My Dad called my brother

[Pamela8]

he wants out. Had my Aunt book him a plane ticket the beginning of June, will have three of his dr appts done in Florida by then, and will follow up with his drs here. My brother flying down in a few days.

Had another problem when readmitted, they didn't have his betapace, my Dad got upset called my brother. Also another comment made to him that "He is not the only patient there and to stop complaining."

I talked to the unit manager and they did get it but 5 hours past his dose time.

I talked to my dad yesterday morning and he sounded alot better. Now I know why, my brother said he has made a turn around and is a man on a mission My Dad said he showed physical therapist all he can do.

He told me he lost alot of water weight , went from over 200 at the hospital and is down to 178

I received an email reply from the agency that handles nursing home complaints, they want Dad's name etc. but am going to wait till his out of there and give them and "earful".

So in the next week I will be planning his return home. I''m going to his house here to clean up alittle. Any suggestions on what he might need? Would he need a reclyner to sleep in as I've heard some mention. And any special foods etc. and should I call his cardiologist here to see about any home health care. and about setting up outpatent rehab when he gets home?

My brother said in the family history my Dad gave the hospital he listed me as a daughter age 50 with multiple sclerosis. I'm 48. My brother got a kick out of that, I told him Dad could take a bus to his appts. Only joking about the bus of course. Cant wait to see him.

Pam

 

[Nancy]

That's wonderful news. I am disturbed however (but not at all surprised), that the nursing home was so cavalier with his meds, and also telling him off about complaining. What a place!!

I am sure you will give the agency an earful after he leaves.

You will all be so happy when he's home again.

One thing you can get for him is a shower chair. He will need that for a while yet. Maybe also one of those shower puffs with a long handle and shower gel for it. I think that would help him to be able to reach places better. A hand held shower head with a wall mount would be good too, one with an on and off switch.

 

[Pamela8]

Thanks for advice concerning the shower Nancy.

My brother called Yesterday afternoon and said you're not going to believe this, he had spoken to Dad and he's getting out Friday (today) Said he will have someone pick him up and get him home, guess the therapist gave the OK.

Pam

 

[Ross]

Just make sure he has a clear path way to walk, pots and pans reachable if he has to cook for himself. Basically common sense things like that. His appetite may be off due to food not tasting real good, but that will change, so whatever food he likes, have that available.

 

[Mary]

I'm glad to read he's on the way home.
I'm confident that you'll get everything sorted out.

 

[hensylee]

my very ill brother was admitted via ER one time. He had parkinson's plus other ailments, including heart. His dr rxed all his meds that he was taking at the Assisted living facility, but the hospital did not carry his parkinson med. He was without it several days and I didn't know it until the very last day of his hospitalization and questioned hospital staff. They said it was not in their formulary so they called the assisted facility who said they'd bring his med to the hospital. Well, upon investigation, the nursing home said they never got a call from the hospital. I went, got the med myself and demanded he have it then and there - he was on his way out of the hospital by then after being secluded in a room all during the hosp stay because they felt he might be contagious. Even I could not go in to see him. He hallucinated the whole time and he was so scared. I then wrote to the owner of the hospital and said 'if it's not in your formulary, WalMart is just down the road - you go get what the dr ordered. That's a real answer for you'. The owner wrote back and said they had a 'meeting' to investigate the problem and covered their a***es, I guess to prevent a suit.

While I was at it, I told him the bathroom in the ER was filthy - he said he'd get that fixed and he did - the bathroom has always been clean since then.

But my brother still suffered from their neglect.

Go ahead and complain. I would. Nothing will happen unless you get legal counsel. I was not interested in that and you may not be, either, but at least you will have your say and it might make a difference for someone else.

Best wishes and prayers for dad.

 

[AgilityDog]

Another thing you might consider is if your dad could use an elevated seat for the toilet. between my run-down condition, OHS and pacemaker I couldn't use my arms for a month, and was weak as a kitten, so the elevated seat was a god-send.

