spare a thought for rick

Dollytrollop

I had to spend a time last year (2007) at my m-in-l bedside. ICU, what an eye opener. The nurses are so dedicated.
They are angels in disguise. I couldn't do what they do. ( cry too much)
So major hats off to ANYONE who can care for people in need.


Keep up the good work Rick

Love to you and your family fsdss

verynewmoneysaver

That's really good news fsdss.

QueenFeeBee

Hello
I have just seen this thread and followed it through. I dont post very much on here but thankyou for sharing yours and Ricks life with us - its inspiring. Good luck with your efforts to improve the relatives room and of course with Ricks recovery.
Thinking of you,

fsdss

the thing is i need to do something to help - i cannot make Rick better, i can help him get better at a future date but at the moment i am powerless and desperation to help.

i'd run round the world twice if i could for rick- if i had to i would certainly give it my best shot

Rick is someone special, and i am not just saying that because he's my nephew. almost the last time i saw him conscious was before christmas when he was in town doing his christmas shopping, he saw us from a distance and with his mates he came up to us and flung his arms round me and his uncle - he was spending his (small) wages and offered to treat my son to an expensive pair of trainers to which we declined. in front of his mates he is not afraid to show his emotions declaring his love for us and vice versa. he is a lovely boy and one i am very proud of.

the hospital that we were originally in could have been better equipped for the relatives, there were a lot of people in the rooms awaiting news of their loved ones and on fri there was a couple trying to have a delicate conversation with the vicar who was there for obvious reasons.

there is no room to grieve - no facilities to calm relatives, no tea making facilities / microwave and the sofa bed had broken slats so if you stayed there, you could end up worse with backache etc. there is a vending machine but when your in there day to day this becomes very expensive, and the drinks are poor.

there was plenty of room allocated for families but all disorganized and full of crappy furniture which needed a desperate update.

they need nick knowles and his team in there to do a makeover


Glenfield hospital has a spotlessly clean waiting room with furniture that is well maintained and a tv- now i know that a tv is not that important at these times but to someone who is alone it might be the company that they need -however you cannot bring your own meals in but they do have a flat that they will give you with a shared kitchen - so thats really good.

Bogof_Babe

Perhaps you could start an appeal locally for equipment for the other hospital. Maybe get a local pub to have a quiz night where everyone pays £1 to enter.

You could write to the local paper, not in a critical way but just as you have done here, giving thanks for the care Rick received, but mentioning that they could really use any donations of equipment or furniture that people might have spare. Of course you might end up co-ordinating it all, but in view of what you have said about running around the world I don't think you would mind that side of things.

There might be a millionnaire or a rich businessman in your area who would happily make a decent contribution!

saversarn

A family room is so important, I had experience with my poorly child aged 8.
Being brave in front of them is much easier when you know you can pop off and have a good cry somewhere nice. Also occasionally other distraught relatives needing space and giving you somewhere to support eachother. I had three months in hospital at one stretch with her and two under fives to care for too. You can magine how nice to have a decent lounge to take turns with my husband to sit with the babes or be bedside.
Also at a later date when trying to encourage my daughter to eat, she just wanted Mummys home made leek and potato soup, so I'd actually be found everyother day peeling veg and making soup in the room.
Before this I'd never even given a thought to these 'family rooms' but they are vital. WE were lucky to have one with a small kitchen area etc but the furniture had seen better days. Proud to say we raised enough for a new sofa ( a bit like the WI film although I stayed clothed and thankfully it was a different outcome)
God Bless you and good luck

specialK

So glad to hear he is making really good progress with every update!

As always I will continue my good wishes and prayers!!

Take care
Mandy x('.')x

fsdss

i agree saversarn - i'd too never given it thought before but these are vital. i couldnt imagine have to trawl to hospital with my children and wait in this room- luckily i know alot of people where i live and they've all rallied round for us. i know others that arent as fortunate enough to have that support network, so to make life a little easier would really help.

sillyvixen

i am so glad he is doing so well, the news is getting better day by day.. rick is so lucky to have such a supportive extendeded family. you are truely a star - if i was in your situation i don't think i could have posted the way you have.. and keeping up the practicalities of the food provision and all that, his parents and becca are truly blessed. you have certainly gained the support of this site and for every reply you have recieved there must be many others who have read and are praying/thinking of you and rick.

as for family facilities in many hospitals - many are just so inadequet - but all hospitals have to balance such precarious budgets to provide nursing care for an untold number of patients with an untold need, that they cant afford to provide these facillities and have to rely on donations (in the same way as they rely on blood donations).

hopefully it wont be long till you are able to enjoy that bottle of champers you have saved from new year with rick, parents and becca - a whole better celebration than the new year!

i hope and pray that you and yours are on the verge of a great new year.

Keeping_Motivated

So glad things are improving... Its very emotional to read but I have been checking daily to check your nephew is ok.

Does make me think about giving blood though... I have a child who has had a lot of operations although never needed blood but I am so grateful for the all the intervention and it would be good to give something back.

I think my husband would donate too so I will look into it.

Keep up the good work of supporting your nephew while juggling the care of your family. That champagne and the party will be much deserved for all of you not just your nephew.