Robster and I need help

[mike carey]

This is from the GoFundMe FAQ page:

Once your fundraising campaign begins receiving online donations, you can easily request a withdrawal at any time. Don't worry, withdrawing money does not affect the progress meter that's displayed on your GoFundMe campaign. Simply click the 'Withdraw' button inside your GoFundMe account and follow the on-screen instructions. You can withdraw your balance directly to your bank account. US users may also request a check.

[+ purplekow]

For the audience at home, and not meant to minimize this thread nor hijack it: Just some clarifications as to what ICU psychosis is like:

 

@purplekow, youand I need to compare notes. I don't know which was stranger:

• Being on a Russian Submarine and deciding [with the First Mate] to pull a joke on the Captain. My part: Pull out my NGtube at midnight. WHich I did.
  
• Having to clean the recessed lighting at the Fraternity, while wearing white gloves (which were my restraints). Also, using said gloves to pour glasses of draft beer for the brotherhood.
  
• Calling the Evening Nurse in the Operating room and Demanding that she bring me a Diet Dr. Pepper:
  
  • [after my own nurse ripped the phone from me]: He can't have that! He's having nothing by mouth!
    
  • [evening nurse]: Oh, I know, I've been keeping tabs on him. Is he doing ok?
    
  • [iCU nurse]: mostly, I guess, but he keeps SINGING!
    
  • [evening OR nurse]: Oh, no, THAT's Okay. He does that.
    

  [*]Having some apparatus being placed around my head to administer 40 liters per minute of oxygen to my lungs. I have no idea what they were doing, but I thought they were drilling into my sinuses. When tehy were done, I opened my eyes to see a woman in a hijab placing some tape. I called my best friend and Health Care Proxy, and told her to get HER lawyer on the phone, as they had OBVIOUSLY performed a medical procedure without my permission, and I wanted to sue.

  [*]Getting completely HOOKED on the "relaxation TV" station. Old 19" CRT, and me with one eye normal, the other requiring -4.00 diopter contact lens. I was told I would start at it for HOURS

  • At night, they showed star fields, which weren't quite contiguous, and never quite seems continuous, either.
    

Wayne, DO go over a medication check with the nurses. He may need a little something to make him a little happier, but ... please note my comment about Dilaudid above.

 

I hope Rob is getting better; eating normally (even if that means via a stomach tube); pain under control. If you can get him to sit by a window during normal hours, that will do him a world of good.

Consider reading to him ... something he likes, and preferable knows at least a little. My favourite would have been any of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by the late DOuglas Adams.

Just to be clear, since it seems my previous post was not, I was not suggesting I had ICU psychosis. I was making the point that even with conditions which do not have an association with mental status alterations and even without drugs that can blunt normal brain function, being in the ICU can cause otherwise reasonably sane people to get irritable and irrational.

[+ Socalguy]

I'm not sure how these things work, but you may have to close the GOFUNDME account out to get the money from it. If that's the case, adn you need more help, jsut open another GOFUNDME and let us know. I'm sure response would be equally as forthcoming.

Thanks, the gofundme page actually initiates a withdrawal every evening without me having to do anything. Also, thanks for the info on the psychosis. I was getting concerned last night when he was still having some issues distinguishing reality from fantasy but the good thing is he knows now that he is suffering from it and is mostly irritated by it. I do want to talk to the doctor about it today though if it is still happening. Currently, he is not on any pain meds at all but they will give him fentenyl if he requests it which he doesn't because he has a very high pain threshold. If it was me, I would be requesting it every 10 minutes From what I read, sensory deprivation can add to it and they have him wearing these contact like rings in his eyes to prevent damage to the cornea but they practically make him blind. Everything is too blurry to see so I'm wondering if that is adding to the issue. I plan on assessing him this morning and taking it from there.

 

... being in the ICU can cause otherwise reasonably sane people to get irritable and irrational.

