Nyel and Nurses

There don’t seem to be many new faces in Unit 53 this time.  Nyel (and I, by default) knows most of the nurses and they all seem delighted (in an apologetic way) to see him again.  He gets hugs and (maybe) special attention and I feel like I do, too.  For Nyel, it’s showing him pictures of their dogs; for me, it’s keeping me supplied with cups of decaf coffee – all above and beyond the call of duty.

Several of the doctors on the Legacy Medical Cardiology team have checked in, too – each with a warm handshake and a “remind me when we saw each other last.”  It’s reassuring to know that there are weighing in on Nyel’s situation.  Of the sixteen M.D.’s listed in Legacy’s cardiology provider group, nine have dealt with Nyel at one time or other!

Nyel on a Walk

The plan for this visit is to stabilize Nyel – get his exacerbated congestive heart failure under control – and then to decide whether or not he is ready for a mitral valve replacement or, in fact, if that is the direction to take at all.  With the data that’s been gathered so far. some team members feel one way; some another.  It will ultimately be a group decision, Nyel weighing in, as well – maybe as early as Friday with the possibility of the open-heart surgery in the next couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, we walk the halls, meet other patients and visitors on the same ‘exercise program,’ spend untold hours napping (Nyel) and trying to stay focused on various writing projects (me).  There are many pleasant distractions during the day.   Day before yesterday the sous chef even came up from the kitchen to straighten out a mix-up in our dinner order!  The housekeepers, meal service employees, and electrical technicians also stop to chat, welcoming us back as much as you can ‘welcome’ a frequent-flyer patient.

Another Visitor

Speaking of “frequent,” Nyel has even proposed a sort of rewards punch card – nine visits and the tenth one is free!  Everyone thinks that’s a fine plan – but no-one has offered to pitch it to the powers-that-be who are probably, (bottom line) Medicare.  Speaking of which… the loudspeaker announced early this morning that the “Joint Commission” is visiting today and “Please welcome them.”

We asked and were told it’s a sort of inspection team, here to see if this is a good place for people experiencing chest pain to be.  Can’t speak to that specifically – Nyel has not ever experienced chest pain, thank goodness!  But we can certainly attest to this being a great place to be if a hospital is in your future.  If the Commission asks us, we’ll give Legacy Emanuel high marks!

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