BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Apr 12 - 08:14 PM

Just got home...from errands before work...work...calling Tom's doctors from work (while my coworker was there)...talking to Tom's nurse this afternoon and finding out what blood tests he had today (not the blood count which might show a possible infection, though, until tomorrow morning...going to visit Tom...

Fortunately the work day itself wasn't that demanding, for a change, so I hope my co-worker doesn't feel guilty about going home sick. She stayed while I needed to make phone calls from the doctor's office and I really, really appreciate that.

I. Am. Soooo. Tired.

Hungry, too -- but just heated up some heat-'n'serve pot stickers (faked a dipping sauce) and a piece of fish from last week (vehicle for my tartar sauce which qualifies as a vegetable).

Good night...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 09 Apr 12 - 02:36 PM

I can only wish you luck with getting things straightened out.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Apr 12 - 08:44 AM

Tom sounds good on the phone (even before he's had his coffee) -- but that's because his mind isn't really being affected by all this. His weak and shaky physical reality (which I can't check on over the phone) scares the bejaysus out of me. I'll call HIS doctors today and maybe get something constructive done to get him back on track to healing well enough to come home.

We really don't need all this unnecessary bullshit...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Apr 12 - 04:45 AM

sending more good wishes to both of you

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Apr 12 - 01:33 AM

This is the problem. Tom has a number of meds he's on, especially because of his heart and vascular problems.

Doctors at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital added more. Then Clipper Harbor Rehab added even more. Meanwhile, someone who KNOWS him -- his PCP or his cardiologist -- has not been involved.

Of course, the worst of this is happening over the weekend when Clipper's doctor isn't there. I just can't understand why the other professionals involved can't see that he's in a LOT worse shape than he was just a few days ago. Because of the low BP, he can't sit on the side of the bed or in a chair -- and can't do the physical therapy he needs to be doing, the reason he's there in the first place.

I'm not a professional -- but I can see that a lot of this (besides the sleep problems) seems to be meds -- interaction or something. And, because he's got replacement heart parts, they need to be on the lookout for any possible blood infection, too.

Can't do anything until morning...except go back to sleep and rest up (it's 1:30 a.m. and I just woke up from dreaming about it).

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Apr 12 - 12:22 AM

Good point, Ebbie, and I would add the reminder that as we grow older we often don't need as much of certain meds. Doctors should be very careful about monitoring eh dosages in older folks and I'm not trying to be ageist.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 08:40 PM

This thought doesn't really apply here but it is still instructive: My mother had gone to the same doctor for years. She was 80 when she started having vivid hallucinations- although some of them were very funny she - and we - were disturbed about it.

We talked her into going to see a different doctor and after the workup he immediately took her off four of the seven meds she was taking, all prescribed by her longtime doctor...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 07:43 PM

I also hardly know you but certainly care on several levels; can't say it all better than Cathy N. above so just ditto everything there. I've been through it with my Dad and knew nothing...learned that you can't do everything but you MUST ask questions and give them information - it's always worth it. I wish you both all the luck in the world! Deb Goss

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 07:36 PM

Sorry to hear about your aunt, Linn. I hope you had a good visit with the one still remaining.

I would call the cardio asap, just like the PCP. Just adding my voice of support as others have. Your instincts are good. Sounds like a lot of professionals had their heads up their nether regions!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 06:39 PM

The warm milk with honey and a bit of butter is a Lebanese drink called udvash. It really works. Good for sleeping (puts me right out) and good for the throat as well.

It's so frustrating that this stuff happens on a weekend. Even the rehab facility's doctor is more or less unavailable. I think I really need the input of his PCP who, at least, KNOWS Tom. He has an appointment with his surgeon on Tuesday, who is really only familiar with his fibula -- not his replacement heart parts, vascular problems, vision problems, etcet etcet. I can call his PCP from work tomorrow -- maybe fax over the list I got from one of his nurses at Clipper Harbor. I think it's just so obvious that his downhill slide is adverse interaction of meds -- right now too many of them are not those prescribed by his PCP or cardiologist. (Hmmm...maybe I ought to contact his cardiologist, too...) I won't be able to run the list past our pharmacist until maybe Tuesday -- except for what Tom regularly takes, none of those prescribed by doctors at Wentworth-Douglass or Clipper Harbor go through our regular pharmacist.

