Dad's been talking about posting to the blog, but we haven't been able to get a computer working for him yet. So I suggested that I take this picture of him using my cell phone, then upload it on his behalf. There he is, sending a greeting to all of the blog readers.
I spent about three hours at the hospital this morning. He had two episodes of sundowning/night terrors last night, and they had to restrain him. When I arrived, I untied the restraints, straightened his bedding, got the orderlies to reposition him more comfortably. At around 7:30, the nursing shift change started taking place, and the activity level rose: nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, cleaning crew. He and I talked about what happened the night before, and I explained the syndrome to him. He decided that we need a written plan for each day, one that the doctors and nurses will "sign off on" as Dad says. Of course the doctors and nurses will do what's best for him, but they seem to understand how it helps him if they study the plan and agree to it. Only one of the staff didn't seem interested in participating in the exercise; the rest were wonderful. Dad is negotiating with the staff vigorously, trying to get what he wants. It's very clear that when I am there, and there is activity around him, everything is fine. But when I leave and the night gets quiet, he has a very rough time. In the picture above, you're seeing him at his best. He's not like that all the time. But every day he makes progress, and I make sure we review it together to make him focus on the achievements.
7 comments:
Thanks for the picture. That's my Uncle Dick!!!
Your Dad needs to feel like he has a say in his care, hence "the plan". It makes sense. Under normal circumstances, he would have recieved a Patient Bill of Rights when he was admitted which explained that he is a valuable member if "the team", and he is allowed to have imput into his care and treatment. Of course, when he is having night terrors and panic attacks, he isn't exactly a clear thinking individual, and rationalizing with him at that point may be futile. I doubt having a plan will calm him when he is having the psychosis problem.
I'm sure that much of what they are seeing is sleep deprivation. I had hoped that the symptoms would decrease when he left the ICU. He's not sleeping at night, and certainly not sleeping during the day. Has there been any talk about medicating him at night so he can catch up on his sleep? A little Haldol, or something to just calm him down? Is there some relaxing music that he likes to listen to that the staff can put on the iPod at night when he gets out of control? Is there anything that your Dad would do at night when at home to prepare himself for sleep that could be recreated in a hospital?
Any word on when he would be allowed liquids? Is he still on the dry plate diet?
Our thoughts are always with you folks.
Cousin Carole
Hey Uncle Dick!
I'm sure everyone is smiling right back at ya! I know I was. I hope your feelin a bit more comfortable now that your out of ICU.
My big company (Comcast) has decided that I shouldn't be using my company issued laptop to post messages on your blog,
Boo Comcast!! Boo Shell !!
So now I have to wrestle my kids for the family desktop at home.
Tonight I won.
I"m looking forward to the time when you post yourself!
At any rate take it slow!
(as if you have a choice!!)
And remember........You don't stop playing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop playing!
Baby steps Uncle Dick, Baby steps
Nephew/Cousin Bobby in Ma.
(Home of the World Series Champion Boston Red Soxs and soon to be Superbowl Champion Patriots)
PS Going to watch the Bolts and Pats this Sunday ??? Packers/Giants??
Hi Bobby,
My husband grew up in Revere, and has been a Patriots fan for a long time!
Hey Dick,
You look great! Tom and I are impressed with how good you look. We are thinking of coming down this weekend to visit you, but I don't know if it will work out. Tom has to go to the OR on Friday morning. He has a wire that has come loose from his sternum, since his bi-pass and is stabbing him when he moves in a certain way. They are going to open his incision a few inches and get that wire and snip it out. No big deal, out patient surgery. But he's not sure if it will be too tender to drive down. It's about 5 hours from here(Salina). I suggested that I could do the driving, I think that scared him more than the surgery.
So we'll play it by ear.
You take care,
Maryanne and Tom
Hi Dick and Deb,
Wow! You look great for a man recovering from a plane crash!!!! Jonny was so happy to see you on the blog. He is looking forward to you coming home so he can talk to you about your plane again. He thought it looked lo awesome. Listen to the doctors and to Deborah, they are looking out for your best interest. I certainly would want Deborah batting for me any day. SHe and Rick have done a FABULOUS job taking care of all of your affairs.
Hey Deborah, by chance was your dad having trouble sleeping at night at home before the accident. If not, maybe he is reliving the feeling of panic when he was about to crash land it. Just a thought. I hope they figure out how to get him some rest so he can heal faster both physically and mentally. Our prayers are with you!!! God Bless Laura & Jonny
And a "HI" right back at you. This is a great picture...worth more than, etc, etc.
I decided I need not tease Cablebob about being a Boston fan, thus the deleted comment. I don't want to start a range war.
Velma
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