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New caregiver- ER advice!

Posted by terribwyo @terribwyo, 9 hours ago

I'm a fairly new caregiver for my husband, who was diagnosed in Dec with bile duct cancer along with PSC. We are staying in Jacksonville for chemo/radiation right now, and at the very end of his treatments my husband developed sepsis from an infection in his bile duct stents. He went downhill super fast, and I took him to the Mayo ER. One of the things now on my list is to ASK MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ER!
I asked his medical team when we should go to the ER, and they said when his temp passed 102. That happened within an hour, so we drove to the ER. It was evening, possibly during a shift change, and it was a hot mess. First, I didn't know where to park so I followed signs and parked in a parking garage. It turned out to be a VERY LONG walk to the ER, and the only person we saw around us was the valet guy who was just leaving his shift. He asked if we needed help, but I thought he meant did I need help parking, so I said no thank you. By this time my husband was staggering and ping-ponging off the walls down the long hallway. He was leaning on me ( big guy, small wife) and I wasn't sure we would even get there! It was a very long way to the ER dept, with not a single person to be seen along the way, and I was at a loss for where to go and how to get help. Once we got there and saw some humans, they jumped into action, got him a wheelchair, etc. So I now have in my notes on my phone where (not) to park, how to go in the doors, etc. What questions do you all ask about ER trips, when/where to go, what to bring, etc? I need to be better prepared!

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 8 hours ago

@terribwyo The order of the day is patient first, car second. In an emergency situation, ALWAYS pull up to the ER doors, unload your patient and escort into the ER (there are nearly always wheelchairs by the door), get them to the triage/registration area, then go park your car. Usually you can ask, and there is a small dedicated ER parking area nearby, but not always. We have been in ER's all over the country and have never done any differently.
As to what to take, always bring his insurance cards and ID, any recent doctor's notes if you are outside his care network, and current list of all meds. Here is an excerpt from a recent post by @ocdogmom: "...Also, whenever I have to take him to a doctor's appointment, imaging center, emergency room, chemo appointment, I take my "go bag". This is a backpack that is filled with tissues (for his constant runny nose) his diabetic supplies, snacks for both of us, water, a book for me to read, a change of clothes and disposable underpants( he is incontinent) and anything else that I think would be helpful to either of us. For your sister it may be a small favorite object or some photos of loved ones that you may be able to distract her with while waiting..." I would add a sweater or hoodie for each of you, favorite snacks, water bottle for you (he should only have what ER gives him) and phone charger.
I hope he is doing okay now.

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