Good thots & prayers for my Dad? (Callie)

lHaven't had a chance to update this -- they moved Dad out of ICU yesterday and into h#ll!!!!

An aide came into the room this morning and yelled at my mother "Why aren't you wearing a GOWN -- He has MRSA!!!"

What?????

long story (I put some of this in mindless chat) -- Mom hasn't been able to find ANYONE to tell her what's going on.  I don't think Pa has MRSA -- I think someone had been in this room previously who HAD it ... so they've probably got this room marked.  Dad has a small bed sore on his tush -- and it's in his chart to have some cream put on that twice a day. 

I suspect a "wound" in a room where MRSA had previously in evidence has probably triggered all sorts of preventive type warnings.  But these idiots are saying all the wrong things and none of the right things to my folks.  My mother is a nervous wreck over it -- she asked Dad's nurse (the one assigned TO him) if he had MRSA and she said she didn't know.  Mom asked her what MRSA was and she said "I dunno!"

????????

Mom called me to vent -- but of course doesn't want ME to do anything.  At this point Mom's totally shut down and angry -- she went home to go to bed after a fruitless search for any of his doctors or nurses to tell her anything.   She will try to get hold of Pa's main doctor tomorrow morning if she doesn't call as a result of Mom's messages before then.

so *I* called the hospital and asked to speak to patient advocacy.

Needless to say she was appalled at how my folks were treated and she will investigate.  She sort of suspects I'm right -- that the fact that Dad has a small "wound" on his tush has triggered all sorts of preventive warnings that no one responded appropriately to.

ugh.  And do you think THIS might aise his blood pressure?  It sure did mine!!

Technically it's after midnight so it's Friday.

Family friends went hours out of their way to stop and see Dad, so Mom went down with them and got a chance to talk to Dad's main doctor. 

HE DOES ***NOT*** HAVE MRSA. 

It was as I suspected -- because he's shown a bit of temperature and particularly since he has this little "wound" on his tush, it has flagged all sorts of things to ensure they prevent MRSA.  The doctor point blank told Mom it is precautionary.  The hospital staff just handled it unbelievably badly this afternoon. 

The GOOD NEWS is when they took his blood pressure tonight it was 120 over 65.  THAT is fine and dandy for a man of hisa ge.

But they were going to give him another unit of blood -- and I told Mom to find out where the blood is going?  Is it the natural die off of red blood cells and his body isn't making them?  Or is it something else. 

They won't let him out tomorrow if they're giving him blood tonight -- they gotta observe them for a certain period after transfusion.

But at least this is all good news again!

  Thank goodness he doesn't have MRSA and that his BP is up again. Callie, you must be a wreck; I'll bet you haven't had much sleep this week. Another transfusion is worrisome; fingers crossed that it's more of a precaution because he was bleeding and may still be anemic, and not something serious. I hope he'll be well enough to leave the hospital soon.

Still don't know -- Mom says he *seems* better today, but his dr. tends to make really LATE rounds.  His bp is back up to 120/55, and that sort of thing seems better, but she doesn't know about the results of the transfusion or where that's headed. 

But they put a new catheter back in his arm -- Mom is thinking he's not getting out *yet* but it may simply be that it was 'time' it was changed.  Not sure.

I'm glad it's Friday -- I can't take much more of THIS week -- I had to take Charlie back to the vet this afternoon -- but that's ANOTHER thread!  But at 4:50 p.m. I just got BACK to work after missing 3 hours.  ugh -- I may NEVER get home.

I probably wont get to check up on your Dad this weekend.  Just know that you will all be in my thoughts.  I hope he gets to feeling stronger and can go home soon.  Very glad that it wasnt MRSA and that his BP is up.  Get some rest my friend.  {{Hugs}}

calliecritturs

-- I had to take Charlie back to the vet this afternoon -- but that's ANOTHER thread! 

  I'm sorry you had to take him back in. Poor guy. I hope he's going to be okay. What a week for you; I hope you get some rest. 

 Just checking in real quick between things. Sorry to hear of all the problems you're having Callie, with your parents and poor doggie, Charlie. Glad to hear though that you found out it wasn't MRSA with your Dad though...some good news at least, as part of your stressful life right now. Continued thoughts for Charlie, You and your family.

Continued prayers and postive thoughts for your Dad, Callie. It sounds like things are on a good path.

Prayers for you and the family.

They put a new catheter in his arm -- so it honestly doesn't sound like they're sending him home yet -- he is still *very* weak.

His BP was better today -- 120 over 55.  Now if he can just hold that.

Mom wasn't able to talk to any of his doctors today *sigh* -- very frustrating for her.

Thanks, folks, for your continued support!!  The prayers mean a LOT to them.

Callie how is your Dad today??? 

A bit better -- Mom finally spoke with the doctor early this evening.  She told Mom he's losing blood via the kidneys.  He is in an advanced stage of renal failure but it's been holding for a long time, but altho the vet wasn't specific with her he's losing blood in the kidneys.  I'm not sure if it's red blood cells or if he's also losing albumin/protein too ...

At this point they're sayign *maybe* Wednesday, but from what she said to Mom it sounds like it could be Friday.  He's got to be stable and not losing blood before she'll discharge him.

She's changed his meds pretty radically so I told Mom tomorrow she needs to corral the doctor about how his diet will need to change -- since they're taking him off the cumiden it will change his diet.  They wanted him to take ferrous sulfate and he won't take it because it causes problems in his stomach -- so I'm hoping diet can help this some.

Mom was able to address several of her questions with the doctor so it made HER feel less frustrated - which is a good thing!!

I talked to Dad this morning myself -- and he says he's feeling better.

Well, I'm glad they seem to have found the source of the blood loss.  I hope they can get things stabilized enough with meds and diet and such so that he can go home.  I'm sure he's very eager to be in familiar, comfortable surroundings.  It probably gave you some sense of relief to talk to him yourself and hear him say he's feeling better.  Sending continued healing vibes his way!

Well I am glad that the Dr. addressed your Mom's questions.  Hope that the change in meds does help your Dad get back on track.  Hugs for you and your family.

I know he's tired of being there -- small towns in depressed areas don't get the brightest and best -- and I'm thankful at this point that he's got a good doctor who seems to really care.

They put him on a nebulizer yesterday to address the chest congestion and it seems to have helped.  Now if the blood count will just HOLD.