Showing posts with label Scott in Hospital with TTP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scott in Hospital with TTP. Show all posts
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Take Note, Alannis Morisette: This is Irony
"University Medical Associates - how may I help you?" a distant female voice asks.
"Yes, I'd like to speak to the billing department, please," I answer.
"I'm sorry, but you've reached the answering service," she says.
"Oh, well, may I leave them a message?" I ask.
"No. You'll have to call back during business hours."
"... I'm sorry - What?"
"Call back during business hours, please."
"... Um... I can't leave a message with the answering service?" I ask.
"No, ma'am."
"Then... what do you do?" I ask, thoroughly confused. Did I call the wrong number, maybe? "Is this the answering service for University Medical Associates?"
"Yes, but this line is for emergencies."
"But... isn't that what 9-1-1 is for?" I ask.
*Click*
She hung up on me.
"Yes, I'd like to speak to the billing department, please," I answer.
"I'm sorry, but you've reached the answering service," she says.
"Oh, well, may I leave them a message?" I ask.
"No. You'll have to call back during business hours."
"... I'm sorry - What?"
"Call back during business hours, please."
"... Um... I can't leave a message with the answering service?" I ask.
"No, ma'am."
"Then... what do you do?" I ask, thoroughly confused. Did I call the wrong number, maybe? "Is this the answering service for University Medical Associates?"
"Yes, but this line is for emergencies."
"But... isn't that what 9-1-1 is for?" I ask.
*Click*
She hung up on me.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Day 18 Through Day Whatever of Scott's Hospitalization
AUGUSTA, GA. - So as I explained earlier, I'm playing catch-up. So here's the rest of his hospital visit.
Day 18 - Got better. Walked more. I had exhausted my employer's patience, however, so I had to go back to work. Damn comas and all...
Day 19 - Got better. Walked more. Ate solids foods. I tried to balance sales calls with being at the hospital. It didn't work out so well.
Day 20 - More of the same. They moved him from ICU to Telemetry.
Day 21 - Mr. Hospital Expert doesn't like the new nurses. He calls them "The B Team." They do seem rather less attentive, but then Scott's taken up most of the hospital's attention for three weeks, now. What does he want - a parade?
Day 22 - Okay, look: the way it worked out was that I would stop in and check on him in the mornings before work, then go try to sell advertising, fail miserably, return to check on him during my lunch break, go back to failing to sell advertising, and return to see him RIGHT when visiting hours ended. Then I'd pretend that I didn't know I was supposed to be gone for as long as the nurses would let me get away with it.
I'd bring Emmie with me because she missed him terribly, even though she was a little shy about the experience and treated her father tentatively. The tubes, the machinery, the pale, whispery, wasted form that was previously her boisterous and demonstrative daddy were intimidating. At night, she would turn to me from across the table or while lying in bed reading bedtime stories and with an expression serious beyond her years state simply, "My daddy is berry sick." Her face said it all. She hurt. But she persevered. And were it not for the many aunts, uncles and granparents who stepped in to love and distract her during the time, she and I both might have been broken down by the experience. I'll never again scoff at the "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child" expression as being trite or pithy or reeking of bumpersticker politics.
During that time I relied heavily on his brothers and his parents, who did fantastic jobs in helping to meet his everyday needs. He was a horrible patient - great if you needed a litany of complaints; but not so great if, say, you'd just spent two weeks watching him almost dead in a medically-induced coma and were hoping for a joyous reunion. It was like talking to those two old guy puppets who hung out in the balcony of "The Muppet Show" - except without the funny.
But they released him to come home much sooner than anticipated - a ridiculously early release for someone whose nurse, Jennifer (HI, AWESOMENESS! Sorry to blog your name twice!) told us she didn't think would survive his first 12 hours on the ICU floor. In fact, one of his doctors leaned in at his last plasmapheresis treatment and squinted at him as though he couldn't quite believe that he wasn't the subject of an elaborate and sickening practical joke: "You know," he said. "You're not supposed to be here."
We know. He's also not supposed to be able to walk without a walker for 6 months. He's not supposed to be able to talk for a month. He's not supposed to be back at work.
But "supposed to" - for those of you who have heard him report on subjects like the Georgia Golf Hall of Shame, the Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corporation, and other not-so-happy subjects - has never been a phrase that defined Scott's life. So while I'm overjoyed at his speedy progress, I am not surprised. You've never met anyone with the kind of determination that drives my husband like a mad dog. He gets something in his teeth and he shakes it 'til it's dead.
That means we generally don't talk about politics in the house. But it also means that there is no one on the planet that you could ask to be a better advocate for the wrongly accused or unjustly treated. When he and his attorney brother put their heads together, just start running. They're about to tear up the joint.
So Scott's getting around with a cane for balance. He was home less than three hours before he voiced his first report for WGAC in our home studio (translation: half of our living room). And he's not planning on going anywhere for a long time. He's quit smoking. Whatever couple of beers he might have tossed back at the end of a long day has been reduced to a single glass of red wine. He's added a multivitamin and an aspirin to his daily regimen. And instead of a pot of coffee every morning, he's sipping on various kinds of hot tea (but without the self-important literary references that usually accompany such beverages; if he starts carrying copies of Thomas Pynchon novels in his back pocket, you have my permission to slap the crap out of him).
There are still remaining issues. The chance of relapse, or of developing larger clots. The general exhaustion that plagues him. He rode around in his grandfather's extra electric wheelchair at Boshear's Skyfest today. He has to use a motorized cart at the grocery store, and shoppers have been known to glare at him as though he's just cruisin' for the fun of it. Trust me: he hates it.
