This past Saturday, December 12th started out to be an awesome time with my side of the family getting together here. My siblings had arranged to come with a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings!!!! We had an awesome time all of us together!
We had a wonderful surprise visit from a dear friend of Rick and mine---silly puppy! He joined us all. We have known him since he was a pup! He's the guy in the pic with the fancy earrings. lol.... We all enjoyed the incredible companionship, food and fun. There is never a dull moment when he is around that is for sure!
Later that evening after everyone had left our life got really interesting...
We have been posting that Rick was experiencing difficulties with constipation this past while.
We tried everything we think known to man to try and clear this up but to no available. I gave him one more enema and to no avail. He was in increasing pain and discomfort.
Jake and Val encouraged us just to take him into the hospital. My mind flipped into seeing myself driving the van in the middle of the cold night. Trying to get Rick loaded into the van etc. As my mind was rumbling with all these thoughts I mentioned to the kids about the van. Jake looked at me and cut through the fog really I was experiencing and said "mom just call the ambulance!".
I can't believe how a person can go into shock emotionally and get so numb within minutes. The thought of Rick being taken to the hospital by ambulance was almost too much. It was something I always thought would be in the far far distance. Not now! Val placed the call as Jake and I scurried to pack up Rick's bi-pap, and all the other necessary things I though he may need.
Lesson learned...have all this stuff prepacked and organized ahead of time.
This was all happening after a full day of company, trying to bring comfort to Rick physically,not much sleep from the night before and now having to get myself organized enough to give the ambulance drivers all the necessary info etc. Thank goodness we have an E.R.I.C. kit all filled out with the health care directive etc. on the fridge. Then last week I got into my organizing mode and printed out my own form called "Rick's Daily Log".
In there I list all the meds, what he eats, description of Bms, and any other notes of what has happened in the day in regards to his care. I am regularly asked what has he eaten, what drugs is he taking and etc. So this "log binder" has turned out to be a god send as I don't have to try and remember all of it. My mind just went blank under the stress of the moment. So...I just handed the day's log to the ambulance driver with all the meds etc. and away we went to the hospital.
Riding in that ambulance really affected both of us in terms of what is coming down the pipe here and it is staring us right in the face. The ambulance staff were so amazing also and helped make a stressful time bearable!
Now for the hospital part....Pinawa Hospital was the lucky place chosen to have to deal with the mess!!! lol We had a lot of humorous moments throughout the process of this 48 hour ordeal! We know in future the nursing staff can say when they meet Rick with all honesty "I know that asshole!" LOL...(that was Rick's input of a comment here). In reality, Rick's muscles are affected from the ALS and that is what is causing the problem.
We were once again met with incredible kindness, support and professionalism from start to finish. What a group of angels! They especially made my stay with Rick through it all so comfortable for me! They treated us with above all, dignity and such amazing compassion! The doctors, nurses, health care aides, and staff we felt were there for us. They have an amazing team with great morale!
At the rate Rick and I are going we will have toured all of Manitoba's hospitals! We will have to put together a who's who in Manitoba Hospitals. Kind of like the Manitoba Tourist guide!!!
Hospital details from Rick's very personal perspective to follow! I am not convinced it will be actually legal to post such info! :) It may need to be censored as to "content"!
