"Stir Crazy"

[chrissa1]

As some of you might know my husband has been in hospital since the week before Xmas.
They are doing test after tests and at one point was moved to a smaller hospital 35 miles away and then moved him back.
I never seem to be there when he has visits by the doctors and he is becoming more vague as every day goes by. He was talking to me on the phone this morning about VE Day and how the nurses were going to march the patients out of hospital "on parade".

Do people become a bit "out of it" when cooped up for so long. it's beginning to worry me?

[bednobs]

yes they can do. Also they can become dehydrated, malnourished or get, say, urine infections that can make them doolally. Even the act of moving unexpectedly from one provider to another can upset people's mental balance

[anneasquith]

sorry chrissa that your husband is still in hospital. why not make an appointment to talk to his consultant to discuss his illness. and ask the nursing staff if he is confused when they talk to him ? he may have a " named nurse " who should be able to give you regular updates about his condition.

[chrissa1]

I think I'll do that this afternoon.They apologised for his move as it was totally unnecessary. I've also rung our GP to see if he can get more info on what is happening. Thanks.

[anneasquith]

is it nearer for you to travel to the hospital he is in now ? chrissa dont feel intimidated re asking questions about hubby^s condition, you have the right to be kept informed.

[Sqad]

I agree with bednobs.....

[chrissa1]

Well that's some comfort guys as he's not usually like this and he's only 60 so not very old.
It's just that when you go into visit, everyone is so busy behind the desk you don't want to be a bother. But I will.

[chrissa1]

They are monitoring his urine on a 24 hourly basis too.

[woofgang]

chrissa I am going to shout now BE A BOTHER!!!!!
ask about his blood sugar readings and his liquid intake and if they say they don't know ask why not? ask to see a doctor if you want to, its easier to talk to them then than when they do their round. If its difficult to get a doctor when you visit then ask when would be a good time to phone. Either way, make a list of what you want to ask and make notes about the answers you get. if there is something you don't understand then ask for an explanation.
((hugs)) I know that hospitals are intimidating places but we pay for them and they are there to serve us.

[chrissa1]

Thanks woofgang. I spoke to a nurse this afternoon and she said to ring the Ward at about 10 tomorrow as all the doctors caring for him will be there then. She said, like you, to make a list of questions to ask, so I've noted what you've said and will make a full list. Thank you.

[woofgang]

you sre welcome chrissa, keep us informed.

[anneasquith]

wwill, watch out for your post tomorrow chrissa, hope you sleep well.

[chrissa1]

Just got back from the hospital. I had a good chat with the doctor and basically they don't know what is wrong with him yet. He had another CT scan and a needle biposy in his neck as his lymph nodes need investigating. His blood sugar levels are good but he does have a slight renal problem linked with cirrhosis of the liver. He needs to eat, drink and exercise, none of which he is doing very much.
He's got a bed booked at The Freeman Hospital in the Neurology Dept to see if that is the cause of the pain. In other words, he's a mess.

At least I know they are doing all they can for him and he is a Terrible patient!

[bednobs]

glad you got some answers

[Mamyalynne]

You are at least more informed now and it does seem they are testing for all possibilities, take care of yourself too Chrissa.

[anneasquith]

chrissa , good of you to take time to post today. i hope your hubby*s condition improves and you now feel better about seeking out information about him via nursing and medical staff

[DTCwordfan]

Chrissa - I do hope that it goes well

I hate to sound alarmist but there's no dementia is there, or small signs of it before he went in. I mention it as my mother is sliding rapidly and she is supposed to have surgery for an anal prolapse (sorry for mentioning that). However, the surgeon is taking a second look if it is necessary as anaesthetci does carry risks of exacerbating the condition, sometimes short term, but often catalysing further deterioration. Also, in her case, she has a heart palpitation condition and the Quack ruled out her (hypo)thyroid this morning as they picked up on this in preassessment earlier this week. So that may be another factor as they may want to stabilise the risk.

I mention it just in case, but Sqad would be excellent in his commentary on this if he is about this evening.

Hope it goes well...

[ttfn]

Good of you to update us chrissa. There have been times during hospital visits where I have refused to leave until I had spoken to a doctor who could give me some substantial update on my loved ones. It has always worked for me. I know the staff are kept so busy but this has been a long time now and you deserve some answers that will inform you about your husband's situation. Anne is on the mark too - take care of yourself chrissa - I hope you are getting support from your family too ♥

[chrissa1]

Thanks all and DTCWF. No there was no sign of dementia thank god.

[boxtops]

Chrissa, this is actually good news that they are doing tests and keeping him under surveillance, because this time last week, you were telling us that he was planning to discharge himself! - good job then that he didn't, I am glad for you.
Drinking is so important - my dad had cirrhosis but nobody realised it (his was too much of drinking the wrong stuff tho) - but my mum was in hospital for a couple of weeks when she was in her nineties, and she too went very strange, almost "hospital fever" as someone said - I rang her up one day, she was very lucid, then told me that fishermen with nets had just arrived on the ward... very hard to handle if you don't realise what's happening, but it's not unusual as bednobs says. I wish you both well!

[woofgang]

I am glad you have some answers. Now you have asked the dice once, getting updates in the future won't be as hard