I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Spouses and Caregivers => Topic started by: Yvonne on January 26, 2009, 12:22:52 AM
-
:ukflag;
John was taken into intensive care in the early hours of Sunday morning.
He is so stubborn, he has had a pain in his tummy on and off for over a week, he normally just goes and lays on the bed for a couple of hours and then it goes away. I kept saying to him lets make an appointment at the doctors but he just said what can they do, he thought it was the cancer coming back but I said cancer is a silent illness so it is no that.
However on Saturday morning he had the pain again kept going back to bed but it would not go away, I wanted to call the doctor but he said no, at 8 O clock in the evening he had been in bed and was sick I said again let me call the doctor he said no, now Ive been sick I will now start feeling better. He went back to bed I kept going in to him to see if he was alright but said he could not sleep as the pain was too bad but he still said no to me calling out the doctor, he said leave it to the morning to see how he felt then. I went to bed at 10.O clock asking him again shall I call the doctor he said don't keep asking me, I'll be alright in the morning. I got into bed and he was really in pain he could not even move only just lying there moaning. I got up and dressed and said wether you like it or not I'm ringing the doctor for advice, that was 10.30, when I explained on the phone John's condition along with all his medical history the doctor said he would come out. The doctor arrived at 12.30 (2 hours to get here) John was being sick again when the doctor arrived he examined him and said he must go into hospital straight away, John asked for something for the pain and the doctor gave him in injection of Tramadol. it did ease the pain but not a lot but enough for him get moved into the ambulance.
We arrived at A&E at 1.30 in the morning, and I've never seen only on the TV how the nurses and doctors jumped into action, but as John was laying down and one of the nurses was trying to put in a line to him he started to be sick again it was spurting out like a fountain covering him, nurses, me and the floor I've never seen anything like it.
By 5.30 in the morning he had had 2 ex rays, one tube going down through his nose and into the tummy this was supposed to stop him being sick and six different lines going into him, he was then transfered to intensive care at 6.30. I can't praise our local hospital enough, although they still do not no what is wrong, If it's a urology problem then he will stay in this hospital but if it's renal then they will transfer him to the QA hospital where he goes for his renal check ups. But can't do nothing until he is out of danger.
I went in to see John yesterday and he is looking so much better, he has had so many doses of morphine and he is very confused, the doctor said he was doing so much better and thinks he might have a urine infection, there was no urine coming into his bag all the time since Saturday and John never told me, but now today what is coming out it is very bloody and not a lot so I think that was what was wrong, they have given him antibiotics through one of his lines, and pain relief also.
This is the first time in my life I have ever missed a nights sleep, Ive had disturbed nights when we have had burst bags and I have to change everything. So I am now trying to catch up but have such a bad headache.
I'll keep you informed and thanks for listening to me it does help to put things down on paper so to speak
Take care everyone and congratulations on your new President Yvonne the wife.
-
this is a difficult one you are going through. My caring thoughts and prayers are with John, and you! :cuddle; I do hope things will get better and better for him.
Please keep us updated. :grouphug;
-
Yvonne, how awful for both of you. A nightmare. I'm glad John is in the hospital where hopefully they can figure out what's wrong and do something. You weren't joking when you said JOhn was stubborn. I hate hospitals hugely too but even I would have gone long before it got so dire. I'm thinking of you both. :grouphug;
-
Hang in there, Sounds like they ar taking good care of him. Keep us posted ok?
-
:grouphug;
-
Sprry to hear he is so sick right now, but thankfully being tended to. Praying all will be on his side and drs figure out what is going on. Hope you can get some rest too! :grouphug;
-
Prayers and good thoughts coming your way.
I am glad that you decided to make that call.
Us men can be so hard headed. We are lucky when we have strong supporters like you by our sides.
P&K
-
Yvonne :grouphug; You and John are in our thoughts and prayers. Please try and get some rest. He is being well looked after and you need rest to be able to care for him. :cuddle;
-
Scary stuff Yvonne. I hope John is better soon. :grouphug;
-
:grouphug; hope John is feeling better. :grouphug;
-
The Doctor came to your HOUSE?? I've only seen that on TV! AND 2 hours away?? That is awesome!
I'm sure Joe will be feeling better soon. Be glad he is in a hospital in the UK!
-
John is lucky to have such a wonderful caring wife likeyou Yvonne. Keep us updated when you can. :grouphug;
-
:grouphug;
-
the last time doctors made house calls here i was 7 years old. good for your doc. i hope today finds john better, be sure and take care of yourself too. :grouphug;
-
:ukflag;
I went in to visit John today and he is worse, while I was there they sent him down for a CT scan and will get the results when I tomorrow. His urostomy is not producing any urine and the urine has backed up into his very swollen tummy. He is still in a lot of pain and they are giving him morphine through the line they have in his neck, he really didn't know I was there I'm so worried he is very very ill, his breathing is very shallow. I just hope they are doing enough for him. Thanks for your kind replies it does help me when I read them Yvonne
-
More prayers coming your guys way. :grouphug;
-
Sending caring thoughts and prayers your way Yvonne. I hope John will be OK. Take care of yourself too, I know how tough it is with Dad in the QE for the last few weeks (and still there) , the worry, the traveling it all takes it out of you. May you both have the strength to come through this. :grouphug;
-
:grouphug; :cuddle; :grouphug;
-
:grouphug; Thoughts and prayers are with you. :cuddle;
-
Sending prayers your way, Yvonne
Plse let us know how everything is
and try and take of yourself, too
Anne :grouphug;
-
:cuddle; :grouphug; Special prayers for you. I am so sorry both of you are having to go through this. Please keep us posted and take care of yourself.
Ann
-
We're thinking of and praying for you both.
Petey and Marvin
-
Yvonne,
stay strong and of course you have all my Best Wishes :cuddle;
-
I am so sorry to hear all of this. Please know prayers are going up for you and John.
Plese keep us posted.
Love, Mimi
-
I phoned the hospital at 10 0 clock at night English time, they said they had put a tube directly into his kidney to drain off the urine ( nephrostomy ) and was still under sedation but the urine was now draining well. Can't understand why they didn't do it sooner as he was really being poisoned by the back up of the urine. I'm phoning again this morning and visiting between 3 to 5 so it only gives me 2 hours with him. Can't make the evening visit as our busses only run every hour in the evenings, I need 2 busses to get home and the evenings are still very dark and scary. Yvonne
-
That's sounding more hopeful Yvonne but it does make you wonder why they didn't act sooner. We are also visiting in the afternoons, firstly because it's a 90 minutes drive each way and I'd rather do it in the light and secondly because there's more chance of seeing a Dr in the day time to find out what is going on. Dad is very tired and weak and doesn't take in everything they tel him. I hope John will be home soon. Take care. :cuddle;
-
Yvonne and Rose...prayers for both you and your loved ones. I have been where you are and it is very tiring on you as well...so treat yourself kindly. :flower;
-
Dear Yvonne,
Sending prayers to you and John,
I do hope you will find him much better
Again, please take car of yourself, it is so
very easy to let yourself get run down I
know, when my husband was very sick it
did happen
You both are in my thoughts,
Anne from NJ
-
Yvonne,
I am so sorry to hear about John. Hopefully the doctors will figure this out and get him on the road to recovery. Did they get the CT scan results back?
Try and hang in there and stay positive. I know it's easier said than done, but try to get enough sleep and rest. As others have said, you have to take care of yourself too. Spending long hours at the hospital is draining in many ways, so try and get as much rest when you're not there so you can be at your best when you are with John.
My best wishes to you both and I hope you hear good news soon.
