But in really bad shape.
The surgery took almost twice as long as they expected, with significant damage to the cartilage and ligaments. They cleaned that up the best they could, and then discovered that the bicep was disconnected, so they had to reattach that. They also had to deal with some bone spurs and the labrum was a torn mess, and when allthat was donr, they used pins and screws to put the Glenoid back together. I’ll scan the scope pictures another day.
At any rate, I’m in a helluva lot of pain, but they did give me the greatest thing ever-this brace that goes over the shoulder and is filled with tubes that pump cold cold water through it constantly- it does more for pain relief than the meds.
Picked up Chuck Season 2, so my next two days are accounted for, and I start rehab on Friday. I won’t be online much because right now I am pretty gimped up atm. Thanks for all the kind words in previous threads.
Btw- What is the etiquette for tipping nurses. I had a great one last night who was just awesome, and I was going to get her a thank you card and a gift certificate somewhere. Is that appropriate?
Wile E. Quixote
I don’t think that tipping is a good idea, but I know that saying “thank you” and once you’re discharged sending notes telling them how you’re doing and thanking them for putting you back together is appreciated.
Tom Q
My best to you, John. I shattered the ball-socket in my shoulder back in ’07, so I have a vague empathy with you. Hope you don’t miss much time around here. Your voice is vital.
Napoleon
Good luck with your recovery.
GReynoldsCT00
John! Mom gave up your laptop (obviously!) Good to hear from you. I’m sorry you’ve had a rough time of it, hope you heal quickly and have plenty of great nurses.
WereBear
Heck, give him/her a gift certificate! They have your life in their hands, so why not?
Good to hear from you again, and man… you don’t do things by halves, do ya?
cfaller96
SCREW YOUR SHOULDER JOHN- HOW IS TUNCH????? TUNCH MUST BE OBEYED!!!!!!1!!!!
/but seriously, get well
joeyess
tipping nurses? Tell her not to go out in the rain in her socks. that’s a good tip!
hitchhiker
John, I think the best way to thank a nurse is to write the kindest possible letter to her superiors, including the hospital administrators, describing in detail what she did and what a difference it made for your experience.
Then you give her a bottle of wine or some chocolate and a big smile.
flukebucket
My wife is a health care professional and she tells me that accepting tips is not considered professional behavior. But a thank you note is just fine.
So glad you are recovering and good to have you back.
ET
Glad you are coherent.
If I was in WVA I would cook. If I cooked. But I would totally take …. I mean take care of the dog.
Ty Lookwell
Jesus, John.
You know, if you made some kind of PayPal link for an iPad donation about now, you could get yourself one in about 60 seconds from your faithful readers, like… me.
Take care of yourself (and think about this iPad PayPal idea, because you deserve it, dude. And it looks pretty sweet.)
Betsy
Card, for sure. Gift cert is probably ok too, but there’s probably a nurse round these here parts who can answer better than I.
Pain sucks. Get well soon!
Comrade Darkness
OH OH, worship the ice pump. Bow to the ice pump. A plastic container with a magical full night’s sleep inside it.
Man, good luck with rehab, I have so been there so many times I can still smell the place in my mind. Whatever little exercises they tell you to do at home, do them as often as you can stand and then ice ice ice. Once a day is not often enough to keep the tissues from binding up in a panic over the injury from the surgery.
Ugh. God, I so feel for you. Be patient with your body, it is going to take time. Months of uphill and at least 2 years before the joint is thinking about normalcy again.
Joshua
That brace sounds just a little bit posthuman cyborg-y. I approve.
I think it would be appropriate to leave a thank you card for the nurse you want to single out, but, if you get a gift, it should probably be something for the entire nursing staff. That’s my gut feeling on this sort of thing, at least.
edmund dantes
Get better soon.
Hmmm… mother has been a nurse for 30+ years. I’m not sure if anyone ever gave her anything, but I’m sure a card or general thank you note would be well received.
CaseyL
It’s fantastic to hear from you directly, John.
Were they able to repair the significant damage to cartilage and ligiments? SFAIK, cartilage damage is hard to fix, unless there are new materials to inject/install I don’t know about.
Do you know how much strength and joint/muscle mobility you’ll recover?
How long will your rehab take? What does this to do your planned move, and to your teaching schedule?
Is there anything we can do to help??
(Besides sending good wishes and hopes for a complete recovery your way)
Sue
Get well and I hope the physical therapy is long on results and short on time and frustration.
Re your nurse: I suggest any kind of show of appreciation but remember it’s a team effort. A box of candy for the caregiver’s station along with something for your special nurse will keep everyone happy. When my daughter was in the hospital it was the aides who did the (literal and figurative) heavy lifting with grace and humor.
Edit: another suggestion – when you get that survey from the hospital fill it out and note your nurse by name. They really do read those things.
eastriver
The gift certificate thing is a great idea.
Feel better. Rest well. Heal.
MagicPanda
Long(ish) time lurker.
Get well soon. The surgery sounds like a complete drag.
I would say give the nurse a gift and a nice note, not a tip. A gift card is kind of in the middle, but something more gifty like a jar of homemade jam (if you have such a thing) would hit the spot.
debbie
I’ve never heard of tipping nurses, but I’ve sent a thank-you note (sincerely written) and flowers. There’s also edible fruit arrangements that she could share with the rest of the staff:
http://www.ffbc.com/
ET
Also, send your thanks up the food chain. Nice letters about service look good to the administration.
joeyess
good to know that you’re out of the hospital, dude. those place are just filled with sick people. get better and I’d better not hear any stories about John Cole being arrested for doctor-shopping-via-housekeeper, either.
Carrie
Aww, poor you… sounds brutal. Take it easy.
As for the nurse, judging from the ones i know personally, give booze. They love that shit.
licensed to kill time
Yay! You’re (sort of) back!
I agree that verbal and written thanks are much appreciated, and be specific about what impressed you. Everyone likes positive feedback. Also, when I worked in a medical environment, nurses always liked food – send a food/gift basket that can be shared.
Hang in there, JC. Work the rehab.
Legalize
I don’t think you tip nurses. Nurses are professionals and you generally don’t tip professionals. That said, a thank you card with a gift certificate would probably be appropriate.
Comrade Mary
Ah man, John, you are really jacked up. Sounds like you had some kickass surgeons, but you’re in for the long haul for healing now. Rest up as much as possible.
Let us know if we can send some entertainment your way. With an Amazon wishlist and a PO box, we can do our bit.
Rehab: it’s gonna hurt sometimes, and when it gets to the point where it doesn’t hurt, it’s gonna be boring but you CAN’T let it go. I’ve been sloppy on rehab in the past — suffering nothing as bad as what you’ve gone through — and I’ve regretted it.
The nurse: send her flowers, and stick a gift card in the little envelope with the usual card so no one else sees.
