I wrote a post earlier about helping our 90+ year old friends, but something on that day also shook me up about being a health care worker.
Mrs. K had asked us if we could take them to the doctor in Honolulu since Mr. K needed his spinal fracture follow-up visit. I was really proud of myself for thinking of bringing mom's travel wheelchair. We didn't know at the time that he couldn't walk because Mrs. K hadn't alerted us to the problem. I also grabbed two bottles of water for them to keep them hydrated. I joked to Art that we should go into the healthcare business since we were being so efficient.
When we got to the Medical Building and wheeled Mr. K into the office, the doctor must have assumed that I was his daughter and started giving me all kinds of directions. I asked to bring Mrs. K into the room, but he told me not to. I quickly started scribbling in my notepad that Mr. K needed Phillips Milk of Magnesia and papayas for his nausea and constipation from the pain medication.
Somewhere along the way to the drugstore to pick up his supplies and some medication for Mrs. K, the wires in my brain got crossed. As I settled her into a seat to wait for her medication, I went to pick up Pepto Bismol.
When I read the directions I saw that it was anti-diarrheal so I explained the problem to the pharmacist. She told me it was OK so long as I bought the laxative/stool softener. It was a little costly, but I brought them to Mrs. K to purchase. I wrote the directions all over the bottles for Mrs. K so they'd know how to use them.
Mrs. K had asked us if we could take them to the doctor in Honolulu since Mr. K needed his spinal fracture follow-up visit. I was really proud of myself for thinking of bringing mom's travel wheelchair. We didn't know at the time that he couldn't walk because Mrs. K hadn't alerted us to the problem. I also grabbed two bottles of water for them to keep them hydrated. I joked to Art that we should go into the healthcare business since we were being so efficient.
When we got to the Medical Building and wheeled Mr. K into the office, the doctor must have assumed that I was his daughter and started giving me all kinds of directions. I asked to bring Mrs. K into the room, but he told me not to. I quickly started scribbling in my notepad that Mr. K needed Phillips Milk of Magnesia and papayas for his nausea and constipation from the pain medication.
Somewhere along the way to the drugstore to pick up his supplies and some medication for Mrs. K, the wires in my brain got crossed. As I settled her into a seat to wait for her medication, I went to pick up Pepto Bismol.
When I read the directions I saw that it was anti-diarrheal so I explained the problem to the pharmacist. She told me it was OK so long as I bought the laxative/stool softener. It was a little costly, but I brought them to Mrs. K to purchase. I wrote the directions all over the bottles for Mrs. K so they'd know how to use them.
Later in the evening, Art was watching TV and saw an ad for Phillips' Milk of Magnesia. "I wonder why the doctor didn't recommend this instead," asked Art.
"ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! OH NO!" A lightbulb exploded in my brain. I got the wrong medication!
We rushed down to the drugstore again, picked up the Milk of Magnesia and then on to Mr. and Mrs. K's house and exchanged the Pepto Bismol and stool softener for the Milk of Magnesia and also gave them a papaya. I told them we'd just return the two medications to the drugstore... but of course, we can't because I wrote the directions all over them.
Ah well... Now I'm all set if I have an upset stomach and diarrhea.
However, I guess I won't be a health care worker after all.
That's pretty funny, Kay. The same thing happens to me all the time, but it's usually not for someone else's maladies. Glad you finally figured it out. It would probably have worked just fine anyway, right? :-)
ReplyDeleteAccording to the pharmacist, it would have been OK. However, we really didn't want to take a chance since that wasn't what the doctor ordered. :-( The crazy thing is, I wrote the CORRECT information in my notebook. I just didn't pick up the right thing. Sheesh!
DeleteGee, that is just plain awful. But, it would have been worse if your version of the doctor's orders had resulted in bodily harm. I am glad this had a happy ending.
ReplyDeletethis really made me chuckle!
ReplyDeleteYes, time to hang up your medical shingle. My sister decided to be our cousin's caregiver when he visited and she picked him up at the airport with a wheelchair. By the time she got him to our house he was begging for someone, anyone else, to take over his care. Evidently she wasn't a good nurse.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually OK with pushing the wheelchair because I've done it when we took mom traveling in Japan. It's not very comfortable to sit in a traveling chair though. Very bumpy.
DeleteIt's not easy to take care of the whole island...lol!
ReplyDeleteSo many medications and so much confusion.... Glad you figured it out --and could get him the 'correct' stuff... This is kinda funny---but I'm sure, to you, it was NOT a bit funny!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe know about taking care of the elderly. George's Dad lived till November--and died at the age of 101.... He struggled those last years --and it was very sad to see him like that.
Thanks for helping your friends.