He pushes himself every day towards a full recovery. He does what work Mary Liz allows him, does a little cleaning around the house and cooks dinner. Honestly, that's about all he can give. He takes a nap - and sometimes two - every day. It will be this way for a while. The only thing that will speed the healing process along is the ability to accelerate time. And that's not really speeding things up because it's doubtful that our perception of time would change, based on the fact that time is really a human concoction in the first place, so... what was I saying? Oh, yeah. He needs time. I'm happy he has a need for time at all. What use could he make of time if he were dead?
But he's using his time to further the forces of good. After a combined effort by Augusta State University (Hi, Leeza! Hi, Dr. van Tuyll!(s)!) and Channel 12 to highlight the desperate need for blood donations at Shepeard Community Blood Centers, donations spiked so high that the center had to start scheduling appointments. Linda Peterson, the center's PR rep, has been overjoyed. She told Scott that he had put a face on the ever-present need for blood donation, and asked him to serve as their spokesperson.
And it took more than 100 plasma donations to save his life. Even while he spiraled down towards death, University Hospital began a course of treatment that, after just the first session, stabilized his body in a noticeable way. He was less jaundiced. He coughed up less blood. His lung X-rays showed marked improvement. While he wasn't out of the woods - they mulled dialysis for his kidneys, worried about the length of time he might have a tube down his throat and prepped me for the possibility of a tracheotomy - he responded. I'm talking within three hours, while the doctors and nurses would have never intentionally given me the kind of positive reinforcement I wanted them to, I saw the subtle change in him. It gave me hope and strength. From then on, he had a treatment every day. And every day he showed signs of improvement - although he certainly had his struggles.
But I have to stress that as crucial as the correct treatment obviously is, it was the combined effort of the incredible nursing staff in the PCPU at University Hospital and his family that gave him such a miraculous recovery.
The first couple of days, I don't think the nurses went 15 minutes without having to respond to some alarm telling them that Scott was losing something he needed. Blood oxygen. Heart rate. Blood pressure. Electrolytes. Potassium. Sodium. Platelets. Whole blood. Morphine. Suctioning of his lungs, throat and mouth. Countless drugs and chemicals that they pumped into his system to give his body the help it needed to keep going until the next treatment.
The other element was the effort of all of his family. Scott was rarely alone. Someone was always there to advocate for him. That meant that we could give his nurses two minutes of warning that he was coughing on something his lungs produced before the alarms even sounded. I'm not saying that saved his life, but it contributed. We took turns talking to him, reading the paper to him, massaging his muscles, working his joints, holding his hand, and teasing him about faking it to get attention.
I credit his mother, father, sister, brothers, extended family members, friends, co-workers and some just random-ass members of the community for the extent of his recovery. I think he has been both touched and a little embarrased by the ferocity of protectiveness that people have shown him.
But I've been proud. I've been proud that people who know my husband see in him the kinds of qualities that drew me to accept his proposal after only three months of dating. I've marveled at the community response to his condition, and the way that Augustans always allow themselves to be inspired to give by a story of someone in need. Let's not forget that we sent $1 million to New York City after 9/11. We're a community of people who see tragedy and reach out for a way to help end it.
I've enjoyed the number of meals, snacks and touching communications that people shared with us. I've appreciated the monetary donations to this site. But I've been more proud of the crush of blood and plasma donors who have responded to the calls for help sounded by Shepeard.
Maybe it was Scott. Maybe it was Travis Barker and DJ AM. Maybe it was the timing, or the three together. Maybe it was the simple fact that Linda and the good folks at Shepeard were poking 'round the bottom of the barrel in order to save the lives of the many good people who wind up in one of our - what seven, now? - area hospitals and need blood products just to make it from one day to the next. And people looked around guiltily and said, "I knew I forgot something..."
Whatever drove you to give blood or plasma... thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Love Always,
Stacey
Day 18 - Got better. Walked more. I had exhausted my employer's patience, however, so I had to go back to work. Damn comas and all...
Day 19 - Got better. Walked more. Ate solids foods. I tried to balance sales calls with being at the hospital. It didn't work out so well.
Day 20 - More of the same. They moved him from ICU to Telemetry.
Day 21 - Mr. Hospital Expert doesn't like the new nurses. He calls them "The B Team." They do seem rather less attentive, but then Scott's taken up most of the hospital's attention for three weeks, now. What does he want - a parade?
Day 22 - Okay, look: the way it worked out was that I would stop in and check on him in the mornings before work, then go try to sell advertising, fail miserably, return to check on him during my lunch break, go back to failing to sell advertising, and return to see him RIGHT when visiting hours ended. Then I'd pretend that I didn't know I was supposed to be gone for as long as the nurses would let me get away with it.
I'd bring Emmie with me because she missed him terribly, even though she was a little shy about the experience and treated her father tentatively. The tubes, the machinery, the pale, whispery, wasted form that was previously her boisterous and demonstrative daddy were intimidating. At night, she would turn to me from across the table or while lying in bed reading bedtime stories and with an expression serious beyond her years state simply, "My daddy is berry sick." Her face said it all. She hurt. But she persevered. And were it not for the many aunts, uncles and granparents who stepped in to love and distract her during the time, she and I both might have been broken down by the experience. I'll never again scoff at the "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child" expression as being trite or pithy or reeking of bumpersticker politics.
