Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Well it's Wednesday Again.

I've come across a poetry blog and as a consequence been on a poetry writing binge. Well writing one poem binge. They do not come out that fast for me. I have two other poems that are works in progress..

Sort of that adage about the company you keep.

I was trying to write a quick story as an offshoot to a story I was writing for IWSG's Anthology. I will not finish in time. Plus the story may become a novella. Funny how a quick little story grows. The length of the story is 3000 to 6000 words. The deadline is November 1st. When I write, I usually have to cut about half out. So it just depends.

 http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2016/09/announcing-2016-iwsg-anthology-contest.html

This is how my writing for contests go, I never get them done in time. But sometimes, I get a story in good condition written. I was much better off when my plan was to write my great tomes of science when I retired from teaching.

I've been spending the night  at the hospital with my sister. I thought I would get her papers organized and a whole lot written. As you can guess, none of that is happening. I drive home during the day to get a little done, take care of my animals, visit with my family and by the time I return I am tired. I'm tired from sleeping in this hard recliner chair in my sister's room. It worked fine the first two nights. I've had long enough to have real complaints now.

I had been helping my sister with cleaning up in the room, helping her with using the bathroom. One day I came in tired, so I let the nurse change her diaper. This is when I learned, it was important my sister learn to use her call button. As a consequence, I've learned to be a nurse critic. When watching, it is easy to notice what others do wrong. One nurse always spills my sister's bedpan. That armchair quarterback in me is yelling "slow down" in my mind. Mind you, her diaper looked like a six year old did it when I was doing it.

My sister is getting better, she is giving me instructions on how to clean her room. I'm pleased that she has called a nurse to help her get up and into her wheelchair. She is in rehab hospital. One of the physical therapists was able to get her to stand and move to her wheelchair the first day. However, it takes two nurses to help her transfer in the morning. Mostly from the fact that they are rushing and trying to do it without a plan. Yesterday, I broke my rule and intervened. I put the wheelchair where it was supposed to be. It went much better. Today, I have wheelchair in place.

What am I learning from this, I don't want a stroke and I need to lose weight. Being overweight, it is hard for the nurses to move you. My sister is in a real battle. Like many battles she does not comprehend what she has in front of her.

Yesterday morning, they wake her up at 5:30 am for her bath, It is 7:20 and she has fallen asleep. They will wake her up around 7:30 to move her to her wheelchair. In the hallway, it is constant scurrying. When you are use to doing for yourself, it is hard to be patient. In the next room, I hear the nurse yelling at patient "sit up, sit up straight" She'll be in shortly to yell to my sister the same thing.

16 comments:

  1. You're a good sister. Sorry the nurses aren't as good at it as you. You should hold up score cards for them.
    Keep working on that IWSG story!

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    1. I'm sure they would appreciate score cards. It would make me immensely popular. Everyone has their way of doing things for sure.

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  2. One way to get the story done is just to do it, then submit, can't hurt. But yeah, need the time. A good sister indeed. Yeah weight can work against one with health in many a way.

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    1. If my sister will go to sleep, perhaps I could finish. It's a good distraction to say the least.

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  3. That is a good reminder about the weight. Also good reminder to watch one's health to hopefully take preventative measures to avoid things like strokes and heart attacks if possible. You are a good sister to be there for your sister as you can. I hope she'll be able to make some type of recovery that she will be able to manage most of her activities of daily living on her own without too much other care. In the meanwhile, do the best you can with your writing and other endeavors.

    betty

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    1. It is humbling. It's one of those day by day things. I was going to bring her to my home. But now, she may need to stay in a nursing facility unless I can hire some really good people. I would cry about it but it would not change a thing.

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  4. Be sure to take care of yourself as you are caring for your sister.

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    1. I do need to do that. It is easier said than done. My family at home have been suffering too. The two siblings that live with me have been acting up in their own way. Everyone needs attention.

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  5. it's tough to stay long term. I have changed many adult diapers, and it can be rough to get them right.often nurses are overloaded with too many patients to keep up at a regular pace. I wondered if this floor was stroke specific, or general care.Being a hospital you often get the best workers, against going into a care center where everyone is extremely feeble needing extra help. There is always a social worker to talk with and set better strategies. I hope recovery is being made

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    1. Thanks. It is just a long battle. My sister is restless and requires more care than the hospital gives for rehab. It's not a good prognosis. There is that quality of disbelief.

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  6. That's a difficult position to be in, but you have to do what you can for your sister. And for you. So, take care of yourself, too.

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  7. So sorry to hear - nursing a loved one long term is tough. Professional nurses seem to be the same he world over, some great, some not so great. Good luck with the poetry - hope to see it here once you are done :) Take care.

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  8. Persevere, my friend. Your writing is worthwhile and important. Poetry is so cathartic. I am glad you are finding that release, too. Hugs.

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  9. What a good sister you are. I recall doing pretty much the same thing when my dad was dying from cancer. In the end, he couldn't do anything for himself. Fortunately, a few years before he developed cancer, he lost a lot of weight. Now I'm starting to realize I need to lose a lot of weight as well. It can be challenging, but it can be done.
    Wish you and family the best.

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  10. Save some time and care for you, as well sweet Ann.

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