She lays on a mattress on the floor, with an oxygen tube and intravenous tube sustaining her life. For four months family members have lovingly sat by her side 24 hours a day providing medical care. Only in the last week has she returned to live with her younger sister, after the hospital offered no more hope to relieve the coma state she entered two weeks earlier.
Tears fill her eyes as the home nurse adjusts her IV tube. Her younger sister tries to comfort her and massages her temples. Her young adult son, also sits by her side.
I’m amazed at her strength. What has sustained her through numerous surgeries to prepare serious damage to her legs from the accident?
I’m also amazed at the strength of her younger sister, who has been responsible to navigate the emergency medical system that “closes” for lunch; negotiate with doctors, providing incentives as needed; advocate for the best possible treatment available, in a system that values social relationships; find the needed blood supplies, medications and medical supplies requested by the hospital; arrange for the extended family to provide 24 hour “nursing” care; advocate for the expenses to be covered by the driver at fault in the accident; find the needed financial resources to cover the medical expenses, and still continue to work regularly.
How grateful I need to be for all the Canadian medical system provides!!
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