-
Thank you all for your kind replies. John was only a little better when I went in to see him yesterday afternoon. The results of the CT scan looks as though the hernia on the stoma site has caused a blockage. They are waiting for his blood levels to get a better reading creatinine is reading 800, when it lowers to 500 they want to take him down for another op. to open him up to see if they can sort it out. We are both afraid the cancer may have returned and I'm too scared to ask. His tummy is very swollen and pushing up onto his lung, and then in turn having a job to breath, he is on oxygen as well. He is in good hands with one to one nursing in intensive care his heart is strong and I know he will come through this, John has always taken anything they have thrown at him and he comes out strong at the other end. They would really like to transferee him to the renal hospital but can't make up their minds. I will know more today when I go to visit but have to phone be forhand in case he has been transfered.
Hi Rose So sorry about you Dad I wish him well. John is like that not taking in anything I say, I try to keep talking to him giving him little quizzes trying to make his brain work, now because he couldn't answer them I've had to come home and look things up on the computer so I can give him the answer when I see him.
Thank you once again Yvonne
-
gee sounding quite concerning.. I really hope John improves. Thank you for keeping us all updated...
-
I have faith in you and John, you can make it through this too. :grouphug;
-
Keep strong, Yvonne!
Please keep us posted, I do hope and
pray you find things better today, hugs
to you both :cuddle;
Anne
-
thanks for the update; I hope you get better news soon and things turn around. Everyone here is pulling for John, so remember we're all sending our thoughts and prayers.
Stay positive and strong and hope for the best. :2thumbsup;
-
Give John our love and hugs! Consider yourself hugged, too. Take care of yourself, too, please! :grouphug;
-
know we are thinking of you both
-
:grouphug;
-
Thank you all once again, you are all keeping us going. John's creatinine came down from 830 to 715 so they took him down to operate at 2.30pm Wednesday afternoon, they let me sit with him and I stayed there until he came back to recovery at 6.45pm. They let me go into him but he was still out of it. I talked to one of the doctors and they said the reason he has been so long down in theater, as it was more complicated than they thought. I phoned this morning and they said he had 3 hernias each one blocking different organs ! I will know more when I go to visit this afternoon. I did ask if the cancer had come back and they said he was still clear of it.
I'll keep you posted Yvonne
-
As difficult as this all is at present, it is really great news that John's still cancer-free. Sending you both my best thoughts. :grouphug;
-
Yvonne, you and John are in my prayers. :cuddle;
-
Yvonne :grouphug; How are you doing? Glad they said no cancer is back. Hope you are getting some rest. :cuddle;
-
The doctors are so pleased with John, he is coming through the operation so well, they are thinking of sitting him out of bed today. His stoma is now working but they have left in the line to his kidney until they are sure it will continue to work. His creatinine is down to 615 so they are not going to transfer him to the Renal hospital. He has another great scar running down his tummy, so having a job to move but he is on an epidural all the time. He must have at least 10 lines coming in and out of his body. He was talking a lot of nonsense yesterday but I think it must be the drugs. He is on the mend that is the most important part. I did not see a doctor yesterday, as they did their rounds before I got there.
Thanks every one again Yvonne
-
Yvonne :cuddle; this is wonderful news about John. You try and get some rest and keep us posted. :grouphug;
-
So glad John is feeling better and may sit up today. How are you? Please look after yourself and keep us informed. :2thumbsup;
-
Hey, that's great news about John. I hope his recovery keeps progressing and he gets better each day. Getting him out of bed and sitting up is a good sign. Keep us posted.
-
How nice to read a little good news for John and you. I hope each day he is a little stronger. :grouphug;
-
John's was not so good yesterday I am very worried. They removed all his tubes but 4, didn't sit him out of bed, but moved him onto a normal bed (not electric) and he can't sit up on his own, moved him out of HDU onto a 6 bedded ward. His Stoma has stopped working again, urine just coming out of the nephrostomy. He is very bloated and still in pain I just want to bury my head in the sand until he is better. I feel so hopeless now, he was being looked after so well in HDU, in this new ward there is no one around when you want them to ask questions.
Thanks for this site so I can write and unload my pain. Yvonne
-
:grouphug;
-
:grouphug;
-
So tough Yvonne. Sending you big hugs.
-
Yvonne :grouphug; Why did they move him out of HDU? No electric bed, I thought ever hospital bed was electric (learn something new everyday). I sure hope that you can get to speak to someone about your concerns. I really don't understand the medical profession sometimes. They act like we should know all this and then act like we aren't smart enough to understand. :banghead; I know where you are coming from on the burying head in sand, I feel that way a lot. :cuddle;
-
Yvonne,
Hope things are going better now for you and John. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Normie :grouphug;
-
Yvonne,
Thinking and praying for both of
you every day.
Sending you a big :grouphug;
Anne
-
I hope things get better soon; I know it's tough, but hang in there. Just being there for John has to be a great comfort for him. Wishing you the best :)
-
Saturday morning I phoned the hospital to see how John was and they said no change. Went to visit in the afternoon and John didn't want to know just slept most of the time and said he feels so bad. They have at last put him in an electric bed. They keep clamping of the nephrotomy hopping it might make the urostomy work.
John is very swollen up, his belly, hands, fingers can anyone tell me the reason for this?, as now he is out of HDU there are never any doctors around to ask. Yvonne
-
Swelling like that is usually fluid build-up Yvonne and can cause breathing problems in addition to being very uncomfortable.
-
Sunday 1st Feb John has been moved to a side ward (isolation) as he has the runs. I can imagine how he feels a man of his age having to wear pads, and having to keep being cleaned up. He can't do anything for himself not even fill up his beaker of water, can't even be bothered to ring the bell he has, he justs waits for someone to come in the room and then ask, I feel so helpless for him I wish I could just stay in the room with him all the time. John has 2 lines going into his neck, I noticed they were leaking onto his pillow. When the nurse came in I pointed it out to her she said she would redress it. half an hour later she came back to do so, leaving John without his oxygen. I am so frustrated but what can I do. He is in their hands and I must try to trust them.
:ukflag; Monday 2nd Feb. Woke up to in inch of snow, Britain comes to a stand still when we have snow, just hope I can get to the hospital to see John today. Yvonne
-
:grouphug;
-
Gee this is so tough on you both I really hope things improve soon.
Snow in the UK? Send you some of our 45C heat.. that should melt it away!!!
-
:grouphug; Yvonne. I'm still praying real hard for John and you. :cuddle;
-
John is still in all our thoughts; I hope your next update brings better news. You're doing all you can do by being there for him as much as possible and like you say, you have to trust them to take care of him and I'm sure they are doing everything they can.
Remember to take care of yourself...try to get as much rest as you can when you're not there.
-
:ukflag; Monday 2nd Feb. Woke up to in inch of snow, Britain comes to a stand still when we have snow, just hope I can get to the hospital to see John today. Yvonne
Hope you got to see him Yvonne, we didn't get to see Dad today as it was just impossible, we have nearly a foot of snow and Mum was completely snowed in. I hope John will improve, I know what you mean about him being left and you feeling helpless, we have the same issues - there's nothing you can do either, you can't be there all day, it's an awful feeling leaving them there. God bless both of you. Rose
EDITED:Fixed quote tag error-kitkatz,Moderator
-
:grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug; if it were me i would be camped at the nurses station demanding answers but then i'm a pushy ...............
hope today finds things better :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug;
-
:ukflag;
Monday 2nd Feb. As I said before I woke up to snow, but by the time it was ready for me to catch the bus to go in to see John a lot had melted. That's just my part of the country some places have come to a stand still with the snow. England is just not used to this cold weather.
However there is no change in John, they decided to take out the nephrostomy as the urine was flowing into the Stoma bag, but they are now a bit worried as the urine has turned to blood, doctors said drink as much liquid as you can, and we will take another look at it tomorrow. John's breathing is very deep scares me just to sit and watch him, I try and make conversation, most unusual for John not to be speaking, he just whispers if he wants anything. I suppose we must take one day at a time. I can't understand when John had his major operation in June 2007, bladder, prostrate and one kidney all with cancer removed, he was in and out of hospital in 2 weeks the doctors though he was marvelous for a man of 71. I can't see him doing that this time he just looks so ill.
