Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas All Readers,

Well, where do I begin?  You probably noticed the tone of last nights post.  I was feeling helpless and worried, and it may have worried you. 

Well, it was a rough night, and during that time I held off on calling the VNA nurse to ask her to come early today.  Then around 5am it hit me, just how poorly Anne was doing, not getting better, and whatever we were trying to do at home wasn't working.

I called MCCM 'hot line' maybe 5:30am and the on-call doctor called me right back.  I told Dr. Hedlund what was happening, and asked her to please 'pave the way' for Anne to be admitted to the Gibson Pavillion (Cancer Unit) at Maine Med.  She was agreeable and said, "Head on into MMC Admitting, and I'll see you at Gibson in a few hours".  Anne and I were so relieved that we would not be taking the ER route. 

It was tough to get Anne ready to go.  She was just unable to do it, being so weak and worn out tired.  Dressing was about all we could handle.  I knew there was no way she'd be able to walk down to the driveway and car.

I called 9-1-1 at maybe 7am and began negotiations with them to just get some help getting Anne situated in our own car.  They have a tendancy to want to 'take over' the situation, call the shots, and take and leave the patient at the ER.  But, I said "No, we only want help to get in the car".  I convinced them that from there I'd provide a smooth ride, safely find Maine Medical's front door, a wheelchair, and that we'd be all set.  They accomodated us, and I'm eternally grateful for their assistance. 

The VNA nurse (by the way) called when we were leaving the house and was ready to come over.  I told her she didn't need to, and I'm glad she caught up with me.
Anne and I have been here at Gibson all day in Room 555.  She is getting excellent care.  It's a huge single room.  You could eat off of the floors here.  What a relief ! 

She was dehydrated when we got here (even with all the extra water weight) so the fluids are running.  I'm impressed with Dr. Hedlund and all of the staff.  They understand because they specialize in taking excellent care of nothing but cancer patients.

They've taken a chest xray and a host of other tests since we arrived, checking Anne all out.  We don't have alot of specific news yet.  Her bladder is basically empty though, hence the fluids.  I'm confident that Anne is clearly better off and resting comfortably, in good hands, right exactly where she needs to be.