Nurse Laura was too busy to talk to me. So Margaret, the head nurse on the floor Father is on in Chilliwack hospital, was sure there was no way that Father could get home before Wed. next week. Finally, after a few attempts at speaking human to her, I said, “I’m not a very commanding person when it comes to conversations – never have been – so, please, just let me speak for a minute.” – Silence – I explained that I didn’t want my father to die in hospital. He should do so at home. She softened her stance and sounded like a real person, just trying to control the conversation to obtain a desired outcome. Is there any way of making this happen – like if I were to arrange to borrow, rent, or purchase a hospital bed so he could be transported home? Yes, absolutely, if you can arrange it on your own, we’ll work with you on that. – Sigh – Bossy-boots power woman trying to ride over my ass with a steamroller.
Don’t be heavy, mamma; I’m your brother.
Lisa at Discount MediQuip out of Chilliwack, BC, was the very opposite. “Yes, I can find a bed for your father from somewhere. Just give me a minute.” Within a minute, she came back from putting someone in a headlock (I’m sure figuratively) to get a bed for me. The long and the short of it is that Father’s bed will be delivered by 2pm today. Cost: $220 ($30 delivery, $30 setup, $150 rent for one month, $10 mandatory mattress cover.)
Laura (henceforth Father’s friend, not nurse at hospital) says Father will be delivered by patient transport at 4pm today. Father was happy and ate lunch. Yay.
The kicker was last night was when Father asked Laura if he should die in the hospital or at home. It broke my heart to hear this. No, Father, I don’t believe you are going to die in hospital. You’re going home so that you can live there with your dog Cash, your 43 chickens, your beautiful back yard full of flowers, and Laura looking after you. That’s what you’re gonna do.