Thanks once again for your kind words of encouragement Yvonne
-
You are both in my prayers...be strong.... :grouphug;
-
Oh geez mate
I only read this thread today
My heart is with you both
I am sending lots of love to you dear Yvonne and John
:grouphug; :grouphug;
:flower; :flower;
-
Oh dear Yvonne, I have gotten behind on this thread. I hope John regains his strength soon. :grouphug;
-
Yvonne, you said it best...you have to take it one day at a time. Hope for little victories each day and keep doing what you're doing and staying positive. As we all know, the older we get, the longer it takes to recover from things, so it may take John a little longer that's all. My thoughts are with you and I hope your next update brings good news.
I'm glad a lot of the snow melted. Where I'm from, in upstate NY, we are used to snow and cold in the winter and we still have a hard enough time driving in it, so I can imagine how it is there. Hopefully it'll get warmer and continue to melt so you don't have any issues getting to the hospital to visit. Take care.
-
:-(
Still sending positive thoughts to you both.
-
Hey Yvonne, I'm from the UK to and the weather sucks right now, it nice to look at but it very hard to travel. I hope John is feeling better and you can get to see him soon. Look forward to the updates..
-
They are thinking of putting John back in HDU as his heart went into fibrillation Monday night, they have increased his oxygen and are hoping that will sort things out. They say his bowel has gone to sleep as that had got caught up in his Hernia and was causing all the trouble, now they tell me. John is very ill he just sleeps all the time I am with him, I broke down yesterday when I was with him I told how much I love him, I needed him, please get better. What can I do, he is in their hands and I must trust them. Yvonne
-
Yvonne I feel for you. All you can do is be there and hope John knows you are there, talk to him, he will hear you.
At least if he's back in HDU he will get more attention and you will get to speak to someone to find out exactly what is going on. Yes you must trust them but you must also question them, they are not gods and can make mistakes so if you think things are wrong then speak up. I say this as my Aunt is seriously ill in ICU and her son was sure the nurse hadn't reconnected her pap mask properly, he queried it and she said it was correct. After a minute my Aunt was clearly struggling to breathe so he got another nurse - it wasn't connected properly and she sorted it. The first nurse apologised but what if my cousin hadn't beenthere or hadn't queried it. Also keep asking questions, over the years Dad has been in and out of hospital I've seen it's the patient with the family who ask the questions who gets the attention - you know the squeaking hinge gets the most oil or whatever that saying is!
Wishing for better things for you both :cuddle;
-
I agree Yvonne that you can ask questions and expect answers. I am sure that it means a lot to John when you are there, even if he is too weak right now to tell you. My dad has had some very low points with his heart and has healed, so I know it can happen. I think all you can do is take it day by day. Do you have some family support? I hope so.
-
Take care of you while John is in the hospital. I send prayers and best wishes to you both.
-
Dear Yvonne,
Constantly thinking of you and your wonderful
husband, sending many, many prayers and lots
of warm :cuddle; your way across the Atlantic.
Please do remember to take care of yourself, and
eat and rest.
Anne in NJ
-
Yvonne, just keep doing what you're doing....visiting and talking to John. Having you there, is a great comfort to him and even if he is sleeping or out of it, keep talking because on some level he hears you. During my mom's first stay in the hospital last year, she had a real low oxygen count and was basically asleep and out of it for a couple days, and we all took turns talking to her. At one point, I happened to be talking to her and all of a sudden she opened her eyes and responded to what I said so she must have been able to hear me.
So keep the faith and hopefully John will get better, and hearing your voice and knowing you're there will raise his spirits and be a great comfort to him. I hope you're taking care of yourself as well. We're all thinking about you.
-
I'm keeping you and John in my prayers. It is so hard to sit and feel helpless. Hold John's hand and keep talking to him. I am sure he loves to hear your voice. Take care and remember that people all around the world are praying for John. :grouphug;
-
Yvonne, Our prayers are with you both
:grouphug;
Alene and Rolando
-
Hoping for the best. :grouphug;
-
4th Feb. :ukflag; Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts and letters. They have all got through to John and he is on the road to recovery. I can't believe it, he was talking to me telling me how he thought he was about to die, but with my talk to him and all your prayers the day before, he said he feels so much better today. He was allowed a black coffee and an ice cream, he looked just like a little boy having a taste of his first ice cream, he made me cry. His Dr. came in while I was there and seemed so please John had pulled through, but it is going to take time he said he was not on the path but at the gates of heaven how funny to put it like that. It has made us both think how lucky John is. John's hernia had caused the bowel to strangulate, if they had not operated when they did, well we don't even want to think about that.
Thank you every one Yvonne
-
:clap; this is great news, Yvonne. It's been a difficult time, but hopefully John is on the way to a full recovery. :cuddle;
-
:grouphug; Yvonne. I am so happy to read your news. I know all to well about bowel surgeries and I will keep John and you in my thoughts and prayers. :cuddle;
-
Great news!!! I am so happy to hear John is doing much better; I hope he continues on the road to recovery.
Thanks for keeping us all updated. Look forward to hearing more good news soon
-
Yvonne, I'm so relieved to read that things are on the mend for John and ,by extension, for you. :cuddle; :grouphug; :cuddle;
-
GOOD NEWS
GOOD NEWS
Like a little boy eating his first ice cream.
That about covers it all for me.
May he and you continue in this positive recovery.
What a scary time this has been for you both. Hopefully them feelings will vanish from here on out.
I couldnt imagine going through what you went through. Or John.
Between you and me. I think the none sick people have a worse time of it all in these situations.
:waving; John FEEL BETTTER
-
6th Feb. :ukflag; John had a good night, but he said they keep coming in every half hour taking blood pressure and temperature. So I know they are keeping a very close eye of him. His surgeon came in to see him and he is so pleased, said he could now start eating light foods only until his bowel is working properly. He sits out of bed for a couple of hours now they have removed ALL tubes, the 2 in the neck were the worst for him. He's asking me to take in his papers and his cross words, so now I know he is on the mend.
I'm pretty sure all your prayers have reached him and helped him on the way thank you, what would I do without this site, Yvonne
-
:cheer: YES!
I hope he continues to improve! :cuddle;
-
So glad John's doing better. You've both been through a rough, rough time.
My prayers are still with you both.
Love, Mimi
-
woo hoo...great news. So glad he is improving each day. :yahoo;
-
Good for John. We'll keep praying for continued progress :2thumbsup;
-
Great news, Yvonne!
May John continue to get better and better
every day!
Anne
-
6th Feb. OH dear I hope I haven't spoke too soon, when I went into visit yesterday he hardly knew I was there, very confused when he did talk, but slept most of the time. I went down and asked what was wrong with John and they said he had had a busy morning doing exercises with the therapist, she came back into John's room and check his stats, she said they were fine he is just very tired. But I said why is he so confused talking a lot of rubbish, she said I will inform the Dr. she said I must expect good and bad days. It was very uncomfortable seeing him like that, as he was so good the day before. I can't wait to see what he is like today.
We had the snow back, last night when I left the hospital, had to get 2 buses back home but still got very wet. I have a 1/4 of a mile walk from the bus stop to home, it was dark and I was so cold when I got in, we are not used to this weather please someone make it go away. Yvonne
-
I guess you'll really have to take it one day at a time. Don't you have a neighbor or family member that can give you a ride? I am sorry it's been so tough. John is fortunate to have such devotion.
:grouphug;
-
:cuddle; for you mate
:cuddle; for John
Keep in mind that you both are fighters and have strength
I wish I lived close by and could take you to the hospital
You truely are a devoted and caring person
Bless you and John
:-* :-*
:flower; :flower;
-
:grouphug;
-
Hugs to you and John! :grouphug;
I am so sorry that the snow is adding
to your troubles, Yvonne. I do hope
you get no more snow
Am praying you find John better today
Annd
-
Checking in with a :cuddle; for you and one for John too :cuddle;. Hope the snow goes away.
