Rick is still in the hospital at St. Mary’s in Rochester. His appointment yesterday was at 10:30 and because the roads were snow covered and not all that good we left early and were there by 9:30.
He didn’t go in for his procedure until 1:36. Out by 5:30 and admitted at 6:45 – nobody told me a thing until they came to get me to escort me to his room!
I waited for the doctor until 7:45 and then I just had to go home. I have not driven at night in a long time – another sign of old age – and it was almost scary at first. And that’s after taking a different elevator to the parking garage and not being able to locate my car! ugh. I was in tears.
Oh! I’m not even sure what the procedure is called but they put balloons in his lower leg to allow better circulation — what’s it called??
So it’s now 2:15 and he has not gone down for his ultrasound yet so it looks like another late night for me. And I couldn’t get to sleep because my mind just wouldn’t shut off. You know how it is, don’t you?
PS – in this picture the leaf you’re confused about is not the Hoya plant – it’s a succulent called zig zag plant.
Here’s the heart shaped Hoya.
There are close to 20 more Hoya plants in my porch, piano room and basement! I think they’re easy to take care of – not much water, bright light and I move them outside in mid-May.
My mom always used to tell me this – Mary! You make so much work for yourself!
Rick likely had an angioplasty.
I’m sending lots of prayers your way for Rick. Its hard to be the one who has to take of everything. Hang in there girl.
Prayers for Rick to recover fast and to get home. Prayers for you to go with the flow. Keep us posted.
Oh Mary, I wish I could give you a hug after what you went through yesterday! I would have been in tears too. For crying out loud, can’t they have a little more consideration and caring for the person waiting for the patient! While they may be busy, you are there for hours on end just wondering what is happening. I am saying a prayer that today will be better for you.
Hugs,
Diane
So sorry about your hospital experiences. It is scary and frustrating. May Ricks treatment work soon.
Prayers for you and Rick. Hope it won’t be such a late night tonight. Stay strong! And with everything you’re going through, you were still able to offer some beauty and hope through your lovely plants. Thank you!
Mary I can’t believe they didn’t update you about Rick. Hope he feels better soon. Yes Donny tells me my work is self inflicted. I enjoy it. Just cleaned all my succulents up today.
So sorry for your long day yesterday. I know what you mean about driving at night. If you don’t do it often, it gets difficult. Especially on unfamiliar roads. Add to that an early morning and a long day of waiting to see how Rick was and, anyone would have been in tears. I can imagine that the parking lot mix up was the “last straw”. Hope things go better today. I will be praying for you and Rick.
Prayers for a better day today and for Rick’s procedure to have been successful.
Ugh. I lost our car in the Damon Parkade when I had Mom at Mayo for a recheck. Not fun. Glad you got home safely! You’re doing an awful lot of driving!!! I don’t like to drive at night anymore either.
Diane Bauer – and I went back today!
Mary, hope things go better for you today and Rick does well. I take my husband for an angioplasty in his heart Tuesday in San Francisco. Thanks for the heads up on what you went thru.
Oh gosh, Mary, I’m sorry your days are rough. I hate not knowing, I hate night driving, and I do sometimes hate how I make so much extra work for myself.
I hope things brighten up for you soon. I’d drive with you if I weren’t a thousand miles away!
Mary, I add my prayers to all your friends here for an easier time at the hospital and better communication from physicians and staff for you and for Rick. And a good and complete recovery for Rick. God will make the crooked path straight! God bless and keep you both.
Prayers for a less stressful day! Drive safely 🙏
Sending prayers and hugs. Hope that today is better. I cannot believe they don’t have a Ronald McDonald house or similar at Mayo for family members to stay overnight when their loved one is in recovery. Safe travels. We love you!
Tanya – I think they do but I needed to come home for my animals.