So there were reasonably sane people in the ICU at the same time as you? :D

[+ Truereview]

Thanks, the gofundme page actually initiates a withdrawal every evening without me having to do anything. Also, thanks for the info on the psychosis. I was getting concerned last night when he was still having some issues distinguishing reality from fantasy but the good thing is he knows now that he is suffering from it and is mostly irritated by it. I do want to talk to the doctor about it today though if it is still happening. Currently, he is not on any pain meds at all but they will give him fentenyl if he requests it which he doesn't because he has a very high pain threshold. If it was me, I would be requesting it every 10 minutes From what I read, sensory deprivation can add to it and they have him wearing these contact like rings in his eyes to prevent damage to the cornea but they practically make him blind. Everything is too blurry to see so I'm wondering if that is adding to the issue. I plan on assessing him this morning and taking it from there.

 

 

So there were reasonably sane people in the ICU at the same time as you? :D

Wayne, what are you doing to keep yourself rested and cared for?

[+ Socalguy]

Hi True, I'm doing ok. I'm averaging about 6½ - 7 hours of sleep a night. I'm feeling a little run down but the end goal is in sight so I should be good until then. Right now the hospital is about a 45 minute drive. They are talking about transferring to either one that is about the same distance away or one that is only about 20 minutes away. We are of course hoping for the closer one but it all depends on which one has an open bed. I should hopefully know more today or tomorrow. Till then, I'm hanging in there. Facebook and this forum is truly saving my sanity (well, what I had to begin with).

[+ Truereview]

Glad FB and the forum help. Maybe you could take one hour to soak in a hot shower,walk on the beach, get a foot massage or binge on an escapist tv show? Whatever helps you recharge. I usually go for a soccer match or a jog ..but I must admit eating a fat burrito takes my mind off any stressor...

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/06/01/1226067/356512-man-eats-1-kilo-burrito.jpg

[rvwnsd]

Hey there, Wayne.

 

In late 2007 and early 2008 my mom suffered a stroke and was subsequently hospitalized several times. It became apparent that the complications of dementia (which he managed to overcome by the grace of God during Round 2 of mom's travails) combined with extreme grief rendered my dad useless. In addition, my sister-in-law was in the sixth month of a difficult pregnancy, leaving my brother out-of-pocket. So, I took it upon myself to handle mom (a/k/a "our little patient"), dad (a/k/a "our little pan in the ass"), and my brother (a/k/a "our little superman").

 

During Round 1, my days consisted of waking up, eating, getting my dad, shuttling him to the hospital, talking to the endless parade of doctors, nurses, CNAs, and social workers, briefing my brother, collecting my dad, shuttling him home, eating fast food, and going to sleep. As usual, I caught a cold and contracted bronchitis, which I did not treat. After mom was stabilized, I returned home and slept through an entire weekend.

 

During Round 2, she was taken to a different hospital. At first, my days looked a lot like they did during Round 1. Then, her primary care physician came in and he saw that I was still sick. He directed me to the urgent care clinic and told me to have the bronchitis treated. While waiting at urgent care, the social worker stopped by. She told me, nicely but firmly, to make sure I took care of myself. She suggested I take a break, leave my mom and dad at the hospital and get lunch someplace other than the hospital. So I did.

 

I found a Panera Bread and ate lunch. When I bought dessert the lady at the counter asked if I was OK. I told her I wasn't and proceeded to relay the entire mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law story. She motioned for a manager to come over and he suggested I move to a larger booth that was next to an electrical outlet. He plugged in my phone charger and computer for me and told me to stay as long as I wanted to. I spent the afternoon there. On my way out he asked if they would see me the next day. They did. In fact, they saw me every day for the remaining two weeks of my stay. Back at the hospital, the social worker suggested a new routine. After shuttling my dad to the hospital, she and I would chat, I'd go to Panera, she would call me if she needed me, I would come back to the hospital, and talk to the doctors, nurses, and so forth. She also mentioned that I didn't have to wait around waiting for doctors. I could always have them paged and talk to them at my convenience. That's what I started doing. Not only was I in much better shape when I took a break, I was in a better position to process the information relayed by the doctors and able to help my dad make rational decisions.