During that time I relied heavily on his brothers and his parents, who did fantastic jobs in helping to meet his everyday needs. He was a horrible patient - great if you needed a litany of complaints; but not so great if, say, you'd just spent two weeks watching him almost dead in a medically-induced coma and were hoping for a joyous reunion. It was like talking to those two old guy puppets who hung out in the balcony of "The Muppet Show" - except without the funny.
But they released him to come home much sooner than anticipated - a ridiculously early release for someone whose nurse, Jennifer (HI, AWESOMENESS! Sorry to blog your name twice!) told us she didn't think would survive his first 12 hours on the ICU floor. In fact, one of his doctors leaned in at his last plasmapheresis treatment and squinted at him as though he couldn't quite believe that he wasn't the subject of an elaborate and sickening practical joke: "You know," he said. "You're not supposed to be here."
We know. He's also not supposed to be able to walk without a walker for 6 months. He's not supposed to be able to talk for a month. He's not supposed to be back at work.
But "supposed to" - for those of you who have heard him report on subjects like the Georgia Golf Hall of Shame, the Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corporation, and other not-so-happy subjects - has never been a phrase that defined Scott's life. So while I'm overjoyed at his speedy progress, I am not surprised. You've never met anyone with the kind of determination that drives my husband like a mad dog. He gets something in his teeth and he shakes it 'til it's dead.
That means we generally don't talk about politics in the house. But it also means that there is no one on the planet that you could ask to be a better advocate for the wrongly accused or unjustly treated. When he and his attorney brother put their heads together, just start running. They're about to tear up the joint.
So Scott's getting around with a cane for balance. He was home less than three hours before he voiced his first report for WGAC in our home studio (translation: half of our living room). And he's not planning on going anywhere for a long time. He's quit smoking. Whatever couple of beers he might have tossed back at the end of a long day has been reduced to a single glass of red wine. He's added a multivitamin and an aspirin to his daily regimen. And instead of a pot of coffee every morning, he's sipping on various kinds of hot tea (but without the self-important literary references that usually accompany such beverages; if he starts carrying copies of Thomas Pynchon novels in his back pocket, you have my permission to slap the crap out of him).
There are still remaining issues. The chance of relapse, or of developing larger clots. The general exhaustion that plagues him. He rode around in his grandfather's extra electric wheelchair at Boshear's Skyfest today. He has to use a motorized cart at the grocery store, and shoppers have been known to glare at him as though he's just cruisin' for the fun of it. Trust me: he hates it.
He pushes himself every day towards a full recovery. He does what work Mary Liz allows him, does a little cleaning around the house and cooks dinner. Honestly, that's about all he can give. He takes a nap - and sometimes two - every day. It will be this way for a while. The only thing that will speed the healing process along is the ability to accelerate time. And that's not really speeding things up because it's doubtful that our perception of time would change, based on the fact that time is really a human concoction in the first place, so... what was I saying? Oh, yeah. He needs time. I'm happy he has a need for time at all. What use could he make of time if he were dead?
But he's using his time to further the forces of good. After a combined effort by Augusta State University (Hi, Leeza! Hi, Dr. van Tuyll!(s)!) and Channel 12 to highlight the desperate need for blood donations at Shepeard Community Blood Centers, donations spiked so high that the center had to start scheduling appointments. Linda Peterson, the center's PR rep, has been overjoyed. She told Scott that he had put a face on the ever-present need for blood donation, and asked him to serve as their spokesperson.
And it took more than 100 plasma donations to save his life. Even while he spiraled down towards death, University Hospital began a course of treatment that, after just the first session, stabilized his body in a noticeable way. He was less jaundiced. He coughed up less blood. His lung X-rays showed marked improvement. While he wasn't out of the woods - they mulled dialysis for his kidneys, worried about the length of time he might have a tube down his throat and prepped me for the possibility of a tracheotomy - he responded. I'm talking within three hours, while the doctors and nurses would have never intentionally given me the kind of positive reinforcement I wanted them to, I saw the subtle change in him. It gave me hope and strength. From then on, he had a treatment every day. And every day he showed signs of improvement - although he certainly had his struggles.
But I have to stress that as crucial as the correct treatment obviously is, it was the combined effort of the incredible nursing staff in the PCPU at University Hospital and his family that gave him such a miraculous recovery.
The first couple of days, I don't think the nurses went 15 minutes without having to respond to some alarm telling them that Scott was losing something he needed. Blood oxygen. Heart rate. Blood pressure. Electrolytes. Potassium. Sodium. Platelets. Whole blood. Morphine. Suctioning of his lungs, throat and mouth. Countless drugs and chemicals that they pumped into his system to give his body the help it needed to keep going until the next treatment.
The other element was the effort of all of his family. Scott was rarely alone. Someone was always there to advocate for him. That meant that we could give his nurses two minutes of warning that he was coughing on something his lungs produced before the alarms even sounded. I'm not saying that saved his life, but it contributed. We took turns talking to him, reading the paper to him, massaging his muscles, working his joints, holding his hand, and teasing him about faking it to get attention.
I credit his mother, father, sister, brothers, extended family members, friends, co-workers and some just random-ass members of the community for the extent of his recovery. I think he has been both touched and a little embarrased by the ferocity of protectiveness that people have shown him.
But I've been proud. I've been proud that people who know my husband see in him the kinds of qualities that drew me to accept his proposal after only three months of dating. I've marveled at the community response to his condition, and the way that Augustans always allow themselves to be inspired to give by a story of someone in need. Let's not forget that we sent $1 million to New York City after 9/11. We're a community of people who see tragedy and reach out for a way to help end it.
