Saturday, January 2, 2010

A great deal for hookers ~ and how NOT to spend New Year's Day


Thanks to Joanne at Snippets & Scraps of My Mind (she's on my sidebar) for this little tidbit of information. Larry and Gloria Ault (www.aults.com/blog/) will take certain unused gift cards and exchange them dollar for dollar for Townsend products, hooks, Ault's gift certificates, etc. Check out their December 25th post. I'm getting a new Townsend cutter head. Woo hoo! I just love my Townsend and am so happy I got it.

Now what NOT to do on New Year's Day...spend it at the ER. I took Mom in because of shortness of breath. Poor dear. I did not have her go by ambulance even though I know things would move more quickly. She did not want to go that way and I still try to honor her wishes. The hospital brags that patients will be seen and treatment begun in 30 minutes or less. Well.....after an hour we are finally called and as she is being asked questions, I see the sign prominently hung about the 30 minute promise. When I said we had been waiting an hour, the response was, "We've been really busy". I then asked what happens since it was over 30 minutes. The response was "You get an apology". I'm trying to figure out if that was the apology because nothing else was said.

So on to the triage area for heart patients. They allow her to leave her slacks on but remove her sweater and give her a flimsy hospital gown with the promise of a blanket and pillow. Well it took 2 requests for a blanket and 3 for a pillow. Is that too much to ask for an almost 90 year old? I was told that they got 4 patients in a short period of time with only one nurse. Sorry. I know you are busy but how much trouble is it and how long does it take to grab a blanket? There was someone sitting at the desk at all times. (She was the one who finally brought the pillow. Thank you!) I just can't imagine the care ~ or lack of ~ that people receive if no one is there looking out for them. They did admit her and for that I am thankful. (She has fluid in her lungs, bronchitis and who knows what else.) They also discovered that when she fell on Christmas Day she did break the clavicle even thought the paramedics said she was fine and would not transport her to the hospital. No wonder her pain was so bad!

GGGRRRRR!!! That make me so mad and I am generally an easy going person. Her last stay at that hospital was no better, but that is the hospital where her doctors practice.

OK. Off of the soapbox.

I hope your year is off to a great start. The weather in Ohio is frightful ~ with the wind chill it must be near zero.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

10 comments:

Kathy (woolfind) said...

Lauren, glad you benefited from the offer at Aults. That is great! I love my Townsend cutter too. Joanne had something to do with that also. She is a gem!
So sorry to hear about your mom and the experience you had at the ER. I don't understand why the care for the elderly isn't more compassionate. Glad someone assisted you. It's a shame the hospitals are so understaffed. I hope your mom heals quickly and 100%!

Tammy Burks said...

Lauren, this is great! I've sent this info on to my hooking group just in case someone is looking at getting a Townsend.
I'm sorry to hear about the way your mom was treated. I work in healthcare, but in a clinic and we SPOIL our patients while they are there with warm blankets....wish I had a blanket warmer in my house!

weaverpat said...

Lauren, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's upsetting experiences in the ER. I used to work in our local hospital but got so frustrated with the understaffing that I finally quit. It's all about making money! Which is so sad for the patients who need medical attention.

I hope she is doing better. Please keep us posted.

It's horribly cold and windy here in PA. Don't be sending any more of this our way!!!

Alice ~ Folk Art Primitives said...

Lauren ~ how lucky is your mom that she has you!! As you said, what does someone do that has no one to advocate for them! I'm sending lots of positive vibes your mom's way ~ I hope she'll be on the mend and all recovered soon!

The Wool Cupboard said...

Lauren ~ I'm sorry for your horrible treatment in the ER. I hope your Mom is doing better. It's so frustrating when you want good care for your loved one and no one else seems as concerned.

Joanne said...

Oh Lauren - sorry you had to go thru that at the hospital - I spent the better part of last january and february in the hospital with my Dad and everyday it was something else. Thank goodness we were there and he still has his "sense" otherwise i don't think he'd be here today.

Hoping your Mom is feeling better!

Oooh so happy you got a new cutter head. I'm thinking of selling one of my mine so I can buy another size!

April DeConick said...

Sorry to hear about your mom. I spent part of my day in the ER too, so I emphasize!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Thanks for all the kind words. I appreciate each and every one of them!
April, I do hope all is okay!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Boggy Creek Stitches & Loops said...

Ahhhhh Lauren, I'm just reading this about your mom. I'm so sorry and I hope she's feeling better.

CareyCottage said...

Nice to *meet* you. I also live in the area. Is there a place nearby to purchase supplies, etc? I'm a new *hooker*, but am enjoying it!