Was I ever in danger?

I’m reviewing what I could have done differently. I left one facility where there were markedly different skills. I could walk by my bedside with the help of the CNAs three times a day, and I ate orally. I moved to another facility so I could buy a home that was convenient for me to visit.

Upon arrival at my new facility, I found the CNAs unable to do what the previous facility staff could do. I can see now that I didn’t advocate for myself. I should have challenged the loss of services due primarily to the comfort level of the management and what might happen. I kid you not. I was told that California didn’t allow veterans to go to the VA Hospital unless in an ambulance. I should have challenged the widely known issue that many services were made available to veterans without ambulance transport.

I’m guilty of not advocating faster for myself when common sense and care are lacking. I kept believing it would get better, and it did. Of course, it took health officials from the state and company, but things improved.

Now, I am faced with what seems nonsensical to me but may make perfect sense to someone else: a patient can be given medical care orders without examination. ALS is stereotyped and profiled into a lump sum. Dagblasted, we are all different. We deserve individual and informed care. At least, in my case, ask if the patient has ever been at risk of choking. Not what could have happened, like when left unattended for five hours. Or how about the vital ventilator being left unplugged until the patient was alerted that the backup battery was engaged.

I’m rejoicing that I survived. No, not the fried green tomatoes, but I have outlasted poor management and unskilled and untrained staff. What have I learned? No one knows you like you. Advocate for you and others who may not have a voice. Guess what I will do? Nope, I will ask questions first. Something that was not afforded to me. I’ll let the seemingly broken system work. But I won’t wait so long. I’ll keep my thoughts positive, grateful, and happy. No one is always happy, but whenever those who bear gloom and doom come around, my brain will respond with “Uninvited.” I know my thoughts, I see their actions. Simplysaidbysimon, you judge who acted in good faith over the life entrusted to the? ALS – Always Loving Simon. Thanks to all of you who have said this. Govern your thoughts and have a happy life again.