Ida Louise Duchane Pitcher
9 months ago
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
Bill, August 16; stimulation, rash, and floor
Bill had all his therapies today. During PT/OT, they used the neurostimulators on his legs, specifically his thighs. For speech therapy, he got pudding.
He continues to have a bothersome rash from the reaction to antibiotic -- bummer. Benadryl tablets and Aveeno with oatmeal cream.
His biggest adventure today ended up with him on the floor. To get into the hair, a sling is placed under him, hooked to a lift, and up-over he goes. He's made the trip lots of times over the past, what, three weeks or so. Once he was in the chair today, he was a bit slouched. So the CNA's lifted up on the sling, but it pulled out from under him completely, and he slipped more forward.
Much help was called for, and eventually he was rehoused. But I think about 6 people are having to write up their versions of the incident. Gotta love paperwork.
Oh, he's fine, no injuries.
He continues to have a bothersome rash from the reaction to antibiotic -- bummer. Benadryl tablets and Aveeno with oatmeal cream.
His biggest adventure today ended up with him on the floor. To get into the hair, a sling is placed under him, hooked to a lift, and up-over he goes. He's made the trip lots of times over the past, what, three weeks or so. Once he was in the chair today, he was a bit slouched. So the CNA's lifted up on the sling, but it pulled out from under him completely, and he slipped more forward.
Much help was called for, and eventually he was rehoused. But I think about 6 people are having to write up their versions of the incident. Gotta love paperwork.
Oh, he's fine, no injuries.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Bill, August 15; therapies and visiting and Tri-Met
During physical therapy today, Ryan/Derek attached neurostimulators to Bill's torso. If you have ever had PT for knees, you may have had the same treatment. Adhesive pads were attached front and back (six or eight total). An electric stimulus is administered, dialing up from 0 until Bill indicates he can feel a tingle. Then the dial is increased until he says that's enough for now, and the setting is held for 10 or 15 minutes.
The action triggers the muscles into responding, and the therapists can feel the tic or contraction of the muscle(s). After the torso, they did the same therapy on his left arm.
The speech therapist will, hopefully, use the stimulator on the neck tomorrow to help activate the vocal cords (he's still basically a whisperer).
VISITS
Someone asked yesterday about visits, and I had meant to include info on the post!
Visits right now are tricky just because his schedule hasn't settled down. Two days ago we thought everyone agreed he would have therapies in the morning, leaving the afternoon for rest, chair time, and possibly visits. Yesterday that didn't happen at all, and activity was spread all over the clock. Ayn said some friends want to bring things by -- all appreciated, truly, but we think we just need to hold off a bit longer. Last night I wasn't able to take her to get food until 8:00. Today she was working her way through paying mid-month bills, a task Bill normally handles, so she was just a little stressed in trying to make sure she didn't miss anything.
I'm hoping, with Bill's and Ayn's permission, to get a short video of his whispers. And those of you who are used to his long hair and beard can see the short version!
TRI-MET
Bill has an appointment next week, and the facility makes the transportation arrangements. The gal asked me what we preferred to use, although we had been told on admission that they always use Metro West. She said she didn't know if we were set up for Tri-Met or other options. Really, we could use Tri-Met's Lift program?
Egad, today she gave me Tri-Met's application forms. five pages to send in, and about seven pages describing the program and eligibility. But in my ever-so-synthesized way:
*Fill out the forms (and I faxed them back)
*Five days later they will schedule an evaluation (you don't want to know, but it is interesting shall we say)
*Twenty-days is their timeframe to make a decision.
Hmm, his daughter could be able to drive him by the time this would be set up. Or maybe his niece, who just turned two years old, if we have to go through an appeals process...
The action triggers the muscles into responding, and the therapists can feel the tic or contraction of the muscle(s). After the torso, they did the same therapy on his left arm.
The speech therapist will, hopefully, use the stimulator on the neck tomorrow to help activate the vocal cords (he's still basically a whisperer).
VISITS
Someone asked yesterday about visits, and I had meant to include info on the post!
Visits right now are tricky just because his schedule hasn't settled down. Two days ago we thought everyone agreed he would have therapies in the morning, leaving the afternoon for rest, chair time, and possibly visits. Yesterday that didn't happen at all, and activity was spread all over the clock. Ayn said some friends want to bring things by -- all appreciated, truly, but we think we just need to hold off a bit longer. Last night I wasn't able to take her to get food until 8:00. Today she was working her way through paying mid-month bills, a task Bill normally handles, so she was just a little stressed in trying to make sure she didn't miss anything.
I'm hoping, with Bill's and Ayn's permission, to get a short video of his whispers. And those of you who are used to his long hair and beard can see the short version!
TRI-MET
Bill has an appointment next week, and the facility makes the transportation arrangements. The gal asked me what we preferred to use, although we had been told on admission that they always use Metro West. She said she didn't know if we were set up for Tri-Met or other options. Really, we could use Tri-Met's Lift program?
