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Had to call an ambulance tonight
I realize that this is late, but I needed to reach out to somebody. Today I worked from 12-5. When I got home, my husband (has advanced COPD and stage 4 lung cancer was on his recliner and seemed to be doing ok. He said he was feeling better than the day before. This wa about 7:00 this evening. He made himself some soup and went into the living room to eat it. Meanwhile, I fixed myself something to eat. Then sat down to check my emails, etc. Around 8:00, I noticed this moaning coming from the living room. I looked in at him and he seemed to be sleeping. But the weird moaning continued. I called his name but he did not respond, It was as if he could not keep his eyes open, I finally called an ambulance. When they got here, they could not get him to respond to them, either. So they took him to the emergency room, I did not go to the hospital because I worked today and another thing, I have trouble drinving at night. I also had taken a half of an xanax and did not want to be driving 35 minutes away. Just called the emergency room ad talked to a nurse. She said that they have him on a bipap which is a non invasive ventilator She said he has not responded to them at all since he got there. It was very scary to see him this way. She told me that they would call me if things got worse which i pray that they won't. I will go tomorrow. But I wish I knew what caused him to get this way. T/hey tried narcan on him but he never even budged. I am scared and feel like there is no one i can talk to tonight so I decided to post this latest event. Has anyone had this happen to them or someone they care for? I don't know if it is copd acting up or if it is something from his first treatment of chemo/immunotherapy that he had on Wednesday on dec 11th. Guess I will find out more tomorrow. Thanks for listening.
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denise96. Thank you, God you checked, on him and got him to the hospital. I do not have an experience on this topic. All i know about is family and sudden illness. In the hospital, I pray he gets the Dr and nurse teams who figure out what has transpired. I hope an answer comes today.
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1 ReactionTalked to the ER nurse last night and today. They seem to think that he has encepalitis cause by all the different medications he is on during this time. Right now I am waiting for a nurse to call me back and then I will get ready to go to the hospital to see him and hopefully get more information on what is happening.
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1 ReactionDenise,
I'm so sorry you and your husband are going through this awful episode! That must be so hard on you both! However, God is there for you. Just keep praying. He will protect your husband and make him well again. My husband had lung cancer and I remember well those calls to 911 and the Emergency Room! They aren't fun! But it's good that they are there and know what they are doing. Just have faith and things will turn out OK.
You mentioned that they felt that possibly the many medications he is taking may have caused this to occur. One thing you can do is check the side effects of all of your husband's medications. This can easily be done on the Mayo Clinic website. That way you can see if any of his symptoms relate to his medications. If they do, don't stop the medication. Just tell the doctor as soon as you can and let the doctor stop the medication in the correct way. Some medications have to be stopped slowly or there is another worse side effect.
You mentioned that your husband is getting immunotherapy treatment. That is a strong treatment. Your husband could be reacting to it. My husband got that too and it almost killed him! After he recovered, my husband refused anymore immunotherapy treatments. The doctor was not happy at all with that decision. (Immunotherapy treatments cost $25,000 per infusion! Or, they did in 2018. Who knows what they cost now?)
Keep praying and tell your husband how much you love him even if he can't respond. He'll hear you.
I wish you the best and will remember you both in my prayers.
PML
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2 ReactionsThank you. My husband was in respiratory distress and that is why I called the ambulance. His co2 levels were critical. Yes, they believe that he has toxic encaphalopathy. I mistakenly thought she said encaphalitis. My husband is on 20 mg of oxycodone 4 times a day and also on oxycontin er9 twice a day. I, do not believe he is in as much pain as he says he is. He always liked pills. He has been a pill popper long before I ever met him. Now he is happy that he gets them legally. I am the one who hands out the oxycodone because he overdosed on them in september of this year and that is when his cancer was discovered. Sixteen years of our 27 year marriage has been marred by his opiate pill use. Right now he is only on 5 mg oxycodone and he keeps asking me to bring me his. I refuse to do so because it is not allowed and I believe he only wants them to get high. I am not saying he is not in pain, but I know him. They are watching him for any withdrawal symptoms. So far he has not shown any. Palliative will be in today to talk to him. They wanted him to wear a bipap during the night which he refused to do. He is mad because he has to eat thickened and soft foods and drinks. But he has some trouble swallowing and may aspirate. I talked to the icu nurse today and she said if he does not want to cooperate at home, then I should just let him eat and drink whatever he wants if he gives me trouble-which I know he will. I want to help him, but he just tells me that he will do what he wants. I am sure that this will be just one of many trips to the hospital. I do love him and I pray for him to get to feeling better. I am letting go and letting God.
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2 Reactionsdenise96
Powerless- Let go and let God.
We will never know why those we love chose the path they choose. So often, it makes no sense to us. Living with him for 27 years is a lot of time for a whole lot of experiences. Opiate addiction is real and relevant to possible recovery statistics. Some addicts overtake the pills necessary for treatment and then it becomes a cause for more treatment. We see it from the outside. Why do they take these actions?
Oh my. A day at a time we can do anything. Focusing on what we have the power to change.
My thoughts are with you on this journey. Keep us posted on how you are doing.
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1 ReactionThank you for understanding. He should be coming home tomorrow. They are thickening his food and drinks and he is refusing to eat or drink it. The nurse and I talked about this and we both agreed once he is home just let him drink and eat what he wants. AT this time it is quality of life over quantity.
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