 

I hope you can take some of this and apply it to yourself and Rob. It might be hard to leave Rob and take a break, but it will benefit both you and he. You have to take care of yourself so you have the strength to be there for Rob. Hang in there.

[+ Socalguy]

Yikes! I will definitely take your advice to heart. Fortunately Rob is now at the point where he is telling me to go out for lunch and take whatever time I need but now I don't want to leave because he's doing so well.

[rvwnsd]

Yikes! I will definitely take your advice to heart. Fortunately Rob is now at the point where he is telling me to go out for lunch and take whatever time I need but now I don't want to leave because he's doing so well.

Listen to Rob!

[+ stevenkesslar]

Listen to Rob!

 

Not only that. Follow his example. You need to be practicing every chance you get. :D

[gallahadesquire]

Wayne, he's in good hands, and it sounds like his brain is back. Go. Take a nap. He'll need your help when you both get home, and you'll need a lot of down time. From my own experience, the long term stress will be much worse on you than it is on him.

[+ sync]

Listen to Rob!

 

I agree with Rvwnsd. Due to a family illness, I spent the last six months making regular hospital and nursing home visits. There comes a time when the patient experiences an overload of people (visitors and staff), which fosters a desire for some alone time.

[+ purplekow]

Glad FB and the forum help. Maybe you could take one hour to soak in a hot shower,walk on the beach, get a foot massage or binge on an escapist tv show? Whatever helps you recharge. I usually go for a soccer match or a jog ..but I must admit eating a fat burrito takes my mind off any stressor...

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/06/01/1226067/356512-man-eats-1-kilo-burrito.jpg

I love a fat burrito and I also like Mexican food.

So while I am not suggesting that you find a fat Burrito, something to keep your mind occupied and your body rested would be a great idea.

[+ Funguy]

For the audience at home, and not meant to minimize this thread nor hijack it: Just some clarifications as to what ICU psychosis is like:

 

@purplekow, youand I need to compare notes. I don't know which was stranger:

• Being on a Russian Submarine and deciding [with the First Mate] to pull a joke on the Captain. My part: Pull out my NGtube at midnight. WHich I did.
  
• Having to clean the recessed lighting at the Fraternity, while wearing white gloves (which were my restraints). Also, using said gloves to pour glasses of draft beer for the brotherhood.
  
• Calling the Evening Nurse in the Operating room and Demanding that she bring me a Diet Dr. Pepper:
  
  • [after my own nurse ripped the phone from me]: He can't have that! He's having nothing by mouth!
    
  • [evening nurse]: Oh, I know, I've been keeping tabs on him. Is he doing ok?
    
  • [iCU nurse]: mostly, I guess, but he keeps SINGING!
    
  • [evening OR nurse]: Oh, no, THAT's Okay. He does that.
    

  [*]Having some apparatus being placed around my head to administer 40 liters per minute of oxygen to my lungs. I have no idea what they were doing, but I thought they were drilling into my sinuses. When tehy were done, I opened my eyes to see a woman in a hijab placing some tape. I called my best friend and Health Care Proxy, and told her to get HER lawyer on the phone, as they had OBVIOUSLY performed a medical procedure without my permission, and I wanted to sue.

  [*]Getting completely HOOKED on the "relaxation TV" station. Old 19" CRT, and me with one eye normal, the other requiring -4.00 diopter contact lens. I was told I would start at it for HOURS

  • At night, they showed star fields, which weren't quite contiguous, and never quite seems continuous, either.
    

Wayne, DO go over a medication check with the nurses. He may need a little something to make him a little happier, but ... please note my comment about Dilaudid above.

 

I hope Rob is getting better; eating normally (even if that means via a stomach tube); pain under control. If you can get him to sit by a window during normal hours, that will do him a world of good.

