June 4, 2010
-
Personal update
Thanks for your considerate remarks. My wife's condition is stabilized - pneumonia under control and blood loss apparently contained. She has been moved (today -in fact) to a rehab hospital where even during the first few hours they had her up and moving - something the the last hospital badly screwed up - a nurse actually backed away from her as she tried to get back in bed and watched her fall on her face - cut lip and bruises. I was there at the time but could not grab her in time (I'm somewhat crippled also - no knees to speak of) You may be sure after I stopped shouting we had MD's Supervising Nurses, Hospital Directors, etc. all sounding like they worked for BP, crowding the room. No lasting damage (she had CT scan to check - remember that skier in Quebec last winter?) .
I'm sure they were happy to see the last of her and the Rehab center hospital is a much more attentive place. Things are looking up - she is more alert and stronger - though they still have her on oxygen - why has not been explained - she has never used it before.
Comments (13)
I am happy to hear that, she is a strong woman! The things that go on in hospitals sometimes are cruel I don't know what they are thinking sometimes! Take care.
I am happy that things seem to be looking better!
Unfortunately she still has a very long way to go - but I'm hopeful.
Oh goodness. The nurse backed away? I'll keep my opinions to myself on that one =| Using oxygen at a low level (2 liters) is common for someone in her condition. I would ask about her oxygen saturation levels (they should be checking them every shift) and ask if she de-sats if she comes off the oxygen. If her oxygen levels do not drop - she shouldn't need to be on it (if they insist, ask why). If it bugs her, then def. ask why. (a lot of people get really irritated with the nasal cannula) Also, ask for the ear protector cushion thingies (I don't know their proper name, but they prevent the skin above the ears from getting irritated/breaking down) if she doesn't already have them. They look like tiny, grey pipe insulators - they go over the plastic tubing for the oxygen, protecting the skin over her ears from the less-soft clear tubing of the oxygen (hope that makes sense). I forgot she has a-fib - so she's on blood thinners. That makes her an automatic fall risk - which means the nurse that let her fall... argh. Not going to say it =) People always worry about infection at hospitals - the number 1 risk in hospitals is *falls*. Pneumonia makes everything harder for the lungs, and if she's anemic that's a double whammy - so oxygen *sounds* indicated for her. I hope things look better soon =) (everything you're saying really highlights why I dislike even the *idea* of working in acute care - if I work in facility again it'll be rehab, I'm sure)
I realized that I said she shouldn't need oxygen, then explained why she might - I appeared to be thinking while writing =) Another thing - verify that there is a sticker with a date on her oxygen tubing. I'm a total stickler for things staying clean - she should get a new cannula set at least once a week (and if the part that goes in her nose falls on the floor it should be tossed) What I'm now wondering is... where did the pneumonia come from? Is her body handling fluids well? Does she have swelling around her ankles/lower legs that is more than normal for her? How are her lung sounds? Also, ask if deep breathing and coughing exercises would be appropriate for her - they consist of inhaling as deeply as possible, then exhaling as forcefully as possible - and at the end of the exhale, the person forces a cough (usually it's a small one at that point, but that's fine). The intention is to help keep the aveoli (the little air sacs in the lungs) clear. When fluid builds up in the aveoli (either from immobility or fluid retention) that can facilitate the process of pneumonia. The deep breathing and coughing exercises can really help (I've had a number of people make light of the effectiveness of the exercise - but exercise is what keeps our organs functioning - and the more limited our physical ability, the more even slight exercises make a difference). I recommend 5-10 db&c (deep breathe and cough) per hour (when the minute hand gets to the 12) while awake.
I'm glad to hear she's doing better. I hope she continues to improve quickly. I'll keep you and her in my prayers.
Robyncam's comments are, of course those of a trained RN. She is, as usual right on the mark.
The staff of the Rehab Hospital seem to be much better trained than those at the - well-rated - private hospital my wife was at first. Perhaps it's because they have many fewer in-patient clients. They are still doing all the techniques Robyncam mentions and also have my wife doing mild exercises and out of bed (wheelchair) activity. She seems to be progressing - though slowly.
Seems like you had a rough time. My best wishes for your wife and my sincere hope that things will continue to improve.
As you no doubt noticed, I haven't been on for awhile (just posted on my site), so thought I'd check and see how you and your wife are doing. So sad to find she's had so much trouble. I'm glad things are looking better. So, was this all in Maine, or are you still in Florida? Hope you are feeling okay, other than the knee problem. I'll be saying prayers for you and your wife. Blessings. Annie
Dear Dick,
It's been a long time since I've visited, and I just read the previous entry about your wife's pneumonia and hospital stay. I am praying for you and yours and sending positive energy your way. I guess this put a big damper on your plans for Maine this year.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
@anniemomz -
Hi Annie,: My wife is scheduled to come home from the Florida rehab hospital where she has been for the past 10 days. She was transfered there after her pneumonia and anemia was brought under control. I go this afternoon to participate in "family home care training" ; which, since I have been her care-giver for the past decade, is sort of redundant - but maybe I'll learn something new.
@baldmike2004 -
Mike: We still plan on getting to Maine, if at all possible. We will probably fly up and rent a car or a month or two. the four-day drive would probably be too much for both of us. Last year we re-did our lake-side cabin so that it is now pretty much handicapped accessable and we can get help while we're there.
My wife is home, but still pretty weak and anemic. Early next week she will undergo "Small bowel capsule endoscopy". Essentially she swallows a TV camera which checks out the part of her intestines that could not be reached by an endoscope. The camera transmits continually to a receiver she will wear for eight hours. The camera is apparently disposable, as the GI people don't want it back - they say its the size of a vitamin capsule. Ahhhh, modern medicine.
I have apparently been "out of the loop" on this so I'm trying to read back through your posts & catch up. Is she still on oxygen at home or did they get that resolved? Hehe be glad they don't want the camera back... you do realize what that would entail as far as retrieval goes...