Wednesday, May 17, 2006
My Mate Lionel
My mate, Lionel, is in the Intensive Care Unit at St Vincents Hospital.
A week ago he slipped and broke his leg. But he's 76 years old and very overweight... a dangerous combination.
The medical staff took care of Lionel and set his fractured tibia bone and they helped with his pain by administering morphine. But not long afterwards he vomited and the fluid went into his lungs, burning the tissue and impeding his breathing.
I went and saw him at the ICU today. He looks bad. All kinds of tube running into him and an oxygen mask on his face, so it's very hard to hear him mumble. It's hardly speech.
A few days ago we were convinced he was going to die at any time. He still could. But with a strong will and a bit of luck, the big fella might make it okay.
But then he's got the broken leg to deal with. The bachelor flat he lives in has stairs, and Lionel will be in a wheelchair. The poor bloke will probably have to go into a home, and I know he'll hate that.
A week ago he slipped and broke his leg. But he's 76 years old and very overweight... a dangerous combination.
The medical staff took care of Lionel and set his fractured tibia bone and they helped with his pain by administering morphine. But not long afterwards he vomited and the fluid went into his lungs, burning the tissue and impeding his breathing.
I went and saw him at the ICU today. He looks bad. All kinds of tube running into him and an oxygen mask on his face, so it's very hard to hear him mumble. It's hardly speech.
A few days ago we were convinced he was going to die at any time. He still could. But with a strong will and a bit of luck, the big fella might make it okay.
But then he's got the broken leg to deal with. The bachelor flat he lives in has stairs, and Lionel will be in a wheelchair. The poor bloke will probably have to go into a home, and I know he'll hate that.
# posted by Davo in Sydney @ 6:45 PM 