Tom sounded good when I talked to him an hour ago or so. At least he's very cognisant of how this is affecting him. And he, too, feels impotent to get it straightened out. He truly wants to continue making physical headway so he can come home. He really doesn't need this setback.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 05:08 PM

Hi Linn, Sorry for chiming in - we hardly know each other - though I have known 'of' you and Tom for many moons. Plus we are part of a tiny fb community so I care. Here's my two cents. I think you are on to something that the meds are causing increased weakness and deterioration. Good instincts! I hope you pursue this at the doctor's appointment. These drugs are powerful and the side effects are often worse than the affliction they are supposedly treating. Well, you obviously already know this - I am just offering support of your instincts and knowledge. Also, great that you got him to drink warm milk to sleep. Though the drug companies will lie and tell us that only a small percentage of those who take sleep meds suffer adverse reactions - like disturbing dreams, the truth is, most people have these reactions. Oprah did a whole show on it and I've seen it in my patients. Good luck and God Bless. You are taking great care of Tom. Take care, Cathy Nicol

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 03:28 PM

Well, in some ways he's doing better, but he's definitely well down a slippery slope from where he was at the beginning of last week...

Evidently he slept okay last night -- quieter room, quieter roommate, warm milk instead of sleeping pill. He's still having strange dreams. His blood pressure (which tends to run low at best of times) is very low -- he is in danger of falling if he tries to sit up on the side of the bed. Getting into a chair is out of the question. He's shaky, frail and it scares the bejaysus out of me. He's supposed to be getting STRONGER, not deteriorating!

Tomorrow from work (at least I won't be working alone) I can try to call his primary care doctor and run the meds list past him. The hospital added stuff, rehab added stuff...SOMEthing is screwing up the works. This drug interaction is certainly not helping get him in shape to come home!

I would really like it if they don't accidently KILL him!

I've got to post at Facebook, then go upstairs and call my last remaining great aunt in Milwaukee -- her sister passed away last night. Age 93. These three younger sisters of my paternal grandmother were only a few years older than my parents (my father's uncle was actually younger than he was) much more like aunts than great aunts. (But they were all GREAT to me! My favorite relatives to visit growing up.) All three were unmarried "career girls" -- Irene got me my first job out of high school with the Wisconsin Telephone Company. She was the person who took educational programs to the schools.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: GUEST,Guest/Pony Girl
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 11:25 AM

Linn, can they change his sleep med to something with no side effects? Like Trazodone? It's a generic and JUST helps one sleep! Hope he and you both get some much needed respite from all these THINGS...
Pam Biggi

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 10:53 AM

Took me awhile to get through to Tom this morning -- even had to call the nurses' station to find out if he was awake, etc. (at 9 a.m.). Finally did, though, and he seems to be doing much better this morning -- slept well last night.

I'm about to head over after picking up a couple chocolate glazed donuts for him.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 07:39 AM

I was going to file for an extension, then let Tom deal with the taxes when he got home, but found a flyer at the community health center last week about free prep and efile (if income is less than $58,000 -- boy, do we qualify!) by the nice folks at MY credit union, called to make sure it wasn't too late, and will be able to accomplish it in about the same amount of time and bother that filing an extension would take. AND we'll get the (needed) refund sooner.

Spaw, the dreams sound very similar to what Tom's been describing -- the being moved around and long hallways. It's got to be the meds...

There have been lots of offers of help, but most of what needs to be done are things I have to do. (Sort of like you can't ask someone else to pee for you while they're up...)

And friends are taking care of the major thing that could trip Tom up (literally) when he gets home -- our antique deteriorating particle board subflooring.

I can wish that a lovely replacement part-time job will just fall into my lap, but I think all I can really do is send off resumes and make phone calls when I can (and try not to feel guilty about not having enough time...).

At least I didn't get any phone calls overnight...

