Robin has been taking care of me by coming to my house every 7 weeks or so, to refill my pump, check on my health, and make sure I know the status of my battery life in my pump, which is 11 months. She has also made me aware of the alarm noise, should it ever go off. As Robin says "not likely to happen, but if it does, you know what it means." Robin also calls me between visits to ask how I am doing.
One day, I had my pump refilled by Robin. All was normal with the pump and with my health. She mentioned that now is a good time to let my Doctor know that I have 11 months left on the battery. Robin said it is important to start the process early because it can take a while to arrange and replace the pump.
Three days later, my pump went into motor failure. I sleep on the side my pump is on, and also use a fan. I never heard any alarm until I woke, then I thought it was my granddaughter's toy or computer. I didn't know my pump alarm had gone off until 12 hours after it started. I was feeling very tired and lighthearted at this time.
I called Robin and told her my alarm was going off. She asked if it was 2 tones, which it was. Robin said my pump was failing and that I needed to get to my doctor's office ASAP. When I arrived at the office, they were waiting for me and knew of the situation because Robin had called and informed them.
At the doctor office, they were able to restart my pump. We were so happy, and we called Robin to thank her for informing the office, and for the comfort it provided us knowing she was on our side, and that she was our advocate, working on our behalf, to make sure we were receiving excellent care.
I was taking my coat off when we got home, and we heard the alarm going off again. We called Robin again, and we proceeded with the same plan as before, with Robin calling the doctor, and letting them know what was happening again. We called Robin, thanked her again for her caring phone calls to ensure our situation was priority one with our Doctor. Robin also asked if we would call her the next day with an update, even though it would be Saturday.
Then came one of the worst nights I have ever had. My whole body ached, I was wrenching, having dry heaves, sweating, weary, unable to sleep and too miserable to move. Morning came and my wife called Robin and told her my suffering. Robin said she would come over, even though it was a Saturday, and in the middle of our first blizzard. She called my PA, who then called us. My wife told him of my condition, and he increased the amount of morphine, plus prescribed a Fentanyl patch. We are sure that Robin's call to him first, influenced the dramatic increase in the prescriptions and relief it provided.
Robin arrived at our house just after my wife came home with the prescriptions. I do not remember much, but Robin spent 2 hours with my wife going over all of my medicine to ensure there would be no problems. She also told my wife that I would feel much better in a couple days. I could not believe that I would ever feel better ever, let alone 2 days. She was right. Robin called us twice a day for the next couple days, until I actually felt better. Amazing!
I do not know how I would have endured this time and process without the love and care of my wife, and the guidance and professionalism of Robin. I now regard Robin as a friend and personal nurse, who really cares and truly helps, and works tirelessly and unselfishly for the care and comfort of her patients.