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Friday, January 27, 2006

1:00 a.m. Friday

One last thing before sleep. Today was much better. Much of it was due to all the comments and email I received. Thanks to all of you and especially to the people I wasn't able to contact through email or their blogs.

Ray is still in Modesto and I'll go tomorrow with my older son. I managed to get all the medical information to them - it wasn't sent along with him and they were understandably confused. They were silly enough to ask Ray (still doped up on morphine) and then called me. He was telling them about meds he hasn't taken in a couple of years and missed one he's taking now. I keep records, at least of physician names and addresses and his medications. I have a pretty good idea of the various diagnoses.

My big question is "why am I doing this"? What if I were wrong? Isn't there a central location somewhere besides my computer? He has a primary physician and at least 6 or 7 specialists. All his medical records should be coordinated and since the primary physician refers to the specialist, I'd think that's where everything should be. Maybe it is and they just hadn't sent it on yet. I don't know.

I'm ranting, sorry.

I did talk to him late this afternoon and he sounded a little more together. With that much pain, morphine can be the only effective drug but it puts him (and probably most of us) on a whole different planet.

Girls are doing okay with it (sort of). Rochelle takes things the most to heart and was sad but I think I reassured her somewhat. I didn't tell them any more than necessary since I don't know much yet myself. Elcie has a scratchy throat. Please no more strep - not now. I'll see how she is tomorrow.

I did almost nothing today which is probably what I needed to do. Messed around on computer, did a little house stuff, and then crashed for a while. There is something about the late afternoon that gets to me. Most times I plow through it and it always passes but sometimes I just give in and let someone else take over for a while.

Good night all - I'll get back eventually to recipes, silliness, and just stuff.

10 comments:

Andrea said...

still thinking of you.

{{{hugs to ray and you}}}

Andie D. said...

I'd been offline for a bit and just now found out about Ray! Please know that I'm thinking about you both and sending hugs your way. Please don't forget to take care of yourself.

mreddie said...

Still hoping for the best news and like andie d. said 'don't forget to take care of yourself'. ec

Sheri said...

Hope the morning has brought some good news your way-take care!

Anvilcloud said...

We have a friend who has a lot of conditions. She has a copy of every report ever made. Not a bad idea, I guess.

Anonymous said...

Couple of reasons the info isn't all centralized and computerized... The big one is HIPAA -- privacy concerns. Nobody's allowed to tell anyone anything.

There's also -- and rightly so -- been much more emphasis on developing cures and better test gear and such, rather than on the back end infrastructure. There's one hospital, however, that seems to be doing it right. Doesn't help much, but it does give hope for the future.

In the meantime, having someone like yourself working as the patient's advocate and keeping on top of things is next best thing -- and is more helpful than you can imagine.

Get some rest, and all our best to you, Ray, and the girls.

JBlue said...

Still thinking of you and Ray and the girls and wishing you well. Get as much rest as you can! I hope Elcie is better.

Alice said...

I think making the reports is helpful and necessary if it is at all possible to do so. Ray is very lucky that you're looking out for him.

You write about whatever you want. I'll read it none-the-less. As I warned you; you are now stuck with me.
Try to relax a little. If you don't allow your brain some slack you'll make yourself ill.

Elcie is probably reacting to the stress and the tense and worried situation, rather than coming down with strep, I think.
Could be wrong, though.

Anyway, love and hugs to you, Ray and the girls. I pray things will be clearer, if not better, very soon indeed.

:-) xxx

Gawdessness said...

Oh I hope you all sleep and feel rested up at least a little today,
I will be checking back through the day to see how everything is and as ridiculous as this might sound, if there is anything I can do or send or whatever to help out, let me know!!!!!
Love Kath

Sarah Elaine said...

Just a quick note to say that I'm thinking about you and Ray.

Hugs to you both.