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My 75 year old husband w/Parkinsons in ICU 1 mo bilateral pneumonia

Posted by denisewb58 @denisewb58, Sep 22 10:56am

My husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons 4 years ago. After a bout of shortness of breath, he was admitted to ICU within 24 hours. Fully intubated and sedated. He also developed Ileus. No NG feeding. IV feeding. The sedation is reduced during the day. He opens his eyes slightly and can hear us - reacting with hand squeezes. There doesn't seem to be any marked improvement, report the specialist. Are they telling the full story or are they sugar coating their responses so as not to send us into a panic?

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memoriestomoments | @memoriestomoments | Sep 29 12:19am

I'm so sorry to hear about this sudden and very frightening turn in your husband's health.

Of course, it is hard to know what the doctors are thinking. When they give minimal information it can be because:
1. They really don't know.
2. They do not want to answer a lot of questions that require explaining complicated potential outcomes.

Sometimes it helps to ask them to summarize the potential paths that your husband's condition might take and what events/tests/metrics would indicate that he is on one or the other path. That way, instead of just waiting, you know what you are all looking for.

Wishing you and your husband the best.

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denisewb58 | @denisewb58 | Sep 29 1:14am
In reply to @memoriestomoments "I'm so sorry to hear about this sudden and very frightening turn in your husband's health...." + (show)
Profile picture for memoriestomoments @memoriestomoments

I'm so sorry to hear about this sudden and very frightening turn in your husband's health.

Of course, it is hard to know what the doctors are thinking. When they give minimal information it can be because:
1. They really don't know.
2. They do not want to answer a lot of questions that require explaining complicated potential outcomes.

Sometimes it helps to ask them to summarize the potential paths that your husband's condition might take and what events/tests/metrics would indicate that he is on one or the other path. That way, instead of just waiting, you know what you are all looking for.

Wishing you and your husband the best.

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@memoriestomoments

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 29 9:27pm

@denisewb58 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I thank @memoriestomoments for her help in giving you some answers. Depending on the time of day they come in, they may not have the whole picture and are getting more information. If it’s really too early, they might not have all the answers to questions they know you’ll ask.
You also mentioned ‘No feeding’. And that is because he has an ileus, which is not uncommon. Start a notebook in which you can write questions for the doctor and the answers you get. Really, just write down anything that happens, who visited, anything you think of. Tomorrow the members will have more to tell you so if you can, sleep for now.

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