14 days @ Strong

14 long days at Strong. Today or tomorrow, pending the infection and his blood counts, Joe will be home. Horray. It's been a roller coaster ride the entire time he's been in with the latest issues concerning his overall care and lack thereof. The resident missed the orders for his peritonial antibiotics for 24 hours, thus he missed 2 doses of medicine, and we slipped a bit on Friday. It's not like Maureen and I were not asking every hour or so where it was - but the communication at Strong is simply not lean, thus is care was compromised and his health put at risk. I was brutally honest (and a little loud) with the resident, the patient advocate and the nurse manager, along wtih his doctor and the head of oncology - all who apologized over and over for their mistake. It is frustrating and infuriating. This is not the end of the saga, I have only begun to make waves concerning his care.

He is feeling stronger and is off his IV pain medication, so we're managing that with oral medication. He is on the TPN and tolerating that well - he will continue it at home along with a series of antibiotics - which I can assure you I will not forget to give to him!

With Easter this Sunday I know a miracle is around the corner!

I'll update again when he is home. Until then, Joe is dreaming of the day when he can eat Lasagna, subs & pizza!


Vicki, Gina & Tom