Monday, January 30, 2023

Home

 Home now, which was a surprise. The neurologist walked into his room yesterday afternoon and said that the stroke issue is not related to the heart which seems to be working properly (they were looking for signs of a-fib. There were none.) He's going to be monitored for a month at home with a Holter monitor. So. While we don't know what the cough is, we know what the cough isn't, which is reassuring, actually.

The doctor walked into the room, told the findings, laid out the home treatment plan and just like that, we were being discharged. My sister and her husband were on their way but the wheel chair was waiting. 

We are about 1 1/2 hours from the hospital, and it wasn't until the trip home that I made the connection. One of the drugs, which they stressed as being vitally important, something that HAD to be taken at 4 o'clock was going to be an issue. We wouldn't even be home by four, let alone have time to run to the pharmacy...and it was Sunday anyway...would they even be open? 

I pulled off into a Walmart. What to do with Tim? He was moving slowly and so very tired. I was afraid to leave him by himself in a running car. He seemed fine, but what if he got out and tried to find me? Or decided to drive home? This is all new to me. In the end, I asked him whether he was up to a walk in, and he said yes in a surprised way. 

Turns out that (of course) the drug is a bit of a specialty thing. They were able to do a partial fill though. They were so very kind and helped me locate the home care things that I needed. 

His dose was only 40 minutes late which, all things considered, was amazing. 

I opened up the bedroom downstairs so that he is not doing stairs for a while. He is quiet and biddable, a bit child-like. By the time that we got home, he was worn out. He took a nice hot shower. He knew that he wanted to watch the play-off games and found them on television by himself. 

I got the room put together and tried to locate the phone charger, and unpack as much as was necessary. About ten minutes from the end of the game, I just went to bed with a book. I was sound asleep before Tim came in. He was up several times in the night. I slept through every last bit of it, which did not make me happy with myself. 

He was up when I woke up. I made him a spinach and swiss omelet with strawberries, bananas, cherries, and an orange. He ate it, laid down on the couch and is sleeping still. Probably the best thing for him. 

35 comments:

  1. So glad to hear that Tim is home and functioning even though not quite back to normal yet. I wonder if the last steroid that they gave him in the walk in clinic put him over the edge.

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  2. I've been worried about you guys, so I'm thankful for this update. Well, fucking hell. I'm glad you all are back home. Nobody sleeps well while in hospital and nobody sleeps well when someone they love is in hospital.
    I'm also glad Tim is being accepting of his need for care.
    I know people don't like Walmart but during the pandemic, Walmart is what kept us going. I could get everything I needed there, including shoes and clothes for Jack. It's always so nice when people are kind and helpful, especially when you're stressed out.
    Sending hugs Debby.

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  3. So very, very glad to hear Tim is home, ambulatory, resting, and healing. Take good care of yourself as you care for Tim. Chin skritches for Houdini and hugs for William. Thinking of you all and sending best wishes for Tim's complete recovery.

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  4. What a good post to find today, I have been worried about you and Tim. Take care of yourself so you will be able to tend to Tims needs. It is not easy to take of a sick husband, I know. When he starts to feel better, he will start thinking he is ok to do things. Keeping you in my thoughts friend.

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  5. Gosh, I for one will sleep better tonight after reading this. You must both be exhausted - you from worry and Tim from his health problems. So glad that you were able to get the meds you needed, even if they were just sufficient to tide you over. Like Pixie, I have to say the same about the 24 hour Tesco in Carmarthen. Pre-Covid, we had been unable to get out because of snow/ice I think it was. There was a sudden thaw and I was able to get out early evening and I have never been so pleased to see supermarket lights in my life - we had gotten low on a few essential things.

    I hope Tim will mend now (coughing too!). Reward yourself with a day off to recover physically and emotionally. Jennie xx

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  6. Thank goodness he has come now. Just rest yourself as well. xxx

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  7. Well all that is certainly better news but still praying for even more good news.

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  8. Thanks again for keeping us informed. I worry about my blog friends, even when it's someone I haven't ever met. You learn so much about people you follow on blogs; it's as if they are a part of your life.

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    1. We become our own little community, not bound by national boundaries, religion, scholastic standings, or age. I truly believe that is what true friendship means. We have all followed Debby and Tim and William as they have forged a new family unit and it matters what happens to them. Hopefully Tim will continue to improve and things will settle down to a new normal.

