My Medical Rantings
I spent that entire evening in the surgical waiting room. Nicole had lost the entire left side of her face, including her ear, parts of her scalp, ear canal, cheek and jaw bone. She had lacerations on her neck, chest and shoulders. After hours in surgery, the surgeon returned to the waiting room to tell me I could take her home in about an hour, and would need to return with her in about 10 days for another surgery. A nurse would call me and see her in the morning. I panicked! How could he possibly send my child home when she was in such serious condition??! And what in the world could a homecare nurse do to help her?? I insisted we both stay in Riley Children's Hospital until Nicole's care was completed. The physician sat down with me, and very patiently explained that Nicole would heal much better at home with homecare, than with a hospital stay. He explained that there was less chance of nosocomial infection (hospital-acquired infections). There would be a faster healing time. Nicole would be more comfortable, need less medication and would cope better in familiar surroundings. And with time, both Nicole and I would better learn to manage her healthcare independently at home. And ultimately, we would both be far happier at home. I finally concurred and we took her home. Over the next several months, home health nurses were there for us as various surgeons did skin flaps, vascular resections, cartiledge grafts from her ribs to rebuild a new ear, and skin grafts from various areas to rebuild her face. We tried to count all the stitches just in case we became candidates for the Guiness Book. But even the nurses lost count after 500. They helped us celebrate all the important times of the tragedy, like the "Nicole's Hair Grows Back Party", or the party to celebrate the piercing of Nicole's new ear lobe, complete with ceremonial diamond earrings to honor the occasion. In brief, they thought of EVERYTHING, and helped us get through the most painful time in our lives. Home Health Care was the best thing that could have happened at that point in our lives. Nicole had her "own personal nurse" and was quite proud of that fact. And the primary nurse was not only there for Nicole but also for the rest of the household. She was better able to be objective than we were, and became one of our greatest sources of emotional support. She held me when I cried and encouraged me when I lost hope. She taught Nicole over time, to do her own dressing changes, do her own pre-op care, and check daily for signs and symptoms of complications. She went a step farther, and even arranged for Nicole's school friends to visit on an afternoon schedule, and set up a program with the school system for home-schooling complete with the same teacher, and even her school mates. Nicole was happy, never complaining once about any of the medical situations. Our nurses were with us through 14 surgeries, over an 18 month period. And ten years later, we all continue to stay in touch. They weren't just nurses, they were family. Nicole did GREAT.....not one infection, pain controlled with merely children's tylenol, and now no obvious, visible scars. I went into homecare after Nicole was released from her medical care. I was so very impressed with the love, care and skill of the homecare nurses, that I really felt I just had to work in that field. My goal was to give back to my patients the love and care that was given to Nicole. And I had learned that home health really is a great way of healing. Patients are much more independent and self-sufficient in their homes. And they remain much happier with an increased rate of healing. Research has consistently shown patients to heal better in the home settings. Research also shows us that this is the most economical and efficient form of medical treatment. Our family didn't have to read the books to know these facts.....we lived them! As a mother, I was impressed and forever grateful for home health care. As a nurse, I love working in home health care. As an Administrator, I enjoy building home health medical programs. As a consumer, I BELIEVE IN HOME HEALTH. It really is the best way to heal!
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