To My Norwegian Friends....(y'all can read it too!)
I realized tonight I have several Norwegian friends reading my blog... they don't know that I know that they are reading my blog... but I KNOW ...YOU (mmm hmm... YOU)are reading my blog.
I also realize that I should never write things that I will regret later.... I have been very upset & very stressed this past week... I am homesick, & just wish I was surrounded by my family... After bitching about Norwegian Health care...Hospitals, & culture... I would like to Apologize for generalizing.....
I realize there are indeed very good hospitals... and I know many who have received very good treatment.... Bjørn is doing fine this evening...(more later)
Positive things I have not mentioned (because I have been having a pity party for ONE..) since this all began on Sunday are....
*Bjørn's family who have taken care of ME since this has all started.... granted my MIL is ALWAYS, ALWAYS there for me... even when I have my breakdowns & I am not the most likable DIL... she takes my crap and keeps on keeping on.... (I'm such an emotional American) Bj's big brothers... who have been checking on me... & checking on Bj at night after I leave the hospital...
*My co-workers... from the moment I found out Bjørn fell, my two partners in crime... Pia & Kenneth have taken care of everything for me at work... They have both given up their days off, time with their kids.... & worked 15 hours day,... so that I can be with Bjørn & my kids. This includes my employer who told me to take the time with pay... I can not tell you what a HUGE relief this has been... & I will try to repay the kindness as soon as possible
*The fact that we don't need to worry about Bjørn being able to work... he will receive his full salary even though he probably will not be able to make it down to his office for a very long time ... (damn... I have to admit that socialism has its positive points....)
*We don't need to worry about paying for any kind of deductible... any out of pocket expenses (except for the $200 in parking tickets over the past 2 days....)
BJ update....He had a second surgery today... lots of pins & metal parts in his lower arm...(he should be a real joy to go through airports with....)... He is feeling pretty good considering...
Scheduled for another surgery tomorrow....
I talked to my American Doctor girlfriend....God Bless her... she has made all of the difference in my keeping my sanity... We talked about all of the things I was upset /concerned about.... a lot of them are cultural Dr. /patients family interaction.... She said they do not communicate with the family unless they are underage... or dying... (So I guess I should be happy he pretends like I don't exist....) I was concerned that he is being put under everyday... & she explained that is was safer to do it like this rather than doing a 10 hour marathon surgery.... OK...
She just has a way....(SUPER BEDSIDE MANNER) that puts me at ease....
So I am much more RELAXED... I have faith... I do I know how lucky BLESSED we are. I believe someone was watching over Bj on Sunday ... because from the height he fell & to have it ONLY be his arm... his left... with no damage to the shoulder...elbow... or hand... & it appears no nerve damage..... there must have been an angel.... I am guessing his dad... or my grandfathers who tend to follow me around... (remind me to tell you about my stint in a Turkish Hospital...)
Again... thank you everyone... for all of your prayers.... kinds words support.... your love.... It seriously helps me get through all of this.....
NO more pity party I PROMISE:... feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....
I also realize that I should never write things that I will regret later.... I have been very upset & very stressed this past week... I am homesick, & just wish I was surrounded by my family... After bitching about Norwegian Health care...Hospitals, & culture... I would like to Apologize for generalizing.....
I realize there are indeed very good hospitals... and I know many who have received very good treatment.... Bjørn is doing fine this evening...(more later)
Positive things I have not mentioned (because I have been having a pity party for ONE..) since this all began on Sunday are....
*Bjørn's family who have taken care of ME since this has all started.... granted my MIL is ALWAYS, ALWAYS there for me... even when I have my breakdowns & I am not the most likable DIL... she takes my crap and keeps on keeping on.... (I'm such an emotional American) Bj's big brothers... who have been checking on me... & checking on Bj at night after I leave the hospital...
*My co-workers... from the moment I found out Bjørn fell, my two partners in crime... Pia & Kenneth have taken care of everything for me at work... They have both given up their days off, time with their kids.... & worked 15 hours day,... so that I can be with Bjørn & my kids. This includes my employer who told me to take the time with pay... I can not tell you what a HUGE relief this has been... & I will try to repay the kindness as soon as possible
*The fact that we don't need to worry about Bjørn being able to work... he will receive his full salary even though he probably will not be able to make it down to his office for a very long time ... (damn... I have to admit that socialism has its positive points....)
*We don't need to worry about paying for any kind of deductible... any out of pocket expenses (except for the $200 in parking tickets over the past 2 days....)
BJ update....He had a second surgery today... lots of pins & metal parts in his lower arm...(he should be a real joy to go through airports with....)... He is feeling pretty good considering...
Scheduled for another surgery tomorrow....
I talked to my American Doctor girlfriend....God Bless her... she has made all of the difference in my keeping my sanity... We talked about all of the things I was upset /concerned about.... a lot of them are cultural Dr. /patients family interaction.... She said they do not communicate with the family unless they are underage... or dying... (So I guess I should be happy he pretends like I don't exist....) I was concerned that he is being put under everyday... & she explained that is was safer to do it like this rather than doing a 10 hour marathon surgery.... OK...
She just has a way....(SUPER BEDSIDE MANNER) that puts me at ease....
So I am much more RELAXED... I have faith... I do I know how lucky BLESSED we are. I believe someone was watching over Bj on Sunday ... because from the height he fell & to have it ONLY be his arm... his left... with no damage to the shoulder...elbow... or hand... & it appears no nerve damage..... there must have been an angel.... I am guessing his dad... or my grandfathers who tend to follow me around... (remind me to tell you about my stint in a Turkish Hospital...)
Again... thank you everyone... for all of your prayers.... kinds words support.... your love.... It seriously helps me get through all of this.....
NO more pity party I PROMISE:... feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....
Comments
Explain to them that in the U.S. the family would be kept informed at every step and this is just what you are used to.
I'm glad that things are going a little better. Can your friends laugh at the thought of WWND...What Would a Norwegian Do? I think you can make a game of it.
- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
And no apologies about having a pity party! You've gone through a lot this past week. Your reactions and venting are totally normal girl! So glad you're feeling better! Keep your SISTAS posted!
Blessings..
GdeE
Hang in there. :o)
Interestingly, I had the same problem when I came over here(US) from NZ. I thought that many of the American Dr's, especialy OBYGN's were not that communicative. I actually had a blazing row with an OB outside my daughter's room. I won that round! he ended up going back to my daughter's room apologizing and spending time explaining thengs to her and making sure she understood.
I think it might partially be that we are in a new country and out of our normal comfort zone. i can sometimes take awhile to get used to it and the differences all seem so more visible when we are in a stress situation.