Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Life seems dearer to me.




Life seems so much more precious to me for some reason. I awoke with a deeper gratefulness towards God for his great ability to keep us.

The surgery went well and the Lord made it possible for me to get my bathroom cleaned. It hollered to the fellow with the cleaning cart as he was walking by. He was so nice after I told him what happened at the first room I was in. He told me that it sounded like what the Psych ward looks like a lot of the time. A thankless job for sure, but I made sure I thanked him for being so kind to take the time to help me out.

The view from my new room was incredible. I came in towards the evening hours and was met with a twinkling vineyard like screen that was hemmed in by darkness on each side with the hospital window as its frame. Later I learned that I was over looking where the Golden Gate park ends at the ocean that the other two areas of no lights were tree lined streets that surrounded that part of town. It was beautiful to watch at night and interesting to watch in the day in between nods. The ocean with its methodical approach to land had created a nice beach to walk on and watch the sun as it sets.

The Blue Angels performed both Saturday and Sunday. I could hear them roar by but only got to see two as they flew by in close formation. Apparently, Maria and Sky go to seem a good portion of the show as they crossed the bridge to come get me.

I'm thankful to be home and in my own bed! I was amazed to see that a multi-billion dollar project like the VA Hospital in San Fransisco could be so subjected to neglect so soon after completion. The cleaning staff feels entitled to the job but not responsible for a clean standard. Someone higher up needs to grant more staffing so that patients can have a clean environment. I came home with a very bad cough that I did not have when I went in. Nothing like trying to cough after abdominal surgery. Talk about PAIM!

I witnessed as much as I could. The resident who came in to take out the IV from my neck was a very kind person. While making simple talk, I felt impressed to talk to him about not getting toxic during the course of his career. He was very aware of what I was talking about and whole heatedly concurred. He felt like he would be doing his parents an injustice if he took on the entitled toxic mentality that the highly educated cloak themselves with. I told him about the accomplishments of my girls and yet they are involved in the children's bus ministry at church. That I'm very proud of them for staying humble regardless of their personal accomplishments.

In all the experience has been good. I'm overtaken with a deep sense of making the rest of my life count. I just want to see souls saved and as many people as possible make it to Heaven. That is my desire.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Electronic Charting and preparing for the surgery




Electronic Charting and preparing for the surgery

The nurse carries around a little lunch pail size caddy with a handle on it and goes from room to room with it. Inside are a variety of medical supplies. For me they use an electronic device to check my blood sugar. They use the same device to scan my id bracelet. I remember on Star Trek they used to use these little machine to tell all. Now they even have an ultrasound machine to find veins for putting IV's. Isn't it amazing.

Well, my room is clean and I most likely won't be coming back to it. I haven't lost faith because God is still on the throne. I'm not complaining in the least. They wanted to put me into a HopTel last night. I would have had to sleep with my luggage in worse conditions than the hospital. If he made it possible for me to stay the night here then he can provide a clean room when I'm out of surgery. He just keeps providing my needs every step of the way. He even made it possible for me to have a clean extra sheet to wrap around me like a skirt so I can preserve my modesty.

There is a Christian nurse here named Denise. I'd like to be able to invite her to a deeper experience with the Lord and the revelation of the truth about the Holy Ghost and the Name of Jesus.

Well the intern group just came and left. It's getting close!!! Got go hurry up and wait for surgery.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

State of the Art Hospitals



Oh my word! This place is crazy! The people are very nice, but the system has holes in it. Now I understand about the shortage of staffing in the medical field especially the cleaning staff.

When I came in, they were not ready for me. First they said to come back at six pm. That would mean I'd have to kill three and a half hours. Then I was told to wait a few minutes while they figured out what to do. After the dust settled they kicked out a male patient that was waiting to be discharged by throwing all his stuff onto his bed and taking him to another room down the hall.

In three minutes they grabbed a clean bed from another room and presented me with my room for the stay. I'm very thankful that I do not have to share my room with anyone. I have my own bathroom and have three chairs for visitors.

On the other hand, as I looked around I saw a urinal bottle hanging on the IV thing. Trash on the floor. Feces in the shower, pubic hairs on the toilet and on the floor in the bathroom. The bedside table had coffee and food stains on it as well.

So . . . I stole a bottle of disinfectant and started cleaning. I cleaned as many surfaces as I could. Thank the Lord for good gloves!!!

Then when it was time to take a shower I freaked. Well the Lord had all things timed just right. The cleaning guy came through and let me use the supplies to clean the shower area and mop the bathroom floor! I am not complaining because the guy was not going to clean my shower and bathroom anyway. God is so good! He made provision for me to have a room to myself and made it possible for me to have a clean environment. I will have to live with an unswept floor, but thank goodness that I can wear those footsie things to protect me!!! I wish I had my camera to take pictures.

The other thing I am thankful for is spiratic access to the Internet. If I place my computer on the window sill, and don't move to much I can hook up to an unsecured access point to check e-mail.

God is good!!!