 

[Bina]

I'm so glad that your Dad is on his way home!!
The first few weeks, I needed things simple at home. Big T-shirts, loose pull on pants, a sturdy pair of slippers, and extra pillows are helpful. Freeze some cooked foods that are easily thawed and microwaved....pieces of chicken, small casseroles, soups, stews.

 

[Jkm7]

Extra pillows provided me with far more comfort than a recliner. Both my OHS I never used our recliner but was far more comfortable in our bed with fluffy pillows. Your dad is not fresh from surgery at this point and hopefully enough sternum healing has started for him to be more comfortable than he was the first few days post op.

The trip home will tire him so plan for him to not have lots of visitors until he gets some rest.

I craved healthy foods though I ate little. I am a big vegetable eater always and that is what I wanted post op. Soups were wonderful and broiled fish.....but those are foods I always like. My 'taste buds' didn't seem to be changed but I had a small appetite at first.

Happy you will have your Dad home and you can provide the pampering he so deserves at this point.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Pamela8]

Thanks for all suggestions

My Dad not out yet, he called my brother very upset and asked him why he told the unit manager not to let him out until Tuesday. My brother never said such a thing. He told the unit manager he is flying in Monday and will take him to all appointments. Since when does a health care faciltily keep a pateint on the words of a relative anyways, jeez. Its when the dr decides he can leave and that was decided.

So my brother called the unit manager and asks why Dad is not out and she dosen't give a straight answer. She said Dad can go out for a ride with my Aunt and Uncle but must be brought back to sleep there

I told my brother bet Dad goes to his house and stays, but guess he has a large suitcase of clothes there.

My brother being a registered nurse for over 25 years has never heard of such a thing, he said this whole situation very bizarre.

Also called my Dad's cardiologist office here and asked what he would need on return home and told the drs secretarry just alittle of whats been going on and she was upset. She said that the rehab should have a discharge plan in place and that if he needs home assissstance here they should have it set up for him and any other needs. Now we all know that will never happen.

She wants me to call them as soon as he gets back. He allready had an appt set up the middle of June, but given what went on it sounds like they'll want to see him sooner.

Pam

 

[geebee]

Hi Pamela,

Although I sincerely believe the rehab is a place to run from, it sounds like your dad might be suffering from some confusion as well. Keep in mind that I am just an observer and trying to help.

Strong antibiotics, OHS and all the things your dad has been through can cause cognitive issues. Is it possible he could be misunderstanding one or two of the problems? Some of the things you have written indicate he might be. If he is having such issues, he can sound fine one moment (like talking to you) and be agitated the next (like responding to the staff and their actions/reactions).

I only bring this up because, if that is the case, you might have to deal with it when he gets home. I had a few moments after my last OHS where I thought no one wanted me to get better, that people were not feeding me and that everyone forgot my birthday. It was all not true and the feelings did pass but Chris (my SO) and my family were very disturbed. I am sure if they were not here but merely talking to me on the phone, they might have thought these things were real.

I am in no way saying your dad is imagining all that has happened to him and I am so very happy he is coming home. I hope the problems are solely with the rehab staff but I did want to play devil's advocate and bring up this possibility.

 

[Pamela8]

Gina,
I think for a couple of days when he was on high doses of antiobiotics at the hospital he was very tired and hard to talk to.

But confused no. My Aunt and Uncle were advised he would be discharged yesterday as per dr orders. Then when they got there everything changed. Like I said the explantation by the nurse was per my brothers orders which makes NO sense.

Just like right before he was readmitted to the hospital I was told his lungs were clear, but then when I talked to the unit manager after the administrtor had her call me, she noted that in his chart beginning three days before readmitted he had crackles in the lower lungs, which ended up pneumonia.

And he had been complaining of shortness of breath, kept being told to him and me that he was anxious- when he was admitted back to the hospital his oxygen level down and he was put on oxygen right away and kept on it three days.

I think if my Dad had any confusion it wasn't due to his surgery, but to his lack of control over his care and the neglect regaridng meds etc.

The only real difference I noticed in talking to my Dad was a sense of resignation. That scared me. But thankfully like I said now he is determined to get the heck out of there.

He can't wait for my brother to get there, hes worried about his monthy bills, always pays them right on time.

Pam