Happy Easter, everyone, if that's what you celebrate.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 02:57 AM

Spaw, it is easy to see why Karen loves you.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 12:47 AM

It doesn't seem fair, Linn. I know how scared and helpless I felt in hospital last year, both of them. Nobody was listening and they did nothing but make things worse. I am fortunate to be here. I was better off at home finding a couple of gems of docs who knew what the fuck was going on and treated me for it!

For now, I hope Tom gets a good night's rest AND you, too. Since screaming isn't an option, how about beating up on a pillow, stamping your feet, writing out more of your frustrations either here or just on paper, etc.? I wish you could let yourself cry..imo tears can really help with release of all the rage, impotence, etc. one feels when all the crap is hitting the fan.

As others have said, and you, it sure sounds like the meds are wreaking havoc. Have a list of questions for his PCP and make sure you get answers on Monday. Ask for an advocate at the rehab place if all else fails.

Spaw, good call on the taxes. Linn, do you have a friend or two who could help you with all of the things you need to do? It doesn't hurt to delegate/accept help. I know you know this and are already accepting some, but maybe there's more? Like grocery shopping, schlepping stuff up and down the driveway, delivering whatever to whomever, etc.?

May all good things come to pass, now, for you and Tom. This, or something better, for the highest good of all concerned. So mote it be.

Love you,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 10:50 PM

Deep breaths. Try to rest. I hope it gets better for both of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 10:32 PM

This must be very hard on both of you.

Praying.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Jeri
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 08:16 PM

I thought I replied, but obviously not.
I hope Tom gets some sleep without interruption by noisy roommates, weird dreams, or anything else. Hospitals don't ever seem to understand that comfort is important for patients. They think it's about drugs and vital signs and things they control.

I really do hope things go better tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 07:40 PM

File an extension request on your taxes and take that off your plate.

The sleep thing is tough. The 2 monther back in 2010............

**Paranoid dreams about a nurse who was being cruel to me. This one went so far as to get the chief of nursing in. The "cruel nurse" named Janet came in and I eventually saw it had been a nightmarish version of reality. She had indeed restrained me but I was trying to get out of bed and trying to rip out the Foley PLUS I DID rip out a PIC line. I thought I was laying in the back of my van and listening to Peter T. whose voice I have rarely heard read "Thoughts' for the Day" to me.

**More strangeness with no reality---I was in the back room at a taping of "Antiques Roadshow" and I had all these gizmos that no one would look at or price and I was out of money.

**Strangeness and paranoia with some reality----The staff was having a party in the hall outside my room and had me and other very sick patients dancing til we dropped and laughing at us. I begged to go to the bathroom but had to crap in the hallway. The only part of this one that was true is that I did manage to get out of bed, ripping out several lines and shit all over the hallway.

**Worst fear realized---I was moved all around the city to the ends of hallways in unfinished buildings and was never allowed to see Karen. The staff kept telling me I would never see her again. This one came when I could neither walk nor talk and when Karen came I begged her never to leave. This one took awhile to get past. THEY ARE SO GAWDDAM REAL!!!!!

There are more......you get the idea. Part of mine were meds and the interaction between the sleepers/painkillers/betablockers/antibiotics.......But part of them were due to fever/infection from the multiple fuck-up surgery.

Altogether I was in for 7 weeks and for almost 4 of them I was having problems like the above. It felt far longer. I cannot tell you how frightened I was and how long it took me to get over it.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 06:52 PM

I stand corrected.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 06:32 PM

No, Mary. He was much more confused, groggy, whatever this morning than normal. He's been fine most of the time, but, because of a roommate making loud, strange noises all night, hasn't been getting much sleep despite his normal HALF an Ambien tab. AND when he IS asleep, he's been having vivid, threatening dreams. With or without coffee, he wasn't his normal self. This is NOT helping him with his ankle rehab -- it's setting him back. Both the hospital and rehab have added yet more meds to his already substantial list. And something is causing a problem. It's not only NOT HELPING him...it's HURTING him.

I'm hoping the lack of Ambien, plus a quiet room, will put him on a road to recovery. His other health issues are not causing the problems. It's a meds problem, and I'm getting really sick of hospitals and other facilities CAUSING the problems.