(You’re going to scan the scope pictures eventually? Awesome! What a geek.)
EDIT: OK, based on responses above, send all the nurses food and a card, and see if you can slip flowers to your fave.
HRA
John, I sent flowers to the nurses’ station as a gift the day after I left. Other times I gave them a box of chocolates on my way out. They, like all of us, love to be appreciated.
Best wishes for your rehab, John.
chopper
you know you’re getting old when all that came from falling over.
joeyess
Does this mean that you won’t be a walk-on hopeful for the Steelers quarterback slot?
moe99
Sounds brutal. The fact that you cared enough to send a card would mean a lot to the nurse. And I second the idea of a food basket.
joeyess
@Carrie: I can attest to that. Nurses loooooove to shake it loose after work. Might have something to do with witnessing all the suffering while at work.
aimai
Did someone make the obligatory “cow tipping” joke? Take it as read, if not.
I think the thing that any nurse would really treasure–I know this is true for the children’s teachers–is a really heartfelt letter, even if very short, thanking them specifically for the things that meant something to you while you were in the hospital. People have very low times, in their own home lives and professional lives and I know they turn to those letters for sustenance. I’ve been very surprised by the number of teachers who have come up to me and told me that, sometimes years after I’ve forgotten the tiny incidents which I mentioned in the letter. That and flowers or chocolates or something that they can share with the rest of the nursing staff.
I’m so glad you are out from under the knife, John. It sounds like a horrendous experience. I hope the recovery isn’t as bad as it sounds like its going to be.
aimai
Violet
Glad you are doing okay-ish. Sounds really painful! The brace sounds really cool. Keeping things cold really can help a lot.
Tipping probably isn’t recommended, but you could send a cookie bouquet or something like that. Those are generally appreciated.
Agree with the suggestion to let the nurse’s superiors know how great a job he or she did. That’s always appreciated.
Hang in there. Chuck is always good for some fun.
Creature
Best wishes.
I hear Rush gets good meds. Maybe the two of you could form an alliance. Or something.
DougJ
they used pins and screws to put the Glenoid back together.
I always knew that guy wasn’t human.
(Get better!)
Maude
We’ll hear from you in a bit.
I hope you can sleep at night and do tell us every step of the way about how it’s going.
It would be nice to write a thank you card for all of the nurses on the floor. Your night nurse might have a spot of trouble with the other nurses if she is singled out.
qwerty42
Welcome back John, best wishes.
tipping would not be so good, but a thankyou note (ok, maybe with candy or flowers she can share at the nurses station – just don’t overdo it) AND a very nice letter to the Director of Nursing about this nurse would be a nice thing to do.
freelancer (itouch)
Glad you’re back Cole. I asked around here, and the recovery nurses aren’t so sure about tips, but a note, flowers, and candy are all appreciated.
At physical therapy, have them focus on your hand movement, Mass Effect 2 awaits. Take it slow and one day at a time.
burnspbesq
Can you pick up distant radio stations via your pins and screws?
Srsly, hope you feel better soon. The ice pump is a gift from the deities. Beats the heck out of Vicodin.
comrade scott's agenda of rage
Tipping: For starters, don’t vomit on her. That’s always appreciated. You think I’m kidding?
Then, as others have said, get some flowers for specific nurse when you leave and something edible for the people on the same shift.
Heal real quick. There’s a missing cog in the circular firing squad machine here in Left Blogistania and we need our Token Converted Republican for target practice.
Carrie
@joeyess:
You got it. My sister and her nurse friends get together once a week. I went with them once and i couldn’t keep up.
And i have a healthy constitution.
A nice bottle of wine would be nice.
shaun
As others have noted, tipping is not appropriate but sending a thank you note and letter of praise to the nurse’s superiors is.
I have second suggestion as well as one of the very few bloggers who writes about the crisis in nursing. To wit:
http://kikoshouse.blogspot.com/2009/12/whys-wherefores-of-great-american.html
You have a big megaphone; mine is teeny. Once you’re mended, join the fight to get nurses the respect, pay and working conditions they deserve.
Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
dr. bloor
Based on the movies in my collection, you should tell them you’ve got a little something extra for them in your hospital gown.
Seriously, send food–cookies, fruit, cold cuts, whatever. Make sure it arrives after morning rounds so the residents don’t hoover it.
Feel better.
pika
I can’t get better at the etiquette tips, but if you’re thankful for their care, we are doubly thankful. Sending good vibes for the long haul, and just glad to see your voice on the screen.
r€nato
get well soon JC
Josie
John – I vote for a thank-you note and a food basket that can be shared. That way no one feels slighted or jealous. Make good use of the ice pack. My son had an ice boot when he messed up his ankle and it was great for pain and for healing. Always ice the area after physical therapy or home exercises. Please take care of yourself.
Nicole
I would suggest, in lieu of gifts, sending a letter to the hospital administration, praising the nurse and how awesome she is. That’s the sort of thing that goes into permanent files and is a nice thing to do. So many people write letters to complain; so few write to praise. I’m sure that was in an earlier draft of Julius Caesar (“I come to complain about Caesar’s customer service; not to praise it.”)
I’m so sorry the surgery was tough. Good luck in PT and I’m fascinated by this cold-water brace thing you describe. What a good idea.
Xanthippas
That sucks. Get better soon.
And no I don’t think there’s anything wrong with buying something for your nurse, esp. if she’s cute.
Church Lady
To thank all of the nursing staff (wonderful, one and all) after my father’s hospitalization, we delivered a thank you card and and a tray of gourmet bakery cookies to the floor desk. I’m not so sure that recognizing one individual nurse is such a great idea.
jacy
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Do what your health professionals tell you, and try to enjoy what you can enjoy.
Mike E
Remember, baby steps. Your PTist is the last word, do as he/she says. Bowling is straight out!
Tsulagi
__
Owwww
So much for going through the airport metal detector now. Just kidding, know a couple of people with assorted pins and screws and they don’t have a problem with that.
Probably the biggest tip would be in not being an asshole. Also, don’t toss something off your bed the nurse has to bend over to pick up. Too often.
geg6
My $.02:
Most of my nurse friends would prefer that grateful patients write them notes and send photos. Singling out a particular nurse for a gift may cause problems among what is usually a team that takes care of a patient. You may have had a fantastic OR nurse that you’ll never really know was so fantastic. But she/he will be able to find out how you’re doing and read about how thankful you are by seeing a pic and reading a card that you sent.
That said, sorry that your shoulder was so much more damaged than you thought. It really sucks for you to have to go through all of this. I am, however, very happy you got through the surgery okay and are on the slow road to recovery. And the cyborg brace thingy sounds super cool.
Comrade Scrutinizer
Comrade Ms. Scrutinizer, MSN, advises against gratuities, but agrees with those who say that a note to her and the Nursing Director are very well-received. Food or something that can be shared on the station is fine.
What Shaun@42 said, also.
Glad you’re still alive.
Cat Lady
That description hurts me. Ouchety ouch ouch! We’ve all been waiting for news, so thanks for the update.
Edible gift basket for the nurse (to share) and a letter to the head of the nursing staff should do it.
We’ll all be here waiting for your take on it, whatever it is.
Zifnab
Woo! John’s Back!
Angela
Do not tip a nurse. They are professionals. Well-paid ones at that. A nice “thank you” or perhaps flowers would be fine. A tip would be insulting.
HeartlandLiberal
We would always send flowers, candy, a nice platter of food, basket of fruit, and a PERSONALLY WRITTEN NOTE, on a card or plain letter, to the nurses desk at the ward. Done it more than once.
burnspbesq
OT, but there is a new product category dying to have products designed for it: a man-purse big enough to hold an iPad, keys, wallet, and phone (and Glock).
I’m just kidding about the Glock.
That sucker is seductive as all hell. My netbook just became a doorstop.
SenyorDave
My dad was in the hospital for more than a year before he died, and my mom (who was both a nurse and a fantastic baker, even had a baking business at one point) would periodically bring in home-made baked goods and the nurses loved it.
It seems like a formal tip or gift card could be awkward since they are professionals, but I can’t imagine they would have a problem with a big tray of cookies for the nursing staff in the unit you were in.
inkadu
Damn, man, sorry to hear your whole shoulder and arm are so messed up. That’s going to take a while to heal. But it seems like Dragon Naturally Speaking is working well, complete with hyperlinks (heh). Come visit between drug induced hazes.
valdivia
so good to hear you are ok if in a lot of pain and messed up. Get better and we will miss you.
Linkmeister
Ouch, ouch, ouch. The brace looks like a good idea.
I hope you’ve got attentive caregivers. Luck!
kay
@HeartlandLiberal:
I’m not a nurse but a hand written note gets me every time. They’re rarer and rarer. That might be it.
Dannie22
Tipping nurses isn’t allowed. But sending food to the unit is okay. Something like sandwich trays that the entire staff can enjoy. Also, send a letter to the head of nursing as well as the nurse manager. That way, everyone in the chain of command will know she’s a great nurse, just in case her immediate manager is an ass. I work on a hospital unit and that’s the way it’s always done here. You could give her a gift but i’m not sure how you’d do it without her co-workers finding out. You shouldn’t do it on the unit. It might get him/her in trouble.
Andrew
I work at a hospital and we have a strict gift policy. I’m going to assume that she has the same where she works. Go with the card and perhaps an edible gift… but ABSOLUTELY notify her manager, a patient care representative (if they have such a thing there), and the executive staff. Any kind of acknowledgment that can come downstream to her will be a massive gift.
bystander
Good doG, John. Well, I guess if you’re going to mangle yourself, there’s no point in going half-assed. Looks like you did a right thorough job of it. Your surgical team is going to be talking about you for months.
Rest. Rest. Rest. And, manage that pain. Yep. They get right after rehab so all those joint elements don’t lock up. If you scream during the sessions, the PT person will probably scream right along with you. I’m screaming just thinking about it.
Occurs to me that some Lamaze breathing techniques might be helpful.
Splitting Image
Get well soon Mr. Cole.
Hopefully you’ll be back here and ranting pretty soon.
kdaug
Find out who the hospital’s head administrator is, and adamantly describe to them how excellent the nurse was.
Telling her is great, and will make her feel good. Telling her boss’s boss how awesome she is, and she may get a raise or a promotion (at least get a gold star in her column).
-K
Blue Neponset
Speedy recover John.
Andy
I work at a university med center, and the nurses (or any other employee) wouldn’t be allowed a tip or gift certificate/card (i.e., with a cash value). Sports tickets are out, too. (Presumably because they’re easily scalped for cash?) Gifts of any kind are limited to $50 valuation.
Flowers or a food basket to the unit would be a great gift, but Dannie22 is right — best thing you could do is write a letter to her supervisor, and CC it to her, the director of nursing services, and the head of the hospital. Formal praise of that sort is increasingly rare, and all the more impressive when it does happen.
You Don't Say
Take care of yourself John.
I think a note to the staff and food from a caterer or local bakery or deli is good idea.
I was going to say flowers, but I imagine nurses get a lot of flowers left in rooms. Still, may be a good idea. I usually see nice bouquets at nurses’ stations which were probably sent by grateful patients.
Best of luck with rehab.
demo woman
John, When you do something, you obviously do a good job. Please be careful during your recovery period. Dust and grime will wait until you heal.
Fitzwili
Oh I am sorry to hear there were complications but I am happy to hear you are up and sort of moving!!
Chuck is an excellent choice- this might be too comic booky for you but there was a short lived series called the The Middleman which was pretty wonderful kooky escapism- you might try it out.
Martin
@Wile E. Quixote:
Tipping nurses is a GREAT idea if they’re hot.
Wait, looking at the comments, are we talking about the same thing?
Jeff
Glad you’re back and get well soon!
David Hunt
Glad to be informed that you’re alive. I’m sorry that things were worse than they expected and hope your recovery goes quickly and well.
martha
John, hand written notes of kindness and gratitude are always the best. They can be re-read on really, really bad days.
JenJen
Get well soon, John!
Fitzwili
Oh and as far as that nurse question- letter to supervisor
and box of chocolates/ cookies/basket of fruit- something she can share with other nurses would be appropriate!
Feel Better!
Dennis Doubleday
Be sure not to let them hook you up to a pain pump, though.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/sports/27painpump.html
mai naem
Work hard at rehab and listen to your therapists. Take your pain meds so that they’ve kicked in by the time you get to rehab. Studies have shown that people with adequate pain control get better quicker. As many people have already said send a letter to the Director of Nursing and Adminstrator. It goes into the permanent employee file. Most places have some kind of monthly recognition a la employee of the month. Also too, mention her in the satisfaction survey you get in the mail from the hospital. Nothing wrong with individual recognition.
gex
Dude, heal quickly and feel better soon. I’m glad you have seen some improvement in pain management with that contraption.
Max
Glad to hear you’re still with us.
My mom, my step mom and my step father are all nurses and tipping is absolutely a good idea. I think food for the shift and a note to the specific nurse’s supe is the route to go.
When I was in the hospital for a couple of nights, my mom (the nurse) brought bakery items for each shift of nurses.
Nurses are the real care givers.
Joel
The brace is made by a company called Bledsoe. How appropriate.
Persia
@martha: Or hand-typed if you’re not up to writing. But make sure it goes up the line. Good nurses are worth their weight in gold.
Sorry you’re in so much pain, John, but glad the ice is helping.
Oh, yes, and I’m reminded– take your pain meds before you need them, especially at first, don’t ‘wait and see’ for a while. The sooner you get ahead of the pain the easier it is.
licensed to kill time
__
Never underestimate how easy it can be to break a bone. My experience involved a cat, a lawn chair I was carrying, and a small step up to the porch. In two seconds I was on my ass looking up at my foot which was pointing sideways at a 90 degree angle. It can happen in a flash and ya don’t have to be ‘old’!
The subsequent surgery, pins, rehab and aches and pains (still hurts when it’s cold) took a lot longer.
My most heartfelt sympathies to John Cole.
Morbo
Hmmm, we tried to sell cooling systems for this type of thing at one time before I worked here. Filling it with ice ended up more cost effective, naturally, so they said “feh.” Relax, chill out.
asiangrrlMN
Cole! So good to read a post from you, even if I was wincing at all the construction your team had to do for you. Please, take ample time to heal and listen to the folks in the white coats, ok? OK!
That said, TUNCH! Oops, sorry, involuntary reaction. I agree with the others about a handwritten note to the one nurse, a note to her supervisors praising her, and cookies for the entire team of nurses. It really is a team effort.
Still sending many positive vibes whizzing your way (mainly at your Glenoid).
Ash Can
::quickly shovels empty beer cans, booze bottles, and pizza boxes, as well as abandoned shoes and other articles of clothing, out the back door::
John! What a pleasant surprise!
Seriously, though, thanks for checking in and updating us on the, er, damage. Yeesh. And here I thought Congress was the worst clusterfuck around. Cripes.
Here’s wishing you as much comfort, and as speedy a recovery, as possible. And I agree with the folks who say that you should let the hospital administration know about the great job the nurse did, as well as writing a thank-you note and giving a shareable gift to the whole station.
DanF
Hope you feel better soon.
Matthew C
A letter to the hospital administration about your satisfaction with the care you’ve received is the best way to show your nurse your gratitude. Be sure to name names. A personal card would be nice, but the praise that will filter down to the nurse through the chain of command will make her day, if not her whole month.
Emo Pantload (fka Studly)
Rehab starting Friday? No rest for the wicked, eh? Hope you mend up fast!
So far as best way to thank your nurse — tell her supervisor how great she is.
gbear
Sounds like you’ve suffered the tortures of the damned, sir. The tortures of the damned.
/alex
Hope you get back on your feet in short order (but without rushing it) and have a full recovery. Take care.
Legalize
OT but I spoke to Jean Schmidt’s office in DC and her staffer (who was actually pretty nice) said that he hadn’t spoken to the Congresswoman about the O’Keefe situation, but that he was sure that she didn’t support wire-tapping a senator’s phones. He wouldn’t say if she still believed O’Keefe was owed a debt of gratitude. Of course he tried to pivot to ACORN and how O’Keefe “exposed” it for what it is. I asked him what O’Keefe “exposed” ACORN as and he didn’t have an answer for that one.
Jay McDonough
Get well soon.
Butch
Rehab…we can swap stories someday. Hang in there, John.
AkaDad
A tip? Why not the whole thing?
Heal well, comrade.
suzanne
The food thing. Fo’ sho’.
When I had my surgery, I brought my team a huge thing of bagels. They thanked me profusely, one of them saying he hadn’t eaten breakfast that day. Which terrified me. My life in his hands and all he wants is an Egg McMuffin.
Trinity
Best wishes to you John. I’ll be drinking regularly in support of your quick recovery!
Just doing my part. :)
Also.
adolphus
Get well soon, John. Best wishes.
I can only reinforce one point in the gift area. I used to supervise floor/class room staff in the education profession. Make sure your nurse’s superiors get a copy of a letter and be specific about what pleased you. I cannot guarantee they will read it, but they will certainly put in their file and read come evaluation time.
Also, I found that most often these letters complimented the human things that bean counters and administrators do not value or is difficult to place a dollar sign on. When fighting for more staff or lighter loads with higher-ups it is good to have this sort of thing handy to show that it matters.
Fruit baskets, chocolates, alcohol etc are great and like lots of people here said make sure they can share. She might have been the face of your care, but she could do this because she had team mates. But if you offer something that will help her and her department improve or defend itself come budget and staffing time. Ahhhhh that is the gift that keeps on giving.
Randy P
Re tipping: My wife sent flowers and chocolate to the nursing ward after a particularly appreciative experience (the birth of our 2nd child, IIRC).
Re your device: This begins to sound more and more Borg-like. They didn’t try to talk you into wiring sockets in your skull “to relieve pain”, did they?
Seriously, I’m glad you’re on the mend. And presumably have health insurance to cover all of this.
DonBelacquaDelPurgatorio
One thing I found in the hospital is that everyone who works there really, really, really appreciates a sincere thank you and declarations of appreciation for their good work.
Whether it’s the nurse, the doc, the staffer who brings your meal, the lady who changes the bed. Doesn’t matter. Just tell ’em, thank you for everything, I feel like I am being well taken care of and I appreciate the care you are giving me, so much.
They will smile for the rest of the day. The simple Thank You is a forgotten art in our world.
I agree with the other folks here, whenever you mix bones and screws? Give yourself a year or two, and be patient with the process. Do the rehab work and don’t get discouraged. Best wishes, John.
Bruce (formerly Steve S.)
World’s oldest joke:
Doctor: There is significant damage to the cartilage and ligaments and the bicep is disconnected. We also have to deal with some bone spurs and the labrum is torn, then we’ll use pins and screws to put the Glenoid back together.
John: Give it to me straight, doc. In three months will I be able to play the violin?
Doctor: If all goes well in the recovery process then yes, you will be able to play the violin.
John: Awesome! I never could before!
Randy P
@suzanne:
Two of my siblings are MDs. That’s when I learned that the doctors who literally have your life in their hands, the ones staffing the ER, may very well be 4th-year med students who are not only food-deprived but probably sleep-deprived to the point of hallucinating.
Seriously.
And my brother told me about driving while experiencing visual hallucinations too. Speaking of terrifying me.
Devon
Hey- Isn’t the hospital near starbucks? Don’t nurses work late, crappy hours? Caffeine is always good…
Ana Gama
You can’t go too far wrong with a nice box of sinfully decadent gourmet chocolates. And a nice note.
Get well soon!
oscarbob
Glad you weathered the surgery well. Take care of yourself and don’t skimp on the meds, they help the healing process. Good luck with the rehab.
DonBelacquaDelPurgatorio
@Bruce (formerly Steve S.):
Groan.
Jason Bylinowski
So you made it.
That’s clean livin’, pal.
Jill aka jwh182
John,
My thoughts are with you. I wish you a speedy recovery and relief from the awful pain you’re in.
As for the nurse question, I’m with those who suggested a letter of recommendation to her superiors/the hospital and a thank-you note directly to her. I also think dropping off a box of chocolates for the nurse’s station would be a nice gesture.
Again, hope you’re soon feeling better!
KRK
John, it’s great to hear that you’ve been put back together as best as can be and have found something that keeps the recovery pain in check. As others have said, do your best to be a good rehab patient no matter how hard and/or tedious it gets. You’ll thank yourself in years to come.
I feel confident that this whole experience has made you more appreciative of the fact that when Tunch finally does get around to killing you in your sleep, it’ll be a clean kill. None of this maiming stuff that’s so popular with canines.
Corner Stone
It’s funny but I always thought walking and other exercise was supposed to help get you into better shape.
Cole, do you have to be a contrarian about everything?
asiangrrlMN
Cole. I need pictures of Tunch to help me through the trauma of you going through complications in surgery. Seriously. TUNCH!
mellowjohn
after 30 years of rugby (and 10 years of rugby-related repairs) i’ve got so much metal in my body that when i die i’m going to be smelted, not cremated.
welcome to the borg collective, john.
fraught
So glad your Glenoid is back together again. That’s a relief. Good luck in rehab.
Svensker
Ow ow ow. I’ve got chills and creeps just thinking about what happened to your shoulder. You must be a cranky camper.
Here’s hoping rehab goes well and the pain is doable.
Jeez, Cole!
SGEW
So very glad to hear that you made it through the surgery, and am very, very sorry to hear that it was such a trial (sounds nightmarish!). Hope your recovery is as smooth as it can be.
Snuggle up with the pets and hibernate for a few weeks. You deserve as peaceful a time as possible.
James Hare
OUR FEARLESS LEADER RETURNS!!!
Too bad about the surgery being complicated — always better to hear things were simple and straightforward; however, it sounds like they knew what they were doing by the time they finished (as good a time as any to figure it out!). Best of luck in your recovery. I hope that you get some booties for Lily out of all this.
Captain Goto
Really good to hear from you again.
My only encounter with this kind of thing was a blown-out knee which I suffered playing hoops at age 50 [insert admonishment about acting like a damn overgrown kid, here].
I opted not to get it surgically fixed–but the rehab folks were great, and so far, given that I’m a lot less adventurous lately, it seems to work pretty well for everything I want to do.
Agree on the food and the letter to the boss.
Once again: HEAL!!
JD Rhoades
@Legalize:
On the other hand, a colleague of mine once had a client who was so grateful, he got “tipped” with a Fender Stratocaster. I’m just sayin’.
JSD
John, get better soon. You are a unique voice in this world.
I know what you mean about the nurses. I’ve been hospitalized several times over the past few years for the same problem and have always had superb nurses. They take such good care of you, it’s hard to not want to do something in return, as you mentioned.
If you want to something, I would send some flowers and goodies to the nurse station, anonymously. That avoids any discomfort on their end, while thanking them at the same time.
Wonk
Glad your surgery went okay, John.
And I’ll agree with the others about the candy as a parting gift for the nurses. My mom got each shift a box of Fannie Mae chocolates when she had her hip replacements a few years ago, and the nurses from the 1st hip remembered her when she was admitted for the 2nd, and they treated her like a queen.
Oh, and in case Genl Stuck is perusing the thread, I saw a reply of yours to my post about the Shiba Inu puppy cam in an old thread where you called me “Mr Wonk” – no biggie, but I’m female. :)
JD Rhoades
And hope you’re better soon, John. Sorry the damage was so severe, but I’m glad it was something they could fix.
David in NY
Get well! (You’ll have to work at it.)
And may I add my voice in favor of a personal note. For many years, I’ve been a lawyer paid to represent poor people charged with crimes, and those occasional notes thanking me (even sometimes when I haven’t been able to do a whole lot) are really helpful in bracing myself to deal with the next customer, who may not be so nice. Such notes must mean even more to nurses because their jobs can be physically demanding and the patients can go and die on them sometimes. Every little bit of support helps.
Axe Diesel Palin
My wife is a nurse. Whenever a family member is overnight in the hospital she makes me bring a box of candy or nice bakery cookies to leave with the staff. She never suggested giving a gift or tip to an individual. She always wants to leave something for the whole team.
Blue Shark
Tipping Nurses?
…They just LOVE it when you goose em in the ass!
Will
Sorry this awful accident has swept in and interrupted your life so badly, John. Here’s to a full recovery.
GregB
Get well soon, John.
-G
Betty Cracker
Ow! Glad you’re on the mend though. I’m related to numerous nurses, and I know they love it when a patient sends goodies they can share with the crew, as others have suggested. Hope you feel better soon!
eco2geek
Tipping as in “cow tipping” has been covered; tipping as in “don’t buy hair tonic from a bald man” has been covered; and the obligatory “I never could play the violin before” joke has been told. You guys are fast! Let’s see, what’s left? H’mmm…
To paraphrase a rhyme I read a long time ago:
Johnny Cole took his dog
out on the ice to frisk.
Wasn’t he a silly man
His little * ?
Seriously, I’m so sorry that you messed your shoulder up so badly, and wish you a recovery that’s both speedy and as pain-free as possible. And let us know if there’s anything you need.
Peter J
I’m a believer in cards, fruit baskets and flowers. All with the caveat that depending on the ward, things with strong smells might not be appreciated.
Also good to see that you couldn’t stay away from the blog more than two days, I hope that’s a sign of a speedy recovery.
soonergrunt
John,
Very glad to read that you are on the mend. Get better. Watch out for the cat. Your weakened state is ideal for his purposes.
Fergus Wooster
Good lord. Please heal quickly.
On tipping – a card is nice, but I’ve found that a delivery of Kraftsmen baked goods to the nurses after you leave goes over very well. Or a bottle of something, if that’s their taste.
gypsy howell
Best wishes to you, sir. Of course we miss you, but please take some time to mend. It’s pretty ugly out here at the moment, so trust me, you’re not missing anything good.
— gypsy
PS- tell Lily to go get you a beer. And Tunch should have to make lunch.
slag
Glad you’re alive and sorry you’re in so much pain! Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help in any way.
As re the nurse: Definitely a written note, if you can manage it. I did that and flowers once and it really seemed welcomed. Nurses seem to get taken for granted a lot, so anything you do to convey your appreciation will probably be a nice change.
Feel better soon!
David in NY
I can see why gifts must be only of nominal value, by the way. You ought to see the kind of attention my brother-in-law the CEO buys from waitresses at fancy restaurants. He’d not hesitate a second to do the same in a hospital, and, while the RN’s are all professionals, human nature is what it is. Better if hospital care is distributed on the basis of need, not possible reward.
artem1s
Hope you mend quickly!
When the King of the United Arab Emirate was at the Cleveland Clinic a decade ago and I was still working in the jewelry trade, his family came into our store and dropped $80K on gifts for the staff at CC. It’s been rumored that Rolex’s for the docs and tennis bracelets for the nurses are standard…I’m sure you can handle that!
Skepticat
Food, enough to share widely. Yes, I too would be cautious about singling out an individual.
Thank-you notes.
Letters of commendation as far up the line as you can manage.
And to you, be-well wishes.
abo gato
SO glad to hear that you came through okay. Sorry it was so awful.
The ice machine thingy for your shoulder will be the one thing that gets you through the rest of this. I had a similar ice water deal when I had my knees replaced. OMG, it was the best thing ever. NO swelling at all and a much faster healing time.
Looking forward (in a weird kind of way) to seeing those scans.
Da Bomb
Get as much rest as possible! Don’t overwork yourself while you are watching Chuck or using the remote.
Very Reverend Crimson Fire of Compassion
Any gesture of thanks and appreciation is always appropriate. While we’re at it, thanks, Mr. Cole. We appreciate you & all you do. Kisses.
robertdsc
My gamertag in your honor, lulz
Glad the surgery went OK and the recovery can begin.
General Winfield Stuck
Good to hear yer still kickin dude, though sounds like a lot of damage to recover from. We may have to send you down to the minors for rehab, but DougJ can bang Jon Stewart over the head with his keyboard to keep us entertained. Later alligator.
blahblahblah
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
cat48
Welcome back. Definitely send a personal thank you card to nurse and food or flowers for all. (Breaking at 3:58pm on MSNBC: “Pelosi has the votes to pass Senate bill.”) They must have heard about your injuries, John.
Take care and don’t push yourself.
Notorious P.A.T.
John, if you read down this far, I wish you a speedy recovery.
ElBlot
Feel better soon John.
Grumpy Code Monkey
My shattered wrist pales in comparison to a disconnected bicep; you have my sympathy. And for everyone asking, you (probably) won’t set off any metal detectors; I have a plate and some screws holding my wrist together, and it’s never been an issue. Although I imagine you have more hardware than I do.
PT will be “fun”. I remember when my therapist broke one of the bigger adhesions that was keeping me from making a fist. When I told my wife about it, she asked if I screamed like a girl. I told her, no, I screamed like a grown man. Shit’s gonna hurt; there’s absolutely no shame in making noise when it does.
rassia
Speedy recovery, JC.
Perhaps a liberal use of the following will help to rouse the awesome power of your bionic rebuild:
http://www.xbo85.dial.pipex.com/wavs/bionic1.wav
Anne
Hang in there, man. Glad the surgery is done, and that they did what they could. Those cold water pump things are awesome. My sister had one after her knee surgery, and she loved it. Keep using it, keep taking the meds, and take it easy. Here’s hoping for a smooth and swift recovery for you.
As for the nurse, I’d say a tray of yummy baked things for the nurses’ station and perhaps a note to the individual nurse.
Damned at Random
Chocolates, cheesecake, cookies, donuts. I’ve never known a nurse who didn’t have a sweet tooth (and I’ve known a few nurses). And write to the administrator and name names…
Also, was the wonder nurse wearing a wedding ring? Chat her up a little – don’t be a dog, just tell her how you miss your pets – make a joke and make eye contact- see if there is a connection. If she doesn’t seem receptive, blame the pain meds. But take a shot- you really need looking after.
JohnR
I’m not sure what it says that my first thought on seeing that title was to visualize the Monster sitting up on his table and shouting it out while a chorus line of alternating Frankensteins and Igors backed him up with a high-kicking routine…
Comrade Darkness
A bet a giftbasket sent to the nurses in the whole department would go over well. With a card thanking that particular nurse…
gbear
PS: Thank you for having this blog. It saves us the cost of a get well card and postage.
heal fast
Sebastian
I work for a *major* hospital on the west coast. Official policy is no gifts. However, nurses are allowed to accept gift cards etc but it has to be reasonable. The cutoff is 100 bucks. Never cash.
Mary G
The ice pump is awesome. I didn’t know they had them for shoulders, glad to hear you have one. I agree with everyone who said to write a handwritten note to the nurse and a letter of praise to the Director of Nursing, plus food for the floor team.
It’s gonna be a long haul, hang in there.
Loneoak
My wife’s a nurse. A card plus a letter to her superiors is good. A very small gift that has no real monetary value, especially if s/he can share it with the other nurses (flowers, pizza delivery, a Starbucks gift cert s/he can use to buy a round of lattes) is probably okay. My wife has accepted small gifts like that before with no problem. But giving a good word to management might be worth a lot to them in terms of raises in the future.
Glad someone is doing good by the profession. Get well soon.
gogol's wife
I’m sorry it’s been so difficult. We miss you. Get well soon.
Pasquinade
John, it was painful just to read your post. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Godiva chocolate for the nursing staff.
The Grand Panjandrum
Get well JC. Hope the convalescing goes well.
Chat Noir
You take care of yourself, John Cole. Best to you, Tunch, and Lily.
El Tiburon
Can I have your pain meds then?
Hob
Very best wishes. May your ice pump never run warm.
And as a (not currently practicing) nurse, I say: a nice card mentioning how great that nurse is, and a big box of choco-love addressed to the whole unit. That way, all the co-workers will want that nurse to continue being great.
Wouldn’t recommend the stealthy-gift-certificate idea others have suggested. It’s often against the rules and many nurses will just feel weird about it regardless.
MaximusNYC
So a “Glenoid” is not in fact the Instapundit equivalent of a dittohead?
(John: Best wishes… get well soon.)
No joy in Mudville
I think a Thank You card would be very nice, and I imagine she would appreciate the special acknowledgment.
I think a “tip” is a very bad idea. Not everything has to be rewarded with money or a gift. It is a nice thought, but not one you should follow through on.
While you’re laid up, do a little reading on intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation research. The last thing any health care system wants or needs is nurses (doctors are already a lost cause) who adjust their care based on how big a tip they expect.
Get well soon, John, and send her a nice card.
Note: if you can’t control the impulse, maybe you could send a small flower arrangement to the nurses’ station thanking them all for the excellent care you received.
D-Chance.
The MMFIC is back! That may have been the longest time that BJ has gone “dark”; and even then, it was only around 42 hours.
#42 took care of your tipping inquiry. If you feel the desire to single out one particular nurse, do so; but, do not leave out the other nurses who also took great care of you. They work long and hard hours and are not praised nearly enough. A kind public word to the higher ups is always appreciated.
But, damn, that surgery sounded bad. I’m very happy you got through it, and keep the faith with the physical therapy sessions. They will be grueling and will test your patience, but stick with it. The PTs can be every bit as awesome as the nurses when you aren’t on an anti-doting campaign.
Elroy's Lunch
Get better John and hope the recovery is quick and relatively painless.
YellowJournalism
Get plenty of rest before you get going on that therapy. Enjoy all the missed TV shows and old movies you can. Cuddle with your fav four-legged animals.