What a hard day yesterday. Mayo is the best factory in the world, but still a factory. I was horrified when I saw the list of all the procedures taking place in one day. They saved my mother’s life many years ago with a melanoma surgery, and I’ll never forget being at Mayo and how impressive they are. How you do all you do in a day on the farm is beyond me. I’m older than you, but only by a few years and I don’t think I could haul all those plants in and take them out again in the spring. On top of that, you have animals dependent on you. As for driving at night, we’ve given up driving to Vermont for Christmas because in the winter you leave in the dark and arrive in the dark to do it in 3 days. I’m so lucky that a neighbor is going to take Sonny to her house over the holidays so that we can fly for the first time this year. I wouldn’t miss being there for Christmas even if we had to drive, but I”m so glad we won’t be doing that this year. I guess we all do what we have to do, and I’m glad Rick’s surgery is over and hope it improves his life and yours.
Pat – the list you saw flipped over three times so what you saw was only 1/3 of the surgeries. Hugs to Sonny!
I’m sorry, but I think it was just mean of them not to let you know. We have volunteer ladies here that are go-betweens for doctors, telling families what is going on with their loved ones. I really appreciated that when my husband had surgery. Seems to me that the Mayo Clinic could set up something like that, too. With all their money and know-how, they could pay someone to do that. Done with rant!
Maybe you should think about cutting back on about half your plants this year. Just a thought. I know, I know… it’s really hard to part with not just plants, but nearly everything.
Mary, that is just unacceptable. My husband had a 4 hour back surgery in May and they updated me as soon as surgery was done, then the Dr came out and talked to me, then , the nurse in recovery came out, then we went to his room. And, yes, that was during Covid May, 2021. So sorry about your day. I took the wrong elevator once when my husband broke his neck and I ended up at the morgue! Due to his many accidents and surgeries, I have a lot of experience with ERs and surgeries. I wish I lived close enough to go with you. Ugh. Good luck today and when Rick gets out.
Evidently Mayo doesn’t have a person that keeps the family in the waiting room updated on the progress of the surgery patient. The doctors could keep working and the family knew what was happening. Maybe it is just the way in these days of no face to face contact — just push the button…..
Both Frank and I quit driving at night quite a few years ago, even in town. When necessary I followed the ambulance to the hospital. There has to be a better way taking the weather and road conditions into the plans. The family is just as important as the doctors and their work.
TAKE CARE of Yourself. This is top priority.
In the meantime, I hope today is better. Maybe you can get a nap in the waiting room. Little naps really help. As for sleep, exhaustion helps. You just don’t shut your mind off.
Our cold spell has broken, so you should be getting the nicer weather today with the sun shining. Last night was the first night in a week that hasn’t been below 0. It is supposed to be 60 on Wednesday!
Good luck, we are all thinking about you. Betty in Rapid City
Mary I hope and pray today is going better for you and for Rick’s leg. I have come out of wrong building doors to and been unable to find my car. I also came out of an airport bathroom on the wrong side and searched for where I was supposed to be for some time.
Yesterday I planned to finally sew and my 30+ year old machine would not work and may be unfixable if the repairman can’t find the part so I bought a Singer on sale at Joann fabrics online sight unseen and it should last me 5 more years.
My best wishes for a good outcome for Rick. May you get some needed rest. Doesn’t the Mayo have places to stay In these situations?
Drive carefully.
Love the plants and pictures of the purplish with the hot pink in the background.
Hugs Mary.
Shirley from Oregon
Oh gosh Mary what a nightmare! You surely are a trooper to do I what you did and then turn around and drive back there again! Rick is so blessed to have you. I pray that his surgery is a success and also that you can get some much needed rest. You probably have to get up early for church tomorrow.
Oh Mary how awful! Not a good day for you at all.
The procedure is either called angioplasty or they inserted stents in the arteries in his legs.
Continuing prayers for you both.
Hugs,
Sandy Pierson
Prayers to keep you calm in spirit, alert in driving, and healing for the hubs!
Thinking of you driving in the dark! Pets have to be cared for, too.
Angioplasty or shunts…should help with Rick’s healing.
Seems like Mayo could have volunteers to inform family waiting for patients!
Sending good thoughts n prayers for you n Rick!
Hoping today went better than yesterday. I can only imagine how stressful that was. Is there anyone at your church who could help out… maybe ride along or help drive? Prayers for healing and a peaceful feeling.
