In a world where humans are so nasty to other humans and millions suffer horribly, I am indeed thankful and grateful to encounter so many of the superior version - people who care. I was so impressed these past two months that may I tell you about some of them? I was released to return home from rehab 07 March, and it has been a busy time since.
On 17 January, about 1530 (3:30 PM), I fell on my front sidewalk, shattering my right femur. I was unable to move, Two women stopped their passing car, but were unable to lift me. Twenty minutes later my daughter, Barbara, arrived and four people, including my grandson, Oren, got me into her car to rush me to emergency at Penrose Hospital where Dr. Barnwell started surgery at 1800, finishing at 2100. Barbara did not get home until 0400.
For rehabilitation, I ended up, complete with catheter, in the Center at Centennial, a 4-wing, 80 bed rehabilitation facility where I was soon impressed with the organization, the single room with a view, the routine, and the staff who worked either a 12-hour, 3 days a week shift or a 5-day, 8-hour, shift. Pay started at $12 an hour, increasing with experience.
Many of the Certified Nurses’ Assistants (CNA), mainly female, were also taking university courses to enhance their medical careers. All were likable, capable, and cheerful. A major drawback for me was the absence of time to socialize. Staff were kept busy answering patient needs, so it was usually a quick in and out. Another drawback was the frequent change of staff assignments. We would have the same CNA for 3 or 4 days or nights, only to have them rotated, but some were seen again in a week or two. Each CNA was assigned about 13 patients on a daily basis so it was a problem remembering names.
There are at least a score whom I would like to praise for their genuine concern for their patients. I did ask them for career summaries and comments for this blog, but few found the time to do so. I do thank Lucie, Lia, Janet, Jennifer, Karena, Lydia, Teresa, LaTisha, Jane, Elisa, Lacie, Jewel, Lenore, Kelly, Agi, Dee, Linda, Monica, Jared, Jessie, Jill, Montana, August, Zack, and others for their contributions to my on-going progress.
I must thank Sam, a Masai from Kenya, for the extra time he gave me. It was customary to rush patients via wheel chairs to my 3rd floor elevator for meals and therapy (occupational and physical) on the ground floor. To allow me extra exercise, Sam cheerfully accepted my request to walk the distance by walker while he towed my wheel chair after installing a wide belt around me that he could grab if I appeared unsteady.
I also owe a debt to Tricia in physical therapy whose hours of massaging my swollen and painful right leg, and other exercises, speeded its recovery. Tricia traces her ancestry back to original Mexican inhabitants that predate the unification of city states into Inca and Aztec empires.
Adam in occupational therapy shared control of the gym with Tricia. He grew up by the beach in central New Jersey, earning a BA in Television, following his father who produced children’s TV shows. His mother is a psychotherapist and social worker, Adam earned a degree in occupational therapy from Stockton University and worked for a few years before settling in at the Center at Centennial. His goal is to improve lives, functions, and independence.
Tricia and Adam have a staff of 28, divided among full-time, part-time therapists, and Certified Therapist Assistants. Included are 2 full-time Speech Language Pathologists.
Ron Albright relates that his interest in emergency medicine started when he was 10 years old so had to get special permission to take the CPR course. Shortly thereafter, in a classroom in Texas, a classmate started chocking on what he was eating. I dislodged the stuck food. In the military medical school I took classes in elementary, psychology, and emergency medicine. I have saved lives with my CPR ability and helped many others. I also try to educate patients to care better for themselves. One of my favorite quotes is Robert Williams in the movie Patch Adams “When you treat a disease you win and lose. When you treat a patient I guarantee you win.” As I assess my life, I see that God has directed my steps into doing what I love to do.
The kitchen staff prepared a wide assortment of tasty meals with portions far more than I could consume. They catered to individual requests.
This human urge to excel in one’s chosen or assigned occupation, regardless of monetary returns, is too often overlooked when assessing the successes and failures of Capitalist vs Socialist societies.
Oops! This could lead to another blog while I slowly regain my old abilities. Sorry for my absence.
But, before I go, I must admit how grateful I am for my 5 daughters, all of whom have been a tremendous help. Diane flew down from Toronto for a week of ceaseless help. Valerie, Trish, and Linda have each driven 3 to 5 hours each time to provide help over weekends, Barbara has neglected her ranch and horses to be my mainstay. I cannot vouch for sons but the old saying fits my picture: “A daughter is a daughter all her life. A son is a son until he finds himself a wife.” They have moved furniture, installed hand rails, bought me a recliner, and thoroughly spoiled me. They have restricted me to a walker-assisted domain extending from my bedroom to bathroom to kitchen to den to dining room table where I am busy describing for buyers over 40 albums of a fabulous worldwide stamp collection started in 1928.
Ye Old Scribeapitalist oligarchy. Companies that succeed allow