I've enjoyed the number of meals, snacks and touching communications that people shared with us. I've appreciated the monetary donations to this site. But I've been more proud of the crush of blood and plasma donors who have responded to the calls for help sounded by Shepeard.
Maybe it was Scott. Maybe it was Travis Barker and DJ AM. Maybe it was the timing, or the three together. Maybe it was the simple fact that Linda and the good folks at Shepeard were poking 'round the bottom of the barrel in order to save the lives of the many good people who wind up in one of our - what seven, now? - area hospitals and need blood products just to make it from one day to the next. And people looked around guiltily and said, "I knew I forgot something..."
Whatever drove you to give blood or plasma... thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Love Always,
Stacey
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Day 17 of Scott's Hospitalization
AUGUSTA, GA. - 8:07 a.m. - Scott had almost a full day of lucidity, but is now in & out again.
8:09 a.m. - It's especially frustrating 4 me b/c now i've had 2 go back 2 work.
10:06 a.m. - Just ran by hosp on way to office. Scott too drowsy 2 communicate.
10:09 a.m. - Will start weaning trials today to see if he can come off vent.
10:11 a.m. - Nurses prob not looking forward. He keeps yanking out hoses when awake. They have about taped up his whole face 2 keep them in. He looks like The Mummy. I can't be there most of time b/c visiting hours start just before work & end just after.
10:22 a.m. - OH, MAN! Train! Trrraaaaiiiinnn!
10:23 a.m. - Brraaaaaaiiiiins!
10:24 - Who thinks I should ditch my car, do an Indiana Jones roll under the cars, & just walk 2 the office?
10:26 a.m. - Frickin' "Don't Stop Believing" 5 times a day on WBBQ!
1:39 p.m. - ICU just called. Jen, most awesome nurse on planet, said they tried Scott this morning on the something-something trial & it went great. They're going to cut off the sedation and let him try to breathe on his own, through the ventilator tube, for an hour. Then draw a blood gas. If good, they extubate him (yank the tube out of his throat). Putting it in is one of the things that triggered his crash, so... scary. But good.
1:42 p.m. - I know Scott will be happy to move around a bit more. And talk. But he's still not getting his cell phone back. Not for a long time.
3:55 p.m. - Just leaving his room. Started the weaning trial & Scott had a brochial spasm that ended the trial. They'll try it twice a day from now on. Hopefully he'll be off the vent tomorrow.
3:57 p.m. - Jeebus, how can so many people be so confused by how an elevator works?!
8:09 a.m. - It's especially frustrating 4 me b/c now i've had 2 go back 2 work.
10:06 a.m. - Just ran by hosp on way to office. Scott too drowsy 2 communicate.
10:09 a.m. - Will start weaning trials today to see if he can come off vent.
10:11 a.m. - Nurses prob not looking forward. He keeps yanking out hoses when awake. They have about taped up his whole face 2 keep them in. He looks like The Mummy. I can't be there most of time b/c visiting hours start just before work & end just after.
10:22 a.m. - OH, MAN! Train! Trrraaaaiiiinnn!
10:23 a.m. - Brraaaaaaiiiiins!
10:24 - Who thinks I should ditch my car, do an Indiana Jones roll under the cars, & just walk 2 the office?
10:26 a.m. - Frickin' "Don't Stop Believing" 5 times a day on WBBQ!
1:39 p.m. - ICU just called. Jen, most awesome nurse on planet, said they tried Scott this morning on the something-something trial & it went great. They're going to cut off the sedation and let him try to breathe on his own, through the ventilator tube, for an hour. Then draw a blood gas. If good, they extubate him (yank the tube out of his throat). Putting it in is one of the things that triggered his crash, so... scary. But good.
1:42 p.m. - I know Scott will be happy to move around a bit more. And talk. But he's still not getting his cell phone back. Not for a long time.
3:55 p.m. - Just leaving his room. Started the weaning trial & Scott had a brochial spasm that ended the trial. They'll try it twice a day from now on. Hopefully he'll be off the vent tomorrow.
3:57 p.m. - Jeebus, how can so many people be so confused by how an elevator works?!
Day 16 of Scott's Hospitalization
AUGUSTA, GA. - 8:46 a.m. - Sorry 4 all the phone calls i ignored last night. Just needed some quiet family time.
9:17 a.m. - The nurses have Scott on a breathing trial to see if he can take being off the vent. They took a blood gas & sent it off 4 testing. Then they'll call thd doc 2 get his recommendation.
9:48 a.m. - He's doing well so far...
10:30 a.m. - Orders 2 extubate! Scott has a shopping list prepared: vanilla shake. Gatorade. Green tea w/ honey.
10:46 a.m. - Tube is out! They said it was a good extubation. Looked TOTALLY DISGUSTING!! Deep coughing. Yucky stuff. Blech. Not sure he feels better w/ all this crap 2 get out. A lot of blood from the night he got sick. Wish I hadn't eaten breakfast earlier...
10:55 a.m. - Feel weak from emotion & nausea. He's okay for now, but back 2 dreaded ox mask.
11:02 a.m. - No talking 4 now. His voice is only a soft, breathy whisper.
11:49 a.m. - Already with the belligerence. He just wrote LET ME DO IT!
Noon - Ooh...he graduated 2 ice chips, & now water. WILL HE GET JELLO?! Tune in 2 find out!!
12:01 p.m. - Kidding. He's @ a hospital. Jello is a given.
