December 12, 2009
1247 Hours
Dar was moved out of ICU yesterday afternoon to a private room.
Today she continues to get lots of rest and a boatload of antibiotics. We unfortunately find ourselves back in the hospital for reasons I find very upsetting.
I admit I am very new to what “home health care” totally means. At a minimum I would think that if a client has need to call the “agency of record” said agency would take the information from the client and pass it to the prescribing doctor. Then it would make sense to me that the doctor would be in touch with the client with a plan of attack.
Last weekend when this all started I made calls to the “agency” describing our symptoms and thought we would hear back. We did not, in fact we were told that there was no way to contact a doctor in our home area on the weekends and that there is nobody on call. Finally on Monday we got a prescription for Dar’s UTI, nothing was said nor was anything acknowledged about her breathing issues or what Jamie and I were suctioning out of her lungs. We allowed the new antibiotics a few days to kick in and in fact started to see some change in Dar. This may have cost us some valuable time
On Thursday I returned to work and Jamie returned from her bout with the cold and we both thought we were back on track. Little did we know that things were going to change on Thursday when I got home? I arrived home at my normal time and Jamie said that Dar had been “good” all day. Shortly after my arrival Dar began to “desat” yet again. This time when I tried to suction her I almost could not get through the “junk”. When I did and got it out I told Jamie “this is it, we’re going to Enloe”. I made the call and off we went.
Dar was admitted to the ICU mainly as a precaution based on her blood gasses results. It was the thought of Dr Val that part of her issues might be a result of too much Baclofen being adjusted on Tuesday. A call was placed to Dr Park and yesterday and he backed her back down to where she was on Tuesday. I spoke with him yesterday and he believes that the adjustment was not the issue. He plans on coming in today and tomorrow and slowly turning her back up.
I had a lengthy discussion with Dr Val about my concerns regarding response and lack of response from our “providers” at home. We concluded with the assurance that if we changed, things would be different. Dr Val agreed to take on the role of Pulmonary Specialist along with Dr Verma, a new Primary Care Physician would come onboard, a request for a consult and evaluation by Dr Sing, Neurologist, (one I have been wanting) would be requested for while Dar is here, and a new Home Health Care Agency, specifically Enloe Home Health. Lastly, we will continue with our “pain management team”, Dr’s Park and Filbrandt and the Enloe Rehab staff.
So, you can see we now have a new “Dream Team” for Dar. One specific point that Dr Val made was that when I called with a question or concern that I would receive a return call. I found this new “team” and attitude very comforting. I pray that all this will play out as stated.
I learned the other day that it was the “opinion” of some at our former “home health agency” that I was “too demanding”. Well if making sure Dar gets the best care and correct care that she needs and is entitled to, is demanding than, I guess I am demanding, very demanding. You can bet your last dollar I will continue to be too!!!!!!!!!!!!
Needless to say, I severed relationships with the home health agency and doctor’s back home and I am looking forward to our new “Dream Team”.
Dr Park just stopped by and we both agree that we will hold off the titration of Dar’s pump till tomorrow. Dar is very limber today and has been since my arrival. We are going to wait and see if by tomorrow she might be a little more alert and not so “snowed”. I would think that with all the antibiotics she is receiving that there is an influence to her awareness and alertness through out the day.
All in al I feel we are in a good place. I feel Dar is on the mend, I think everything is now under control and we just need a few days of rest and relaxation for Dar to return to her happy perky self.
I am off to Costco on my way home to pick up supplies for Dar and a few groceries. We hope you have a great weekend and enjoy your particular weather. It is cloudy and rainy here today and should continue for the next few days. We certainly need it and it is a welcome change.
Love to all, and to our extended family we wish you much joy and continued growth with each of your special situations.
Talk soon,
Love ya all,
Dar/Danny/Jamiesue
1247 Hours
Dar was moved out of ICU yesterday afternoon to a private room.
Today she continues to get lots of rest and a boatload of antibiotics. We unfortunately find ourselves back in the hospital for reasons I find very upsetting.
I admit I am very new to what “home health care” totally means. At a minimum I would think that if a client has need to call the “agency of record” said agency would take the information from the client and pass it to the prescribing doctor. Then it would make sense to me that the doctor would be in touch with the client with a plan of attack.
Last weekend when this all started I made calls to the “agency” describing our symptoms and thought we would hear back. We did not, in fact we were told that there was no way to contact a doctor in our home area on the weekends and that there is nobody on call. Finally on Monday we got a prescription for Dar’s UTI, nothing was said nor was anything acknowledged about her breathing issues or what Jamie and I were suctioning out of her lungs. We allowed the new antibiotics a few days to kick in and in fact started to see some change in Dar. This may have cost us some valuable time
On Thursday I returned to work and Jamie returned from her bout with the cold and we both thought we were back on track. Little did we know that things were going to change on Thursday when I got home? I arrived home at my normal time and Jamie said that Dar had been “good” all day. Shortly after my arrival Dar began to “desat” yet again. This time when I tried to suction her I almost could not get through the “junk”. When I did and got it out I told Jamie “this is it, we’re going to Enloe”. I made the call and off we went.
Dar was admitted to the ICU mainly as a precaution based on her blood gasses results. It was the thought of Dr Val that part of her issues might be a result of too much Baclofen being adjusted on Tuesday. A call was placed to Dr Park and yesterday and he backed her back down to where she was on Tuesday. I spoke with him yesterday and he believes that the adjustment was not the issue. He plans on coming in today and tomorrow and slowly turning her back up.
I had a lengthy discussion with Dr Val about my concerns regarding response and lack of response from our “providers” at home. We concluded with the assurance that if we changed, things would be different. Dr Val agreed to take on the role of Pulmonary Specialist along with Dr Verma, a new Primary Care Physician would come onboard, a request for a consult and evaluation by Dr Sing, Neurologist, (one I have been wanting) would be requested for while Dar is here, and a new Home Health Care Agency, specifically Enloe Home Health. Lastly, we will continue with our “pain management team”, Dr’s Park and Filbrandt and the Enloe Rehab staff.
So, you can see we now have a new “Dream Team” for Dar. One specific point that Dr Val made was that when I called with a question or concern that I would receive a return call. I found this new “team” and attitude very comforting. I pray that all this will play out as stated.
I learned the other day that it was the “opinion” of some at our former “home health agency” that I was “too demanding”. Well if making sure Dar gets the best care and correct care that she needs and is entitled to, is demanding than, I guess I am demanding, very demanding. You can bet your last dollar I will continue to be too!!!!!!!!!!!!
Needless to say, I severed relationships with the home health agency and doctor’s back home and I am looking forward to our new “Dream Team”.
Dr Park just stopped by and we both agree that we will hold off the titration of Dar’s pump till tomorrow. Dar is very limber today and has been since my arrival. We are going to wait and see if by tomorrow she might be a little more alert and not so “snowed”. I would think that with all the antibiotics she is receiving that there is an influence to her awareness and alertness through out the day.
All in al I feel we are in a good place. I feel Dar is on the mend, I think everything is now under control and we just need a few days of rest and relaxation for Dar to return to her happy perky self.
I am off to Costco on my way home to pick up supplies for Dar and a few groceries. We hope you have a great weekend and enjoy your particular weather. It is cloudy and rainy here today and should continue for the next few days. We certainly need it and it is a welcome change.
Love to all, and to our extended family we wish you much joy and continued growth with each of your special situations.
Talk soon,
Love ya all,
Dar/Danny/Jamiesue
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