The ups and downs and twists of this journey continue. I have had so many emotional ups and downs over the past couple of days. Yesterday on my way to the hospital I got a call that said they were moving Doug out of ICU to the 3rd floor. While I felt somewhat good about this, I had planned on going to look at some options for facilities to transfer to once he is released. Now I did not know when I could do this because he was going to have less care on the floor and it was even more important for me to be there to help support his needs.
It took quite a while for the transition to occur. Finally by 1:00 we were in his room and met his nurse and the charge nurse. I liked them both very much. Erin his nurse was very attentive and helpful. Finally after getting Doug to eat I felt comfortable leaving for Boise to look at facilities.
I looked at Vibra, the step-down hospital that can provide for longer term needs and provide PT and OT. I like the facility and the people. Then I went to Aspen Rehab and found that our insurance is not a part of their network. Then I called Riverview Rehab and they thought that they could provide for Doug's neutropenic food and assure a fairly safe environment. I called Doug on the way back to Nampa and he answered the phone. This was a big step.
He did well with dinner. He was getting pretty tired by 9, however the nurses were busy and did not finish rounds to get him ready for bed until about 10:30. After that I left for the night feeling he was in good hands.
When I got to the hospital this morning the doctor met us and said he was ready to discharge Doug. I was shocked. He did not seem ready for discharge to me. I asked the nurse if he thought Doug was ready, and he said he did not think so. However the doctor said I would need to continue to work on Doug's discharge and that it may not happen until Monday because of insurance approval for the next facility. I am getting tired of disagreeing with them and so I went along even though my gut said no.. Then the woman from Vibra came to meet with us. Later I found out that our insurance will not cover Vibra or any of the places I looked at yesterday. I would need to start again. I decided to call our insurance myself to see who they would cover. It was limited. They will cover Southwest Health in Boise if the doctor recommends it and they, the insurance, agree. So now we are waiting on that approval. If Southwest does not work out, I will bring him home, with Home Health. My son-in-law Tom has agreed to help me and we can look at hiring someone else if we need to.
In the meantime, by late afternoon Doug started saying his stomach hurt and then he thought he had a migraine coming on. And then he was looking feverish and I asked the nurse to check him and he had a fever of 99. He has not had a fever for a couple of days. I was concerned. His breathing became more rapid and shallow. The nurse assured me that the temperature is not abnormal and that things go up and down. Doug then fell asleep. Angie came over and we went and got some dinner. When I got back, Doug was still sleeping. He looked very flushed. and his breathing was very rapid. I asked that his new shift nurse check his vitals. His heart rate was 130, respiration very rapid and blood pressure was about 30 points higher. His temperature was 101. The nurse tried to tell me that everything was still in a normal range. I said, when he has not been this way for few days and the doctor wanted to discharge him today???? I demanded to see the doctor when he would not consider my concerns.
In the meantime I called my daughter-in-law doctor, with the information I had and what I was observing. She agreed with me and told me some things I needed to find out and ask the doctor. Luckily even before I saw the doctor she started blood draws and want more information. When she arrived she had the same concerns I had and more specifically many of the concerns Corinne had. She responded very aggressively.
They now have ice packs on Doug and giving him medication to bring his fever down. They have started fluid IVs again and antibiotics. They are monitoring him closely an may need to send him back to ICU. Needless to say, I am spending the night at the hospital praying that the medical staff will find out the underlying problem and know how to treat him.
Dear Lord, this is such a rough ride. We are worried and concerned for Doug. I am weary of arguing with nurses and doctors. Please be with us and watch over us this night. When morning comes, give us new life and new hope. Clear the path so that Doug will get the care he needs. Help the doctors to discern the exact cause of this illness. In your name we ask it. Amen
Dear ones: strength & resolve to continue will come. Prayers surround you, spiritual courage to continue walks with the love you two share. Those who are on this journey, wish we could clear the tangled road of insurance, regulations financial red tape. Any help you need to make this work, will come. Love, faith and prayers continue. We are here!
ReplyDeleteSending you continued prayers of strength and healing.
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