Between a rock and a hard place (another rock).
Mike drove us from the surgical hospital to the main hospital where he was supposed to have an EGD and dilation. The social worker had called several times. What was the address in Lawrence? It was too many miles for their cab vouchers. Could we take a cab to the Hope House then back to get our pickup at the main hospital? She would send over some gas cards to help but that still didn’t solve the problem of who would drive.
He checked in and we went to the pre-op waiting room. They were out to get him quickly. I knew the drill, they take him back then when he is prepped and has an IV they come get me. I expected it to take longer to place the IV today.
The aid came to get me quicker than expected. The doctor is talking with him, she said.
When I got to the room the surgeon was telling him that he would not be performing a procedure on him today. He was too malnourished and dehydrated. Instead, he would be admitting him to the hospital, placing a PICC line, and putting him on TPN (IV nutrition). What a relief!
As they we were waiting for the PICC line to be placed the social worker called again so we were discussing how to get me back to Lawrence or would I stay at the hospital. I didn’t think I wanted to stay on the very uncomfortable couch/beds that they had for family members in the hospital. Besides, you don’t get much rest there and I hadn’t had much sleep the night before.
They would have to make a special request to have me stay at the Hope Lodge without a caregiver but that was an option. Not one I liked very well because I had only brought one change of clothes and I really wanted to shower and change clothes in the morning.
Mike’s nurse (who had grown up in the town where Mike went to high school) said she would take me back to Lawrence. I asked if she lived in Lawrence and she said no in Overland Park. I said that would be too much, but she insisted.
We got Mike settled into his room and they came and put the PICC line in. When the nurse’s shift was done she called me. She would meet me downstairs in front of the hospital. We met her sister who had agreed to go with her. They don’t get much time together without their kids, it would be a treat for them. And we set off in the extremely cold January weather on the 40 (or so) mile trip to Lawrence.
We arrived safely in Lawrence and my son and his girlfriend would take me to Kansas City the next morning to retrieve our pickup.
Don’t Stop Believin’ that things will work out.
Onward. Mike’s hospital stay after my surgery.
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