-
:grouphug; :grouphug;
-
:grouphug;
-
Oh dear, what a rollercoaster you have been on. If only the weather would be better, it would at least make your trips easier. I keep praying for John, but I pray for you too. You need rest and someone to help. I wish I could drive you to see John and fix a nice pot of soup to make you warm. I hope today was a good day. We all care for you and John :grouphug;
-
:ukflag; 9.30 am Sat. 7th Feb. I phoned the hospital to see how John was, the nurse said he was as bright as a button and they maybe sending him hoe on Monday. I said what about yesterday when I left him, was he still confused and did you inform the Dr. she said there is nothing on his notes as far as she was concerned he was fine. I was pleased for John feeling fine but now I'm confused.
3am. Went in to see John he was just lying on the bed awake looking a bit confused. I said how are you, he said alright but where is every one else!!! Just then a Dr. came in and took 3 samples of blood from John, about 1/4 hour later another nurse came in to take another sample, she said the first one had funny readings, then another Dr. came in, they were talking not to us but each other, then they said to John have you ever suffered with Diabetes, he said no but his Dad had had it since being in a motor car accident when he was 30. They both went away and soon after the nurse came back and gave John a shot of insulin, she said that is why he is feeling so tired, thirsty and confused. She said she would be back in an hour to do another blood test and maybe give him another shot of insulin. NOW what do you all think of that, when I think back over the past few months John has often been confused and I was just bitting my tongue putting it down to his medical condition. Just think if I had not told them how confused John was they would just be brushing off his confusion with old age and sending him home without us ever knowing he might have Diabetes.
Is Diabetes connected to kidney failure??? Thanks once again for all your kind thoughts where would I be if I could not come on this site and unload my troubles Yvonne
-
Well, son of a gun. I'm surprised no one ever took a blood glucose
at one time or another.
And I'm glad you come here and share your thoughts :cuddle;
-
I guess diabetes can cause kidney failure. My mom was never diagnosed or found to have diabetes until after she had kidney failure and went on dialysis.
-
This is excerpted from Medhealth.
"Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure, accounting for more than 40 percent of new cases. Even when drugs and diet are able to control diabetes, the disease can lead to nephropathy and kidney failure. Most people with diabetes do not develop nephropathy that is severe enough to cause kidney failure. About 16 million people in the United States have diabetes, and about 100,000 people have kidney failure as a result of diabetes."
-
I was wondering if dialysis can cause diabetes. One time I reading the monthly bloodwork and the numbers were higher. I'd have to find that months bloodwork to see what it said but I remember asking my hubby if he now had diabetes. The numbers have now gone down.
My mom was diabetic and it did cause problems with her kidneys. When she was in the hospital at one time, her kidney function dropped but eventually went back up.
-
I thought blood sugar monitoring was almost routine. At least with our docs. :grouphug;
-
http://www.fda.gov/Diabetes/related.html
Here's some information on the common complications of diabetes. Heart disease is right at the top of the list and that is a very good reason to follow the healthiest diet possible, low in saturated fats.
-
:ukflag; 8th Feb. 3.pm I went in to see John today, they have connected him back up to his oxygen and now had another drip going in as they say he is dehydrated. The nurse said his glucose levels are fine now but they will do a fasting test on him first thing Monday morning. I know this hospital has saved John's life, when he was in HDU I felt he was safe, but I'm not sure now he is in this side ward, I'm sure they forget he is there. They told John if his Sats are reading fine they will send him home with a look at sending in a nurse every day to check him out. That's all very well but John can't even sit up without holding on to the side rails, that we do not have on the bed at home. I can't help him as I already have a bad back, so they must teach him how to manage that. I'd love to have him home, I'm sure I could get him back on his feet. But I will need help of some sort. Yvonne
-
I was thinking about his confusion, when you said he was talking gibberish (or something similar) and it reminded me about my mom when her sugar gets low. She doesn't make sense and she cannot figure out whats wrong. If we get her to drink juice she improves pretty quickly. Just a thought.
Hope each day shows improvement! :grouphug;
-
I am new and have not read all of this post but would like to add a comment about confusion in a patient while in the hospital. Please forgive me if I repeat something that has been covered.
Often when an older person is in the hospital they will become confused. Part of the reason is the constant noise and not being able to get a normal nights sleep. They might sleep for 10 minutes and think days have passed. All of the strange people telling them what to do also plays a big part in the confusion. Once they are back home they return to their pre hospital state of confusion or lack of it.
Changes in medications or combinations of meds can also contribute.
-
My heart goes out to you Yvonne. I also have a bad back.
When my mom was in the hosptial and her blood sugar went too high, she spoke gibberish too.
Big hugs to you both.
-
Yvonne, I am posting this link to give you an idea of what's available here in the US.
Perhaps the Uk has something similar?
http://www.specialtymedicalsupply.com/medical-supply/Bed-Rails/?gclid=CPmt8avtz5gCFRlcagodrjoF2w
-
:ukflag; 9th Feb. John has been taken off the drip and also the oxygen. He can walk a short way on his own to the toilet (all but they don't like him to in case he falls) he still looks very tired but spoke to me all the time I was there. Where the different Stoma nurses keep changing his bag, because it is sited right next to his operation site, they keep making it bleed. They have to renew his dressing every 2 days as I don't think it is healing very quick. His tummy is still very swollen and pleased to say his hands and legs have nearly gone back to normal.
Being a Sunday in hospital there is no one around to ask about whether he had his fasting blood test, John seems to think they did not do it, but as Auntie V said I think John's confusion is bought on by this long stay in hospital and one day blending into another. I'm sure he will be fine when he comes home, WELL last week I didn't think I would be saying that as he was so very ill, all this time they have been also testing his blood for his kidney Disorder and that has been holding out they said if his creatinine level reaches 900 then he would have been transfered to the renal hospital, the highest it got was 800 and has slowly been coming down from there. He must be one very strong determined man thankgoodness.
In England we have the British Red Cross and I think they would be able to help me with aids I may need for John.
I hope I can go in to see John today 10th Feb as we had rain all day yesterday and coming home on the bus was like going down a river, I felt sorry for the cars as the bus didn't slow down and the puddles were going all over them. If it keeps up all night , they may have to close off our 8 mile road until the floods subside. We live out on a peninsular, very nice in the summer but a bit bleak in rough weather. Thank you once again folks Yvonne
-
Glad John is doing better and able to at least get up and walk a little. Hope you get to see him today despite all the flooding
-
:ukflag; The hospital has let John come home as they think he will recover better, he has lost so much weight, but he still does not feel like eating, I suppose it is early days. His wound is still leaking so the District nurse is coming in every day to redress it. All he wants to do is stay in bed, but I know that is not good for him, but even when he gets up you can see how uncomfortable he is. They never ever did anymore test for diabetes, so pleased he has not got that. He is very quite not like John at all, and I think I know what he is thinking all the time. I must try and get him to think more positive but it's very hard, the family are coming down this weekend, so I hope he may improve by then.
Yvonne
-
glad he is home and hopefully that will lift his spirits as well as seeing the family this weekend; take it day to day and hopefully he'll improve a little each day. You're doing great Yvonne and continue to be positive and patient like you have been and that will go a long way. I do remember after one of my mom's longer hospital stays that when she got home, she ate almost nothing for a long time and slept most of the day for quite a while. It was real concerning but she eventually got more energy and appetite... it just took some time. So hopefully John will rebound soon and be more like his normal self.
Wishing you the best & keep us updated
-
Dear Yvonne,
Glad to see your John is home. Will pray that
he will imporve and grow stronger each day.
Sending warms :cuddle; to you both from
New Jersey, USA!!! :usaflag;
Anne
-
Home is always better then the hospital for recovery.
Hoping John returns to normal a.s.a.p.
At least you dont have to worry about travels anymore. And you yourself can get some rest as well.
More prayers and :cuddle; coming from
New jersey
P&K
-
I'm glad to hear he's home.
My heart goes out to the both of you.
Take care of yourself too.
