INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

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  • Loveroflife
    Loveroflife Member Posts: 5,563
    edited October 2015

    Ms. CHEVY, I am sorry for the pain and the fear of losing Ms. Theresa. Ms. Sas has a point. Find out if they had changed Ms. Theresa's meds recently. As we age, the liver becomes less efficient in metabolizing drugs and the kidneys also are slower in clearing them from the system. Could she possibly hit her head when she passed out? Hematoma can cause dementia-like symptoms. She is not diabetic, is she?

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deme...


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  • Rosevalley
    Rosevalley Member Posts: 3,061
    edited October 2015

    Chevy- I feel like I don't support you enough around your struggles with Theresa. Just about everyone in my Mom's side of the family has had a stroke. I have watched so many wonderful folks full of life chopped in an instant. My Mom had a stroke at 30 and then a couple of TIAs. Mom is just 76 and pretty much has checked out with dementia. It is so strange to see the person, listen to their voice and realize they are gone. The person you knew is no longer. Lovemy goats- so true about elderly folks and UTI's!! My Mom also went wonky, disoriented and shivering one afternoon a couple of years ago. My Brother had enough sense to take her to the ER where she was darn near septic with an untreated UTI and her sugars were so high they had to put her on an insulin drip! That was the end of metformin and the beginning of shots. She is like an unruly nasty toddler... refuses to control her eating, sneaks sweets... oy. Dementia with chronic health issues is the pits. It's so hard.

    My DH is a soccer nut and our local team WON in over time! DD2 was watching on a Spanish TV station up at college and texted "that game was so stressful! I never get that stressed unless I have to give a speech!" Haha.. had to laugh. Like Father Like Daughter!! DH was so quiet I expected a loss, but I think he was stunned silent! Dazed and thrilled! The two of them have Timbers shirts and jackets and go to games.. wish I could give him season tickets but the wait list oy! Sold Out for forever. Soccer is nearly a cult.

    Good night all. ((((Hugs))))) to any who need one.

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited October 2015

    YES! Lilgoats! She DOES have a UTI! Judy just found out yesterday... They had been treating her with an anti-biotic since they took her to the rehab center! She didn't have any type of Dementia before she fell... Before last week!

    Just complained of weakness and being so tired... but we still joked with each other... Even after the Dehydration episode, AND the blood-transfusion for "Anemia"......

    But now she is completely different... Yes Loverly, they quit the pain-pills, and she doesn't seem to be in any pain now... She got a little miffed when I said "I'm so sorry you fell".... She said "I WISH EVERYONE WOULD QUIT SAYING I FELL! I DIDN'T FALL.... I TRIPPED!" I asked if she hurt something, and she said "NO".... But she COULD have hit her head....

    At this point, I don't know how many tests they will do on her.... I'm thinking not many.... No...she is not diabetic, but "anemic".... or at least she was before the 2 pints of blood....

    I just keep thinking she did have a stroke....OR...... I read that article...(thanks) and it just seems like a Subdural hematoma from the fall... she wouldn't know it though.... but she was un-conscious when they found her... I read the symptoms, and she has most of them....

    I'm sure Steve & Judy know all this... She called and we talked a long time. Theresa didn't know that I had been there... It all just happened so suddenly.... but she IS better than when they took her in... at least physically.....

    Rosie, thank you! You are soooo sweet.... but you know how it is.... we just have to muddle around in the middle of this, and try and figure out how we can help.... Yes.... The UTI probably has a lot to do with all of this. Don't know when or how this could have happened, but they are treating her for it.... You described Theresa exactly... One minute they are "there".... and the next minute..... "gone"....

    Sass, thank you... You called when I needed someone the most.... It was good to hear a calming voice, and reassurance....

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited October 2015

    Chevy: Just chiming in with a "Phew (for certain values of phew)--it's 'only' a UTI."

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited October 2015

    Chevy, What's odd is the standard admission orders for almost any admission is a CBC(complete bloodwork), Chest xray, Cmet(Cmp)(chemistries), and an UA. An UA (urinalaysis)will show that and infection is present. That result is available within a few hours. Really shorter. A Culture and Sensitivity is done at the time of the completion of the UA. The culture result is available in 48 hours, the sensitivity to antibiotics is available in 24 hrs. How a UTI could go this long without a dx is beyond reasonable. Originally, I said something was a miss at the hospital. But there are three possible scenario's that would need to be tracked to determine if the chain of events were reasonable or if there was an error.

    The only possibility is she was negative on admission to the acute hospital and an admission UA was done at the rehab facility. This is possible. Because of Medicare rules now, all facilities are doing certain things to protect the patient and themselves. Medicare will not pay if patients have certain problems that occur while a patient is hospitalized (rehab). Other things that Medicare will deny full admission payment for are hospital acquired infections, hospital acquired bedsores. Hmmm Have Judy check with the hospital re: the admission UA. If it was negative. Than it was a hospital acquired UTI. Also, have Judy check if the hospital UA was acquired by catheterization. If the UA was obtained from the catheter and the original specimen was negative than that further supports an hospital acquired infection.