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  9. I am so glad to hear that you have got Tim home.

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  10. Oh Debby, I am so glad to see this update. I am especially glad (you too no doubt) that there are very concerned medical eyes on this situation now. All the best to a good recovery. Jeanie.

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  11. Thank you for the update. Good to hear you are home and have slept.

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  12. So glad you're home and it sounds like he's doing well, all things considered!

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  13. So glad to read you are both home and Tim is doing better.❤️

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  14. This is a positive update and I appreciate you taking the time to let us know. I hope the reasons behind everything, cough included, will soon be known and totally resolved.

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  15. Crazy that they didn't fill the prescriptions for you in the hospital before they let you go, but pleased it worked out in the end - a kind pharmacist makes everything seem much more manageable. Seems tough to be discharged so quickly - after such a shocking couple of days - but sounds like it is the best thing for Tim - that omelet sounds amazing! Take care of yourself too, Cat.

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  16. Thank you for the update, Debby! I’ve been thinking about you both. So glad you’re home again❤️Xo, Ricki

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  17. It is good to hear that you are both now home and that Tim is doing OK. I imagine you will both need some time to readjust now.

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  18. Oh gosh! Thank you for letting us know. I'm really relieved you're both home now. You are the BEST caregiver, Debby.

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  19. So glad Tim and you are home, but know that it can be a two edge sword with him being released so quickly after the frightening turn in his health over these past few days. V. hard on you, knowing you the only one responsible for his care--especially as it sounds as though he hasn't fully regained his strength and, perhaps, not his cognition. Still a lot of unanswered questions, I am sure, which means you don't necessarily know what to expect...all while trying to handle it when you are exhausted--mentally and physically. Please be kind to yourself. Reach out for help, if possible. Along with others--keeping you in my thoughts. Mary

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  20. That was awfully abrupt, but you worked through it, and it *seems* to be going fairly well right now. Wishing you guys well.

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  21. I will join the throng here in saying how glad I am that Tim is home. I am certain that he needs sleep for healing. You know what to do for him and you will do it. Take care of yourself, too.

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  22. Not much more to say other than this is good news to read.

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  23. Hope every step is forward in the right direction. My only advice is to nap when you need it -- both of you!
    Bonnie in Minneapolis

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  24. Glad you are back home! (For Anonymous, it's been years since a civilian hospital sends patients home with meds. The VA hospitals have a separate pharmacy on campus where patients can go after a discharge.) Once the hospital and consulting docs do all that they can for the moment, they send people out quickly. So few stay at the hospital until "all well" anymore. It's better to be out of there in order to get undisturbed rest at home and minimize catching stuff while in the hospital. Make a chart and write down when Tim's supposed to take what, and cross through it. Or make a meds box for him and pre-fill them, that way he doesn't make a mistake taking a pill from the wrong bottle. You've already earned your RN by realizing the detailed timing of the needed med and making it happen with the WalMart Pharmacy. We nurses have a saying that "for every day you spend in the hospital, you need 4 days at home to recover from the lack of rest in the hospital." Be easy on both of yourselves! Linda in Kansas

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    1. Just FYI, here in our corner of Maine, we do have pharmacies at the hospital where you can get what you need before you leave that helps avoid that mad rush to stop along the way when you're just trying to get a sick tired loved one home. I've been there too; it's not fun. Thank goodness it turned out all right.

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  25. That was a surprise but I bet you are both glad that he is home. Take it slowly but surely - better each day, I hope!

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  26. It is good to have him home. Make sure you look after yourself, as well. The next month will be challenging.

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  27. Much love to you all. Keeping a good thought for you.

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  28. You remember to be really good to yourself. What a time this is for you.

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  29. Good to hear that something has been done to bring some improvement. Why did it take so long ?

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  30. I had a stroke 10 years ago out of the blue. For the next couple of years I would fall asleep regularly through the day.definately part of the recovery process .i hope Tim continues to progress just take it steady. Viv

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  31. Glad you are both back home..and finding what something isn't is as important as finding out what it is

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  32. It was very good to read that. I hope things continue to improve.

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I'm glad you're here!

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