Category Archives: Health

Day 44

Cindy Lobel, Health, Status
Cindy had another skirmish with a Respiratory Therapist.  He was just a little too rough physically and inappropriate verbally.  He called her by her hospital serial number.  Will they never learn?  Don’t mess with Cindy, especially if you don’t want a tongue lashing when she has the speech valve in place.

However, in his defense, he did a great job auctioning out her lungs.  Better than anyone else has done.

Happy Weekend!

Day 43

Blanket, Blood, Card, Cindy Lobel, Cough, Health, Lung irritation, Physical Therapy, Status, Surgery
Last night, the Respiratory Therapist accidentally suctioned too hard and might have irritated her lung.  She was coughing up some blood.  This is not uncommon but can be pretty scary to the patient.

Yesterday, Cindy received a card and blanket from Fran.  She was very pleased to get it.  It made her very happy and appreciated how thoughtful Fran is to think of her. 

There was no Physical Therapy yesterday or today.

Cindy spoke with her doctor and is considering having surgery to remove the hernia within the next few months.  Rita, Mary and Debbie are going to setup a meeting with the doctors to discuss how plausible and safe this is at this time.

Day 42

Cindy Lobel, Health, Popsicle, Speaking Valve, Status
Cindy is breathing on her own today and the speaking valve was put into the trachea tube.  The first conversation went something like this:

     Nurse:  We need to test the speaking valve.  Say something.

     Cindy:  Something

     Nurse:  I knew you’d say that.

A little later the nurse had to do a procedure and the valve had to come out.  When the procedure was done, the valve was put back in. 

     Nurse:  We need to test the speaking valve again.

     Cindy:  Something else.

     Nurse:  I knew you’d say that.

For such a  fine performance, Cindy got a treat:

Day 37

Cindy Lobel, Guests, Health, Ice, Status, Swallow Test
Cindy had another swallow test and PASSED.  That means she is allowed to have some ice for the next couple of days and then they will start her on solid food.  I remember  when she started on solid food last time.  It got all over her face, hands, hair and the floor.  That was when she grabbed the spoon from my mother and couldn’t find her mouth.  Hopefully, she’ll do better this time.

This is a picture so Cindy’s guests.  They couldn’t wait to get on the phone and pass on the good news.

Ann (friend of the family) Lucy and Tony (Rita’s parents)

Day 36

Case Manager, Cindy Lobel, Health, Hospital, Presents, Religion, Working
Cindy had a visit from the discharge Case Manager yesterday.  She told us that patients are usually discharged after 28 days and either go to a sub-acute care facility, skilled nursing facility or home – depending on your health status.  The Case Manager asked many questions about Cindy’s condition before she was admitted to the hospital, insurance questions and some other personal questions.  But my favorite question and response was the following:

Case Manager:  What religion are you?

Cindy (after a lot of thought):  Whichever one has presents.

The Case Manager also wanted to make sure she was able to contact Cindy’s main support team – Rita, Mary and Debbie.  One of us is usually with Cindy at the hospital.  Here is a picture of Rita setting up shop at Cindy’s bedside: