June 29th

I am sure I will sound like the many "Helicopter Parents" I sometimes deal with but man, The Commons Orlando Lutheran Towers is not the place you want when it comes to the well being of a loved one. I am appalled by the lack of proactivity and the follow through by the majority of staff and this includes the administrative and management staff as well. Promises are made and never delivered. The most common thing you will here on this floor is "Let me get someone" I promise it is no exaggeration when I tell you the call buttons are useless. We have timed them on a few occasions at over a half an hour. Nurses and aids sit at the desk while the alarms beep and when asked if they are going to respond to it they say "I will get someone"

Yesterday it took us all we had just to get a couple of pillows. Patient charts seem to exist but are rarely read. People come and go and seem to have little idea of a patients needs or concerns. The lady in the bed next to us begged for some relief from her heartburn and was told that the soup she requested was not available. Nothing was done until an hour later when she threw up all over herself. This morning her meal was cold. Someone actually answered her call within 5 minutes and said she would "get someone", then left and nothing was done.

I hit the call button for someone to help Mom to the bathroom, after 5 minutes went to the desk where the nurse was standing there over a cart while the alarm sounded and asked her if she heard the alarm. Her reply, I just got here, "Let me get someone". I asked her why she herself couldn't respond to the call and after a 10 second look of complete puzzlement she walked with me to help Mom.

I know I am not a health care professional and I appreciate those that are. There are things happening here that I am not aware of and I know that there is no way someone will have their own personal assistant but there seems to be problems here that are beyond incompetent staff. The Asst Mgr. of the floor promised three things yesterday and only one was ever followed up on. Even the pillows she said she would get for us were never delivered. When we moved rooms the recliner we had to fight for was not moved with us, when I asked for it I was told we can't get one until Monday when maintenance is here. Thankfully the Housekeeper took charge and went and got one for us. We didn't even get a Let me get someone from the aid we asked but was basically told we are out of luck. No one here is willing to do anything that strays them from their routine or turns them away from whatever task they are involved with at the time.

Thankfully the Coble family remains strong and we have been here with Mom to make sure she is comfortable and has everything she needs. We allow 5 minutes for an alarm response and if no one comes we go get them. I feel bad for the people without local families that can ensure the well being of their loved one. We are doing what we can to help our room mate Venus Williams (no kidding) who unfortunately has had to fight for most anything she requests.

Tomorrow morning we are starting the long and bureaucratic struggle to transfer Mom closer to home. It looks like no matter what the outcome of her biopsy Thursday she will need therapy for a couple of more weeks and we just do not feel comfortable leaving her here. I am sure there is nothing we can do to bring to the attention of whomever the abhorrence that is this facility but we are going to do what we can to make sure that at the very least our experiences are well known by those who are considering sending a loved one to these facilities.

Mom woke up this morning like the last few and dressed and put on some makeup. Her appetite has been small lately and we attribute it to the CDIV virus she has picked up which we are told is pretty common amongst patients on IV's. Her stomach has been a bit upset but all in all she is doing pretty well physically. Mentally she wants the heck out of here.

Yesterday was a good day. She was up and dressed for the majority of the day and we had a lot of laughs. Susan and I stayed with her all afternoon and Dad once again stayed the night in the recliner. He is home today resting. A visit from Jan yesterday really cheered her up. Currently at 10:30AM she is taking a little nap. Tomorrow will be another big day as we navigate getting her moved but it will be good to have her closer to home instead of downtown here in Orlando.  I am told that all rehab facilities are the same but I am hoping we find that the next will be more like our experience at Florida Hospital where the patients needs seemed to be priority number one not an inconvenience.

Thanks for letting me vent. Our next big hurdle after the move tomorrow is the biopsy Thursday. Your continued prayers, comments, calls and well wishes are appreciated and we love you all.