12:03 p.m. - But he's so weak. Can't hardly lift his arms to drink his water.
1:31 p.m. - Just got my first smooch in 2 weeks!
1:31 p.m. - Going home 2 relieve my mom of her childcare duties.
3:57 p.m. - Very quickly, Scott has progressed 2 milkshakes. Two of them, in fact: 1 vanilla & 1 chocolate.
3:59 p.m. - He's resting now. He's using muscles that haven't moved in 2 weeks.
4:43 p.m. - Amazing progress! Scott has already gotten out of bed 4 a short walk across his room! Of course, he can't do it w/o help. But what a step forward! See what I just did there? "a step...?" oh, nevermind.
9:17 a.m. - The nurses have Scott on a breathing trial to see if he can take being off the vent. They took a blood gas & sent it off 4 testing. Then they'll call thd doc 2 get his recommendation.
9:48 a.m. - He's doing well so far...
10:30 a.m. - Orders 2 extubate! Scott has a shopping list prepared: vanilla shake. Gatorade. Green tea w/ honey.
10:46 a.m. - Tube is out! They said it was a good extubation. Looked TOTALLY DISGUSTING!! Deep coughing. Yucky stuff. Blech. Not sure he feels better w/ all this crap 2 get out. A lot of blood from the night he got sick. Wish I hadn't eaten breakfast earlier...
10:55 a.m. - Feel weak from emotion & nausea. He's okay for now, but back 2 dreaded ox mask.
11:02 a.m. - No talking 4 now. His voice is only a soft, breathy whisper.
11:49 a.m. - Already with the belligerence. He just wrote LET ME DO IT!
Noon - Ooh...he graduated 2 ice chips, & now water. WILL HE GET JELLO?! Tune in 2 find out!!
12:01 p.m. - Kidding. He's @ a hospital. Jello is a given.
12:03 p.m. - But he's so weak. Can't hardly lift his arms to drink his water.
1:31 p.m. - Just got my first smooch in 2 weeks!
1:31 p.m. - Going home 2 relieve my mom of her childcare duties.
3:57 p.m. - Very quickly, Scott has progressed 2 milkshakes. Two of them, in fact: 1 vanilla & 1 chocolate.
3:59 p.m. - He's resting now. He's using muscles that haven't moved in 2 weeks.
4:43 p.m. - Amazing progress! Scott has already gotten out of bed 4 a short walk across his room! Of course, he can't do it w/o help. But what a step forward! See what I just did there? "a step...?" oh, nevermind.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Day 15 of Scott's Hospitalization
AUGUSTA, GA. - 8:07 a.m. - Scott had almost a full day of lucidity, but is now in & out again.
8:09 a.m. - It's especially frustrating 4 me b/c now i've had 2 go back 2 work.
10:06 a.m. - Just ran by hosp on way to office. Scott too drowsy 2 communicate.
10:09 - Will start weaning trials today to see if he can come off vent. Nurses prob not looking forward. He keeps yanking out hoses when awake. They have about taped up his whole face 2 keep them in. He looks like The Mummy.
10:16 a.m. - I can't be there most of time b/c visiting hours start just before work & end just after.
10:22 a.m. - MAN! Train! Trrraaaaiiiinnns!
10:23 a.m. - Brrraaaaaaaiiiiiinsss!
10:24 a.m. - Who thinks I should ditch my car, do an Indiana Jones roll under the cars, & just walk 2 the office?
10:26 a.m. - Frickin' "Don't Stop Believing" 5 times a day on WBBQ!
1:39 p.m. - ICU just called. Jen, most awesome nurse on planet, said they tried Scott this morning on the something-something trial & it went great. They're going to cut off the sedation and let him try to breathe on his own, through the ventilator tube, for an hour. Then draw a blood gas. If good, they extubate him (yank the tube out of his throat). Putting it in is one of the things that triggered his crash, so... scary. But good.
1:42 p.m. - I know Scott will be happy to move around a bit more. And talk. But he's still not getting his cell phone back. Not for a long time.
3:55 p.m. - Just leaving his room. Started the weaning trial & Scott had a brochial spasm that ended the trial. They'll try it twice a day from now on. Hopefully he'll be off the vent tomorrow.
3:57 p.m. - Jeebus, how can so many people be so confused by how an elevator works?!
4:01 p.m. - I put the Reece's cups in the freezer. I hope that horrible family doesn't eat them all.
4:06 p.m. - Leaving the hospital. Can't take anymore people. Try 2 have fun w/o me. :-P
4:08 p.m. - Just want my Mommy and my Baby for a while. Sorry, First Friday.
4:15 p.m. - Crap. Forgot 2 go 2 the grocery store... since September 10. Off 2 Earth Fare...
8:09 a.m. - It's especially frustrating 4 me b/c now i've had 2 go back 2 work.
10:06 a.m. - Just ran by hosp on way to office. Scott too drowsy 2 communicate.
10:09 - Will start weaning trials today to see if he can come off vent. Nurses prob not looking forward. He keeps yanking out hoses when awake. They have about taped up his whole face 2 keep them in. He looks like The Mummy.
10:16 a.m. - I can't be there most of time b/c visiting hours start just before work & end just after.
10:22 a.m. - MAN! Train! Trrraaaaiiiinnns!
10:23 a.m. - Brrraaaaaaaiiiiiinsss!
10:24 a.m. - Who thinks I should ditch my car, do an Indiana Jones roll under the cars, & just walk 2 the office?
10:26 a.m. - Frickin' "Don't Stop Believing" 5 times a day on WBBQ!
