The Future?

I have to admit, I am a HUGE nerd! As a kid I was Princess Leia every Halloween. I love science and geek out often with sci-fi movies and tv shows. Lately I have gotten hooked on a new show on AMC called Humans. The show is all about humanistic androids living amongst us.

While to purchase your own "synth" (what they call the androids) is very expensive and something reserved mainly for the wealthy, they have medical synths that are loaned out to patients needing home health care. As a MOM that relies HEAVILY on nursing care for my daughter, this really gets me thinking.

Now I know, the chances of this type of advancement ever- much less in my lifetime- is slim to none. It is fun to think about though. The insurance companies send out a synth to the patients home. This synth then does EVERYTHING. They have built in technology to monitor vitals, change diapers, suction, do the feeds, push meds, monitor vents, help with baths, do some range of motion, ,they can drive the patient to appointments, they can go the grocery store, they clean the house, cook dinner, they really do everything. The best part- they don't need time off!!!

We LOVE our nurses and honestly I would be lost without them. They all have their own lives though- and that's a good thing. They need time to go home and sleep, see their own families, cook their dinners, take care of their own needs. They also need a break from time to time- AKA- vacation. While we totally understand that this is something they need, we miss them so much while they are gone. If I was working out of the home and had a healthy child, I would take time off and vacations too. I never get angry about this; I really do understand and know I would do the same if I were in their shoes. That being said, I do dread when they take time off.

Many of my friends and family look forward to the weekends, holidays, spring break, etc. I dread them! I know that a holiday means that most likely some if not all of our nurses will take time off. This means that for 24- however many hours until they return it is just my husband and I taking turns sleeping and taking care of our daughter. She requires someone to be alert and watch her 24x7. Usually if there is not a night nurse I stay up all night and then drag my husband out of bed around 6 to take over while I get some sleep. We love our daughter and this is not intended to sound like I am complaining. I am just fantasizing about having a "synth" of our very own.

On nights that the night shift call outs I could charge the "synth" all day and then get some sleep while it takes watch. If my husband is traveling for work and I need to run to the store, but there is not a nurse here to watch my daughter I can either send the "synth" to the store or have it watch my daughter while I go. I would not have to feel guilty about it missing out on it's families events in order to help us celebrate ours.

We have recently been in the process of finding a new night nurse. We have 2-3 nights a week covered consistently, but since May I have been staying up the other 4-5 nights and then sleeping all day. We hope to soon find a good fit to fill these night shifts so that we can get back to living our lives. Sadly I feel we have missed most of our summer already. I sleep all morning while the day nurse (luckily our day nurses have been picking up a lot of extra hours and shifts and our remaining night nurse picks up that extra night as often as she can) is here then get up just in time to shower, eat and do the "must do" items on my list before the day nurse has to leave. We have missed out on lots of swimming, play dates, outings, and even doctor appointments have been getting canceled and rescheduled. On my long night shifts I spend a lot of time fantasizing about having a "synth". Oh to dream! Heck, since I haven't been sleeping much I guess daydreaming is the closest thing I get to real dreams.

So you know what this tired MOM wishes exists to help make my life easier, what types of things to you imagine/fantasize about to help you and your child get through the day?



NOTE- I should point out that in the show they use "synths" for many other non-medical related tasks as well- some that are not appropriate for this blog. So, if you do decide to watch this show and fantasize about your own home health "synth" just a heads up/warning it may not be a show to watch with the kids.