ceramic or steel?

on the 21st, mom had her hip replacement surgery at the most ghetto hospital i have ever been in (and i've been in a few).

we think that her surgery was somewhat successful as when she awoke as she had a major incision on her leg and could wiggle her toes but besides that, we had no idea. her surgeon hadn't talked to her or her nurses, the physiotherapist didn't bother to see her, and the pharmacy couldn't figure out her meds (besides the fact that she had given all of them her medication lists).

so as she sat in her dingy, dark room, i tried to cheer her up by playing "take your best guess at what that is" while we pointed to random markings in her room. we concluded that the item of choice on the ceiling was a mixture of jello and gum and that those sprays on the curtains were blood, not fecal matter. no, i am not making this up. the inpatient recovery ward has 2 wheelchairs and 1 commode. i haven't taken a head count, but i'm thinking there are no less than 25 patients on the floor.

as usual, the nurses were fabulous. showing more concern than her doctors and doing everything they can to try to make her comfortable. nurses just rawk.

mom is now on the rehabilitation floor. while more "updated", her roommate is nasty. this is just a sample of her pleasantries:

nurse: mrs. kaye, can i get you a drink? would you like some tea?
mrs. kaye: why don't you go to hell and back!

last night her staples opened and she started bleeding quite profusely. this seems to have been rectified but she is in so much pain, it just bothers me immensely. the rooms also are not air conditioned. the hallways are, but the rooms face west and it is hot and sticky.

if the hospital doesn't catapult my mom out early, she should be home tuesday morning. this is when the real rehabilitation will take place and its going to be tough. i just hope the end result makes it all worthwhile.

thanks to all of our friends and family who keep sending their wishes and visiting. keep your fingers crossed!