Oh, Mary; I’m so sorry for the stress of all this. Praying for Rick and a successful procedure and for calm after this “storm”. I loved all the photos of your extensive, unique, pincushion collection. I know that it might be a lot of work but you have such interesting plants; I envy your green thumb. Sending hugs~
Oh! Mary, what an experience.
I hope the rest of his stay goes better for you. Or…can it get any worse?
I understand the need to cry. There are times when that’s all I want to do.
Know we all love you, and are praying for you and Rick too.
I know you need to be there for Rick, but, take care of yourself too! I hate to drive since I took retirement, especially at night! Hang in there lady – better days are ahead 💕 Hugs to you!
Prayers for Rick for a successful procedure and speedy recovery and prayers for you as the caregiver! I didn’t realize until I saw your picture what plant I have other than I thought it odd. It is a Hoya! It makes the long bare tendrils and the leaves come later. I must be doing something right-it is growing!
Debbie Miller – sounds like you’re doing well with your Hoya – they are wonderful plants!
Here is praying for Rick’s procedure to turn out well. I understand about the night driving thing. Maybe you can find a friend to go with. You take care too!
I have a couple of Hoya plants and they never bloom for me. I have had them for years..wonder if they are boys???
I know what you are going through with your husband and the doctors. though my Joe has been gone for 14 years, we managed to keep him home for over 12 years. He did have an occasional day or 2 in the hospital but we refused long term care. He was in Hospice care at home for the last 18 months of his life and I will always treasure that time with him.
Thinking of you and sending prayers for better health for your Rick. Take care of yourself .
Saying prayers for you and Rick. Hubby always says I need a switch on the side of my head, to turn off my brain. He is right!
Prayers for you and Rick, and your animals missing him and your routine.
Hubby always says I need a switch on the side of my head to turn off my brain. He is right!
Prayers for Rick’s quick recovery and for your safe travels to and from visits with him. I know how it feels to be uncertain of exactly where you are at night while driving. Just unnerving when you’re by yourself. Breath, Mary. My Mom always said “this too shall pass.” Be safe and be well.
I’m so sorry that you had to wait all that time and then turn around and drive home in the dark. I won’t drive in the dark now – unless I have to. I’m sure I wouldn’t have slept after a day like that either! I do hope this procedure works for Rick’s leg and that he heals more quickly now. And I hope that you get someone to help with any changing of bandages, etc. I love your very different Hoya plants! I’ve never seen the heart shaped leaf one and I’m really jealous of the multi-colored leaves of the second one! So pretty! You should see my dining room/sewing area, it is filled with Elephant Ear plants! And it’s not a big room! I’m hoping that by having them not go dormant over the winter they will start producing large leaves earlier. We shall see. Anyway, I really hope today was easier than yesterday. Be careful and take care of yourself! Jan in MA
Jan Hebert – hey, Jan – Rick called at 4 pm and said to come and get him! Dark by the time I got there! Ugh.
I love what your Mom told you about making work for yourself, But if it puts a smile on you face it’s worth it,
Mary what a rough couple of days you have had!! Try to get some rest ha ha easier said than done.
Your plants are beautiful. I don’t do very well with inside plants so I always enjoy looking at your pictures.
Best of luck to you and Rick, hopefully he will be on the mend soon. Spring is around the corner, better days ahead.
Hi Mary,
The procedure is called an angioplasty. People most often associate it with the heart where it occurs most often.
Stay safe on the roads.
I do not have a green thumb but am trying to keep the Hoya plant that has been in my mom’s family for 60 plus years alive. Mom has been gone for 3 years in August. So far, so good. I think the flowers are pretty but sometimes they have such an odor. Have yours had a smell to them? My dad and I despised that smell on such a beautiful flower.
Brenda in Iowa – funny you should ask about the odor/fragrance- when I stepped in the house last night I knew the flowers had opened because I could smell it but I actually like the smell! Angioplasty – thank you!
Mary- Hopefully, all the driving at night will be over for a long while, or better yet be only daytime trips in the future. The headlights on vehicles have halos at night, since my cataract surgery, so I definitely empathize with your driving difficulties. Prayers for both Rick and you, for excellent blood flow in his legs, and stress relief for his nurse, “Mary.”
