well, another day that my cold/flu/whatever kept me away from the hospital, but mom and nicole were there, and here are the updates...
they are afraid that dad may have MRSA, which sucks. they are also thinking he has ICU syndrome, which basically means that he is disoriented terribly by the 24-hours-a-day cycle there, because his confusion and delirium is getting worse, although you can always lead him back to reality. His primary doctor and the rest of the team agreed tonight that they want to change his environment first, before they decide whether his mind is permanently affected by all the trauma or not. so he will be moving to telemetry after all. will update room information when i get it.
i know this is unethical, but as a mental health professional (i know, i am his daughter, hence my disclaimer about it being unethical) i don't get the impression that his cognitive deficits are organic. they aren't pervasive, and he is oriented to time, place and person, which is pretty much not possible if you are dealing with organic brain disorder or damage. it started when he was on high doses of IV opiates, but seems to be persisting now that he is on oral opiates only. my professional opinion, as unethical as it is...i think he is trying to cope with the trauma by "going to his happy place", if you will, since 99% of what he is "rambling" about is going to work, doing his show, music, etc. i think once he is transferred and can be more active and oriented by environmental activity it will clear. he is untethered by pain and location and i think he is dealing with it by kind of floating away when he can. at least i hope i am right about this.
anyway, that is all the news that is fit to print. please keep the cards, calls, and visits coming. love you all.
christene
they are afraid that dad may have MRSA, which sucks. they are also thinking he has ICU syndrome, which basically means that he is disoriented terribly by the 24-hours-a-day cycle there, because his confusion and delirium is getting worse, although you can always lead him back to reality. His primary doctor and the rest of the team agreed tonight that they want to change his environment first, before they decide whether his mind is permanently affected by all the trauma or not. so he will be moving to telemetry after all. will update room information when i get it.
i know this is unethical, but as a mental health professional (i know, i am his daughter, hence my disclaimer about it being unethical) i don't get the impression that his cognitive deficits are organic. they aren't pervasive, and he is oriented to time, place and person, which is pretty much not possible if you are dealing with organic brain disorder or damage. it started when he was on high doses of IV opiates, but seems to be persisting now that he is on oral opiates only. my professional opinion, as unethical as it is...i think he is trying to cope with the trauma by "going to his happy place", if you will, since 99% of what he is "rambling" about is going to work, doing his show, music, etc. i think once he is transferred and can be more active and oriented by environmental activity it will clear. he is untethered by pain and location and i think he is dealing with it by kind of floating away when he can. at least i hope i am right about this.
anyway, that is all the news that is fit to print. please keep the cards, calls, and visits coming. love you all.
christene
Tried to call, but did not know the password so could not get through again. Would love to talk with Carmey. Give her my love and good thoughts and prayers to Chuck for a speedy recovery. Hang in there. Cathy Schrecengost
ReplyDeletePlease tell Chuck that "Sir D" says Hello!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've had some experience with grandparents who went through bouts of ICU syndrome and weathered it well after things settled back down. I'm praying Chuck pushes right through this phase and that his body enjoys some rest and healing!
Best to all of you!
Douglas Barricklow
PERHAPS YOU ARE RIGHT CHRISTENE BECAUSE WHEN TOM WAS IN HOSPITAL, HE WOULD SEE WILLIE NELSON COME OUT OF THE WALLS AND SING TO HIM. I THINK MUSIC WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO BOTH OF THEM IN THEIR LIVES. JUST THINK OF ALL THOSE YEARS AND ALL THOSE SONGS THEY PLAYED. HOPE A NEW ENVIRONMENT WILL HELP HIM MOVE ON. AS ALWAYS, YOU AND THE FAMILY ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. CATHY SCHRECENGOST.
ReplyDelete