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← Return to Thrashing In His Sleep
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Last Wed Bill had two (all day) appointments at Mayo. At the first one they took his vitals, which were 73/38 53. Ended with a 911 call and ambulance trip (with me riding shotgun) to Mayo's ER in Phoenix. Finally at 7pm (with both daughter and I frozen) they had a bed for him.
They finally got the BP stable although still Bradycardia for heart beat (remaining in low 50s). By Sunday they transferred him to a skilled NH for two weeks in Mesa (a long drive, especially with no transportation during the day). Better place wouldn't take him due to perceived behavior problems (under control with medication as Mayo tried to explain).
They think his extensive prescriptions and OTC drugs might have caused it so monitoring closely how he is reacting to no more high BP med.
But last night Bill called wanting me to get him home as his few sessions of therapy have him cured now. When I tried to explain about the prescription(s) he turned from sweet talk to bully talk. Announced he would get a taxi and I was to have his credit card ready as he would apparently arrive COD. Also back to wanting his own place, but I could live with him.
He assumed I would call Mayo this morning to start his release. I didn't say anything. If he wants to believe I will call that is fine (my message to Mayo might take at least a week to go through the system lol). I'm considering letting any call from him today go to voicemail (he has been having a lot of problems with phones).
His kids are not happy with him as they realize he needs the therapy to help prevent falls. Last Wed morning he started to fall but was right next to a wall, which caught him. He doesn't remember his falls, only thinking he had one in December of 2019! Gets angry if I try to remind him of six more, two requiring 911 calls. He is considered mild dementia - forgets things but can put on a good act. But has major problems with anything mechanical. He thought his call button was the volume control for the TV.
Our twin granddaughters are arriving late Friday night for the weekend (all sorts of family get togethers planned, which Bill would not attend. Anyway, he is trying to use this to talk Sante into releasing him tomorrow.
My thought, if he does get himself released or thrown out, is to refuse to help him - as he is stating he doesn't need any help any more! Other than making sure he gets his medications and watching to make sure he is okay. But if he wants water, instead of letting him bully me with anger, I'll follow the doctor's instructions and let him get it himself. His hardest time is in the morning after getting dressed - so Robin suggested just getting enough water for his pills and then he would be okay to get more a little later.
I have the feeling he will never last the final week at the SNF! He is back to thinking Robin and I are plotting against him.
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Bill ended up in the hospital again, this time with C.Diff (major bleeding and diarrhea). They put him on Vancomycin before releasing him after a couple of days. In tests it showed anemia; malnutrition, blood problems (which could have been exasperated by the C.Diff infection); nodules on lungs (test for previous Valley Fever showed negative); some mild calcification of the aorta valve; mild aneurism in that area as well; and lesion on tail of pancreas. Kids do not think he is in any danger as all findings seem to be in the 'mild' range. One heck of a lot of 'mid' problems to my way of thinking. He has lost over 5% of body weight in a month. Now coughing and having problems swallowing. No apatite. Family doctor advised to follow up with CT or MRI in 3 to 6 months on lungs and pancreas. Has an appointment with family doctor on the 11th.
At least the diarrhea has stopped (he had problems getting to the bathroom in time). Is receiving some more home health - which he resists. He finally consented to a shower yesterday after refusing for over 4 months (he would use shower wipes only). Even hospital or NH couldn't get him into the shower!
Has been angry/grumpy more lately (thank heavens for Seroquel - which has helped a lot).
A few days before ER/Hospital he fell backwards into the tub - required another 911 call as I couldn't get him out.
I'm thinking cumulative effect of so many 'mild' problems is not good - and kids are holding out 'mild' as a lodestone that there really isn't anything wrong. Thinks 162 looks good on his 6 foot frame (he is almost down to skin and bones). Yesterday slight swelling of his ankles. Kids really don't want to talk about symptoms.