As for the little old ladies, if I had followed my inclinations there would have been blood on the floor and I would have been a screaming, flailing wreck in the middle of a circle of rabid Easter shoppers. And a Lee cop might have shot me to save me from myself.

Neither Tom nor I need this unnecessary bullshit.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 06:16 PM

I was one of the lucky ones who had wonderful technicolor happy dreams with Ambien. So happy, my doctor refused to give me any more.

Just a thought, Linn. If Tom is confused in the morning, maybe it would be better to wait for him to call you post coffee, breakfast and waking up.

Did he really fall out of bed or was that part of his dream? His inability to sit up might be related. How is his incision healing? That was a concern a few weeks back.

You are obviously upset and concerned. Tom is hurting. Going off on old ladies in supermarkets always works for me when my frustration levels reach meltdown point. Throwing things helps too but then you have to pick them up.

Try to stay the course (thank you george bush). Tom has serious health issues which are making his recovery a slow process. There will be set backs. Ths Ambien is a good example. He couldn't sleep. He has to sleep to heal. Ambien let him sleep but he had a reaction to it. If the warm milk doesn't work and he can't sleep again, they will have to try something else. Be prepared for more reactions. Sleep drugs are strong medicine.

Hang in there.
M

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 05:26 PM

P.S. -- I'm getting really tired of Tom's major problems actually being caused by being in hospital, nursing or rehab facilities. What the fxxk, is wrong with the fxxking universe?!?

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 05:23 PM

Sorry, Gnu. I'm not sure things are better...

I lied the other day when I said of any day since this sh...stuff began that was the day I might melt down. Nope. Today. I'm on the edge, but I'm not sure of what. It seemed like everyone on the road or in the store were aiming at me, trying to trip me up or something. I did let off a good scream coming down Priest Road towards home, but all that succeeded in doing was hurting my throat. (Damn! Do I NEED to learn how to scream properly?!?)

And yes, Spaw, I think ultimately the problem is the Ambien plus, possibly, something else that he normally doesn't take. I've got the list and I've got OUR list (of his normal meds) and I'm calling his primary care doc, but I can't do that until Monday. Meanwhile, I think it's agreed with his nurse and with the concierge, that he's going to avoid the Ambien (of which he normally takes half a tab). Besides sleep problems, he's been having bizarre and threatening dreams and other symptoms that seem to be in line with the caveats on that drug.

Tom may or may not be doing better. He couldn't successfully sit up or attempt to get into a wheelchair when I got there. Of course, being forced to stay on his back, his voice is very quiet, and, because he'd like to change positions, he's constantly shifting his left leg. But...we got him moved out of the room with the roommate who makes loud, strange noises all night. The room he's now in -- Room 147A -- is at the end of the same hallway and is very quiet, compared to a lot of the other rooms. Because of its location and because the other occupant (furthest away from the door) is not there during the day and is quiet and sleeps at night. Had a long palaver with Annie, his nurse, and Sharon, the concierge, and I think Tom's going to try -- this is real low tech -- warm milk to help him sleep. Actually, we can do warm milk with a bit of butter and honey which is a Lebanese specific to sleep and I know from experience it puts ME right out.

So...when I left him he was settled in the new room and I got things laid out in a familiar fashion for him, the pain med for his ankle pain was starting to kick in and he was getting sleepy.

Tom's new phone number is 603-431-0898 if my information is correct. Probably not a good idea to call him today, though.

Me, on the other hand, I don't think I'm doing that well. I just feeling...beleaguered. I guess I just don't know what else to do. I can't check with his primary care until Monday. Because of the situation, today was NOT the day to see if he can maneuver in and out of my car -- so it looks as if he'll have to take the wheelchair van to his surgeon's appointment on Tuesday -- and his insurance doesn't pay for that. (I'm just not thinking about the actual medical costs of his adventure right now -- I'm dealing with the immediate regular bills, plus getting the income taxes filed...neither of which I usually have to deal with.)

