Good Times

Wow! It sure has been a while since I lasted posted an update. The last few weeks seem to have just flown by. Shortly after my last post we had another breakdown with the staff at the hospital which resulted in a meeting with the patient advocate again. Then a meeting the next day with a conference room full of people. Couple of doctors, couple of department directors, couple of educators, couple of social workers, couple of discharge planners, a patient advocate, myself and Jeff via speakerphone. This meeting managed to bring everyone on board for a plan to complete our education over a 4 day period and to move Kalyn to the rehab floor upon that completion. Then it managed to allow me to vent to this conference room full of people about the frustrations that we experienced during our stay. At the end of the meeting everyone understood our frustrations and was working to prevent any further issues.

Then the next day I came in to find that Kalyn was left in bed until 1130 when her schedule specifies that she is to get up at 8 am. She was also lying flat on her back when I had specifically called to inform the night nurse that she had to lay on her side while sleeping or she would require a larger amount of oxygen. Needless to say, she required 50% oxygen during that time-which is not compatible with rehab floor or discharge. I had an absolute meltdown and let the director of that floor know my concerns. She then handpicked our nurses for the remainder of the weekend. Now, this is where the story gets interesting. That night, Jeff stayed at the hospital to do his overnight observation to show that he could care for Kalyn. The next morning at 8:15 my mother got to the hospital. She went into the room and saw that Jeff and Kalyn were still asleep (on a Saturday). She then stepped out and said "I thought they would be up by now. But I will let them sleep and go downstairs to have some breakfast. I'll be back in a few minutes." Now, while we did not have the same nurse who left Kalyn in bed so late the day before she was in the nurses station when this was said. This nurse then looked at my mother in a curt tone and said "Yeah, let mom yell at DAD this time." I almost hit the roof when my mother told me about this. Thankfully, she waited until after shift change when she had left and I never saw this little girl again. I did, however, call her boss at home and have a talk with her. I hope that this was addressed and does not happen again. (as a side note-Jeff kept her on her side all night and she didn't require any oxygen)

Then the winds of change and progress began to blow through our lives. We went to the rehab floor that Monday, July 12. And life has been wine and roses. Kalyn has flourished in rehab. She is walking hundreds of feet with a walker. She is speaking more clearly with less stuttering than ever. She has passed her repeat swallowing study and is eating solid foods again. She is not using any oxygen. She is even riding an adaptive tricycle. My child has never been able to ride a bike in her entire life. She can both pedal and steer this bike by herself. Guess who is working extra shifts to make the $1600 to buy her one for at home? This mom!!! I am so proud of her and all of her hard work. The staff of the rehab floor has been a gift from God. Kalyn is so happy there. I am back at work and doing well. And the best news of all is that we now have expected dates for the removal of the halo(Aug. 1st) and discharge(Aug. 5th)!!! We are coming home. And life couldn't be sweeter.