1:39 p.m. - ICU just called. Jen, most awesome nurse on planet, said they tried Scott this morning on the something-something trial & it went great. They're going to cut off the sedation and let him try to breathe on his own, through the ventilator tube, for an hour. Then draw a blood gas. If good, they extubate him (yank the tube out of his throat). Putting it in is one of the things that triggered his crash, so... scary. But good.
1:42 p.m. - I know Scott will be happy to move around a bit more. And talk. But he's still not getting his cell phone back. Not for a long time.
3:55 p.m. - Just leaving his room. Started the weaning trial & Scott had a brochial spasm that ended the trial. They'll try it twice a day from now on. Hopefully he'll be off the vent tomorrow.
3:57 p.m. - Jeebus, how can so many people be so confused by how an elevator works?!
4:01 p.m. - I put the Reece's cups in the freezer. I hope that horrible family doesn't eat them all.
4:06 p.m. - Leaving the hospital. Can't take anymore people. Try 2 have fun w/o me. :-P
4:08 p.m. - Just want my Mommy and my Baby for a while. Sorry, First Friday.
4:15 p.m. - Crap. Forgot 2 go 2 the grocery store... since September 10. Off 2 Earth Fare...
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Day 14 of Scott's Hospitalization
AUGUSTA, GA. - 8:46 a.m. - Overheard on Boortz: "It may be the death nail in our coffin." 08:46 AM October 02, 2008 from txt
10:07 a.m. - Great people @ Victory Christian School in North Augusta!
10:14 a.m. - Gah! Train! A mile of empty brown boxcars. Like a stream of poo.
11:37 a.m. - Went to visit Scott at the hospital and he's unconscious again. Damn... The nurses said he was unable to breathe on his own for very long yesterday, and they had to sedate him again. He's back on a morphine drip. This is really stressing me out. I wonder if I can go on a morphine drip, too...?
1:00 p.m. - Wouldn't know what 2 do w/o my family right now...blood relatives, of course, but also those @ Beasley, Metro Spirit, ASU, Hill & First Baptist... Shanhil Sweets, Victory Baptist, art community, MCG, & so many more!
10:07 a.m. - Great people @ Victory Christian School in North Augusta!
10:14 a.m. - Gah! Train! A mile of empty brown boxcars. Like a stream of poo.
11:37 a.m. - Went to visit Scott at the hospital and he's unconscious again. Damn... The nurses said he was unable to breathe on his own for very long yesterday, and they had to sedate him again. He's back on a morphine drip. This is really stressing me out. I wonder if I can go on a morphine drip, too...?
1:00 p.m. - Wouldn't know what 2 do w/o my family right now...blood relatives, of course, but also those @ Beasley, Metro Spirit, ASU, Hill & First Baptist... Shanhil Sweets, Victory Baptist, art community, MCG, & so many more!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Day 13 of Scott's Hospitalization
AUGUSTA, GA. - 1:20 p.m. - He's awake. Happy reunion time! Does he remember me? ... YES! Wait. Is that a good thing? He asked me: ''How many others?'' I told him: ''Just you, Mr. Special!'' Oh. He thought it was some kind of outbreak or national emergency. Oh good christ he was looking for a story. INside the OUTbreak w/ Scott Hudson & WGAC!
1:58 p.m. - Have to go back to work. Hate leaving him.
5:30 p.m. - Back to the hospital. Sneaking in during no-visiting hours. Hee!
6:48 p.m. - Ahh! Fire alarms going off @ University Hospital!
6:51 p.m. - Now they're announcing some kind of code over the intercom...
6:55 p.m. - Nurses tell us 2 stay n waiting room. But... what about Scott? He's laying there next to a tube that's spewing 100% FLAMMABLE oxygen! I begin to run in frantic panic circles, unable to leave but unable to not do something.
6:58 p.m. - Aha! I have formulated a plan: carry Scott out on my back. Michael follow close w/ ventilator.
7:20 p.m. - "Only a small fire. Now contained." Are NO small fires where 100% oxygen is concerned.
7:22 p.m. - Fire trucks & police outside. Deputy GrumpyPants seems 2 B in charge.
Passing me, he barks, "Were u the 1 who pulled the fire alarm?" Do I look like a teenager? Not really. That's just all my hotness. Yowzah! 7:27 PM Oct 1st from txt
8:51 p.m. - I miss Scott the most @ night - especially as I enjoy our brand new mattqess w/o him!
8:53 p.m. - Get your minds out of the gutter.
8:55 p.m. - ASU 2 host a blood drive in Scott's honor. Call the professional writing dept. for info.
1:58 p.m. - Have to go back to work. Hate leaving him.
5:30 p.m. - Back to the hospital. Sneaking in during no-visiting hours. Hee!
6:48 p.m. - Ahh! Fire alarms going off @ University Hospital!
6:51 p.m. - Now they're announcing some kind of code over the intercom...
6:55 p.m. - Nurses tell us 2 stay n waiting room. But... what about Scott? He's laying there next to a tube that's spewing 100% FLAMMABLE oxygen! I begin to run in frantic panic circles, unable to leave but unable to not do something.
6:58 p.m. - Aha! I have formulated a plan: carry Scott out on my back. Michael follow close w/ ventilator.
7:20 p.m. - "Only a small fire. Now contained." Are NO small fires where 100% oxygen is concerned.
7:22 p.m. - Fire trucks & police outside. Deputy GrumpyPants seems 2 B in charge.