Buy the best chocolate cheesecake you can find and have it sent to all the nurses. Send a thank you card to the one that really helped you out. Good nurses are a godsend!
jnfr
All best wishes, John. Please take care of yourself.
ellaesther
#170 (already past 170! Damn the well wishers move fast here!) to say it, but John, oh my goodness, John…!
Good luck, man! I am so sorry that it was so rough, and so hopeful that your recovery is as smooth and as painfree as can reasonably be hoped…!
All best wishes, and thanks for letting us know.
Seanly
Glad to hear you are on the mend, John.
As others have said, a tip is probably bad ettiquette. A thank you note and flowers/edible arrangement and a signed typed letter to the administration describing her quality care would be very good. Gift card in the note would be borderline I think.
Speaking of edible arrangements, I wish the ungrateful SOBs in my family would get the hint & send one to my wife & me. We have the dang company here in
PodunkColumbia, SC. /family rantShinobi
I can’t actually read this post because I am so squeamish. But I’m glad you’re on the mend. Hope you get some seriously excellent drugs and that they are nice to you at rehab!
R-Jud
Take care of yourself, John. Mr Jud wrecked his ankle on Sunday, and I am having a hell of a time keeping him in his chair.
I’m going to concur with the others here about writing a thank-you card to the nurse team that looked after you, and then a letter to the higher-ups commending the quality of the nurses generally that also calls out your favorite nurse for praise.
I did this after the Bean was born– my midwifery team was amazing– and when visiting my SIL on the ward a few weeks ago, two of the midwives who’d looked after me recognized me and thanked me for the card. “We live for stuff like that!” they said.
Billy K
John,
Sounds like you might be watching a lot of TV for a while. Are there any other DVD sets or other entertainment you want? Why don’t you set up a wish list on Amazon?
mp1900
John, I’m so sorry to hear you had a rough go of it.
IMO, having worked in hospitals, the card to the special nurse plus letter to admin praising her would really be appreciated, as would a token food gift for the unit. Those letters come up in performance evaluations and help a lot.
Bobby Thomson
This sounds like good news.
smiley
Get well soon. As for the tipping of a nurse, I don’t know what others upthread have said but as the ex-husband of a nurse, I’ve never heard of it. However, a thank you note or card seems appropriate and, in fact, very nice. There might be hospital policy against gifts.
Jager
Note to her or him (mention the rest of the staff, too) Letter to Nursing supervisor with a cc to the hospital administrator.
Some kind of food they can all share on the floor or unit is always appreciated.
That’s what my ex wife, a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner, said!
Get well
Face
You can tip one back with your nurse….ya know, if she’s cute and single. Otherwise, lacking a stack of green in her palm is quite unprofessional.
Grab a Ketel 1 and tonic with her and call it a day.
SiubhanDuinne
I agree with everyone :-)
Specifically, no tip or cash or cash-like gift, but rather something to eat or drink, something the whole nursing staff can enjoy and share, and most importantly a really nice thank you note.
That brace: I hope it’s not something that Tunch is going to use for sharpening his claws. That could suck, to have all those water hoses puncture and leak ice water all over you.
We’re glad to have you back. Please don’t overdo the blogging until you feel much better.*
*(Yeah, like he’ll take advice about frequency of blogging.)
demkat620
We miss you John. The place is just not the same without you. Please rest and get back to us soon!
Shell
That sounds best. I know tipping is tempting; nurses don’t get paid damn well near what they deserve.
Another suggestion. Maybe give the State of the Union and especially the Republican response, a pass tonight. Unless you’re particularly doped up. That’s how I’m gonna watch it.
tesslibrarian
As someone who works with the public, I can tell you that the things that often keep me in a job that doesn’t pay well and isn’t appreciated most of the time are the moments when someone genuinely thanks me for helping them. On the few occasions when a patron has found a manager to tell that they had a good experience, the whole building gets an email with the news, and we all feel happy because it’s just so rare.
The letter to her, and to her superiors is a great idea. The cookies will be nice, be appreciated, be enjoyed, but the letter is the thing she’ll keep on those long nights when her job seems futile.
Glad you’re on the mend; wish they had one of those cool-water braces when I tore my calf muscle. That thing is fantastic.
Citizen_X
I think a note to your nurse, and her supervisors, would be fine.
But your injuries: wow. Owee owee owee, you messed up your framework something good, John. Fucking glenoid!
If it’s any consolation at all, you have a lifetime Mom’s-guilt-trip card you can pull on Lilly. “Sniff..sniff…Do you realize what I’ve gone through for you? Booohoohoohoo…”
That works just as well on dogs, right?
CanadaGoose
No tipping!
A box/basket of fruit from Harry & David is always a hit. No boxes of candy — not a hit for diabetics or the dieting.
Anne Laurie
Welcome back, John. If bloggers were canines, we’d be leaping, yapping, wagging, running in circles, and in some cases piddling ourselves… all at the same time.
Once you run out of CHUCK episodes, Hulu has the most recent five episodes of MERCY (hot nurses) and TRAUMA (hot EMTs, and lots of shite blowing up). Also the complete 10-episode runs of THE UNUSUALS and K-VILLE (cops in New Orleans, post-Katrina).
As far as your nurses, remember Mark Twain’s advice: I can live for a month on a good compliment. But a big ol’ box of chocolates can’t hurt, and I seem to recall that both Godiva and Lindt have online sites…
tesslibrarian
“futile” is the wrong word–more like when her labors seem to mean nothing even though she knows she’s doing something important. I don’t know. WordPress has told me I don’t have permission to edit my comment….
Deborah
You can give the nurse flowers or some such. Or candy–it’ll be shared with the staff, but they’ll appreciate it.
When physical therapy starts, do it. It will make all the difference in how you recover. And it is astounding what tiny motions reveal about how fucked up your shoulder is.
kindness
Tipping nurses….is that anything like Cow tipping?
SIA
Haven’t read the comments but glad you made it through that ordeal We all wish we could make you feel better. How are Lily and Tunch? How long can your Mom stay with you?
Blue Raven
John, I am repeating others, but I still want to say I am grateful you came through the surgery and I am sure you will heal well. And don’t push it, please. I went back to work a week early after getting benign tumors removed from my uterus and ovaries and regretted it for a month afterward.
Midnight Marauder
Good to hear. Joe Beese isn’t going to punch himself in the face, you know?
Jay in Oregon
Return her to the upright position at the end of the flight?
Ann B. Nonymous
Because I sense a certain contrarian impulse in you, John: take their advice about rehabilitation and–this is important–pain management. You’re not going to turn into a junkie.
As for rehabilitation and physical therapy, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. There’s a Louis CK clip which I can’t find about this. He’s a funny man, but don’t be him.