Thanks to Connie and you for all the great patterns and books, through the years. There are two patterns waiting for download in my computer right now. Yay.
Mary, what a time you’ve had! Hang in there – things have to get better. Thinking of you and Rick and sending lots of hugs and wishes for better days ahead.
Mary, I’m sorry to hear of you and Rick’s trip to Mayo’s. Remember that God is you both and He will help you through this challenge. We are all praying for you both. Peace Micky
Wow! That Hoya is impressive! Love all your plants!
well that is one long time to just wait, so sorry. hoping and sending prayers your way, that your both home in a short time and well. speedy recovery to Rick.
So sorry for your troubles. I hope and pray for better days ahead. So happy you have this space to vent and get a little support from your friends.
Mayo may be a world class medical facility but they sure miss the mark in customer service for the families of patients.
Many prayers for you and Rick. 🙏🙏🙏
Did they put stents in his leg? That’s what my brother had. And YES, I completely understand your mind not shutting off–mine does the same thing way more frequently than I’d like!!! Take care and take it easy. I try not to drive at night either unless it’s a short trip right around here.
We are all holding you in our hearts, everyone has these things, we just don’t always share how hard it is. It makes us all feel better knowing that we are not alone in our worry and confusion. I know I struggled. Hang in there. We will hold you up.
Our hospital here has the exact same system for doing updates. However, when my husband had his heart procedure, his number stopped getting updates and eventually I was the ONLY person left in the waiting room. I finally went to the prep room, the last place I had seen him, and found someone disinfecting who was kind enough to take me to find out where he was. Turns out he had been done for hours and was in his room anxiously wondering where I was. I talked with the nurse, got him settled, and I finally headed home. Of course, it was dark and I was exhausted. His procedure was a success and 4 days later he came home. I feel for you because being a caregiver is hard work. Sending you encouragement, hugs, strength and prayers.
Mary have I’m not sure if today was another trip to Mayo but I hope they kept you informed & that Ricks procedure will have him home soon than later. I too dislike night driving & waiting for cataract surgery down the road sometime.
Safe travels as you commute to/from Mayo & prayers for Rick .
I hope by the time you read my comment that you have met up with his team of doctors to understand his procedure and his care moving forward. Because he was admitted to the hospital I am going to bet this time you will be assigned some home health care coming to your place and if not, you speak up girl. There should be people to explain more to you than just assuming you know what to do. I remember those tears of panic and exhaustion one night in the hospital parking garage when I couldn’t find my car last summer and wandered around like a zombie. Luckily a young mom saw me and asked if she could drive me slowly on the floors and I would click my unlock door buttons to help her locate it with me. I was ashamed of myself for not holding it together but she said to me even she had moments like mine as she had to bring her infant daughter back for three days a week for treatments and had been doing that for 2 months. So we commiserated together but her kindness meant a lot. My prayers hold you and Rick close tonight for healing and comfort.
Hope your husband does well. So sorry you have to go thru this by yourself. I know it must have been very scary to drive at night and then to lose your car in the parking lot. I feel so bad for you. I have been there and had the same experience. It is an awful feeling. All the best to you and will be sending prayers for you and your husband.
I feel for you!! Went though that when my husband was in the hospital. Pray that the procedure works and life can get back to normal.
There are so many good people out there.
When I had my hernia surgery, I had to be there at 9:00, 2 hours BEFORE my surgery at 11:00 AM and I was early. The first thing they told me was my surgery had been changed to 1:00 PM. So I had to wait all by myself in the waiting room. And then they wonder why my BP was high? I went into preop at 11:00. It seems like when I got to recovery, the nurse asked if I’d like something to eat or drink, to which I asked for water. I got 1 sip of the water while getting dressed and was out. Who knows? I couldn’t stay overnight in the hospital and had to find an old lady sitter to stay with me at home. Luckily the nurse helping me a few days before surgery got her son’s friend to stay with me.
It does look like you were an hour late….. They are very strict about being on time — on the patient side.
Luckily I the hospital is 5 miles from me on the south side of town.