Passing me, he barks, "Were u the 1 who pulled the fire alarm?" Do I look like a teenager? Not really. That's just all my hotness. Yowzah! 7:27 PM Oct 1st from txt
8:51 p.m. - I miss Scott the most @ night - especially as I enjoy our brand new mattqess w/o him!
8:53 p.m. - Get your minds out of the gutter.
8:55 p.m. - ASU 2 host a blood drive in Scott's honor. Call the professional writing dept. for info.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Day 12 of Scott's Hospitalization
8:36 a.m. - Stopped in this morning & set Scott up w/ a CD player full of Queen CDs.
8:48 a.m. - Something u may not know about Scott: he's still mourning Freddie Mercury. At the musical crossroads of life, Scott took the path lined with sequined jumpsuits. It has made all the difference.
8:49 a.m. - Funeral passing on Gordon Hwy. I feel 4 them.
9:21 a.m. - Gah! Dog slobber on my pants! Eh, well. Sweet dog.
2:36 p.m. - This car smells like pickles.
8:00 p.m. - Leaving hosp., see 2 smokers dragging IVs behind them. So sad!
8:15 p.m - It was a good day. Scott was able to attempt to tap out a message on the board @ the hospital. Just the attempt wore him out (he didn't succeed, though he tried) but - again - it was progress.
10:36 p.m. - I'm hungry. Where's the snack fairy when u need her?
8:48 a.m. - Something u may not know about Scott: he's still mourning Freddie Mercury. At the musical crossroads of life, Scott took the path lined with sequined jumpsuits. It has made all the difference.
8:49 a.m. - Funeral passing on Gordon Hwy. I feel 4 them.
9:21 a.m. - Gah! Dog slobber on my pants! Eh, well. Sweet dog.
2:36 p.m. - This car smells like pickles.
8:00 p.m. - Leaving hosp., see 2 smokers dragging IVs behind them. So sad!
8:15 p.m - It was a good day. Scott was able to attempt to tap out a message on the board @ the hospital. Just the attempt wore him out (he didn't succeed, though he tried) but - again - it was progress.
10:36 p.m. - I'm hungry. Where's the snack fairy when u need her?
Day 11 of Scott's Hospitalization
9 a.m. - Had 2 go work an appt that couldn't B rescheduled 4 6 mos. Getting ready, waxed eyebrows, & yanked out a couple of eyelashes! SO SMART! Besides that fiasco, it was a Herculean effort 2 get ready. Felt guilty, resentful, childish.
2:30 p.m. - Nurses said Scott was smiling & nodding his head to music this morning. A good sign, but I have 2 remember that he isn't stable enough even for a CT scan yet.
Still, I find myself making plans for when he comes home. about 14 hours ago
6 p.m. - Laughing re: how much has changed while Scott's been ill. He's has a lot to catch up on, not the least of which is our bank going under.
9 p.m. - Scott missed the best/worst Horatio Caine line ever. He would have had a great impression after.
2:30 p.m. - Nurses said Scott was smiling & nodding his head to music this morning. A good sign, but I have 2 remember that he isn't stable enough even for a CT scan yet.
Still, I find myself making plans for when he comes home. about 14 hours ago
6 p.m. - Laughing re: how much has changed while Scott's been ill. He's has a lot to catch up on, not the least of which is our bank going under.
9 p.m. - Scott missed the best/worst Horatio Caine line ever. He would have had a great impression after.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Day 10 of Scott's Hospitalization
10:15 a.m. - Fast food: not so fast anymore.
10:24 a.m. - Note 2 universe: if u can't PARK an SUV, u shouldn't DRIVE an SUV.
10:27 a.m. - Fast food: not so 'food' anymore.
11:22 a.m. - His nurse said that for all the poo & pee in her job, dinner trays freak her out the most.
11:26 a.m. - She also calls bed pan changes a 'code brown.' I'm totally stealing that.
12:29 p.m. - Scott just told me to get out of his face. It was so awesome. I was asking him a series of questions: are u hot? Cold? Need a nurse? He shook his head no to each. Do u want me to get out of your face? He shook his head yes! That was the best!
1:21 p.m. - Overheard @ the drive-thru: "Can I get a steak 'kwaysuhdilluh?'" Someone lives under a rock!
5:55 p.m. - Rude family returns! They overrun the waiting room, consume all food & beverages like locusts, didn't offer to share their bounty when it arrived, got offended when a relative removed our stash, then made a snide comment about adults who don't know how to share. Is that irony or coincidence?
6:02 p.m. - Got Scott down to 35% oxygen & 1 pressure setting down. He's holding his own for now.
7 p.m. - Spoke w/ Emerson She's @ my parents' until Thurs.: "Hi, Mama! I habbing fun but I miss you!" Waaaah!
10:24 a.m. - Note 2 universe: if u can't PARK an SUV, u shouldn't DRIVE an SUV.
10:27 a.m. - Fast food: not so 'food' anymore.
11:22 a.m. - His nurse said that for all the poo & pee in her job, dinner trays freak her out the most.
11:26 a.m. - She also calls bed pan changes a 'code brown.' I'm totally stealing that.
12:29 p.m. - Scott just told me to get out of his face. It was so awesome. I was asking him a series of questions: are u hot? Cold? Need a nurse? He shook his head no to each. Do u want me to get out of your face? He shook his head yes! That was the best!
1:21 p.m. - Overheard @ the drive-thru: "Can I get a steak 'kwaysuhdilluh?'" Someone lives under a rock!