The slightest thing -- cat doing something annoying, little old ladies blocking the aisles (same two each with their own carts in THREE places! I had to concentrate on NOT succumbing to road rage), mail falling on the floor, etcet etcet -- makes me feel as if I'm just going to start screaming. Or else collapse in a teary puddle. (Less likely. I really don't cry easily even if I want to.) And my throat hurts from the last time I screamed. Tom's nurse and the concierge asked if I needed anything. I said, "Sanity?" They said they were fresh out, alas.

Well, that's the news from Lake Woebegone... I'll talk to Tom again later, probably after I eat something.

Meanwhile, I'm trying desperately to unwind a bit.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 02:38 PM

Glad to hear things seemed to be a bit better after the troubles.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 02:20 PM

I'm not going to relate the stories but you need to see what they are giving him outside of his norm. The Ambien and the Lunesta families will both cause problems such as you are discussing on their own and they often "don't play well with others" either. I had some very paranoid and very real sleeps back last year during the 2 month stay and they were not all related to infections and fevers.........


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 11:42 AM

Okay. I just talked to TOM again (less than a half hour after I talked to his nurse)...and he both SAYS he's getting better by the minute and he SOUNDS like it. He is now very aware both of what's happening right now and what WAS happening earlier.

I called because I needed to know if I needed to come to Portsmouth right away or not. Looks like it will be best if I wait until mid-afternoon. Our excursion in the car seems to be ruled out for today, at least.

I really sounds to me like a problem with meds... He says it was like he'd overslept and wasn't quite awake.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 11:40 AM

Go to the nursing home and see what is going on. Tom will feel a bit more secure with you there. And you will have a first hand knowledge of his condition.
M

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 11:27 AM

Things a bit complicated this morning. When I talked to him at 8 a.m., he didn't sound awake and had not yet had coffee, so I wasn't that concerned about his grogginess.

Then I called back after giving him time to eat breakfast...and he was still detached and somewhat out of it. And I became quite concerned.

I called the concierge after I knew she'd be at work and left a message for her to check on Tom because I was concerned.

I just called Tom again. He answered, but sounded vague and his nurse was there and we each wanted at the same time to talk to each other.

Anyway, evidently he had just fallen out of bed. And he had been complaining of having trouble grasping his coffee cup. The concierge was also there and I talked to her. They both agree he's not like he usually is. I couldn't do anything more on the phone and they needed to attend to him, but they assured me they would keep me posted about what was happening. I think his nurse wants to send him to the hospital.

I'm not sure what I should be doing right now...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 08:39 AM

Healing thoughts and best wishes to you both fron over the water. Glad to see a NOTTINGHAM policeman came to your aid. Cheers, Burl

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Apr 12 - 08:25 AM

That's what the therapists have been working on -- his upper body strength. He needs it to haul himself up and down.

Just talked to him, but it was before coffee (his) and he wasn't quite awake.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 11:36 PM

I remember when I would take my uncle out of the nursing home to go to a restaurant. Each time he tried to get into the car I had to remind him how to do it. He wanted to put one foot in first as he had always done. I had to tell him to get in like a woman in a tight skirt, but he would have been insulted if I'd said that. I would remind him to stand sideways and lower his seat in to the car seat and then turn to bring his legs in. When I explained that, he could do it. What was harder for him was getting out because he had to have enough arm strength to pull himself up and out. The arm strength was also difficult for me when I got out of rehab.

This is something the therapists should teach him. My therapists worked with me on the arm strength and standing up. Then for a few days they took me out to practice on a real car.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 10:16 PM

Tom moves to another room tomorrow and I'll post his new phone number when that happens.

We're conducting an experiment tomorrow, too -- we'll see if he can maneuver into my car and I'll take him for a ride. And then we can see how well he can get OUT of the car. Just one of the skills he needs to have to come home. Hope it works out because then I can take him to his appointment with Dr. Blitzer on Tuesday instead of having to pay for the wheelchair van which his insurance doesn't cover.

Good session at The Press Room tonight, with a bunch of people I haven't seen for awhile. Called Tom from the car after the session and he was still awake. Hope he sleeps well for a change. (Getting away from his current roommate tomorrow should help.)

Way too tired...G'night, all...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 12:35 PM

Well, Tom didn't sleep well last night, either, but he doesn't seem as confused as he was on Wednesday. I made a couple suggestions to him on how to constructively pass the time from day to day AND keep his mind engaged so he has a better handle on the hours of the day.

