Against Medical Advice (AMA)

I woke up raring to go. Carolyn again spent the night at Surrey Place to keep an eye on things with Harry. I hurried over to take over from her at 7 AM, with only 3 hours to go before the scheduled wheelchair van. I went to the nurses’ desk and told them that we were leaving.

What did I mean? They had no orders! I told them that we were going home at 10 AM. There was a flurry of activity, and I went back to the room to hang out with Harry. Since I am an expert eavesdropper, I had stepped out to give Harry some privacy, and I could overhear a nurse talking to administration. She said that 25 (Harry’s room number – nameless patient) was “discharging AMA”. Huh? Aha! Against Medical Orders. Doctor P suggested Harry stay seven to ten days. Doctor P’s mission is to make money for the corporation, as far as I am concerned. The care was atrocious. It was noisy and outrageously understaffed!

We were calm, pleasant, but determined. Harry ate breakfast for some energy, I packed the very few remaining items, and by 10 AM we were in the lobby waiting to leave. The chief social worker and the director of nursing chatted sternly with us, and pointed out our foolishness. They claimed that Woods Mill Orthopedics advised Harry not to leave Surrey Place. That was weird, since I had spoken to Andy’s PA the day before and he was fine with it. Harry’s PCP had e mailed, when Harry let her know he was going home, that she was surprised he had lasted this long. Incredibly, they would not give Harry his antibiotics or pain pills, because he was leaving against orders!!

I did not take pictures. I was so worried about jinxing our getaway, and didn’t want to irritate the staff any more than I already had

The van was 15 minutes late. Of course, I called to see what was going on, and the driver, James, was just pulling in. We desperately wanted to get away and back to Bronze Fox Farm.

I followed the van (running one red light to stay with them). And then there was a horrific accident on Highway 40, at Hwy N. I believe if we had been picked up at 10 AM we would have been right there when the crossover happened, killing four people. Life is funny – luck can spin and cavort, stay or go. We felt very fortunate to be in the traffic jam, and not the incident. And we were less delayed than many, since were close to the front of the jam. It was very obviously a grim crash, and awfully sad.

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Finally, we were home, and Harry was reunited with his dogs (and Roscoe). Jane, as always, helped immensely – I had forgotten to get an adjustable bedside table, and she rushed off to the supply store so that all was ready when Harry was unloaded. Many tears of joy were shed when Harry was back on the ground here. Jane and I were a mess. Poor James! But Harry was home in his makeshift hospital room, and all was well, apart from our “AMA” status.

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No worries – there had been time in the traffic jam to call Andy’s office, and they would write Harry’s prescriptions. Jane, of course, would pick them up!

The sun was shining and I actually had horses to attend to (though Marianne is still helping out). I went to remove Bart’s neck cover, and found he had somehow removed it himself, along with the top blanket and liner! I wonder if one of his pasture mates helped. No buckles were undone, he just slipped out. It was a day for that, I guess, we sure slipped right out of Surrey Place!

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Later, Andy himself called and talked to Harry – the X ray showed the bone has not shifted position. Stay the course, and the femur should heal. We are elated.

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Life is returning to normal. I brought the horses in and fed them. I warmed up food and fed my husband (so not THAT normal – I don’t usually do that!). We relaxed, were presented with a basket full of delicious and healthy foods from the Oakeys, Bill and grandson Luke delivering many thoughful presents. What a nice surprise! Pam, alas, cannot visit because of cat allergies. Roscoe feels very sorry for her. We are so lucky to have good friends in abundance. Susan and Robert, from New York, sent Bissinger’s chocolates!

I did night check, and it was wonderful to return to the house through the dark and find Harry happily resting in front of the television. It is hard to believe how happy the dogs were to see Harry, and how well they are behaving with this new normal.

The view from Harry’s bed…

My favorite picture today…