:grouphug;
-
Hopefully the visit from the family will perk John up. :cuddle;
-
John and Yvonne :grouphug;
-
Hugs and kisses to you both now that he is home! :grouphug; :grouphug;
-
:ukflag; Thanks for your kind letters. Also Drinkboy you have put my mind at rest a little telling me about your Mum, the only thing the hospital told us he must not lie around in bed all the time as he may get a blood clot, that worries more than anything. I can't understand how anyone could sleep all day and all night. I have to wake him up to give him his breakfast in bed, the nurse comes in at 9.45am, I try to wash him, he stays in bed till dinner time, has a small amount of soup then goes back to bed, he might try and get up again for an hour in the afternoon. I don't know if I should get the doctor in as he always says he is cold, although our heating is on and most of the time when he is up he has this big blanket round him. Our local Dr. cannot do his kidney function test he will have to go to the renal unit for that but he is too ill to travel at the moment.
I really feel Iv'e been left out on a limb with John, no one around to reassure me he is going to get better. Yvonne
-
I really feel Iv'e been left out on a limb with John, no one around to reassure me he is going to get better. Yvonne
I pray John gets better, sending you comforting hugsss :grouphug;
-
You're right about the possibility of a blood clot, so do your best to get him up when you can. I know my dad had a hard time getting my mom up for breakfast and she would eat and go right back to bed within 15 minutes. She would usually stay there through her mid day pause exchange. Then, after pleading with her, he made her get up to go sit in her chair in the living room; and then she would nap on and off, but she could move her legs more easily from the sitting position and do very light leg exercises between napping there. It was a long few weeks of us forcing her to get out of bed to go to the chair. We figured that getting her sitting up was better than being in bed laying down and then she progressed little by little, but it was a slow process, especially getting her to eat more.
So maybe if you could get John up to a favorite chair for a few hours a day and then he could move his legs a little between napping. Hopefully you can build on that. I know how frustrating it is to watch him sleep so much and also not eat much. It is very draining emotionally as well as physically to have to plead everyday to get him up. So please try and get as much rest as you can, and eat properly so you are as healthy as you can be.
Wishing you the best :grouphug;
-
Hi, Yvonne!
I agree with everything Drinkboy
has previously posted. Tryto get John to
move around as much as you can -
And plse take care of yourself
Anne
-
:grouphug;
Dear mate
You truely are a wonderful carer
I admire your strength and ability to support and care for John
I hope John gets stronger so you can get to the renal clinic
I agree that it is heart wrenching and tiresome to motivate our loved ones
Drinkboy has certainly given you some wonderful advice and support
I have no words of wisdom but
I send lots of love and prayers to you both
Here's some flowers for you too
:flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower; :flower;
-
Yvonne I was just wondering, what does the nurse actually do? I ask because the District Nurses have been asked to come and see Dad now he's home, well they came Thursday and were no use at all . I was at work - they just turned up, but whatever Mum asked for in the way of help they said they didn't do!! All they did was look at his foot and say 'that looks sore' - he either has gout or circulatory problems, I wanted him to see the GP but he was so convinced the nurse would sort it, well she's done b***er all!! Now I have to try to get him to the GP on a Tues or Thurs (non dialysis days) and that means a day off work as our GP have very limited surgery hours.
Dad is always cold, he would lie in bed all day if Mum didn't encourage him to get up (or he has to get up to go to dialysis) I know his circulation is very poor so maybe that's one of John's problems. I think poor circulation causes cold and also tiredness as the oxygen isn't being circulated as well as it should (just my theory).
I hope things improve for you :grouphug;
-
Hi Rose, the only reason the nurse comes in is to redress John's wound. Where they operated this time and last time (about a 10 inch cut running down his tummy) it will not heal, just leaking all the time. The nurse says that is good shows all the infection is coming out. I suppose she knows best, I'm not aloud to touch it but she asked me to pick up this cream from the chemist, when I read the insructions it says apply 3 times a day, she only comes in once a day !!!!!!!! I asked her if she could take John's blood pressure and temperature but she said she's only allowed to attend the wound. I must phone up the doctor or try to take him to the surgery, no way John's not back on his feet yet. As it was I had to cancell his renal check up that was for the 13th Feb. and are waiting for them to send me another. I wish they had transfered him to the Queen Alexandra hospital to do the big operation he has just had and then they could of kept an eye on his kidney function.
You know if the Dr. had taken note of us keep telling them how big John's Hernia was getting instead of keep supling him with different sorts of belts this would not of happened, he landing up nearly dieing with a strangulated bowel, if I had left him to the morning the Dr. said he would not of been here.
I do hope your Dad improves love and hugs Yvonne
-
It's a nightmare isn't it, I've no idea why the nurse comes to Dad (he doesn't have a wound) as she too 'isn't allowed' to do anything and they never offer to get the GP to call or suggest any help at all. She's coming once a month,I suppose it's a nice trip out for her!! We are in the same boat that if the GP had acted sooner (when Dad first went to him 8 years ago) we believe his kidney may have been saved, but we can't prove a thing and anyway even if we could it's done now. All we can do is the best we can with the hand we've been dealt.
Thinking of you :grouphug;
-
Thanking about you and sending love...
-
Sunday 10.30am The nurse came in again today to dress John's wound, she is not happy with it as it has now opened up in 2 places. She's coming in every day to change the dressings. On Monday she wants to take some swabs and take a picture of it !!!! She is also going to ask the Dr. if he will prescribe John some forty fide drinks, he was having them in hospital and is asking for them again. He is hardly eating at all and still sleeps most of the day and night. I managed to get him up for an hour today but he is so weak, and I am so worried about him.
Yvonne
-
Yvonne, do you take John's temperature?
A rise in temperature would be an indication
of an infection.
I can't believe the Nurse is limited to
changing dressings....I'm really confused about that.
I'm wondering why she couldn't draw labs too.
Now, as far as John not eating, maybe some low sodium
broth. (You know the old saying about chicken broth)
A bit of apple sauce or gelatin, he needs to eat
to help him heal.
Oh my, please take care..... :cuddle; ...and keep updating
deborah
-
Yvonne,
I am not sure if this will help...I know for years my mom used Boost ( an energy drink ) and then she eventually went on a high protein powder drink mix, called Beneprotein. That helped her get some protein and calories that she was missing from not eating much. Maybe one of John's doctors can suggest something like that and it could help? In any case, I hope his wound heals and gets better because that is high priority.
I am looking forward to a good update soon ;D
-
How about Ensure? The nutritionist ordered and sent this for my hubby. He can also add his protien power to it....seems to help on the days he can't eat much.
Big hugs to you Yvonne.
:grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug;
-
-.
I can't believe the Nurse is limited to
changing dressings....I'm really confused about that.
I'm wondering why she couldn't draw labs too.
-
We're having the same issues with nurses, whatever we ask they say 'we aren't allowed to do that' or 'we don't do that' ............it seems that they can change dressings or remove stitches and that's your lot. Perhaps it's different in the US but in the UK it seems the same story in many instances. I can't see any point in them coming to Dad once a month as he has no dressings for them to change, I really do think it's just a day out! And 2 of them come together, why? The only thing I can think is that they are coming into people's houses and need to be witness for one another, sad reflection on society if that's true.
Yvonne I hope things will take a turn for the better real soon. :cuddle;
-
Monday 16th Nurse came in today and took swabs said it would take 2 days for results, it's opened up even more today, I'd be scared to move if it was me, but lucky for John he is lying down and can't see it. I had a call from the Dr. at 2pm to say come down and pick up a prescription for the Nutricia Fortijuce High energy drink. Off I went, gave the prescription to Lloyds chemist, the chemist man came out and said sorry we don't keep these drinks in they have to be ordered, so I took the prescription off to Boots the chemist and they said the same thing so I left it with them and I can pick them up on Wednesday. The only other drink I could get him is Complan. I have also asked the nurse if she could arrange some one to come in and do a blood test for his kidney function, but she said I have to arrange that myself with the Dr.