We are at their mercy. But at the same time, if the patient needs emergency surgery, they get you in.
We are waiting for for your reports on today’s events. Maybe they might be able to do the scan to see how the procedure is working today???? So you don’t have to go back on Monday?????
Take care. And my Mom used to say “This, too, will pass.”
Betty in Rapid City
I totally understand where you’re coming from waiting to hear from the doctor. My husband had surgery this past Tuesday, we had to check in at 6:00 in the morning and I didn’t hear from the doctor until after 4:00 in the afternoon. Made for a very long day.
I’m going to suggest when you use the parking ramps that you grab one of the floor cards/ramp level cards that say which floor you’re on. They can be found near the down buttons for the elevator in the parking ramp. I grabbed one the second day I was at the hospital since I was further up in the ramp and wanted to remember where I parked. It can get very overwhelming trying to find your way even though there is excellent signs pointing you to the proper building.
Prayers for you and Rick.
Kristine – sadly I had a card but was looking at the ramp levels from a different angle and different elevator.
I am reminded often of the phrase, you never know how strong you are until you don’t have a choice. I guess that pretty much sums up your day yesterday. I hope today went better for you. And yes, it is tough being a caregiver. I have been going through that for the past 10 years with my mom who is 97. Things will get better and spring is on its way! And yes, my husband often tells me I make too much work for myself!
Diane D – so then you know what I mean about creating work – I really want to do this stuff but it all adds up to make it stressful.
Thoughts and prayers for you and Rick. Be careful in your traveling. I too don’t see that well at night either so can sympathize.
Mary, that just had to be an error. Everywhere doctors come talk to you after surgery. If that ever happens again, go ask the clerk for an update. Squeaky wheel. Hope today went more smoothly and on to healing.
Mary – we’ll, today was almost as stressful – Rick called at 4 to say he was discharged so I had to drive back to Rochester again. I am so tired. Yes, I agree – Mayo has always been so good with communication. I got left in a waiting room – a receptionist even came out to check on me. She called someone to escort me to Rick’s waiting room where they had moved him after they decided to admit him. I still have not gotten a call to tell me anything. What’s that balloon procedure called?
Angioplasty. I’ve done that in a parking ramp in IA City- come out a sifferent door and all looks different. I hope you don’t have to get up and play piano today. You need a calm day to sew!
Do they think the operation was a success?
I hope for nothing but the best for a full recovery!!!!! You are awesome!!
Oh, dear. That is stressful! Was the procedure an angioplasty?
Mary-I think Dee said it best: Please know we are holding you in our hearts with prayer and love. Hoping for the best possible outcome and the peace that comes with being safe at home.
How stressful a day! I hope today (this evening was better). Losing your car in the parking garage sounds like the last straw. It’s so easy to get lost in parking garages especially when you’re tired. I would be crying too! It seems that the doctors/nurses get so used to doing these surgeries that they become routine and they forget the family members and care givers that are waiting.
Last week when I had my surgery, they wouldn’t let my husband wait in the empty waiting room of the surgery center. He went to the doctor’s office in a nearby building and they let him wait in their busy waiting room. He knew if he went home he would just have to turn around and come back. They were good at calling to let him know when I was taken back for the surgery (it was an hour late due to the previous surgery taking longer than expected). They also called him when I was in recovery, told him how the surgery went, and left him know when he could pick me up.
It is a small surgery center so maybe the size and number of procedures at Mayo make it so they don’t take the care they should with the patient’s family. It just seems so uncaring!
Thanks for sharing about the hoya plants.
Susan K – and how are you feeling today? No housework, right?
I am so sorry you are having to go through this.
I hate that place.
I never want to go there again.
I am sure they do wonderful things, and have very good doctors.
We just did not have that experience.
I do say the nurses were amazing.
I stayed in Tom’s ICU room 24/7 all but one night.
We had a motel so I went there to sleep one night. It was midnight when I called a cab to take me there. I was so scared, no idea where I was. The cab driver talked to me and calmed me.
He asked if he could pray with me. I was blessed that night.
This brings back so many memories of some very stressful, bad/sad times.