I'm still trying to get some information from rehab about how long before he can come home and what skills he has to master before that's possible. I expect the major part of that will be getting up the stairs to the deck and the additional short step into the house as well as being able to get into and out of a car -- all needed before he can come home and still get to his follow-up appointments with his surgeon, etc.

From what he's said, they seem to be working most on his upper body strength right now.

Meanwhile -- thank goodness for concerned and handy friends! -- we're working on solving the problem of the 35+ year-old deteriorating particle board subflooring that could literally trip Tom up when he comes home. Friends are going to replace the seriously damaged sections with plywood.

I picked up a walker and quad-cane several days ago, and another friend last night brought over a "throne" for the king's use...no jewels or Gothic ornamentation, but eminently practical.

This morning I grabbed the closest thing to a "pajama day" I could find and stayed more or less in bed until 10:15 finishing a very nicely done mystery. (With a cat on my lap keeping me from floating to the ceiling.) Somehow, I fear, I may never get a true pajama day ever again in my life...

Right now, just keeping all the balls in the air at the same time is a lot of fun (yeah, right)...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 11:12 PM

A change in meds might be really helpful, too, re' sleep etc.

Lots of love to both of you,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 11:00 PM

I am adding my meddling voice to the others who indicated that Tom and you need to know what he has to be able to do to be released. From my personal experience as a hospital patient for two months and at a rehab facility for a third, I know that this information helped me. Knowing what I had to do was a big motivator, and I got home from rehab in four weeks rather than the predicted six.

It sounds like you are making a lot of progress getting your home ready for him. Good work!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 08:50 PM

Pain meds can mess with sleep.

I think he's working at getting better. I suspect Linn WANTS him out sooner. As for "Walk on his own ten feet?": Mary, you smokin' dryer sheets again? As far as I know, he's only ever had the two.

Seriously, when I had knee surgery, I asked when I could get out of the hospital. My doc said "Next week, probably Tuesday." I said I was hoping to be out before the weekend. He laughed and said I could leave on Friday, if I could bend my knee (operated on the day before, Tuesday) 90°. He seemed pretty sure it was an impossibility. I got out early.

It's good if they've told him what they need him to be able to do. From my visit, I think he's putting effort into the rehab, HAS made great progress and will continue to do so.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 07:59 PM

Harsh? No. Helpful. Any ideas that may help Tom are welcome, I am sure.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 07:50 PM

Did you get a definition of "a ways to go"? Two weeks? Four?
What goals does he have to accomplish before he can go home?

I ask because my father was given specific goals and with that motivation he cut his nursing home time from eight weeks to two.
Maybe Tom needs to know what he has to accomplish to be sprung - specifically.

Walk on his own ten feet? Place a chair with a bottle of Laphroiag ten feet away. LOL
Did the nurse give any suggestions for controlling his "dementia" ?Sorry - I can't think of another word other than confusion.

I have watched men and women in recovery and noticed that if a man is told he has to practice breathing ten minutes every two hours, he does that and no more. Then complains that "you said...". A woman with the same advice will puff away at every opportunity.

How involved is Tom in his recovery plan?

This may all sound harsh but all we hear from him is that his meals are cold and his coffee late.

I will go back down the CELLAR! with Spaw now.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 07:06 PM

Alrighty then...

Got set up with Goodwin Community Healthcare, fixed Tom's glasses, had a lovely conversation with a couple coworkers (about cats, what else?) while fixing them, and got back to spend some time with Tom before his evening meal.

He said it's got to be some of the meds...his dreams are, not exactly nightmares, but complex and vaguely ominous and threatening. And the combination of his poor vision, changing personnel and unfamiliar surroundings (well, it's not home) doesn't help.

Talked to the concierge. She says she's talked to the physical therapy people and Tom still has a ways to go, so he probably won't be home next week. And I'll have enough lead time to get whatever other equipment we may need, etc.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 01:45 PM

Still haven't heard from the concierge, but I have my schedule for the next couple weeks and, unless they decide to send him home next Monday or Friday, we're all set.

