Random Sputterings: 9.3.2002

[elSicomoro]

Thanks: Just a quick shout out for the warm welcomes I received in returning from a month-long hiatus.

So, what was I doing? Nothing really, other than starting a new job and looking for another job. I quit looking 3 weeks ago. I love my temp job, and it's mine for as long as I want it. Also, see below.

The break did me good...I feel refreshed. And in reading some of the posts from the past few weeks, it looks like I missed some doozies.

I hate hospitals: Rho has been in the hospital since Monday, and will probably not be released until at least this coming Monday. An infection developed in her dialysis catheter...this is a common occurrence. The doctors at Frankford Hospital-Torresdale are on crack--apparently they do not know much about pain management. A doctor became rude and would not perform a procedure b/c Rho would not have it done w/o full anesthetic (which she was told she would receive...she is EXTREMELY sensitive to pain and was nervous as all hell). The doctor had a meeting to get to in 20 minutes, and using anesthetic would increase surgery time from 20 minutes to one hour. Awww...well you're a FUCKING COCKSUCKER WHO DOESN'T DESERVE A LICENSE TO PRACTICE BREATHING, MUCH LESS MEDICINE!!! Rho threatens to leave the hospital; I leave work 3 hours early, ready to raise hell; Rho files a complaint and the patient care rep asks her to speak to her boss on Monday; Doctor performs procedure 3 hours later in a much better mood. Punk motherfucker.

This is hospitalization #3 in the past 9 months. Rho is getting worse, and will not get better without a kidney transplant. She had to call an ambulance to get her Monday b/c I was 45 minutes away...and we had no one else to call, seeing as our closest family and friends are 90 miles away in Baltimore.

And so, I hereby declare our last 2 years in Philadelphia to officially be a failure, due to unfortunate circumstances. We're moving to Baltimore in September, or sooner if possible. Once Rho gets a transplant, then we can decide where we're going next. For now, I think it best for us (Rho moreso than me) to have a better support network, which we would have in Baltimore. Rho's entire family and circle of friends live in either Baltimore or Washington. I have friends in both cities. We both have job connections in both cities as well.

Now that I got that out of me...

Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat Ale: It's been out forever, yet I've never bought it. Bought a 6-pack last night. My God! It's delicious!

Like a lamb to the slaughter: I bought the Depeche Mode PPV last night...mainly for Rho. I taped it for her. I'll comment more on it in the CD thread.

And so, that's really about it...no new words for the day. I don't feel inspired enough.

[Undertoad]

Well that sucks. Is she remaining optimistic? You're a pretty optimistic guy, are you giving her energy?

[elSicomoro]

I'm trying to. I basically talked her into getting that procedure done yesterday afternoon (they had to put in a special IV line b/c they couldn't find a good vein). She didn't want it done by that doctor, but then found out that he was the only surgeon on duty at the time. She wanted to wait until Monday, but I told her we would deal with him next week. I want that motherfucker's head on a platter.

She is obviously really scared about this whole situation. Last weekend, she freaked out after reading about the complications involved in a kidney transplant. But I just try to keep her positive, and stress to her that the benefits of a transplant far outweigh the consequences. And me, being the ridiculously optimistic person I am, just tell her that things are going to be okay. Because I think they will be. She's actually lost 30 pounds since starting dialysis and feels much better (other than this little aberration). And I think we can grease the wheel with her family on the issue of being a donor (especially once we're around them more at family gatherings).

To me, this is just another roadblock in the highway of life that can be overcome. And I think she sees it that way as well, but is obviously scared of the unknown.

[MaggieL]

Originally posted by sycamore

I hate hospitals: Rho has been in the hospital since Monday, and will probably not be released until at least this coming Monday. An infection developed in her dialysis catheter...this is a common occurrence. The doctors at Frankford Hospital-Torresdale are on crack...This is hospitalization #3 in the past 9 months. Rho is getting worse, and will not get better without a kidney transplant....

I hear you about hospitals, and you two just had a nasty, nasty experience. Frankford isn't the first place I'd think of going for organ transplant work( or anything trickier than a broken arm)...do you have any options there? There are *many* very good hospitals in Philadelphia.

She had to call an ambulance to get her Monday b/c I was 45 minutes away...and we had no one else to call, seeing as our closest family and friends are 90 miles away in Baltimore...
And so, I hereby declare our last 2 years in Philadelphia to officially be a failure, due to unfortunate circumstances. We're moving to Baltimore in September, or sooner if possible. Once Rho gets a transplant, then we can decide where we're going next. For now, I think it best for us (Rho moreso than me) to have a better support network, which we would have in Baltimore....

In a situation like this, a good hospital isn't enough: a support network is imperative. Even though large segements of my family now seem to consider me a non-person, I still have people here I could count on here if the shit hit the fan....friends, daughters and lifepartner. And speaking of lifepartners:

Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat Ale:

My lifepartner Gwen used to do home brewing back in Chicago. She had a cherry ale that she labelled "Old Maidenhead". Thought maybe you could use a laugh...

[elSicomoro]

Originally posted by MaggieL
I hear you about hospitals, and you two just had a nasty, nasty experience. Frankford isn't the first place I'd think of going for organ transplant work( or anything trickier than a broken arm)...do you have any options there? There are *many* very good hospitals in Philadelphia.

We originally started out with Temple. At that time (June 2001), Rho did not have health insurance (she lost her coverage after we moved up here...and did not find a job that offered it). And no one in their right mind will cover someone with a pre-existing condition (diabetes). She qualified for Medicaid and was good to go. We then switched to Frankford (and Torresdale in particular) b/c we live right next door to it...nothing against Temple at all b/c they were top notch. And during her first time at Torresdale (the week before Xmas), things were great. I don't know if it's because she is on a different floor this time around or what. Fucking idiots.

For the remainder of our time here (3-6 months), I'm going to see if we can use the Holy Redeemer system, or go back to Temple (since Lower Bucks Hospital is about 15 minutes from here).

As far as transplanting, we're going to worry about that after our move (unless by a miracle, they find a donor between now and September...and that is extremely unlikely). The University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins have world-class hospitals in Baltimore.

In a situation like this, a good hospital isn't enough: a support network is imperative. Even though large segements of my family now seem to consider me a non-person, I still have people here I could count on here if the shit hit the fan....friends, daughters and lifepartner.

Exactly. And that's why I have no problem with the move to Baltimore (even though I'm not particularly gung-ho about it). When we moved up here, Rho was in A-1 health and things were fine. This really came out of nowhere. To me, it's a small sacrifice, and if anything, it's a better situation in the end. As a whole, I like Baltimore...and of course, I love Rho, so it's all good. And Rho is happy about it.

My lifepartner Gwen used to do home brewing back in Chicago. She had a cherry ale that she labelled "Old Maidenhead". Thought maybe you could use a laugh...

It worked...but I SWEAR I've heard that name before. Can't remember where though. *ponders*

I just got back from the hospital a short while ago. I can tell she is feeling better...every time a commercial for a food place would come on, she would say, "That's the first place we're going after I get out of here." Hopefully she'll be able to come home by Tuesday.