Saturday August 8th

rehab day 66

September 3rd. Mark it on your calendar. That is the day -- unless something happens -- dad will be coming home!!!!

Happy Dance!

(why isn't my happy dancer dancing? )



Week before last I took dad to see the doctor. She gave him some samples and said if it worked to stay on the medicine. I took the samples and the note to the head of nursing where dad is staying. Dad started on the medicine that night. After a few days we decided it was working and I told dad's nurse M to make sure that he was kept on the medicine, fax whoever and he assured me he would take care of it.

A few days ago I checked with the 2nd shift nurse and she had nothing to say he was on new medicine. NOTHING. Nothing anywhere in his chart. I grabbed the head of nursing as she walked by (great timing D!) and she looked at dad's chart and everywhere else. Nothing. She was so mad she couldn't even speak. She assured me she would handle it and would be talking to nurse M. I am so glad I gave the samples and doctor's note to her instead of to nurse M. I was afraid if I didn't something would happen. Well something did happen BUT since head of nursing had seen/handled it it was easier for her to know what was (or wasn't) going on.

D put the fear of God into nurse M and when he saw me nurse M apologized up one side and down the other. D said that nurse M would have to take a few days off if he messed up again.

Keep those prayers going up for dad and me.

Kathy

PS: Mr MC, they are "manly" curtains, the paint color I picked out maybe not so much -- but the curtains are manly!

Monday April 20

I finally found out the results of the latest CT scan. And they are ---- nothing. Yup, it didn't show up any infection deep inside that would need attention. Dad's wound does have some oozing pus (according to Dr H) but evidently that is not what is causing dad's low grade fever. Still waiting for cultures to come back.

I asked Dr H (who is the ICU rotating doctor) about one of the medicines they are giving dad. It's called Versed. They have been giving it to dad when he gets really agitated. It does calm him down but it also sedates him which on top of his pain medicine (Fentinal) -- which also has a sedating effect -- has him sleeping more than I think he should be. They say they want him awake but yet the medicines they give him make him sleep, AND I just read that Versed can give the patient a hangover effect. No wonder dad doesn't seem to be aware of everything going on, they are keeping him too drugged. I don't doubt that dad needs this medicine but I think they could reduce the dose or find another drug to calm him without sedating him so much. Dr H said it was something to consider and asked how sleepy the Versed made dad. I just pointed to dad who was asleep through us talking and machines beeping which the doctor found interesting. I saw him write something in dad's chart but I don't know if he is going to change anything or wait for dad's surgeon Dr B to make the call. I do intend to stay on top of this because I don't think it is good for dad in the long run and (I didn't mention to anyone at the hospital) I can't help but wonder if the nurses aren't giving it a little to freely so they don't have to deal with dad, it seems like every time I call to check up on dad they tell me they have had to give him some Versed. Maybe they aren't giving it to him all that often but it sure seems like it.

This afternoon when I went to see dad he was more awake and I know he recognized me because he puckered up and gave me a kiss, he also squeezed my hand several times. He doesn't follow commands all the time and sometimes I wonder if he realizes it's me so when he does the puckering thing I KNOW he knows. And it REALLY makes me feel good.

Oh, Dr H said dad still has pneumonia (I thought it would be gone by now)

Keep those prayers going up for dad and me. Remember Aunt Betty in your prayers also.

Kathy