Hello to all of you,
Ken finally came home last Friday after 17 days in the hospital, 8 on the medical floor and 9 in acute rehab. The first night in ICU, I went home to sleep and later learned that he had a very difficult night - meds were slow to arrive, the ICU received a number of new patients, his calls for assistance were responded to very slowly. He still talks about blood being drawn while vomiting.
After one night in ICU, he was moved to the medical floor. We opted for a private room, but looking back feel that going to the neuro floor in a shared room would have been the better choice. He was so weak and out of it , that a shared room would probably not made much of a difference. A benefit of the private room was that I was able to have a cot and stayed with him for days 2 - 8. The room had a lovely river view, but the shades were mostly drawn during the day. For the first week, I questioned if he would ever be able to resume normal activities. He wasn't eating, was unable to sit up or get out of bed without assistance . When he was medically stable, all he wanted to do was come home even though he still couldn't get out of bed on his own and could navigate but a few steps with the walker. I couldn't begin to think about bringing him home at the point and insisted that he move to the acute rehab unit. There was a bit of a fight with the insurance company to get that stay authorized on a timely basis.
The move to rehab, one floor down, was mangled by the nurse on the medical floor. The room wasn't ready and that set off a chain of events that left my husband very agitated for the next 24 hours. He was also beginning to deal with the complications from the surgery and was devestated. After settling and starting physical, occupational and speech therapy, there were signs of improvement daily. Even my very stubborn, independent husband saw the benefits. By the time he was released he was stronger and had quite an appetite, his speech had improved, and he was walking with a walker.
Since coming home last Friday, he is receiving in-home therapy from VNS. His balance and coordination are off and the fine motor skills in the right hand have been affected. The right side of his face is weak and numb. He had a platinum eye weight implanted and that has helped the function of the right eye. His sleep patterns are totally out of whack. This morning, his surgeon advised that it is OK to take Ambien, so I hope this helps him ( and me ) sleep through the night. I am exhausted too. Given all that, he is feeling a bit better everyday and now with the aid of a neat new cane, we are getting out on the streets of Manhattan and have even ventured onto to bus and subway. Very nerve wracking for me playing interference with the crowds on the street, but satisfying to reach this milestone. Over the past few days the weather has been more bearable, a bit cooler and less humid, so going out hasn't been too bad.
Thank you for the support and thoughts over the last few weeks. Let me know who the scarf goes to next.
Miranda