    If the mental status change is b/c of a UTI, you should start to see a change back to Theresa's normal mental status within 24-48 hours after being on a sensitive antibiotic. Takes a little while for the turnaround.

    Another alternative thought is she was dx'd with a UTI in the acute hospital and the family not informed and she was placed on antibiotics in the acute hospital. But that would be an error of omission (screw-up) b/c Theresa's Healthcare Surrogate should have been informed of all abnormalities.

    If timing flows like this: admitted to acute hospital on Friday UA abnormal after admission, placed on broad spectrum antibiotic while UC & S done>>shipped out on Monday. The UC&S would have been available on Monday. The UA could show that the original antibiotic wasn't sensitive. This is not an error. Important need to know info. The whole UC&S is done to determine what bacteria is present and sensitive

    If the patient was shipped out on Monday before the test was completed. The docs would be notified. The rehab facility would have been notified Mon sometime. The admitting doc for the rehab may have been different than the hospital, they are notified of results by rehab staff. Theres's orders received for antibiotics might be received late mon or Tues morning. Antibiotic received at rehab sometime Tues or wed. First dose not given too Theresa until late Tues or Wed morning. Reasonable 24 hours minimum to first noticed mental status change would be Thursday(likely late). Friday(today) is the first day that a significant change would be noted. Yup, conceivably likely.

    When patients are shuttled around facilities, different pharmacies, and different docs delays, regretfully, happen b/c so many things have to be accomplished. With rehab/ nursing home/ assisted living facilities don't have internal pharmacies. They're can be hours of delay time when drugs need to come from an outside facility.

    The whole chain of events can be tracked.. There may not have had an error anywhere in the chain of events. But as you can see from the above they're three possible scenario's for one UTI.

    Hugs sweetie, :) Glad we were able to talk Chevy when we did. More Hugs sassy

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  • Jacfin
    Jacfin Member Posts: 114
    edited October 2015

    Sending long distance hugs Chevy. I've seen the impact of UTI in these circumstances and was going to mention it but as always, the lovely Owlettes are onto it. I hope you and Theresa get an opportunity to make some more good memories for each other.


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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited October 2015

    In each hospital and tertiary(rehab/nursing home facility), there are a group of people that never come in contact with real patients. The departments are usually called Utilization Review. They are usually staffed with RN's that review the charts. They do the same type of tracking that I did on Theresa's UA, but the whole chart is done. Everything from the moment the patient is taken into the ER till discharge should follow a logical sequence by what is documented on the chart. Experienced people can identify if the flow was usual an reasonable, or they're were errors and omissions.

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  • Loveroflife
    Loveroflife Member Posts: 5,563
    edited October 2015

    Hopefully, her mental status will improve as the antibiotic is doing its job. Yes, just as Jacfin stated-wishing you many more quality times with Ms. Theresa. I don't think it's uncommon to get a UTI with dehydration.

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited October 2015

    Yes, thanks gals.... Judy only said she knew about the UTI yesterday.... And they probably did all the blood-work, and the tests in the Hospital, and before going to rehab... They wouldn't have done it Tuesday, because that's when she was admitted to rehab... She probably had been treated for it while in the hospital....

    Steve... Theresa's Son, might know more than Judy does, because they seem to pass each other coming and going.... So in other words, I'll bet she HAS been treated for the UTI longer than just a few days...

    I'm only her "friend".... Judy seems to be her advocate, nurse, doctor, attorney, AND her mouth-piece... Ha! She would just "chill" if anyone else mentioned something she hadn't thought of..... She takes care of Theresa, like she is her nuisance child.... very protective and domineering... She told Theresa "You feed yourself.... I know you can do it." And I know that Theresa loves to be waited on.... So they seem to be going on a path that is comfortable for all of them....

    I told my DH that I'd rather go see her when she is back at Assisted Living, if she ever gets well enough to go back there.... I would rather wait until she at least knows me ..... it was really a shock to see her like this.... and maybe she WILL get better.... So right now I know she is in good hands.... and okay in her own mind.... even if she adds other people now and then.....

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  • Cubbie2015
    Cubbie2015 Member Posts: 875
    edited October 2015

    Chevy, the same thing happened to my uncle, and once the UTI was cleared up, he was much better. Crossing fingers that this is the root of Miss Theresa's issue.

    Been super busy, catch up with you guys later tonight!

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited October 2015

    Hi Back in from dinner. A dear friend and I went to a place in the town north of me. Sat with two gals in the waiting patio. Then asked them to join us for dinner. They were way down on the list. We had a great visit had many people in common. The one gal would have never made her card game. She was so funny.

    Hi Loverly and cubbie---and ALL. BBL

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2015

    imageMore to come later.

    Happy Halloween

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  • Rosevalley
    Rosevalley Member Posts: 3,061
    edited October 2015

    Well the Medieval Princess dress went to my little princess. I even managed a head band with the same braid as the dress and lace flowing down to her shoulders. She looked wonderful and was so happy. The pictures are on DH's phone I will get him to plaster it here tomorrow. Those little itty bity rose buds are something else to stitch into place.. oy. Good thing I had this to do cause I am house bound and can't do much else. Which is making me feel kind of useless and sad. Not to mention being worried about being incontinent and unable to walk if this shooting pain doesn't subside. Wouldn't that just suck. You know having worked as a nurse is both a curse and a blessing... you know too much and false hope doesn't fly.