Hugs,
Betsy
:) Believe me, I can relate. Glad you got it figured out.
ReplyDeleteMr K's doctor probably assumed you were a hired medical worker (and you did not correct his assumptions), being that he rattled of a bunch of stuff in a hurry for you to make sure he got all these things. He should have written that medication on a piece of paper. He was in too much of a hurry to get Mr K out the door. If Mr K cant walk is Mrs K putting her self at risk supporting him and risking both falling trying to get him to the bathroom? Since Mrs K is the primary caretaker I would have insisted that she be in the room. This was just wrong for him to exclude her, she is his wife, and you are friends not hired help... and usually with medical issues the friends are not the ones told what the deal is, the relatives are. This doctor could be in a lot of trouble if there had been any real damage to the patient.
ReplyDelete~L.
You're very right. I was so stunned by the doctor's brusk order saying, "No, don't call her. It won't help." that I wasn't sure what to do except to whip out my notebook to write down what he was saying. I automatically do that whenever I take my mother to her doctor. I'll be more prepared if we have to do this again. It's the first time we've had to take someone other than my mother.
DeleteMrs. K cannot support him because of her osteoporosis. In fact, when we took her shopping, we found a complimentary wheelchair for her. Mr. K is able to walk now though with a few aches and pains.
I know I would not be a good caregiver. I hope I am never in that position. You were kind to help your friends and at least you got him the correct medicine in the end.
ReplyDeleteThat was doubly kind of you. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been preparing pre-written posts and setting them up for the time we will be gone. Thanks.
You are very welcome, Mage. Have a terrific time!
DeleteGlad you were able to help. (You even confused me about what was to be purchased.)
ReplyDeleteThere are too many products for bowel problems, and seniors grab the wrong item frequently.
I see definite concerns about the couple's ability to continue living without extended daily help. Their doc is certainly too fast for the care they need. Always announce to the docs/nurses who you are, but the K's were lucky you wrote down information. If they weren't able to absorb the information, they most likely are not medicating themselves correctly.
The couple's relatives or healthcare power of attorney need to be informed of their current situation. There are many agencies able to help with this couple. An Area on Aging office should be able to help.
Unless they've refused before, their too-speedy doc needs to have home health care assessments arranged and multitudes of services provided. Most of this should have been done in the recovering process with the back problem.
Yep, you're getting your nursing degree. Good Luck. DrumMajor
I will definitely know better to announce to everybody who we really are. We did tell the receptionist, but didn't repeat it when I rolled him into the room because I just assumed he knew.
DeleteMrs. K knows she has to be careful with their medication. This is why she asked me to write notes and information in large print on the bottles themselves as well as on separate pieces of paper for her. Like my mother English is her second language so there are limitations to her understanding.
Their kids live and work on the mainland so it's hard for them to come over quickly. They've been relying on cousins to help them out, but the cousins were out of town so weren't available this time. We do check on them once a week whenever we bring over tofu for them from the Tofu factory.
At least you tried to help and eventually it all worked out. Nobody's perfect, not even young people. Sometimes when older people make a mistake, it is credited to their age, but we all make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteLuckily you remember when Art posed his question after seeing the Ad. I really hope that your 90+ year old friends will be ok living by themselves. Do they have anyone checking in on them from time to time?
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Thank goodness! They have lovely neighbors that come over and check on them, not to mention cousins.
DeleteNot the worst mistake, but best remedied.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time remember my few medicine directions that I have started recently! Wish I had you as a neighbor.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least you did get it straitened out. Somebody else's job isn't always as easy as it may appear.
ReplyDeleteI understand now how difficult it is to be a healthcare worker.
Deleteyou are a good person, and role model is all I can say!
ReplyDeleteYou are very friendly people and bright ones.
ReplyDeleteBless you for caring so much - both of you
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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One wonders if Mrs. K would have done any better. Good thing you were there anyway.
ReplyDeleteon a side thought, I hate taking regular pepto bismol. It's like drinking goo
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer chewing on the tablets. It's easier for traveling too.
DeleteI think you and Art are the greatest to care so much about your elderly friends.
ReplyDeleteThat was a bit funny and at least you are now set for either situations. It was a nice save in the end. Getting really old is a challenge. You are a really good friend.
ReplyDeleteLuckily it's something that can be looked back on and laughed about :) and like you said, now you're prepared if you ever need it haha.
ReplyDeleteYou make a fabulous volunteer. This is what I do through an agency. I've accompanied a lot of clients, when family cannot attend. I take notes after they ask questions. You did figure it out.
ReplyDeleteI did my late mother's home care for almost 4 years and it took time to get used to it. And I know mistakes can happen in stressful situations. At least all went well!
ReplyDelete