... No surgery will be attempte...The story continues... No surgery will be attempted. D will go home with Hospice care so she may pass as peacefully and painlessly as possible. <br /><br />The most telling comment: One of D's doctors said he wished he'd done the same with his mother.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11137413128188261428noreply@blogger.com