Tuesday, January 31, 2023

A Good Day

Today, Tim got up before me. He was sitting on the couch quietly watching television. I fixed him breakfast. He ate it and then he lay down on the couch and fell soundly asleep. 

'Probably the best thing for him', I thought, watching his hand tremor as I drank my morning coffee.

I went in and began to read up on strokes and TIAs. It is hard for me to believe that Tim has had one. He's never had high cholestrol. He is faithful in his BP medication. He is active.  He doesn't have any of the risk factors. I could not set aside my stubborn idea that this cold that turned into a cough that went on and on, disrupting his sleep, exhausting him, wearing him down for weeks had something to do with it. The two rounds of antibiotics that are believed to have caused his c-diff. The c-diff leading to dehydration, dangerously low blood pressure. His kidneys were not doing an effective job, and the toxins were building up in his body. And what IS a TIA anyway, but decreased/interrupted blood flow to the brain? 

So, following up on things, I began to read, and discovered that I was right, that there IS a link between strokes and dehydration. There was an awful lot of information about it, even. I cried with relief. I'd been so worried about the chances of another stroke. For the first time, I got the idea that if we keep Tim hydrated and healthy, we will not have this problem again. 

What a cheering thought that was. 

Tim woke up. I gave him his medications and then he laid back down. He was sound asleep almost instandly. I debated whether to wake him for lunch but decided against it, thinking that I could just fix him a late lunch when he woke up. Except....he slept straight through 'til supper time. He ate a few bites of supper, but went right back to sleep. While he was sleeping, I watched him and realized that his right hand was no longer twitching. 

My sister was excited about this, sharing some information she found on line that indicated tremors and twitching could be a sign of the body 'reconnecting' and that it was a good thing. She also said that sleeping was a good sign as well. I could hardly believe that and had to go read it for myself

I felt myself even more cheered. 

I also want to take a moment to tell all of you thanks. I haven't had a lot of time, but your comments were so very appreciated. Many times when I read other blogs, people facing a hard time, or struggling a little, it touches me to see how everyone rallies around with kind and encouraging words. Someone always says that we have become a little community. I agree with that. This scary time was the first time that I've been on the receiving end of it. That little community gathered around me, and I have rediscovered the importance of an encouraging word. I am grateful for all of you. 

Houdini has watched the activity going on from the safety of his cozy bed. His supper time is not as regular as it was. He always has his dry food, but his evening helping of canned catfood, slightly warmed in the microwave doesn't appear with the clockwork regularity he has become used to. His favorite human (William) has been away having a fine time with his cousins. For four days, someone has been stopping in at night to give him his canned catfood and make sure his kibble and water dishes are full, but for the rest of the time, he's been exploring a suddenly empty house. 

Now we are home again. Tonight, sitting on the couch, I noticed him at the kitchen door staring across the hall into the livingroom. Guiltily, I said, "Oh, no, you haven't had supper yet." He looked at me as I spoke, dropped to the floor and laid on his side, He almost looked playful. I got up and went to the kitchen talking to him like I usually do, and went to the refrigerator. He followed. I took the cat food over to the counter, and got the freshly washed cat dish that was waiting at the side of the sink. I filled it and popped it into the microwave. He followed me. When I carried his bowl over to the mat where he eats, I always pick up the dirty food dish and bring it to the sink to fill with soapy water and let it sit over night. Much to my surprise, Houdini did not stay over with his food. He followed me back to the sink. 

I reached down my hand and he approached for a pet. He has never come to me to be petted, although he does tolerate being petted in his safe place, his bed. I sat down on the floor and I petted him while he rolled around in delight. When I stopped petting, he sat up and brushed his head against my leg. I patted my lap, and he looked tempted but he didn't get up the nerve to be quite that friendly. We played so long that Tim came out to see what is going on. "I'd like to see more of that," said the man who doesn't like cats. 

I noticed his hand was twitching again. "Why don't we go to bed?" I said. 

And so we did. 

I lay in the dark being very grateful. 

35 comments:

  1. I am so pleased to read that Tim is sleeping and healing. Knowing how dehydrated Keith can get, I must tell him why it is even more essential that he drinks more. Poor Tim has had the perfect storm of stuff leading up to this. I just hope that his cough can get finally treated, though I fear you will have to go into the GP's with him and pound on the table.

    Houdini will interact with you more if you interact with him. Even the feral cats that came to us soon learned that the price of being fed, was allowing me to stroke them and soon saw it as a done deal!

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    1. We need to switch his GP. And most certainly, his doctor visits will be supervised.

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  2. So glad for this latest turn of events. You all are still in my thoughts…Olivia.

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  3. That is such good news and you actually know what is going on now. You have the perfect ammunition now if he has any future health issues.

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  4. So glad you're home again, sleep is often the best way for the body and mind to recover. Glad to see that Houdini is doing his bit to bring you comfort too. We've found as a family that high dose vitamin C has been very helpful for recovering from colds, shortens the infection and helps prevent it recurring, also no side effects. We learned that 3gram a day is effective as an antibiotic. Perhaps you'd like to look into it and see if it might help Tim instead of more chemical antibiotics? Whatever, I do hope you also take time to recover, you've been (still going) through a stressful time so take care of yourself too. Love & prayers from England. Elaine

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  5. A turn for the good, Tim is home and sleeping and getting better. As for Houdini he just missed you all and he is glad the normal routine is being returned. Take care, we do all worry about you both.

