I have been a little sporadic with posts lately; it’s been a long three weeks. My Mother-in-law passed away last Sunday, she was 80. About three weeks ago she had a stroke, spent two weeks in the hospital and only one week at the nursing home. Believe me, it’s for the best, there was no quality of life. My wife and her brother flew to Flint, MI today to take the body home to family. Tonight has given me time to reflect on the last three weeks. The quality of care that was provided both at the hospital and nursing home was good, not great and not inadequate either. Given what they have to work with, short on staff, language barriers, feisty patients and death, I know I couldn’t do it. What I learned about the hospital in two weeks: 1. If you have a family of ten it’s a good place to go for dinner, the prices are cheap and the menu varied. I overheard a couple of families discussing which hospital to visit on what days for which foods, they make the rounds. 2. If you are homeless it’s a good place to visit in order to clean up and pick up a few rolls of toilet paper. I know because I had to nab a roll from a fellow in order to use the facility. 3. If you hear moaning and h-e-l-p m-e coming from the next room, don’t investigate. You might find a fellow in a wheelchair, on oxygen holding a cigarette looking for a light. 3. Smoking is alive and well at the hospital given the number of people out front in gowns and pulling their IV bag rollers. One guy was holding a compression bandage on his forehead; he had to have a smoke while waiting for stitches. The nursing home was a little better except for the night a patient came running into the room and leaped through the screen to escape (first floor) and the police did find him. I don’t really want to get into funeral homes but: Mom-in-law thought she had pre-paid for everything except she had to have a bigger casket ($500 more), Why, they saw her when she picked it out? I didn’t get an answer on that one. Then there was the $1,200 for the funeral home in MI to pick the body up at the airport and drive it to the cemetery, a distance of seven miles. It must have been the fork lift rental that increased it. Rest in peace Mom, you were loved. Thanks for listening, I feel better.
Forgive me if I'm wrong or off base, Steve, but that was quite an interesting (and humorous, if not....sarcastic) post. Very informative as well With that said, my condolences on your family's loss.
Thanks to all of you for your support. Joe was right, there were some humorous times, my sarcasm peaked through because I was so amazed at what went on and this was just the way I dealt with it. The sun is coming up and my wife will be home tonight. You are a great group!
I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like she led a very long life, so cherish the memories you have of her.
Steve hang in there.... and I must agree how morbid it may sound I did have a laugh at the guy next door yelling help to find his lighter for a smoke. im EXTREME anti smoking.. humor helps you thru though times. to quote a famous dutch Comedian " A day not laughed is a day not lived ".....
Mother-in-law I will keep you in my prayers. I know how much a mother-in-law means to you when your own mother has passed on. Just remember the good and bad times and what made you laugh with her and at her. My heart goes out to your wife and the rest of the family. Yellowwolf
Thank you all for your support. We are on our way to "normal". Of course we have never really been "normal". I am a member here....
