Tuesday October 3 2023

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

Stars I'm glad to hear that they're planning on rehab for him, he definitely needs it, and the various specialist consults

Tweety hope you feel better

Ado are you in Minneapolis?

Hi TMB

Yesterday was a bit of a struggle but I did feel well enough to work, and by the afternoon I was feeling pretty good. Thankfully it was a slow day at work.   Ran errands after work and did some more packing.  By the evening the low grade fever was back but no chills.  

This morning I feel normal and  have no fever, so hopefully the reaction is over.  And hopefully it will be another quiet day at work

My sister called this morning to let me know our aunt who is in Washington state and who we haven't seen in many years is in hospice with cancer.  She and my uncle had not been communicating with the family recently and I wonder if this is why,  although that may predate the cancer.  Not sure why they didn't want to tell anyone but my aunt and uncle tend to be a bit odd about things

Another unusually warm day in the mid to upper 80s here

 

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Good morning!

Hope Mr. Stars is doing well.

Joe, glad you're feeling better.

I'm feeling okay.  I did go bowling last night and had to take more ibuprofen.  I still have a dull headache.  

Going to do chores today and skip yoga.  I'm a bit behind on things like laundry, bathroom cleaning and floor mopping.

Hope everyone is well has a good day.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

Good Morning. It rained all day yesterday, but today should clear off. I played domestic goddess yesterday. Dh started physical therapy yesterday for his neck. He had a cervical fusion years ago and his has gradually lost mobility in his neck. He will be going twice a week. I hope he follows through, which would be unusual for him. 

No real plans for today, although I need to go to the grocery store for some proteins. I'm going to play on-line trivia tonight. 

I hoping for the best for Mr. Stars, and NSIME. 

Touring Paisley Park sounds interesting. 

All of our bathrooms have a hand-held device. It is useful for cleaning, and bathing the dog, besides humans. 

I need to look into COVID shot locations. I hope my little local pharmacy will be getting it. Walgreens is so busy and seems chronically understaffed. 

 

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

Slept like a LOG last night. Was awakened at 10:30 AM by a call from the hospital. The nurse (or doc? I don't remember) said they had pulled 600 cc out of his belly. He still is having issues with breathing, said he may be aspirating. His respirations are "cloudy" (? )She asked again about DNR and DNI which I confirmed. They are going to try something called "Opti-flow" which might help his breathing, but may cause more aspirating. They want to put him in a 'higher level of care, but no beds are available for that right now.

I am feeling kind of stunned, naturally, even though I suspected this all may happen "some day", but wow. So not sure about him pulling through, although they didn't come right out and say that. Just said she knew it was hard, but that she was glad we had already talked about the DNR and DNI so if it came to that we could 'honor his wishes," That right there, to me, does not bode well.

Will have to get someone to come and sit with Nannie and Momo so I can go over to the hospital and see him. Probably ought to call the two funeral homes to find out about cremation (and costs), just in case I need to have to make the decision about where to send him if he passes. 

Now I have to get dressed and manage to deal with myself. 

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

NSIME, this is where a daycare for Nannie will be helpful.  You can drop her off and do your thing. 

I'm wondering what his ammonia levels are. That may well be contributing to his confusion.  

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

Ammonia level was 'high', and I think she said they were still trying to bring it down. (?)

Nannie won't be going to daycare, as all she does is sleep after her breakfast, wakes up and has late lunch or early supper, and sleeps some more. Watches baseball games on TV, and sleeps through some of the game as well. I had gotten the applications for the daycare close to us, but hubby and I decided that she would not benefit from daycare the way she is now. Hindsight's 20/20, y'know.

So, going to go about my business now. More later.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

NSIME, I suspect you are right about your hubby nearing the end. Opti-flo is a means of delivering high rates of oxygen, without having to use a mask, which most people hate. It looks a lot like a chubby cannula. I don't understand "cloudy respirations". If they suspect aspiration, then his chest X-ray could look cloudy. 

High pneumonia levels can tough to deal with. It usually means lactulose enemas and or oral antibiotics. It can definitely cause confusion and decreased loc. 