:Kit n Stik;
-
Oh Yvonne isn't our system just so frustrating :banghead;
Dad had those drinks but didn't like them much, I don't know if you were offered them but they also do a type of dessert in about 4 flavours and he got on much better with those. Again they have to be ordered in by the chemist so if you think John would like them then I'd suggest you get on to the GP for a prescription asap.
Life seems just one long battle at times. :cuddle;
-
Hi Yvonne, you doing a wonderful job, but please look after yourself too.
I understand it must be difficult but please try and encourage John to get up moving around. When i had my transplant I was in hospital for sometime and I didn't get up much myself my blood count was so low, I was depressed and very poorly and because I didn't get up and move around enough I ended up with DVT and an pulmonary embolism.... but thanks to getting short of breath and getting to the hospital in time they managed to save me... so please I encourage you to encourage John to move about a much as possible, because you don't need more worry...
One Love
H :flower;
-
:ukflag; I really am trying to make John move around but I'm turning into one big nag. He just tells me to leave him alone, says he will be alright as soon as he feels better. If he does get up it's just to sit in a chair and the longest he does that for is an hour and then it's back to bed. The nurse tells him he will get bed sores if he doesn't get up more. We should get the results of the swab today hopefully. He has started on his Fortysips drink the Dr. said he could have. We know what he really could do with is lots of eggs, cheese and milky food but that is not good for the kidney function, I wish we could get that checked out. I think that would put John's mind at rest.
Thanks every one Yvonne
-
John might be in a bit of bodily shock from all of the surgery
and his brain is telling him so.. That is a good thing in a way,
when you consider John's age and medical set backs.
Keep making him get up into the chair, tell him it's therapy, it's called dangleling. "John, we have to
get up and do a little dangleling"...doesn't that sound funny? However, it's so important.
Just sitting up at the side of the bed will
get his heart pumping and his lungs expanding..and hopefully engaging his appetite, plus
sending oxygentated blood to his extremities.
Now...
I wish you were my neighbor! ......Yvonne, you are doing an excellent job!
Truly comforting HUGS for all that you do :grouphug;
-
Yvonne,
Keep it up..you're doing great. At least getting John up to the chair for an hour is better than nothing. As Breezy said, even sitting up in bed, especially sitting on the edge with legs hanging over for a little while is good. Hopefully each day will get a little better, and when you get the energy drinks, that should help too.
I know it's tough to keep nagging him to get out of bed or sit up or eat, etc, but it's a necessary evil. I know when my mom was going through this same situation, there were times when we had to back off a little but you still have to keep on them.
Remember to take care of yourself too.
-
You're doing a great job Yvonne. I'm sending you lots and lots of love... :grouphug;
-
John woke up Wednesday morning being very sick and running a temperature. I left him for a while knowing the nurse would be here soon, but sods law she didn't turn up at her usuale time, so I called the Dr. to come out. I rang the Renal unit and they said it doesn't sound like kidney failure see what the Dr. says. The nurse turned up at 11.45am she didn't change John's dressing as it had not leaked through, but she said see what the Dr. says. The Dr. arrived at 1.30pm examined him and scratch her head. She said she won't give him antibiotics because she didn't know what is wrong with him, she took a sample of urine, which I had to do because she had never handled a urostomy bag. She left saying she would phone back latter to see how he is. She did phone back at 5pm to say the results of the swab had proved he did not have an infection in the wound, but the urine results will not be back until Friday. The renal unit rang me back to ask how John was and said I must make sure his blood was taken on Thursday. John's temperature dropped as the day went on but he did not feel well enough to even sit up on his own. He had a good nights sleep and on Thursday a nurse came in to take his blood, she wanted to do it from his right arm but I said she couldn't because of the fistula she said she had never heard of that before !!!! anyway she tried to take it from his left arm and it took her ages infact the last sample , the main one for the kidney function she could only get a small amount. Poor John we had to put an ice pack on his arm after that to stop it swelling up. Away she went and then the other nurse came in to change John's dressing. Away she went and then a Dr. came in to check on John, all said they do not know why he had been so sick on Wednesday but I must call them if I am worried again. I have had to change John's dressing 3 times since the nurse came as for some reason the bags keep leaking, and the urine is soaking into his dressings. I will phone the Stoma nurse today to see if she had any suggestions as to what I can do, I'm feed up with all the washing of John's clothes and bedding that it is making.
John was a lot better on Thursday managed to get him to sit up shave himself, and then sit out for an hour. He badly needs a hair cut, hair wash and a shower, maybe next week. It's so difficult doing bedbaths.
I dropped a hint to the nurse hoping she may suggest a nurse could come in to do a bed bath for him. Oh well I'll just try and manage on my own. Yvonne
-
Yvonne you have my sympathies. Ask Social Services about the bathing, Mum asked the nurses and they said "we don't do personal care" [We are still trying to find out what they do do!!] "social services will have to arrange that" - but they didn't give Mum any contact details which was really useful :sarcasm;
No-one seems to care or to take responsibility for carrying anything through and you're very much left on your own. Sendig you a hug because I know what it's like and how much you need one :cuddle; wish I lived nearer. xx
-
Yvonne, You are such a loving, caring wife. I am sure you are exhausted and need some time for yourself. I wish so much we could all come over and give you some help. We all think you are incredible and John is so fortunate to have you in his life. Sending you love and good thoughts :grouphug;
-
Friday, the nurse came in as usuale to change John's dressing, John made all the excuses why he wasn't going to get up, so I left him till dinner time. Made him get up to eat a little dinner then soon after he went back to bed again, he said he didn't feel well, I said shall I get the Dr. he said no. 5.30pm the Dr. rang me to say she had the results of his blood and the urine and both are showing signs something is wrong. She is making arrangements for him to go back into hospital, she said it's not urgent but thinks we should try and find out why he is not healing and getting better. I felt a sigh of relief, I wanted him to go in on Wednesday as both John and I knew something was not right with his body, he has been out of Hospital for 10 days now and no sign of improvement. I'll keep you updated as to how he is Yvonne
-
Yvonne, You are doing an amazing job of keeping up your spirits and energy during this trying time. That must be an enormous comfort to John even if he is not well enough to tell you. I also hope they will diagnose John's condition soon. It's infuriating when you know something is wrong but the medical team can't figure it out. I've seen this with my own father. :grouphug;
-
Yvonne I'm glad John is going back into hospital, I know it's not nice to be in there but it really is the best place when he's so poorly. It will give you a bit of respite too, I know you will have to travel to visit but at least you can sleep at night and you know someone is keeping an eye on him, the responsibility of looking after someone who is ill is enormous. The days are pulling out and I hope the weather is improving with you (it is here, the sun is shining and it's almost spring like).
We all care about you and I know what you are up against with the NHS as we have a lot of the same issues.
Stay strong and let us know how you are when you can.
Rose xx
-
It is good news that John is going back to the hospital. You need others to help take care of him and maybe you can get a little rest. Keep us posted. :cuddle;
-
:grouphug;
Sending lots of love and :bestwishes; to you both
I too am glad John is in hospital. Now lets hope they can figure out what's going on and he starts to get better
It must be bloody frustrating putting up with the medical system there
You are such a wonderful person
Take a little time for yourself mate while John is in hospital
-
Saturday I can't believe it, I went in to visit John and it was like looking at someone else he looked quite well. The Dr.'s were thinking of operating on him again to renew the scare, but after having 3 X rays on his tummy they decided to leave the wound alone and just have it dressed every day the same as the district nurse did it in the first place. They had put him on a drip for 12 hours (of what I do not know, as it was down when I arrived) said that he had became dehydrated and would now start feeling well and may be able to come home on Sunday.
