Hello from the Branford Health Care Center of Evergreen Woods, where I landed on June 3 after a most-unexpected hospitalization. Seems that I had developed an infection in my right hip where I had had hip replacement five years ago.
At first, I just took Advil and thought the pain would subside. But, when I finally got to see the orthopedist, he plunked me immediately in the hospital, cleaned out the hip site, and now I am in rehab for therapy and a six-week regimen of antibiotics.
When you are living alone and are suddenly hospitalized, it feels as though the world has come to a screeching halt. How can I cancel all my business appointments while in pain and the cellphone is not working from the hospital? Who will feed the cats and pick up the mail?
Who can pick up my car from the hospital and my wallet from their safe?
How do I get some clothes, cosmetics and daily necessities?
Thank goodness for good friends, neighbors, co-workers and my daughter, who flew in from San Francisco for a few days, helped to arrange everything, including moving my computer from the house to the room here at Evergreen Woods. While I am thankful that this didn’t occur while I was caring for my ill husband, I am now aware, for the first time, of the full impact of becoming a widow.
My daughter and I have talked about developing a better “emergency system” for the future and when we get it together, I will share it with you because I think there must be others like me who are not prepared for the unexpected.
It is truly a revelation to realize how many things we depend upon in our daily lives. I am constantly adding to my list of things I would like friends to bring me from home. My New York Times is now arriving every morning along with all the bills (somehow they manage to locate your whereabouts before anyone else) and two friends dashed into Kohl’s and arrived with easy-to-slip-on housecoats and culottes in several sizes and colors for me to choose from.
I am now settling into a routine: out of bed, quick wash up and into the recliner for breakfast at 8, quick glance at the paper, medications, blood pressure, temperature, bandage check, and then I walk (with the walker) down to the spacious therapy room, where a terrific staff has me re-learning climbing stairs, getting out of a bed, throwing a ball for balance and generally prodding, pushing and encouraging me to get stronger every day.
Back to the room, make my menu selections for the next few meals, finish the paper, and then it is time to get connected to the IV for about 2 hours, during which I try to make phone calls, read and try not to think about all the things I should be accomplishing if I were at work. Continued...
Afternoon, I can now go on the computer, perhaps more therapy and an early dinner in the pleasant health-care dining room where I have met several interesting residents who like myself are here on a temporary basis.
After dinner, more “practice walking,” some television and then another 2 hours on the IV, which dispenses the antibiotics, and into bed about 11:30.
Both the food and the nursing staff have been top-notch, and everyone has been cheerful and helpful in trying to make this a pleasant experience. Meanwhile, I am working hard to get better, making some notes on improvements needed in the design of bed pans and hospital nightwear as well as suggestions for 3 a.m. television programming.
Until next time, stay well, be good to your friends and neighbors ... we all need one another in this world ... end of first report from your under-the-bed-covers columnist.
Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at 101 Hotchkiss Grove, Branford 06405.
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