One ill Bill

It’s late and I’m home from class. My carpool worked out great, and I will not actually have to drive, just contribute for the gas. Lucky me. AND Bill is settled into the rehab unit. He was taken down about three o’clock. Liz was there and I went home to get ready for class. I think I’ll go to bed now.

Still waiting for clearance from the insurance company. Won’t believe we are there until we see the threshold of the door at rehab. Wait and wait and wait. Liz coming this afternoon and I will go to class in Iowa City tonight. Feels like a month since I went to class last week.

Well, Bill is definitely going to a private room in rehab here at the Burlington hospital. I am so greatful for that. He will be in room 109 and can be reached at 319-768-1091. I would not telephone before 4 PM on weekdays and not before noon on a Saturday. He will be busy with rehab appointments getting stronger in preparation to go home. I will try to blog more this afternoon. For now, just wanted to share the GOOD NEWS.

I came into the hospital very early this AM after I talked to the nurse. She confirmed Bill had developed a higher fever during the night. They took blood cultures and a chest x-ray, but do not see pneumonia. Nonetheless, they started the antibiotics his Iowa City pulmonologist has prescribed for each month. Does this all sound like second verse, same as first. It is a repeat of the conversations with the intensive care doctor in Iowa City, isn’t it? Soft signs, no clinical proof, etc, etc. They also stopped a medicine they believed was making him so sleepy. Tonight he is more awake, and the fever is down. He does feel a little congested, and the people who listen to his chest talk of wheezes and crackles. While that’s not good, I think the antibiotic will take over. Despite all their talk of no pneumonia, they have actually doubled the dose that he usually takes.

I am feeling a little like I’m running out of gas myself. I considered staying here at the hospital tonight, but only brought a clean shirt and pants. No pajamas or toothbrush. Guess I was pretty overwhelmed at 5:00 AM. However, I am encouraged as the nurse told us they are talking about transferring Bill downstairs in a day or two. That could mean a transition unit, or the same rehab as before. We are hoping it is the rehab. There is certainly plenty to work on. He still cannot stand or walk without assistance.

Bill is very groggy today. There are no signs of pneumonia and his dilantin level is normal so they will begin it again. I am wondering if the antidepressant is making him so drowsy. I have called his drowsiness and lack of appetite to his nurse who checked all vitals. Just wait and see.

Guess I’ll just sit here and read the paper or study while he sleeps. It’s a lazy afternoon, I should be thankful.

The pain in Bill’s back is relatively infrequent now – just when he sits or stands in certain positions. He requires a spotter when he walks, but walking daily is considered important to avoid blood clots and get strength back. The PT here today said she feels there would be definite reasons to justify having him in inpatient rehabilitation again. We are hoping the doctor order that before he comes home again, as you already know. Bill is still sleepy and a little lethargic today still, but the dilantin level remains to high to start it up again. So symptoms are attributed to that.

The doctor is definitely listening to me now. He asked details of how our pulmonologist, Dr. Moy treated Bill, and has essentially recreated all that now. I have been concerned again about not doing the percussion therapy just like I was at the other hospital. But I have also found that my friend Barbara faxed the copies of the MRI reports to Dr Moy for me and Dr Moy sent a letter immediately here detailing his feelings about the care Bill needs. I would never have thought of that with out Barb’s suggestion. You may recall she is my friend who wishes she had suggestions for traveling in France, but mainly knows about the “healthy wives club.” and waiting in the hospital.

For those of you who are envious of my housekeeper, just a few more details. I told her not to come Wednesday since things were so chaotic. So she obliged with no complaint. However, without my knowledge she just stopped by, took our laundry to her house and returned it the next day clean and folded or hung. She watered the outside plants on her way out. Does anybody remember the TV show with the housekeeper who was so amazing? It was her own show and there were a lot of kids in the family. I just can’t think of it, but mine definitely compares.

Bill is sleeping now, and I am doing a little studying. We moved across the room when his roommate left. Now we are on the side with the window, sofa, and lots of room for me. I must return to studies while I can…or perhaps a nap.

Well, blood tests last night showed Dilantin 50% higher than it should be. They withheld the evening dose and the AM dose and Bill is already alert again and his speech is normal again. What seemed like a general decline to me was true. The doc also noted I was right about the pain coming from the broken bone even though it was described by Bill as at a different place. Do I know my husband or not??? Well, since I’m actually at work I better do some. Bye.

It has been an up and down day. The doctor told me he would not be reviewing the MRI results today unless something significant showed up. Then, I get the message he wants to see me in the afternoon. You can imagine the panic. But here is what we know after talking to three doctors, with two more to come.

No bleeding in brain The fracture in spine is what is causing the pain and happened when he fell. Three treatment choices: nothing and wait to see if it heals quickly, a brace which the doc feels is unpleasant for patients, surgical repair by injecting plastic and laminating it all together-requires general anesthetic. He recommends do nothing until Monday. If pain is still severe, try the brace, then finally surgery if necessary. I don’t think that will happen. Bill has osteoporosis as a result of too little exercise in his life and too many steroids needed for lung problems. Treatment medication and be careful since bones are brittle. Dexascan of bones as outpatient in the future. The annurism measures 4.1X4.6. Anything over 5 is significant/dangerous and requires treatment. He said put this on the back burner since the surgery would be BIG and Bill is not up to that right now. Will consult with a surgeon for “watching it.” He thinks this could have been this way a long tine. Some people have things like this and never require treatment, but caution is important since the aorta is major business!! Bill also has arthritis in his spine and a place where it narrows called a stenosis, but the spine doctors is sure that is not causing the problems now. We can all go to the website Kit sent for information about L1 fractures – thanks Kit. Also, the neurologist believes the tremors that are increasing are caused by the dilantil and is checking to see if that should be decreased. That may also be why he seems so slow. Possible depression is an additional concern. The doctors are actually asking me for opinions now.

Friends and family are investigating how best to change the entrances to our home. There are two steps at each door, so railings or different steps may be important.

Bill’s brother and wife from Cincinnati are planning to visit Labor Day weekend, and will still come whether he is home or not. That will be a great diversion for Bill. We are looking forward to that. I hope he goes to the rehab unit again. There is no way I could handle him at home the way things are right now.

Thanks Waldo for all the help today/