    Got my labs back... UTI surprise.. not. Liver enzymes and alkphosphotase up... surprise..nope. I might medicate myself into being able to sit and hand out candy.. I love Halloween. It's supposed to rain like the dickens but truly seeing the kids' faces and their costumes and listening to their comments.. love it! Our neighborhood goes all out and some of the house decorations are spectacular! Entire yards of props, dry ice, etc. One family put wire outside their front door from the roof to the ground with stakes, then white webbing across the entire front like an enormous web funneled to the front door! Then there is a HUGE 6 foot spider sitting above the door waiting to pounce. Gotta tell you it's a great set up. I stopped the car to admire that! Some little kid will need a ton of nerve to go under that spider for candy! I can't decorate.. not steady enough. I found my glow in the dark white rat and that's it. sigh...

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited October 2015

    Rose: I do hope you manage to do at least part of the trick-or-treating! It's the little kids I love seeing too, though my decorations are more along the lines of a glow-in-the-dark rat. (Two real punkins. I'm in farm country transitioning very slowly to 'bedroom' type community, so there are still a few family farms scattered about and I make a point of buying from them, rather than from even the local grocery stores.)

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2015

    Hi everybody. Spookie here. Guess what?? Today is my birthday!! Yep, I'm 6🎂 So far it's been great. Mom took me to see this huge pumpkin. image

    Then I got to pick out some new toys

    Then I got a cookie!! I think I have a good mom!!


    image

    image

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited October 2015

    ahhhhh, Happy Birthday, Spookie!!! You have a great Mom.

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited October 2015

    Look how cute she is! Good Mom, Spookers!

    http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/84031504/


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  • Cubbie2015
    Cubbie2015 Member Posts: 875
    edited October 2015

    Rose, I hope you can hand out candy tonight. Don't worry about not having much for decorations, the kids enjoy stopping off at houses anyway. I only have a stuffed pumpkin myself, I've never been much of a decorator. I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures of the dress you made. I remember you were working on it several weeks ago, when I was still recovering from my surgery, and I've been curious to about it. Do you have any plans for a new project? Being house bound has to be the pits.

    Spookie is so cute! I love her little pink coat.

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  • Loveroflife
    Loveroflife Member Posts: 5,563
    edited October 2015

    Awww, someone is spoiled

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2015

    Yeah, but she doesn't stink!! 😜

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  • susan3
    susan3 Member Posts: 3,728
    edited November 2015

    happy birthday little doggy. You have a great mom :)

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  • Rosevalley
    Rosevalley Member Posts: 3,061
    edited November 2015

    image

    ok that is the Medieval Princess dress minus the head band (same braid and white lace to her shoulders).


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  • mema4
    mema4 Member Posts: 574
    edited November 2015

    Spookie's mom is cool!

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited November 2015

    Rose: beautiful!

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  • Rosevalley
    Rosevalley Member Posts: 3,061
    edited November 2015

    image

    image

    Ok trying to import images is so stressful! These are the two best houses in our Neighborhood Halloween decorating awards. It's raining buckets... hasn't rained this hard since March! We have had 2 inches this afternoon and it's hardly paused. poor kids. These two places are just around the corner from us. Pretty cool eh? Stay dry. Happy Halloween.

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  • Cubbie2015
    Cubbie2015 Member Posts: 875
    edited November 2015

    Oh, wow, Rose, that must have looked really neat on her with the headband. I see what you mean about those rosebuds, those things are tiny.

    And OMG, if I was a kid, I wouldn't have gone near that house with the spider on the roof, that is so realistic! Those people don't need to buy any candy, nobody's coming near them!

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited November 2015

    Rose what talent! It's beautiful!!! She should keep that for her kids!!

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  • Smaarty
    Smaarty Member Posts: 2,951
    edited November 2015

    rose, nice dress, great job. Like your neighborhood too. I think we had a first tonight. No treat or treaters, first time in 38 years here.


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  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited November 2015

    Rose, Beautiful dress. Wow!

    We had lots of trick or treaters here. It's 8pm now and I'm cutting off the handouts. From now on it would just be big kids anyway. One year I told a bunch of teens to go home and put on costumes if they wanted a treat. They were sheepish and smiled. All we did for decorating was a pumpkin jack o'lantern and corn stalks from the garden. DH has a pumpkin mask to put over the porch light. He is marching with the samba band in a neighborhood celebration. They asked residents in the Fremont neighborhood what they wanted for public art. They said a troll under the bridge. So now they celebrate trollween with parades and music and fun. This is the same neighborhood that has the summer solstice parade which is regularly invaded by naked bicyclists (most wearing body paint).

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  • PattyPeppermint
    PattyPeppermint Member Posts: 11,162
    edited November 2015

    just saying hey and passing along hugs to sll

    Hootie hoo

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