John said they had tried to take blood from his left arm but could not find any veins so they have taken it from the arm with the fistula. Will this be OK as we were always told blood or blood pressure should never ever be taken from this arm????? Yvonne
-
Yvonne, dehydration is a dangerous thing and I'm happy to hear that they have acted on that. He needs to drink more if he can. We have a standing order for the outpatient clinic for IV fluids because Len sometimes can't seem to drink enough. The really shouldn't be using his fistula for blood draws UNLESS they know what they are doing, we were told we should only let a dialysis nurse do it, but when I take Len for labs since I did he's dialysis, they let me draw from his graft, I'm more careful and clean the site better then any nurse I have seen. I pray that things make a turn here for John and he starts really feeling better. Take care of yourself too. :cuddle;
-
:ukflag; Monday morning 7.30 UK time. I had a phone call from John at 9.30am Sunday morning. Said the Dr. had been round and he could go home today, would I bring in his clothes. I said to him I will give it a couple of hours, as we know from experience how long they take to discharge a patient. I got there about 11.45am. John was still in bed not looking that good, I ask him what was the matter and he said he had ask the nurse twice if she could change his dressing ready for discharge. She told John he was not top of the list she had much sicker patient to deal with than he, he must wait. So I sat down and waited till 12.30pm then I caught her eye and asked the same question, she told me in a very rude manner she was short staffed and she was in the middle of saving 3 patients that were dying. I said OK I'll come back at 3pm. I went off for a car ride, came back at 3pm and John was still lying there.
He said the Dr. had been in and told him his notes were now ready to go. So I found this nurse and said can you give me some indication of when you might find time to change John's dressing, she thew her hands in the air saying she hasn't got time she was now in the middle of putting up a blood transfusion for a patient. I said to save time just give me the new dressing I can do it I have done it many times at home, she said I was not allowed to touch it, I said can I talk to someone in charge, she said there was no one and off she stormed.
I sat there until 4pm I felt like pulling out my hair, then a nice male nurse came in, I said do you think you could change John's dressing please, he said he was not allowed either, I said in that case we were just walking out, he said hold on I see what I can do, within 10 minutes the head staff nurse came in she kept saying thank you for being so patient, I said I had not been patient we have just experienced the most traumatic day and has not done John any good or me. she had John's dressing changed and within a 1/4 of an hour of her coming in we were now on our way home got home at 5.45pm. John wanted to go straight to bed but I said no he had been in bed all day he must sit up for at least an hour. He does not look at all well again and the hole in his wound is even bigger now, the dressing the staff nurse put on fell off and I had to redo it. I went to bed last night but could not sleep as I was just going over the days events, got up at 1.30 because there was a knock on my door, it was an old lady from up the road that had decided to go walkies and had got lost could I take her home. I put on my dressing gown and shoes and took her back to where she lived, she had come out and shut the door and couldn't get back in, I walked her back to where she lived and tried banging on the door to wake her husband up she said he was hard of hearing and wouldn't hear me. I went back to my place and dialed 999 they said they would not come out I had to get a lock smith, I said this women in nothing to do with me and I have a sick husband to care for, they still did not want to know. I knocked up another friend from down the road and asked her if she could help me with this old lady. We both walked round the bungalow until we found an open window and I just kept shouting for the husband, he did in the end wake up and asked me what was I up to trying to break in, I said I have your wife here will you open the door and let her in. It took him ages to come to the door as he is blind ( I didn't know that) He told us to take her in and put her to bed I think he thought we were his helpers that come in every day. Well you can imagine that toped off my day really well that was all I needed, I think I am now going away to have a nervous breakdown. Yvonne. :Kit n Stik;
-
OMG that is horrible!!! Poor Yvonne.. you've had it all thrown at you all day and night and all you've tried to do is help and not be a pain to anyone!!!! I send you hugs from down under. I know that isn't much but I feel so horrid just READING your story and how good you were being - specially with the short staffed nurse. I mean geez if they can't run a department that's surely not YOUR problem. I think I would have gotten so frustrated I would have.. oh well I don't know what I would have done since you did all the right things - being patient, then asking to see the nurse manager/sister/whatever they call them there and got fobbed off. I understand changing a dressing is a minor thing compared to a lot of work nurses have to do but honestly you'd think they could take the 5-10 minutes (whatever) it takes to get John out of that bed because I'm sure they could have used it for another patient. I guess this is one of those situations where you abuse the NHS! As for the old woman who you just tried to help when you'd had so much already.. I admire your patience and willingness to help. Karrma is set to come back and reward you when you least expect it. The universe must work that way.
I really hope John will be OK!! You are such a fighter!!! :grouphug;
-
Yvonne, I'd be contacting the CEO of the hospital to inform them about the way the nurse treated the both of you.
I hope today is better for you and John.
:grouphug; :flower;
-
wow, Yvonne you have really had quite a weekend to go along with everything else. I admire your patience in all this, especially with that old woman and taking the time to help with that situation. You are handling everything so well and you certainly deserve a break and some good news. Hopefully, you'll get both soon enough. I wish you and John the best and I look forward to hearing a good update on John.
-
:urcrazy; weekend.
You have much strength and patience to say the least.
I hope both you and John can get some Rest in the NEAR future.
Godbless you both your in my prayers.
P&K
-
Oh Yvonne how awful, as if you don't have enough worries. The hospital story doesn't surprise me at all, that's the way our NHS is these days but surely the Police should have come out to that old lady - I hope you've had a more restful Monday and that John is recovering :cuddle;
-
Boy Yvonne you really need a break hun... I'm glad John is home, take care. :grouphug;
-
:grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug; more hugs, try to take care of yourself too
-
Thinking of you and John, Yvonne, and hoping things have improved. :cuddle;
-
Hi thanks everyone. I did write a letter and posted off to PALS. John didn't want me to post it as he said if ever he has to go to that ward again they will give him a hard time. I said we have to do it John for the sake of other patients, this nurse must learn how to handle peoples emotions as well as there well-being.
John's wound is still not healing, but it has stopped discharging a bit. The Comunity nurse comes in once a day to dress it, on Tuesday she put on stitch like plaster on another part of the wound s she said that looks as though that might dehiss as well. Poor John he looks like a little child lying in his bed looking really sorry for himself. I take him in his breakfast at 9am, the nurse comes in at 11am and John gets up for dinner at 12.30pm manages to stay up till 2pm then goes back to bed until the next day. Says he still feels very ill but can't put his finger on it. He is very quite as well, that's not John he is normally so chatty, I can remember in the old days he used to drive me round the bend he never stopped talking and giving advice, I wish I could have the old John back. You never know what is waiting round the corner for you do you. Thanks again for you kind letters Yvonne.
-
Thanks for the update. At least his wound is not discharging as much, so that's a little step in the right direction. I always used to look for little victories and build on those, so hopefully he continues improving. Glad to hear he is up for almost a couple hours anyway. Keep being patient and hopefully things will get a little better each day or week. John will be driving you up the wall soon enough with his chatter ;D ...you're doing a great job
-
Yvonne I too had to get in touch with PALS to intervene on two separate hospitalizations for Dad. Neither time was he treated badly because of it so tell John not to worry, in fact last time he was there he received the best attention he ever has - which may just be coincidence??
We are having a tough time too so I know what you are going through and am keeping you in my thoughts. :cuddle;
-
Thanks Rose, I will tell John about your letter to put his mind at rest, I do hope your Dad improves. John is 73 do you think because of age the hospitals put them to the back? Another thing the nurses often point out the price of different medication they use on John, like a water proof film she put over John's wound she said thats another £5.00 worth. John said to her I am 73 and have paid NI for over 50 years. The hole in John's wound is packed with a silver padding every day goodness knows how much that must cost, but it seems to be doing the job. It has almost stopped leaking but not getting any smaller in fact it looks bigger. I'd be frightened of moving about if I had that wound, so I think that is why John stays in bed most of the day and night. He sleeps most of the time and they say that in it's self is a healing process. Yvonne
-
Dear Yvonne,
Just wanted to send you a :grouphug;
and let you and John know you are in my
thoughts and prayers.