Egad, today she gave me Tri-Met's application forms. five pages to send in, and about seven pages describing the program and eligibility. But in my ever-so-synthesized way:
*Fill out the forms (and I faxed them back)
*Five days later they will schedule an evaluation (you don't want to know, but it is interesting shall we say)
*Twenty-days is their timeframe to make a decision.
Hmm, his daughter could be able to drive him by the time this would be set up. Or maybe his niece, who just turned two years old, if we have to go through an appeals process...
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Bill, Wednesday August 14
The kidney numbers are still high, but have gone down from yesterday. The doctor here was extremely happy. They had stopped a protein supplement, and increased water, which seems to be the trick for now. Otherwise, and I had not shared this with ya'll, they were going to have him whisked off to emergency.
BUT he started getting a rash this morning, so two antibiotics were stopped. They are presuming it is a reaction to Sipro (isn't that the one they use for Anthrax victims?). A different anti-b (or abx I'm told) has been started, one in the penicillin family, not a problem for him. And cortisone cream for the itch.
Oh, they got him into some of his real clothes: a Grateful Dead t-shirt ("Terrapin Station") and a pair of shorts. He looks so darn normal. He had all his therapies today, and tomorrow should be the same. But the speech gal didn't give him any applesauce, so he was disappointed. There wasn't a problem, she was just a bit rushed today and worked on other things. Who knew it's work to learn to hold your breath again?
BUT he started getting a rash this morning, so two antibiotics were stopped. They are presuming it is a reaction to Sipro (isn't that the one they use for Anthrax victims?). A different anti-b (or abx I'm told) has been started, one in the penicillin family, not a problem for him. And cortisone cream for the itch.
Oh, they got him into some of his real clothes: a Grateful Dead t-shirt ("Terrapin Station") and a pair of shorts. He looks so darn normal. He had all his therapies today, and tomorrow should be the same. But the speech gal didn't give him any applesauce, so he was disappointed. There wasn't a problem, she was just a bit rushed today and worked on other things. Who knew it's work to learn to hold your breath again?
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Bill, Tuesday August 13; therapy routines
Starting a routine now. Speech therapy in the morning. Two or three days a week in the shower. Physical therapy and occupational therapy for an hour or two. "Chair time" for core strength and balance. So far, the therapies are in his room but we hope soon he can advance to the therapy room with more equipment and activities!
Next Monday might be a trip to a doctor's appointment: nephrology (kidneys) and hypertension.
Next Monday might be a trip to a doctor's appointment: nephrology (kidneys) and hypertension.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Bill, Monday August 12
Five weeks now.
Relief, Bill's white blood count has gone down. It is still a little high, but we appreciate the trend line. They think he has thrush! Wait, isn't that a mouth infection babies get? Yup, he's my baby. It could be related to the week-long course of two antibiotics he got, which can encourage yeast growth, even though he was given probiotics during that time. Anyway, he is on a course of anti-b's again (three days, five? I don't remember). The cultures will take about three days to confirm.
Much more active day, including PT, OT, and speech.
And tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow...!!
Relief, Bill's white blood count has gone down. It is still a little high, but we appreciate the trend line. They think he has thrush! Wait, isn't that a mouth infection babies get? Yup, he's my baby. It could be related to the week-long course of two antibiotics he got, which can encourage yeast growth, even though he was given probiotics during that time. Anyway, he is on a course of anti-b's again (three days, five? I don't remember). The cultures will take about three days to confirm.
Much more active day, including PT, OT, and speech.
And tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow...!!
Bill, Sunday August 11 (late)
We are a little worried. Sunday was a very drowsy day, but Bill did not look like it was restful. His numbers are all still good: BP within range, temperature okay, lungs clear, saturated oxygen really good, kidneys working fine. Bill's breathing, and I'm searching for the right descriptor, was labored, fast, unusual? He didn't seem to have difficulty breathing, yet he was working at it; the effort was as if he was walking uphill rapidly.
Monday will be a regular blood test, plus urinalysis and a throat swab.
Can you help? Sure. Ayn is stressed, so please send relaxing vibes!
Let me answer your next question, which is, "Aren't you stressed, too?" A bit, but if you don't know me, I'm a data person. I bury the emotional side with the overwhelming need for more information, the need to make a plan. So, hmm, yes I guess I'm a little bonkers without that information and a plan.
Monday will be a regular blood test, plus urinalysis and a throat swab.
Can you help? Sure. Ayn is stressed, so please send relaxing vibes!
Let me answer your next question, which is, "Aren't you stressed, too?" A bit, but if you don't know me, I'm a data person. I bury the emotional side with the overwhelming need for more information, the need to make a plan. So, hmm, yes I guess I'm a little bonkers without that information and a plan.
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