I think some sort of food gift for the staff would be appreciated–though I worry it might not reach all the shifts, some people might not be able to partake, etc.–but why not simply ask on the QT?
SIA
Re the nurse. I would send flowers and then find out her supervisor and send a complimentary letter to that person and the hospital administrator, and send the nurse a copy.
Jimbo
Glad the surgery, though long, went well. Hope you’re feeling better soon!!
Elie
@Wile E. Quixote:
Totally agree. No tipping. They are professionals. Agree that notes are great and also do not forget a box of candy or some other goodie is always appreciated as well …
nwrain
Wishing you the very best. Be professional in taking care of, and rehabilitating, your body — it will be very frustrating and seemingly time-wasting for months, but you have to make that investment now to have it improve as much as possible. Keeping a bit of emotional distance from the process will help a lot. And, for now, sleep, sleep, sleep.
Elie
@Ann B. Nonymous:
I usually buy a box for each shift and label it. They get it and won’t mess with the other shift’s stuff (at least we didnt back when I was a staff nurse)
Elie
And John, please take your pain meds. Really. Please. Ver important to blood flow and muscle relaxation.
When I recovered last year from my partial shoulder replacement (less intense than your traumatic and more complex condition), I arrived at a point where muscle tension became an issue in my overall comfort. A muscle relaxant was added to my pain management regime. Ice works for a while but it stops after the first couple of days and when the cold wears off (and you can’t keep the cold on 24/7) you need pain meds.
Remember though about the aloe vera juice/gel. And lots of water. And laughter
Fondly —
Elie
Gus
Holy shit, you really fucked that mother up good! As others have said, be dutiful with your rehab. At your age it will take a long time to heal. No offense.
goblue72
re: nurse tips:
$10 for extra pillow fluffing
$25 for tossing an extra pain pill in your cup
$100 for the special finish
Zuzu's Petals
Best wishes for a quick recovery, JC.
And be sure to tip your mom … I have the feeling she’ll be earning it big time.
Anon PT
Longtime lurker and Physical Therapist.
The nurse thing, a nice note/card of appreciation always welcomed…and yes make sure the higher ups in the administrative chain are made aware of that person too. As for the gift.. food always a big hit, edible fruit arrangements, baked cookies or baked goods basket with small candies (my personal preference, lindt chocolates) tea and/or coffee goodies usually a big hit.
As for your upcoming PT. Take the pain med/antiinflammatory med at least a half hour to an hour before your session(s)…and let the PT know you did just that. You’re in for a long haul, follow their and the doctor’s orders, make sure you do all those home exercises faithfully as instructed…you’re trying to prevent any complications later on….and when you do them or are in therapy really try to relax, relax and focus on your breathing, please breathe, if you know any relaxation techniques try to use them when your in therapy getting stretched. Ice…ice…ice…ice after the exercises…Best of luck.
Jay C
Congrats on getting through it all, John; and we hope you’ll keep up with your blogging, and provide your faithful readership with a
repetitive drumbeat of misery and complaintregular updates on your condition!Just a hint re the cooling brace: use ice cubes (not crushed) to keep the water cold – your shoulder will be generating a hellish amount of heat, and you’ll need maximum extraction to keep things chilled: especially overnight. Assuming, of course, that you haven’t gotten one of those, -ahem, “special duty” nurses to fill it for you……
Bad Horse's Filly
Way down here at 207-ish I’m wishing you a quick recovery. Glad you’ve got puppy and kitty to snuggle you and mom to look after you.
Badtux
My mom’s a nurse, retired. My advice: A thank you card will be plenty and will be greatly appreciated. A tip as such implies that she’s a menial laborer like a waitress or a hotel room maid, and probably won’t be received in the spirit offered, professionals do not accept monetary tips. That said, do find out what her favorite food is and offer to have some delivered next time she’s on duty, food is always appreciated (my mom would have literally killed for pizza back when she was on floor duty, sandwiches got old fast ;), enough for the whole shift would be good because then she can dole it out to her co-workers and get good will from them too. And as other said, do write a letter to the hospital praising her, that’s always good for her personnel file and her future at that hospital.
Good luck on the healing up thingy. At least Tunch didn’t eat you. This time.
– Badtux the Medical Penguin
Batocchio
Ugh. Good luck with a full and swift recovery. This thread, and the other one, are full of good suggestions on how to thank the nurse(s).
shortstop
All the best, John.
flipturn
Beaming healing thoughts your way. So glad you’re out of surgery and on the mend! Heal fast!
Comrade Luke
John, first of all, I’m glad you got out of the hospital without MRSA :)
Second – and I hope you read this – please, listen to your physical therapist and do whatever they say.
You seem like the kind of guy who would, so I’m probably just stating the obvious, but still – both my friend and I had shoulder surgery when we were ~20. I did the PT, he slacked, and his shoulder is a piece of shit compared to mine.
So long story short: it’ll seem really tedious, but it’s very important, so do your PT!
Love,
Mom
:)
RareSanity
Great to hear from you John!
Godspeed on the recovery. Take your time, we have plenty of trolls to keep our attention until your feeling better.
Lisa K.
Speaking as a former nurse, I can assure you that a thank you card sent to her and her supervisor would be most appreciated. If you feel like doing something more, send a basket of fruit or cookies that the whole staff can enjoy, with a note attached mentioning her work specifically.
Lex
Having felt your pain in the past, I feel it now. Feel better soon, John.
Regarding the tip/card/gift for outstanding professional service, a note to the person, accompanied by some sort of correspondence to someone higher up her food chain (ideally her immediate supervisor, but anyone on up through CEO will work), is ALWAYS appropriate. I’ll defer to, you know, actual nurses as to what else might be a good idea.
Steeplejack
@Cole:
I’m late again, as usual, but I just wanted to add my wishes for your speedy recovery to all those that have gone before.
My particular advice right now, based on my eight-week convalescence from surgery for a badly broken jaw, is to remember that sleep is your friend. Your body will need a lot of downtime in the next few months, and the problem is that your big squishy brain is going to get bored and want to do stuff to amuse itself. Resist that urge, or find some way to exercise and tire your mind without involving your body too much. Learn how Obama plays 11-dimensional chess, or try doing the crosswords in ink. Whatever. Just resist the suggestions from your brain that because it is bored nothing useful is happening. Your body will be healing, and that is the most important thing right now.
Sending you healing energy, as usual. It may manifest as a blue beam coming in from the south-southeast.
kimba
I’m a little late too, but here I am with my best wishes for your recovery.
theylivebynight
Feel better, John. I’m not a frequent poster but I’ve still been thinking about you.
Mcallister
I am thoroughly looking to watch for the iPad from Apple, and I am excited to see what kinds of games and apps will be sold for it. I just don’t discern some of the nitpicky criticisms in this site. Size of the bezel?? LOL!