 

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I'm sorry to hear about the grim situation with Mr. Stars.  I'm sure they wanted to re-affirm code status if his O2 needs have increased and assure you don't want him on a ventilator should the high flow oxygen not meet his needs.  High flow oxygen does indeed need at least a step down unit rather than med-surg but I'm sure they are doing the best they can.  

On top of that the wicked "Day 3" of ETOH withdrawals is on the way.  Hope that he's spared that misery.

Maybe Nannie's insurance/medicare will pay for a home health aide for you while you tend to your husband if your usual sitter sources fall through. Or maybe she has the money to pay for a few days of it herself.  You need to see him and decide whether to call his daughter in.  We all knew he was very sick but it doesn't necessarily mean he's imminent at this time, but it sounds complicated for sure.  Also the problems mostly like will only be palliatively treated as they will be chronic.

Daycares are for more reasonably functioning seniors from what I know.

Having a funeral home picked out will make it easy on you in the end even it it's a good while from now.  It also helps out the hospital.

Big hugs to you.  

 

 

 

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

I agree with Tweety's wise advice re: Mr. Stars' situation.  Sending my prayers to you and Mr. Stars and Nannie, NSIME.  Good you are taking care of yourself.

Momo sounds like a sweetie!  And yes, even 4.5 lb can feel heavy when carried a long while.  I guess that's why I see ppl using those dog strollers. 

Yesterday we went to Disneyland, and had a good day.  Weather was great, we had a nice dinner at a place we hadn't been to in awhile.  Heard four great bands, took a train ride, and even went on the Smuggler's Run ride, in Batuu (what we can Star Wars Land, the newest area of Disneyland). 

Splash Mountain is cordoned off, getting a makeover to some sort of Tiana's World ride.  One restaurant is already Tiana's Palace, and there will be a Tiana's Foods opening along with the re-invisioned water ride.  Haunted Mansion was VERY popular, as it is this time of year.  That will continue through the Christmas season, as it receives a makeover for the holidays, a la Nightmare Before Christmas (Tim Burton).  It's A Small World hasn't received its Christmas makeover yet, but soon...

We walked over to California Adventure park, and enjoyed walking through the Redwood Creek area.  We used to take the boys there when they were smaller, as it is a nice area for small legs to run around and explore (and not just stand in a queue for a 30-second ride).  It was nice to watch kids enjoying that area!

The landscaping, as usual, was beautiful all through the park!  I love seeing the changes they make, with the various seasons. 

384781440_10160355255948937_958294579027925892_n.thumb.jpg.9b793bc2d6c69d780ee75b0a9619cd2a.jpg

 

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These were at the center of the park, at the end of Main Street, where it divides into the various lands.  The castle and Fantasyland are at the end of Main Street, and as you face the castle, Tomorrowland is on your right, Adventureland and Frontierland on your left.

Anyway, we walked over 13000 steps, and enjoyed it! 

Today I have a dental appt, need to get some groceries, and also am to meet with friends C and T to walk, at 4:15.  Looking forward to it all!

OK, time to get dressed and take the laundry out of the dryer.

Have a nice day and evening!

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

I got back from the hospital. Hubby is essentially non-responsive. They have him sedated and a mitten on his left hand because he had been trying to remove  tubes, etc. There is a sitter who sits in a chair just outside his door. I spoke with his nurse. I sat with him for about an hour, and talked to him ,,, he may have at times been aware of me, because he did squeeze my hand when I told him I love him, and when I told him that his dgt is coming tomorrow his   eyebrows went up and his forehead wrinkled. He never opened his eyes. Well, the nurse said he opened his eyes when they had to give him that lactulose (sp?) enema, and he groaned, I can hear his junky respiration because he is not able to cough.

I stopped by the funeral home to get info about a simple cremation, etc. Nothing is cheap anymore, but for what we will need, it isn't exactly outrageous; just that living on a piece of dental floss is tricky.

More later----

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I, too, am so sorry about your husband's situation, NSIME. My prayers are with you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Wow, Stars. I think we're all a little stunned by the severity of Mr. Stars' condition. Hugs and prayers. 

Yes, Joe, I'm in Minneapolis for the ASHRM convention. Home tomorrow, as long as weather in Texas doesn't cause a problem. 

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