Consider reading to him ... something he likes, and preferable knows at least a little. My favourite would have been any of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by the late DOuglas Adams.

 

This reminds me of an incident about 10-12 years ago in which I was hospitalized after having what was thought to be a stroke. I remember falling and wondering why I fell. A friend helped me up and asked what happened and I could not speak. In my mind I was perfectly lucid but nothing came out. Waited for EMT's which never came so he threw me into his car, called my doc (another friend) and headed to ER. Once there, again, in my mind I was perfectly lucid, but I could not speak - or so I thought! It turns out I was speaking and saying a lot of nonsensical things (which much later got some great laughs!)

 

I actually did not have a stroke but had suffered from an exposure to dangerous chemical fumes. It took about 3 days to come down from this and get my thinking and my verbal skills coordinated. Very scary and I now know how some people must feel if they are trapped within their own minds and cannot speak or move to indicate what they need.

[+ Socalguy]

Woot, they are transferring him to a hospital less than half the distance which means 1)grew no longer needs specialized care and 2) my commute is cut in half

[gallahadesquire]

It's been a few days. I hope Rob in improving physically and mentally, and that Wayne has gotten the reite he needs.

 

We are all pulling for you, guys! If what we raised isn't enough, let us know—we'll make more!

[+ Socalguy]

It's been a few days. I hope Rob in improving physically and mentally, and that Wayne has gotten the reite he needs.

 

We are all pulling for you, guys! If what we raised isn't enough, let us know—we'll make more!

LOL, talk about timing. I was just coming over here to post an update and I seen this post!!

Rob is doing great, he walked the length of the hallway with a walker and is in the shower right now with a really cute male nurse named James (cue cheesy porn music). The doctor is thinking he might be ready to either be moved to rehab or even home by the end of the week. Due to doctor appointments, rehab and his vision issues, we'll still be busy, but we could be almost back to normal by the end of the month!!!

 

My god, I just looked and I started this thread 6 days ago? It feels like I started it 6 weeks ago!!

 

PS Gallahadsquire, what you raised is more than enough. Your generosity and the generosity of the board in general was staggering. We should be able to not only stay afloat for the month but pay a huge chunk of the copays. We will never be able to thank everyone enough.

[+ VeryHappyCustomer]

Hot male nurse: my favorite form of rehab.

[+ purplekow]

Would it be wrong for you to join them in the shower?

[+ glennnn]

Our reward will be your company in PS in April. We love you guys.

 

Just out of curiosity, does the shower attendant get nude, or at least strip down a little? Sorry, too many cheesy porn vids.

[+ Socalguy]

I am thrilled to report that they released Rob today and he is in the bedroom resting before an appointment with the optometrist in about 45 minutes! Rob had physical therapy today and proved he could climb the stairs so they decided to release him! He has a buttload of follow up appointments but at least he is home and will be away from everybody else's germs

[+ purplekow]

Welcome home Rob. Now lock the door and keep that horny Socalguy out and get some rest.

[MikeBiDude]

I am thrilled to report that they released Rob today and he is in the bedroom resting before an appointment with the optometrist in about 45 minutes! Rob had physical therapy today and proved he could climb the stairs so they decided to release him! He has a buttload of follow up appointments but at least he is home and will be away from everybody else's germs

Yay!!

[rvwnsd]

I am thrilled to report that they released Rob today and he is in the bedroom resting before an appointment with the optometrist in about 45 minutes! Rob had physical therapy today and proved he could climb the stairs so they decided to release him! He has a buttload of follow up appointments but at least he is home and will be away from everybody else's germs

WOW! That is awesome news!!! Thank you very much for sharing.

[+ stevenkesslar]

I am thrilled to report that they released Rob today and he is in the bedroom resting before an appointment with the [optometrist] cock sucking whore who is going to rock his world in about 45 minutes!

 

Welcome homo Rob!

 

Geez Wayne, isn't it just a bit early for that sort of thing?