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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / July 2007Ping Houston, Tx
I need advice. My baby brother, who I've begged purrs for in the past, is now driving a truck. His girlfriend has been riding with him and on the 3rd she had a stroke while they were in Houston (she's 36!). My brother managed to get an ambulance and she's in ICU at St. Luke's. Tonight they're operating because of a previously placed shunt that has been compromised. My brother is staying in his truck on the St. Luke campus somewhere. He's in Houston, without money, in a truck for several days without a shower and/or laundry. Can someone in the area recommend an inexpensive hotel? Somewhere I might be able to call and arrange a room for him? Anybody have a minister that goes to St. Luke's? I think he really needs a friend more than anything at this point. Yesterday he seemed upbeat and felt things were going well. Then today the problem with the stent and emergency surgery tonight, he really sounds down. I've checked the airlines and I can't get there until tomorrow morning and it would cost a lot of money, although I may just go anyhow. I don't know which way to turn to help him at this point. Maybe if I can get some purrs sent his way that would be enough. Julie (who thinks sometimes it's tough being the oldest)  SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ >I need advice. My baby brother, who I've begged purrs for in the past, > is now driving a truck. His girlfriend has been riding with him and on [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Julie (who thinks sometimes it's tough being the oldest) There's the Baptist Mission: http://www.bmchouston.org/ - they may be able to both offer him a place to stay and offer some counseling. Probably better than that, however, would be for him to ask to speak to the patient advocate at St. Lukes, or the pastor associated with the hospital. I'm sure they've had plenty of experience with people in your brother's position. Hugs, CatNipped > -- > [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > CatNipped Thanks Lori, patient advocacy is a good idea. I found a hotel within walking distance of the hospital and called them but they won't take my credit card over the phone even if I authorize him to sign for it. But I called him and told him where to go and that I would pay for it but he says he'd rather stay at the hospital. Apparently her mother and sister and brother are expected sometime in the middle of the night so hopefully that will give him a break and they can all get a room and share it. So, probably purrs are the best thing for him right now, and I appreciate the hug. Julie Thanks Lori, patient advocacy is a good idea. I found a hotel within walking distance of the hospital and called them but they won't take my credit card over the phone even if I authorize him to sign for it. ----- How odd!! It's not like that isn't what hotels usually want! Purrs for your family. What a terrible time :( > Thanks Lori, patient advocacy is a good idea. I found a hotel within > walking distance of the hospital and called them but they won't take [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > How odd!! It's not like that isn't what hotels usually want! Purrs for > your family. What a terrible time :( Why would they care who pays for the room? I reserve hotels all the time when I know I'll be travelling with John. Granted, he pays for the room when we arrive but if he didn't they'd just charge my card. And if for some reason we couldn't make it and I didn't call to cancel within the specified period they'd charge the card anyway. I don't have to be there. Something's not right about this. Jill > > How odd!! It's not like that isn't what hotels usually want! Purrs for > > your family. What a terrible time :( [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Jill Go figure, right? Thanks for the purrs, everyone. Julie >>Thanks Lori, patient advocacy is a good idea. I found a hotel within >>walking distance of the hospital and called them but they won't take [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > reason we couldn't make it and I didn't call to cancel within the specified > period they'd charge the card anyway. SFAIK, you can make reservations with no card at all, but unless you're sure you'll arrive before regular "check in" time, it's to your advantage to guarantee it with a credit card number. They'll make reservations "guaranteed" by a number given over the phone, but someone still has to show an actual credit card (not necessarily the one used to make the reservation) when you check in! (And if you chose to contest a "cancellation" charge, the credit card company would probably have to eat it, since the hotel would have nothing in writing.) >>> Thanks Lori, patient advocacy is a good idea. I found a hotel within >>> walking distance of the hospital and called them but they won't take [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > an actual credit card (not necessarily the one used to make > the reservation) when you check in! I guarantee the room with my credit card when I make reservations. He doesn't know a thing about computers and I'm pretty good at ferreting out good deals online. John pays for the room in cash when we check in. > (And if you chose to > contest a "cancellation" charge, the credit card company > would probably have to eat it, since the hotel would have > nothing in writing.) Haven't had to worry about that, so far :) >>SFAIK, you can make reservations with no card at all, but >>unless you're sure you'll arrive before regular "check in" [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > doesn't know a thing about computers and I'm pretty good at ferreting out > good deals online. John pays for the room in cash when we check in. Oh, well.... despite the way they push credit cards and electronic banking on TV, most hotels and restaurants WILL still accept cash! ;-) >>> SFAIK, you can make reservations with no card at all, but >>> unless you're sure you'll arrive before regular "check in" [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > electronic banking on TV, most hotels and restaurants WILL > still accept cash! ;-) Thank goodness for that! There are no interest charges on cash! It's just easier for me to search for deals this way and guarantee