Finally. At 7 pm, we got to leave the hospital. After a stop to drop off prescriptions, we made it home. Justin and Kristin were waiting there - Dave was helped to his chair, and a big fuss was made over him. Justin actually made the comment that his dad seemed "better" then before he went in the hospital. He was more engaged in conversation with them, and laughing. I hated to burst his bubble, but I think it was only because of all the stimulation in the hospital - he had to constantly answer questions, meet new people coming in, and at the moment he came home, the kids were actually talking to him and asking him questions - engaging him in conversation. If they stop and think, they don't have many topics to discuss with him - his fall and hospitalization presented one - and Dave was kind of liking being the center of conversation where it was all about him. They have seen in the days since that he doesn't have much to say, other then that his head hurts once in a while, and that he won't be able to drive for three to six months.
I had four appointments to schedule with different doctors - primary care physician, neurosurgeon, neurologist, and physical/occupational therapy. I'm not even sure who the neurosurgeon and neurologist are - I assume I met them in the hospital, but maybe not! Different people rotated through each day.
He has slept very well since he's been home. Better then in a long time. Solid eight hours. But his underlying frontotemporal degeneration is causing me some difficulties with him resting like he needs to, and slowly getting back to a normal routine. He seems unable to comprehend that this was a serious injury, and he needs to take it easy. It's not like he had a really active life before, but he was very independent in that he exercised at the Senior Center six days a week, he could go to the grocery store when he wanted, go up and down stairs when he wanted. He could have a beer during an OSU football game. He could run and get himself a candy bar if he felt like it. For the first six days, someone was always with him going up and down the stairs, while he took a shower, while he got dressed - leaning over to get his shoes made his head hurt a lot - he doesn't seem to like being taken care of. I caught him the first day he was home putting his coat on - I asked him where he was going - he said he had to rake the leaves! I suggested he just watch some game shows. He moved slowly before this, but now he is SUPER slow, and a little teetering to the left. Over the course of his eight days at home, he's improved with the balance. Going up and down the stairs is going much better - he's doing one step at a time, like a child does - putting one foot on the step, and the second foot on the same step before going up to the next step. He can carry something in one hand now, while going up and down. He is really taking his time and concentrating - which is a relief.
He had his PT and OT evaluations yesterday at an outpatient facility. The OT evaluation went great - no problems with that - the PT evaluation indicated significant balance problems and risk for falling again. Most concerning was his blood pressure, taken three times during PT. In the hospital, while he was on Dilantin and not taking his blood pressure medicine, his blood pressure was actually pretty good. By last Tuesday, it was about 128 over 80. Yesterday, all three times, it was high - the highest was 167 over 102. EEK! The physical therapist suggested I have his blood pressure taken again last night, and today, and see how it was. She also suggested I call his primary care physician to see if he should be seen earlier then this next Monday. This morning at the little "self serve" blood pressure spot in the grocery store, it was 152 over 97 - after taking his high blood pressure medicine! So I did call the doctor - haven't heard back yet.
We go to PT again tomorrow, and he has exercises to do at home twice a day in between. It's been a long nine days. I can't wait til the appointment on Monday to ask some questions and get a better understanding of what Dave needs over the next few weeks. The spikes in his blood pressure scare me - the abnormal finding of a "hygroma" noted on the discharge papers concerns me - not sure what that means and if anything needs to be addressed with that - when is he "out of danger"? Or is he really not in any danger and he's fine being all on his own all day, FTD and all? Are the "ice pick" headaches normal? I know I'll be sleeping with one eye open for awhile - maybe the week before Christmas when we have another CT scan and appointment with the neurosurgeon, I'll feel better.
In the midst of all this was a wonderful Thanksgiving, with 65 family members all under one roof. My dad made it to the gathering, which was a blessing. We all thought he might not be with us still by Thanksgiving. He was so up, and looked so dapper! And he was so happy to call each of his eleven children (my brother-in-law and my two nieces and one nephew stood in for my sister that passed away) that could make it up to give us a gift - copies of love letters his mother and father wrote to each other in 1901 while they were apart for two weeks just six weeks before they got married. His point to each of us was that our family started years ago with true love. It was truly a first hand view of life 113 years ago. It made me smile to read their proclamations of love for each other. So sweet! And a priceless gift! All the hustle and bustle set my dad back, but he wouldn't have traded it for the world. He's run a fever and been confined to his chair for days now, and we're worried about him making it to each weekend, let alone til Christmas. But, my dad comes from strong stock, and I think he'll continue to rally and have some good months left in this world. For my four brothers and their families that were visiting from out of town, it was very difficult for them to know it may be the last time they would see their father, that they were maybe saying good bye for the last time. Heart breaking. And that's life, right? It happens every day. But as it is happening to us each individually, it's a wonder we can get through it and go on. But I think it's all we can do - if we stop for too long....I don't know what happens then.
So - moving on....
Hoping you'll post soon.
ReplyDeleteMarge, thank you so much - you made my day!
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