I am going into the 6th year of losing my Tom. And it seems like yesterday. The sun rise on that last day ,looking out the big window facing the east, was just the most beautiful I think I have ever seen.
Tom could not see it from his bed so I took pictures so I could show him.
You and Rick are in my prayers.
Take care of each other because in this life care/love is all there really is. Nothing else matters.
Thank you for the information. I have four plants three the verigated, and one plain. I will put them outside this next summer to see if I can get some blossoms. I have some old yardage of Harry Potter fabric, so am going to start a quilt. I love your house, collections , plants, animals and of course beautiful quilts. I am a U of Iowa graduate 1958 College of Nursing.
Mary, I wish I was closer to you. I would go with you so you didn’t have to go by yourself. We could have some laughs. I’m not a snow driver or a night driver. We could be the 2 blind amigos. We could laugh all the way. But really I don’t want to make fun of it. I’m like you I get petrified when I have to drive at night. As I’m not a snow driver it’s even worst. Can you get someone to take care of the animals and babysit Hazel and stay over night? This is part of the problem when we get older and don’t live close to medical care. The hospitals don’t seem to care if you are not as able as some to get there and back home in a short amount of time. I have Rick in my prayers to get better soon. I feel how flustered you are but it must be hard on Rick to. For some reason it seems to take us so much longer to heal than when we were young.
Just take it one day at a time. Hopefully we will get better weather, better news on Rick’s leg and a little slower pace. Bless you Mary.
I understand what you experienced , my husband had aortic valve replacement this year ,the dr did at least come talk to me and said as so as they got hubby a room they would come and get me ,I waited for 6 hours and no one came ,the board like the one you showed said in recovery ,I couldn’t believe he was in recovery that long and something not wrong, I finally caught a nurse and ask and he said look at the board ,I said its been 6 hours ,so about 45 minutes later a nurse came out and said we don’t have a room for him yet so we still have him in recovery ,she said she could take me back for a few minuets, I couldn’t stay long back in recovery and they told me he was being well taken care of so I had my son pick me up and stayed at his house ,hubby got out the next morning, but we stayed another night at sons before we came home. i hate to have to drive at night we have so many deer here we see about 40 every night across the road from us. Sending prayers for you both
So sorry the last two days have been so stressful and exhausting, Mary. I am sending prayers for better days. 🥰
Hi! Mary I’m sorry sorry you had a bad experience at Mayo. On the 17th I had back surgery. They sent Jay and my daughter text messages to keep them informed of what was going on. My complete medical experience was awesome. I was at .st Marys Hospital and i had a rally great experience. I came home on Friday (4 hours) and am recuperating very nicely! I have a really good nurse (hubby) who is waiting on me. I am getting more independent by the hour. Just caught myself walking across the living room without my walker to open the shade to see the outdoors and sunshine. Hmm. Sure hope that ballooning helps his circulation. Get well Rick. I do not like to drive in Rochester in the dark either! My 48 year old daughter does not like to either. So it’s not just old eyes. Take care and get well soon, Rick!
Joy in NW IA -I think ours was just a combination of things – Mayo is a great place and this has not changed my mind about it.
Thankful you are all home. Mayo got too big and forgets families. I think my worst was going for a walk while my husband was in surgery and coming back to his room and finding it ready for a new patient. It was a shift change and took a long time to find out they goofed. The whole experience was bad that day.
The board isn’t any good if they don’t update it. Just makes it very stressful for the family.
Ask for an escort to your car next time. I think the ramps could use better lighting and security.
Plants are beautiful. Fun looking at your pin cushion collection.
Wishing a quick recovery for Rick and less stress for you, Mary. A big bunch of hugs!!!!!
Nancy TD – I’m ready for church this morning – I can’t wait to do something normal and this morning that normal activity is playing for church. Then Mollie is coming to play this afternoon. It’s 23 degrees this morning – a real change!
Caregiving travels are a tremendous endeavor. You just want someone to wrap you up and hold you tight. Hope he’s home soon and you can both rest.
Mary, I SO feel your pain! Just hang in there!
I love the hoya too! Have a huge one that goes on the deck in spring.