the room. And I always explain it will be paid for in full when we arrive but the credit card is just to hold the room. It works for us :) I'm still somewhat perplexed about why Julie couldn't make the reservation for her brother. Hell, she could have faxed a written authorization guaranteeing *any* room charges to the card and notified her credit card company she was doing so (going through all the security questions they require these days). But she wasn't looking for a place for him where he'd have a mini-bar in his room, a day-spa or even a restaurant. Just a place for him to sleep when he's not at the hospital. >>>Thanks Lori, patient advocacy is a good idea. I found a hotel within >>>walking distance of the hospital and called them but they won't take [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > "cancellation" charge, the credit card company would probably have to eat > it, since the hotel would have nothing in writing.) I pay for things with a credit card all the time where the seller does not have my signature. I'm thinking they have a problem with someone checking in without the card because of identity issues as well as control. The card holder may have guaranteed the room payment but the guest might charge things to the room the card holder didn't intend. Jo > Thanks Lori, patient advocacy is a good idea. I found a hotel within > walking distance of the hospital and called them but they won't take [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > How odd!! It's not like that isn't what hotels usually want! They may have been burned by too many identity thefts! (I'm not sure who is responsible, in those cases, but you can bet the hotel doesn't get off scott free without a signed receipt showing the card has gone through their machine!) > I need advice. My baby brother, who I've begged purrs for in the past, > is now driving a truck. His girlfriend has been riding with him and on [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Julie (who thinks sometimes it's tough being the oldest) Can't really offer anything but purrs, but we'll get Missy to send a ton to your brother and his SO. Sam > I need advice. My baby brother, who I've begged purrs for in the past, > is now driving a truck. His girlfriend has been riding with him and on [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Julie (who thinks sometimes it's tough being the oldest) Purrs for your brother and his girlfriend. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) Cats leave pawprints on your heart http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk . Maybe if I >can get some purrs sent his way that would be enough. Purrs are coming across the water for your brother and his girlfriend Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs > I don't know which way to turn to help him at this point. Maybe if I > can get some purrs sent his way that would be enough. > > Julie (who thinks sometimes it's tough being the oldest) Purrs for your brother's girlfriend, for your brother, and for your nerves. I don't know about Houston but when John travels in his big oversized box truck to art shows he often stays in campground areas. They usually have showers, laundry facilities and grills so travellers can cook meals. He says the "mom & pop" type places are the best and cleanest. The owners live on the premises. Jill >>I don't know which way to turn to help him at this point. Maybe if I >>can get some purrs sent his way that would be enough. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > says the "mom & pop" type places are the best and cleanest. The owners live > on the premises. Ummmm..... Isn't Houston one of the areas where they've been having all those floods? (Maybe the campgrounds are under water.) > I don't know which way to turn to help him at this point. Maybe if I > can get some purrs sent his way that would be enough. > > Julie (who thinks sometimes it's tough being the oldest) Sending our best purrs. Does he own his truck or is he a company driver? If he's a company driver, will his company allow him to stay around Houston and not have to turn in his truck? If he has an exceptionally understanding company, he might be able to stay in his truck (assuming it's a highway truck with a sleeper). He could then sleep in his truck at the hospital, use bathroom facilities in the hospital, and when he needs a shower drive to the nearest truck stop. He's got a truck stop within 5 miles or so - the Pilot at 210 Patton St, Houston, TX. That's on Patton Street at I-45, between exits 50A and 50B from the northbound I-45. There are also some hostels not too far from the hospital (within 5 miles or so)- Hostelling International 3400 Montrose Blvd # 820, Houston, TX (713) 661-2050 Houston International Hostel 5302 Crawford St, Houston, TX (713) 523-1009 Santa Maria Hostel Inc Rsdntl 807 Paschall St, Houston, TX (713) 222-0699 So there are a few alternatives, if he does later decide that he can leave the hospital for a while. Dan >> I don't know which way to turn to help him at this point. Maybe if I >> can get some purrs sent his way that would be enough. [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Dan Yes, he's going to have to sleep at some point. I admire him wanting to stay at the hospital with her, but just being "spelled" by her family for a few hours isn't enough. This is going to be a tough row to hoe. He's going to need a place where he can really sleep for a few hours. Jill > I need advice. My baby brother, who I've begged purrs for in the past, > is now driving a truck. His girlfriend has been riding with him and on [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Julie (who thinks sometimes it's tough being the oldest) Julie, Mega purrs and prayers are on the way for your brother and his GF. Unfortunately, we are too far from Houston to be any help with the logistics However, I see you got some practical advice from others on the group. Please let us know how it goes. Give yourself a hug, too. Annie. > I need advice. My baby brother, who I've begged purrs for in the past, > is now driving a truck. His girlfriend has been riding with him and on [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Julie (who thinks sometimes it's tough being the oldest) Lots and lots of purrs and best wishes, Polonca and Soncek |
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