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  6. Perhaps Tim's family doctor now has some questions to answer.

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  7. Good news about Tim (and Houdini.)

    So many very old people end up in hospital due to dehydration, keep him drinking and sleeping and healing.

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  8. Just caught up on the news about Tim. So pleased that things are looking better than a few days ago. As Elaine said.....take care of yourself too, you must be exhausted!
    Lovely that Houdini is getting more and more friendly.

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  9. Oh I’m SO happy to read these carefully positive news. Strength to both of you for the next leg of recovery!

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  10. I do hope that this is the start of a beautiful friendship between Houdini and the humans

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  11. I am glad that there is good news to read. I pray for continued healing. - LindaG

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  12. Animals sense our emotions. Houdini wanted to make you feel better, and in a small way, his plan worked. Some angels have four legs, you know.

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  13. It warms me to read of Tim’s progress. Houdini’s too.

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  14. I find that cats are very sensitive to illness and injury in their humans and are often apt to offer what appear to be comfort measures.
    I am so glad that you are figuring this situation out and that Tim is resting, healing, sleeping. May every day show some progress.

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  15. So glad to hear of Tim's recovery. Hopefully your boat will sail with an even keel for awhile. I have come to think of bloggers as sort of a second family. I may not agree with you all the time, but I understand where you are coming from and if I lived closer, I would have made you a meal and dropped it off at your door. Because that is just what nice people do to other nice people.

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  16. Glad things are better for everyone! Uh, slight correction within your conclusions: high blood pressure, even treated to keep controlled with meds IS a risk for stroke. Stress and dehydration doesn't help. Be leery of starting a Vitamin C routine, as it can cause diarrhea, and his guts are recovering from the c-diff. As I mentioned yesterday, 4 days of lazy recovery time at home for every day spent at the hospital is what's usually observed. Your almost retired RN blog buddy, Linda in Kansas

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    1. The best thing that I can do is keep collecting information.

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  17. I'm so thankful that Tim and you are home, and that Tim is taking time to rest and heal. I don't think he has much choice in the matter, our bodies eventually just do what they need to do to recover.

    I also appreciate the links. I didn't know that dehydration could increase the risk of strokes. Good to have that in my back pocket, as well as the recovery information.

    Sending hugs sweetie. Don't forget to take care of yourself as well. You've been through the wringer as well.

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  18. I'm just catching up on the last few days. I'm glad you're both home, though I'm surprised the hospital sent you home without any of the time-sensitive medication you needed THAT DAY! You'd think they'd have supplied a couple of doses to get you going.

    It does sound promising that Tim is sleeping so soundly. His body must be repairing itself. Not to pile on, given everything else that's been happening, but has the cough been sorted out?

    Pixie is right -- I hope you're taking care of yourself as well. It's great that you have Houdini for company. :)

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  19. Glad to hear that Tim is resting and recovering and hoping you are taking time to rest also. What a stressful time for both of you but glad that the worst is behind you. Take care!

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  20. I slept in this morning even debating if I wanted to stay in bed all day. The phone rang as I sit on the edge of the bed, so I got up to check on you and Tim. What good news to read first Tim resting and then the cat. You need to try to rest some and relax a little. Catch up on your reading, things around the house can wait until you feel fully rested and ready to live normal again.

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  21. Tim has a great care giver who looks for information on how to look after him.

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  22. This is very positive news and I'm happy to read that Tim is on the mend! Rubbing against you is kitty speak for love and trust. A good sign.

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  23. Very happy to hear of Tim's progress and I think that you might benefit from getting another PCP for Tim. It seems to me that he was not paying attention and that contributed to the situation getting as bad as it did. I also agree with Steve regarding getting the reason for the cough sorted out. Good news on Houdini, your patience and kindness toward him is paying off. Head rubs from a cat are a good sign.

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  24. So glad things are turning. Hydration is always a good thing. I am sure that William is worried.

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  25. Thank you for taking time to share how Tim is progressing... eating, drinking, sleeping = healing.
    So very glad to hear Houdini has been comforting you.
    As others have noted, please take care of yourself and rest as often as you can.
    Keeping you, Tim, Houdini & William in mind and wishing you all the very best.

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  26. Rest and recuperation...for both of you. Good to hear of Houdini's progress (and compassion towards you), too. Please do take care of yourself in the midst of all you do for Tim, William and Houdini. Must say I concur with your resolution to find Tim a new PCP. Mary

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  27. That made me quite emotional: in a very good way. Long may it all continue.

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  28. Two friends have had TIAs recently. They are slowly getting back to how they were but it takes time. They were advised to do what they can and keep active, but to rest when tired and not to push things.

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  29. This is all wonderful and encouraging news! Thank you for keeping us updated. I've thought of you often over the last few days.

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  30. https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2023/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-ministroke-or-tia.html

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    1. Is It a Ministroke? Know the Warning Signs of a TIA
      *this is an excellent article..please read.

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    2. The short-lived symptoms can lead to serious complications and shouldn't be ignored

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