Eating & Moving Day

The big step for today is beginning feedings. 13 years ago, Deuce had a "G" tube installed and that is where he receives all of his nutrition. It is a tube that goes directly to his stomach. He does eat small doses of food

So today, they have started slightly dripping his food into his stomach to see how he will handle it. Keep your fingers crossed for us. (For those of you who know him, he is only going to get one can of Jevity continuous for 12 hours-very slow.)

So, the other thing is that I guess all hospitals in Omaha are full to the brim. We actually have been waiting to move to another room but because the hospital is full, there isn't a bed to move to. It looks like they are going to move us across the hall to 7 South. We have not had good luck on the regular hospital "floor." Nurses in ICU have to manage 1-3 patients, Nurses on the "floor" must manage sometimes up to 8 patients. Pretty much an impossibility in some cases. I don't envy them. The nurses in ICU are also the creme of the crop. We have Kate today. Kate is Deucer's age and very smart and cute. That helps.

My one rant/question I will pose today is that it will be interesting to watch as insurance companies start to force people to select "consumer driven health-care" if hospitals and care providers get on board with the idea. Will consumerist health care force competion in health care and force them to spend more time and money on customer focused training & evaluation? Doubtful. Even though there are some incredibly caring and competent care providers, it is inconsistent. Focusing and on the needs and empathy for the patient and family should be paramount. Especially when stakes are so high. Hospitals are still trying to learn how to balance the nuts and bolts of business with the delicate care of their "customers." Okay, down off the soapbox, ahh. That is better.

Okay, now I feel this is the time to out my brother a bit. Yes, it's true. He is an avid soap opera watcher. I am currently being forced to watch "Passions." Ugh-is there worse writing out there?

Thanks to everyone who continues to post! We love them! Lata...