Anne
-
Hello Yvonne:
I am frustrated beyond words that John's nurses feel the need to point out the cost of medical supplies used.
I would be firmly advising them to stick to their job: nursing. Not nursing with salt added to the wound, so to
speak. John has earned his NI benefits; working for over 50 years. Good grief!!
Has the leaking stopped? Is John eating better?
With John staying in bed, I am wondering if he uses an Incentive Spirometer?
It's a medical tool to help minimize fluid build up in the lungs. You breathe into
it several times a day to raise a ball up to a certain goal. In a way it mimics the
normal activity of breathing, as if John were up moving about. Here is a pic of
one:
(http://i41.tinypic.com/2nnkap.jpg)
Stay strong and shush those nurses up! That is abuse in my opinion.
:grouphug;
-
It was 4 weeks ago yesterday that John had his life saving operation. The nurse came in yesterday and was pleased with the wound and now only needs to come in every other day. She's also put on a water proof dressing so John could get in a shower now. He is looking a little better and staying up a little longer but any excuse and he is back to bed. His eating is improving, I don't ask him what he wants, as he will just say he is not hungry, I just cook it and put it in front of him, I don't load up the plate only small portions and he seems to be enjoying food now. At last I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for all your kind words, what would I have done without you all, Yvonne
-
Baby steps, little by little, he's making progress. i am glad to hear he is eating - I think that's encouraging - take care Yvonne!
-
Very good news, Yvonne!
I was so glad to read that John is
improving a little bit at a time.
Remember to take care of yourself, also-
:cuddle; to both of you!
Anne
-
This is good news Yvonne. I am happy for you and John. :cuddle;
-
Good to hear that John is improving. Hope you can find time to rest now Yvonne. :grouphug;
-
Just step by step now Yvonne. :grouphug;
-
glad to hear that John is improving, in particular his eating. That is great news, and hopefully he will continue to progress. Please make sure you are getting enough rest and eating well yourself. Keep doing what you're doing and take it one day at a time.
-
Glad to hear John is improving some. :cuddle;
-
John is so much better now, thank you all for your surport through out these last weeks, what would I have done with out you all.
John's only troulble now is he keeps being constipated, he takes specail medicine every day but he gets so uncomfortable, and I know he is in a lot of pain. I do hope it is nothing to do with the strangulated Hernia they operated on him for. He has a follow up appointment on the 19th March so if he can last out that long he will tell the Dr. what he keeps going through.
He is eating and drinking normal now and walks around the garden to get some exersize. Take care Yvonne
-
Hi Yvonne, it's good to be back on here isn't it! Glad things are improving, don't let John suffer in pain too long, get him to the GP before his follow up if you think there's a problem - you know how long it can take to get an appointment! Look after yourself :cuddle;
-
Glad to hear things are improving. :cuddle;
-
great news Yvonne; glad to hear things are getting better and John is improving. Your patience and positive thinking paid off. I hope things continue to go well.
-
You did a great nursing job! :grouphug; :guitar:
-
What good news! I am so glad for John and for you. Spring is coming and John is feeling better -- life is good. :grouphug;
-
This is very encouraging!! Glad to hear it (well ok.. read it) :)
-
Good to hear things have improved.
Big hugs to the both of you.
-
Hi John is doing so well now the nurse is only coming in twice a week now to dress the wound, still a fairly big hole but it is healing from the inside so it's not so deep. He is back to eating a good size meal, so hopefully he will gain some weight. He is trying to walk 4 times round our garden every day. He has a hospital appointment on the 19th with the surgeon who did the operation and we have lots of questions for him. His next appointment with the Renal clinic is on the 26th March so hope all is well there. Take care every one Yvonne
-
So, so glad to read your last post, Yvonne!!!!
Wonderful news, for you and your John!
:yahoo; :clap; :clap; :yahoo; :yahoo;
Anne
-
:thumbup; Yvonne. Reading your last post really made my heart happy. :cuddle;
-
:clap; Hi John had his 6 weeks follow up appointment yesterday, at the hospital that did the strangulated Hernia operation. The Surgeon that did John's op. could not believe it when he saw John walking in, looking so well. He said you were one lucky man that night when it all happened, we did a good job but it was touch and go. He has signed John off :clap; I can't believe it I'm so pleased.
He has his Renal clinic check up next Thursday, so lets hope all is well there. Yvonne :thx;
-
I'm so delighted to hear this news. Both you and John deserve this good break. :grouphug;
-
Yvonne, such wonderful news! It is good to hear that John is finally making an improvement. Now you can both take a deep breathe and rest a bit. Give John a hug from us :grouphug;
-
That's great news Yvonne. :2thumbsup;
-
glad to hear he is doing so well- I have been reading your story for a while now, my best wishes are with you :flower;
-
Wonderful news about John!!!
Yvonne, you did a great job taking
good care of him, sending you some
:flower; :flower; :flower;
Anne
-
Yvonne...
That's great news... :thumbup;
I have felt for you so much during the past few weeks... I empathise with you.... I've had such a roller-coaster ride with Mum for the last while... I'm very pleased that it's working out for you and John... :clap;
Give yourself a pat on the back... You're one in a million... :bestwishes;
God bless you...
Love....
Darth..
-
Thanks for the note Darthvadar, you made ME feel really good. I hope your Mum is on the mend and will soon feel as well as John.
It was Mothering Sunday here in the UK and the family all came down for the day and everyone couldn't believe how well John looked.
Thanks everyone for getting me through this Love Yvonne :cheer:
-
You're MORE than welcome, Yvonne...
I'm delighted to hear that John's doing so well... By the way, if that's him in the pic, he's a handsome chap!...
Mum's in better form, thank God... The new dialysis regime seems to be suiting her... She's eating now...
Please keep me informed about John... I'd really like to follow up...
God bless you both...
Darth...
-
:grouphug; Prayers and hugs coming your way. Remember to take care of yourself at this time as well.
-
:thumbup; :yahoo; :2thumbsup;
So glad to read this.
:grouphug; to you both
-
I am glad to read that John is doing well! Great job caring for him, Yvonne :cheer: Stay healthy, be happy, life is good. :flower;
-
John had his Renal check up on Friday. They are very pleased with his weight and the way he is looking. Took about 6 files of blood and said they would see him in 1 months time. I went on line today to see his results and they are the best they have read in ages.
Creatinine is 406 Urea 12.9 and Plats 300. He is one lucky man and we love that one remaining kidney. Yvonne
-
:clap; Great stuff Yvonne, long may it continue.
-
This is great news Yvonne. After all of the things the two of you have been through, you deserve this time to enjoy life. :cuddle;
-
I forgot to say on John's last check up at Renal clinic I ask what % John's kidney was working at, the Dr said 11%.
She said as we get older it decreases anyway, I'm 67 she said mine is working at probably 80%. I was quite shocked at John's, do you think that is good or bad.
-
Am I right in thinking John hasn't started dialysis yet?
11% is pretty borderline. Originally 5+ years ago I was told they usually start patients at 10% - others start earlier and some start later (I got to 6%) - the main thing is how he is feeling as much as what the labs report. If he's feeling OK in a renal sense of things (I know all his other problems have clouded things, unfortunately) then 11% is (relatively) good I would say! :)
-
It sounds as though D is getting very close Yvonne. Everyone's different as to the percentage of function left when they start. Depends on just how awful we feel, but it isn't a good idea to push it too low and risk getting too too sick, in my opinion.
-
Thanks. No John has not started dialysis yet. He always looks ill around his eye's to me and his breath smells of urine.
The Stoma nurse has given him a new urostomy bag to wear, as since his operation the old ones would not stick and in the middle of the night I would have to get up and change all the bedding. This new bag has quite a big thin waterproof see through plaster to hold it on, John said it is so comfortable he can hardly feel it. BUT now it's a job to remove, as before with the old one he had to change it every other day, this new one looks as though it could last for a week or more!. Yvonne
-
The ammonia smell and taste of the breath was one of the last straws for me. I started D very soon after that.