Everyone's Opinion in 15 minutes

Today was the first big conference with her staff. They had a whole time allotment of 15 minutes for discuss Kathy's condition. (I guess they have a lot of patients) Just doesn't seem right? I left the notes at work so these are from memory:

1.) First her medical doctor commented that she was progressing acceptably with all of her antibiotics and tube feeding. He was concerned about her speech progress and lack of communication. He wanted to address every level so medically he ordered a MRI taken this afternoon. He also decided, to reduce her pain medication so that was not a factor in her being less alert and talkative.
2.) Her physical therapists and Nursing reported that Kathy was able to perform only 20% of normal day to day activities and needed assistance 24/7.
3.) The speech therapist commented Kathy did not pass her swallow test Tuesday and he wanted to have the gastrologist move her tube from her nose to her side and enter directly into the stomach. This was safer and more humane he felt. In addition this would be better for Kathy because she no longer would have to be feed through her nose which numbs some of her senses. He is concerned of the lack of daily interface and speaking.
4.) Her psychologist has not started his evaluation but will do so today. He will review her physical damage to see how it relates to the way she is acting today.

The room contained over (9) doctors, nurses and therapists assigned to Kathy to address the different levels of medical care. They all admitted they had not had sufficient time to evaluate Kathy due her late arrival last week and the holidays. The staff was surprised to hear that she communicated so well over the phone and had no expert explanation for me. They commented this week Kathy should get more out of her 3 to 4 hour a day of physical, breathing, speech and occupational therapy. I was a little stunned when later, I talked to her case manager, who has been in the business for 25 years, and her evaluation of Kathy has her spending much more time in rehabilitation than 5 weeks! I don’t know if Kathy or I can take it that long.

It’s nice to report that everyone at Sharp is extremely professional and most important, pleasant to deal with. The pace of the unit is much slower and peaceful than at Mercy. Overall, at this moment, I am very happy that Kathy is at the Sharp Hospital facility.