When my DH was in the hospital with cancer, he ended up in ICU for a week. It is so important to have somebody there advocating! They are so understaffed that mistakes are made, some with devastating consequences. They kept trying to give DH breathing treatments with the same substance that landed him in ICU (rapid heartbeat & threw a clot). He would supposed to be IPO for a morning test & they'd bring dinner. Finally, his oncologist threw up his hands (after a test was delayed) saying, "I guess my ORDERS around here are just SUGGESTIONS."

I stayed with him 24/7 or had a trusted family member with him at all times. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to get to the bathroom, get water, kleenex (why do they always put it out of reach of the patient?), etc. I'm not blaming the nurses because they were very helpful AND very stressed.

Then he got MRSA...not a memorable year