I was thinking for long time to write about my little one and experiences so far. But right now I want to share my experiences at Intensive Care Unit post operation.
I was moved out of operation theatre to ICU by 2.00 am. I was very drowsy could not even open my eyes even though I had a spinal anesthesia. All I wished was 'to be in a quiet place and sleep well'. I just closed my eyes and about to go for a deep sleep, when I heard some one breathing terribly next to me as if he is right in front of death. The sound was too high and scary so that I could not close my eyes after that. I could hear doctors and nurses running around, giving instructions to each other. From their talks I could understand that the patient is a really old man. I felt sad for his condition, inside my mind I prayed God to bless him with the best.
After some hours he looked fine and he started breathing as normal. Later I came to know that he is an asthma patient. By 5 am he was all fine with his breathing system and since then he behaved like a mad man. He got up from bed made high noise, called his daughter's name loudly, I could hear all other patients in the near by beds getting irritated. He started pulling his urinary catheter, oxygen tube etc. He was demanding that he is all well and wanted to go back home for an hour and will come back. Soon he became violent, began to scold all nurses, started kicking and biting many of the male nurses.
Later I knew that he was in that condition for last many days. Many of the male and female nurses got good sized kicks and bites from him already. He was making very loud noise and I just realized that I can not get rest there. Finally I talked to 2 or 3 nurses and head nurse and told I just can not stay here, all I wanted is rest, which I can't find there. They were equally helpless. They explained their helplessness to me. According to hospital rules, I have to be in the observation for 6 hours after c-section. They can not shift me until my doctor gives green signal. My doc had gone back home as she had came down for my emergency surgery. My doc was suppose to come by 8.00. Old uncle continued his performance and made all nurses, and doctors busy.
It was 8.00 am, and my doctor didn't turn out. I was inquiring every half an hour about her arrival. The nurse who smile and told me "Today is Sunday Nishana, doctor will be little late. She may come by 10.am Also, she left hospital by 3.00 am only." Old uncle's violence worsened. I started feeling scary to sleep in my bed as his bed was next to me. I was frightened that he might turn to me with his all anger for not letting him go.
Now he wanted to urinate. He removed his oxygen mask, got up from bed, saying "I 'll come after urinating." He didn't understand that there is a catheter placed to pass urine. Everybody was explaining him that he has a catheter placed. He just didn't listen to that and told I don't want to urinate here in bed, it will be stingy and so on. After half hour long debate he passed urine and next he wanted to go and clean up!
I was really amazed that even after all these issues, and all his violence on nurses, none of them said any bad word, or didn't show any hatred. I could hear them speaking in English and saying "after all he is a very old man, and it is our job". I really admire all of them for the patience and care they have shown to that patient. It is simply amazing. Now I know why Malayali nurses have got high demand around globe!!
In between all these, the equipments connected to the young lady (lying opposite to me, who had a heart attack after c-section and was in the danger mode) began alarming some danger. With in seconds docs and nurses came running pressed heavily on her chest. They were quickly connecting some other equipments. Utilizing this break, old uncle tried to escape from ICU. He had reached near the door, when 2 male nurses tucked him. Another granny lying right to me was not listening to any of the nurses and was not letting them take injections etc.
Later I heard head nurse advising colleagues to report his violence and condition his by-standers and let them take decision on his stay in ICU.
It was almost 10.15 when my doctor stepped in. And she smiled when I was explaining her my condition and allowed me to move out after a thorough check up.
That's all about my 8 hours stay in ICU. It was for first time in my life I stayed in ICU and actually it was my first hospital admission itself. I have always hated hospitals (just wondering when I was a kid I wanted to be a doctor, thank God I am not, God you know the best!).
Now I realize that ICU is never a peaceful place for patients. (I was admitted in one of the leading hospital network in Kerala).
Hospitals and ICUs need to undergo lot of design and implementation changes!!!!
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