Sunday October 1st 2023

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

NJ22 having something cold  for  breakfast does make me shiver a bit, used to having something warm, or at least room temp

Hi Tweety and TMB

Stars I hope tomorrow is better for you.  I know that options are very limited when someone is failing to take care of their health, but are still mostly sound of mind

On the way to the bird watching location I realized I didn't really want to bird watch that day,  so I drove home and did errands instead.  Think I've done what I usually do and turn something from a fun activity into an obligation, will have to watch that

Had lunch with dad and exercised and did the online application for the car loan. The credit union then called me to remind me that I had previously frozen my credit report and asked me to unfreeze them.  Thankfully,  after a bit of struggle I was able to unlock it online.  They'll  call me again Monday, hopefully the process will be competed.  Skipped the Svengoolie  movie

Today I'll be assisting at church.  Afterwards will have my Covid  booster,  then will do the cooking. Since the service has been move back to 10am I might do some cooking prep beforehand

Another unusually warm day here in the mid 80s

 

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Eh. I see I posted on Friday instead I d Saturday last night. I was tired. Tried doing the crossword but kept falling asleep. We're getting started with meetings. I might be drinking a lot of coffee. 

 

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Specializes in RETIREDMed nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Hubby stayed in bed peeing all night in his britches but not as much pee as one might expect. He didn't call out for me one time. I woke up late (my usual). Told hubby he HAD to go into the bathroom so he could be cleaned up and changed, and I had to change his sheets, too. It was hard to walk him in to sit on the commode. Then I got him back to bed. I told him he has to go to the ER because I can't....CANNOT take care of him like he is. He finally said OK. The EMT's came and took him away. All his VS are WNL (dammit) as is his FSBS. His belly is bloated more, but he says he has no pain. They better find SOMETHING they can treat (even if it is just his little toe.) They need to keep him at least overnight, IMHO. We'll see.

I got Nannie up and the pregame show is on for the Braves vs Wash Nat'ls. At least Nannie is 'easier' to take care of. 

I have lots of laundry to do, but first I am going to rest; the past 2 hours have been rough.

 

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Long term decline and loss of ability to complete ADLs isn't really something that the ED is designed to diagnose and treat.  Unless they can find an acute problem to treat, brace yourself for a return home with nothing changed.  

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Specializes in RETIREDMed nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

The ER doc called me just now to find out what's been going on with hubby so they know what to address while he is there. I gave them the lowdown. I hope they CAN find something wrong/treatable. It may be that he has to go into a nursing home, if he can't get himself pulled together. This whole thing has been impossible. But meanwhile I have to go remake his bed and do laundry, just in case I have to go get him when they are through with him. 

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

NSIME, well, at least someone called you to get info. I think that is more than has been done in the past. I hope you told him that you are physically unable to care for him. 

TMB, I agree that ED is not equipped to address long term decline, but it seems like the only entry in to care, with our health care system. Hopefully a discharge planner can help. 

It's another nice day. I about froze riding down to the diner for breakfast. It may be time to get out the longer bike pants and full gloves. I've been doing some garden clean up. I need to vacuum, but when I came in for lunch, dh followed me and now he's asleep in front of the football game. Dogs have been doing laps in the back yard and now they are snoozing along with dh. 

Annie, I don't envy all the travel you do. I used to like conferences, but I always fell asleep in the afternoons. 

 

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

J22 I'm praying that the ED has a New Amsterdam moment with this visit.  

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Specializes in RETIREDMed nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

The ER nurse called me about 15 minutes ago; then she had the doc talk w/ me. The doc said that at first he was oriented and sociable, but now he is more  confused. She said that was probably from withdrawal (ie, no vodka x 2 days now). He does have ascites (?sp?) and they are going to do a paracentesis (?sp?) to see if the fluid in his belly is infected. They are "definitely" going to keep him overnight. They're starting him on IV antibiotics. I said that I wasn't sure about him going to the ER because he had no broken bones or bleeding, but she (the doc) said, "Oh no, it's a very good thing you got him over here. Something is going on and we need to find out what we can do about his problems"  OMG! I was amazed I didn't get told to come pick him up! So at least I don't have to deal with him tonight.

I've been doing laundry like a crazy person.....his bedding and Nannie's, etc. Ate a late supper....tunafish. //  Momo is still being the perfect dog, no trouble at all. I am glad I have her; she's been comforting me by licking my arms and my chin.

That's the latest update------

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Thank you for the updates, No Stars.  I hope I hope I hope I hope (and I pray!) that they keep him long enough to get things sorted out and a sensible plan in place, that he CANNOT refuse.  As I would occasionally tell our patients coming in for a heart cath, I never hope anything is found, but it is good to know that if a problem is identified, THEN we know what direction to go to fix the symptoms that brought them in for the cath in the first place.   So good you have Momo!

Quiet day today. I have been reading.  We had a Zoom meetup with the two boys (it's always good to see them and chat)! 

Hello to everyone, and have a good evening!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

G'day.

Stars, you did the right thing.  Like I said before he needed an ER admission.  Mr. Stars is going to go into withdrawal to a point he won't be able to be discharged soon...I hope.  I'm sure the paracentesis will help.  But often they fill up again and have to have frequent paracentesis.  It's a late stage liver failure problem.  Hopefully physical therapy can see him and they recommend skilled nursing to recover from his reconditioned state.  The good news is you say you can handle Nannie by yourself and you have Momo. 

 

 

 

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Specializes in RETIREDMed nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Got another call from the ER doctor, then got a call from OUR own doctor who happens to do hospital duty on Sunday PMs. He said that hubby didn't even know who he was when he walked into his room. He said he knew immediately that there was something very different going on with him. I was ecstatic that our own doc got to see hubby at his worst. He said he was going to have a couple of the "Liver Guys" see hubby tomorrow and see if they had any suggestions for tx. and that he thought the best thing was that hubby go to a rehab right from the hospital, and I agreed. But they are going to keep him for a few more days, anyway, and will be in touch.  I am just sooooo glad he's been seen and NOW, no matter what happens, I have some of the weight off my shoulders.

I'll have to call his dgt tomorrow, oh joy. More like Ppfftt! But it must be done.

The ER doctor asked me about his resuscitation status.....he is DNR and DNI. Not sure how this will all pan out; probably not too well even if he gets detoxed. I have been sort of expecting that within a year's time, I would be a widow, and told him if he died it would be because of his stubborn-ness and non-compliance. 

That's it for the time being. Thank you all for being there for me to squawk to!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I'm glad Mr. Stars is in the hospital and getting checked out. And so glad you have Momo, Stars. Hugs to you as you deal with all this. 

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