Feel as if I haven't done much today, but I actually HAVE. It was just a time consuming project (making more maneuvering room around the table AND cleaning off the table; oh, and removing the Christmas tablecloth that was still on top of the usual table cover but beneath all the piles of stuff) that doesn't look like much but it was, indeed, major.

Oh, and the new frame for Tom's glasses came in so I can pick up his old glasses, pingpong back to the shop to swap the lenses into the new frame and then bounce back for a visit.

Just about to head out -- have an application to attend to in Dover (to get set up with a new-to-me community health practice; Tom's been there since 2004), then can head to Portsmouth. Going around in circles again, I think...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 10:35 AM

First cup of tea turned out to be some herbal crap, so I dumped it and made some real tea.

Talked to Tom. I guess he slept better -- but he hadn't had coffee yet. I think his confusion may be the result of pain and/or sleeping meds, but I don't know for sure.

Waiting for a call from the concierge with answers to my questions. Now have to call work and find out what my schedule is for past next Monday -- and if I need to change it. (Arghh! -- THIS week I could have worked what used to be my regular schedule; next week not so sure.)

Also have to call Employment Security for some advice.

Again, trying to make decisions without enough information.

If I have a melt-down in all of this, today will be the day.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 07:24 AM

Tom had me concerned last night.

First, starting about 6:15, he called me three times, each time thinking it was morning and he'd slept the night. He must have dozed in between, but he's still confused about what day it is and what time of day it is.

Then, probably around 9:45 (it was 9:30 when I turned off the light) he called me again just as I was falling asleep. Again, I told him it was still Wednesday evening and I'd call him in the morning.

Hope he slept well...as he did Monday night. His confusion was troubling enough that I had some sleep problems. Woke at 3:30 but, after a bit of a struggle, got back to sleep. And again while it was still dark. Awake, though, at first light around 6.

Still a bit too early to call him. I'm waiting for water for tea to heat, then I'll go back upstairs to let my hair dry and call him closer to 8 a.m.

Need to talk to the concierge or someone at Clipper Harbor and find out what the OFFICIAL word is about when he might come home, and what equipment I need to have, and if Visiting Nurses or someone is coming out to assess our home and the provisions I've made.

Tea!
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 06:52 AM

(((Linn)))

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 05:50 PM

His 'script is outdated, Spaw. And he's got a really high cyl. Fortunately, I ordered a new frame just last week. In real money (as opposed to the fictional company bonus certificates I used) it cost me $1.98.

When I get the new frame, I'll swap out the lenses and epoxy the broken spring hinge on the temple...then IT will become the emergency back-up frame.

He's depressed...worried about whether he'll be able to sleep tonight...about his loud new roommate...and I didn't bring him something I didn't know he needed. Sigh.

He's depressed and that certainly didn't help my mood. I was doing okay; got a mess o' stuff done today, although most of it will need to be FINISHED tomorrow. (I guess I'm susceptible to his mood because I can't check things off my list today.)

I'm just so tired...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 04:17 PM

.....or order a new pair from Zenni......LOL


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 10:25 AM

Well, Tom's not having a great day so far (although I know the visit from a friend this morning was a welcome high point).

He again did not sleep well and has been awake since sometime between 3 an 4 a.m. When I talked to him around 9, he wanted to take a nap, but was afraid he'd be awakened either by the pain meds nurse or physical therapy. I suggested he call a nurse and explain his need for a nap early in the day so it won't interfere with his sleep tonight.

He also managed to break his glasses sometime between taking them off last night and putting them on this morning. I'll see later if it's something I can fix (that's one of the things I do as part of my current job) or if the frame will have to be replaced. Fortunately, I recently used my accumulated 50 bucks-worth of bonuses for exceptional customer service reports from secret shops to order a back-up frame "just in case" -- hope it comes in soon.

Got a lot on my to-do list for today so I probably won't go over to see Tom until the latter part of the afternoon.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 07:13 AM

There are computers (well, one that I know of) available, but it's in a tiny cubicle and the wheelchair can't be maneuvered into a position or slide under the desk. So I read him stuff over the phone when I'm in front of the computer.

Linn