5:55 p.m. - Rude family returns! They overrun the waiting room, consume all food & beverages like locusts, didn't offer to share their bounty when it arrived, got offended when a relative removed our stash, then made a snide comment about adults who don't know how to share. Is that irony or coincidence?
6:02 p.m. - Got Scott down to 35% oxygen & 1 pressure setting down. He's holding his own for now.
7 p.m. - Spoke w/ Emerson She's @ my parents' until Thurs.: "Hi, Mama! I habbing fun but I miss you!" Waaaah!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Day 9 of Scott's Hospitalization
9 a.m. - Hit & killed a squirrel on way 2 hospital. Must not read too much into it
10:13 a.m. - NEW INFO: Dr. Cato now thinks it may not be TTP. It might be something called DIC.
10:28 a.m. - Now we're plotting 2 give him a colonoscopy while he's sedated. Mmwahahaha!
11:54 a.m. - A really great meeting w/ Mary Liz. Love her so much right now that I could French kiss her.
12:19 p.m. - Love to share our good fortune w/ others, but it would be nice if others in the waiting room could reciprocate.
1 p.m. - Platelet count 120,000. Up from his low of 15,000. Low end of normal is 140,000.
And though he'd be mortified for u 2 know it, he's producing more & clearer urine than before. That indicates improved kidney function, in case u wonder why I felt like giving TMI.
2:30 p.m. - It's nice to see other patients progressing out of the ICU. Gives the rest of us hope...
6:03 p.m. - Great gods alive! He opened his eyes & responded to me! Wasn't much - expression change in response to a statement - but enough to make me very happy!
8:05 p.m. - Georgia game coming on. Go dawgs! (Sorry, Sanj)
8:10 p.m. - Dadgum! Looking @ the crowd of 90,000 @ Sanford, I wouldn't wanna be a Bama fan there...
9 p.m. - More waiting room etiquette: eat your own dang food, for Jeebus sake.
9:21 p.m. - Dang! He's having trouble keeping his oxygen levels up again.
10:13 a.m. - NEW INFO: Dr. Cato now thinks it may not be TTP. It might be something called DIC.
10:28 a.m. - Now we're plotting 2 give him a colonoscopy while he's sedated. Mmwahahaha!
11:54 a.m. - A really great meeting w/ Mary Liz. Love her so much right now that I could French kiss her.
12:19 p.m. - Love to share our good fortune w/ others, but it would be nice if others in the waiting room could reciprocate.
1 p.m. - Platelet count 120,000. Up from his low of 15,000. Low end of normal is 140,000.
And though he'd be mortified for u 2 know it, he's producing more & clearer urine than before. That indicates improved kidney function, in case u wonder why I felt like giving TMI.
2:30 p.m. - It's nice to see other patients progressing out of the ICU. Gives the rest of us hope...
6:03 p.m. - Great gods alive! He opened his eyes & responded to me! Wasn't much - expression change in response to a statement - but enough to make me very happy!
8:05 p.m. - Georgia game coming on. Go dawgs! (Sorry, Sanj)
8:10 p.m. - Dadgum! Looking @ the crowd of 90,000 @ Sanford, I wouldn't wanna be a Bama fan there...
9 p.m. - More waiting room etiquette: eat your own dang food, for Jeebus sake.
9:21 p.m. - Dang! He's having trouble keeping his oxygen levels up again.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Day 8 of Scott's Hospitalization
6:59 a.m. - New patient relative came in waiting room while everyone was still asleep. Tried 2 make conversation with us. ''Do you all have relatives in ICU?'' No. We're camping. In unspoken pact, we ignored her until she left.
10:42 a.m. - My awesome bro in law convinced I'm too tired 2 make best decision. Will take a night 2 rest before proceeding.
11:08 a.m. - Lovingly attacked by very sweet but very smelly stray dog outside the front doors. Time 4 shower.
11:10 a.m. - Towels here smell oddly like Hostess powdered sugar doughnuts.
12:09 p.m. - Didn't know I was married to Mr. Fancy Pants. Mayor Deke came by to check on us. He didn't like my Michael Phelps impression. Oh, well.
12:13 p.m. - Just got sprayed in the head by an automatic air freshener in the bathroom, so... Par for the course i guess
1:20 p.m. - 1 of his doctors just strutted by. I'd like to tackle him, get him in a headlock & demand answers... But I also want them to keep coming back to check on him.
2:27 p.m. - Gah! Why do strangers want to know my bidness? (Sigh) I think I'm getting grumpy.
4:30 p.m. - Soooo.... tired.... going home to sleep.
10:42 a.m. - My awesome bro in law convinced I'm too tired 2 make best decision. Will take a night 2 rest before proceeding.
11:08 a.m. - Lovingly attacked by very sweet but very smelly stray dog outside the front doors. Time 4 shower.
11:10 a.m. - Towels here smell oddly like Hostess powdered sugar doughnuts.
12:09 p.m. - Didn't know I was married to Mr. Fancy Pants. Mayor Deke came by to check on us. He didn't like my Michael Phelps impression. Oh, well.
12:13 p.m. - Just got sprayed in the head by an automatic air freshener in the bathroom, so... Par for the course i guess
1:20 p.m. - 1 of his doctors just strutted by. I'd like to tackle him, get him in a headlock & demand answers... But I also want them to keep coming back to check on him.
2:27 p.m. - Gah! Why do strangers want to know my bidness? (Sigh) I think I'm getting grumpy.
4:30 p.m. - Soooo.... tired.... going home to sleep.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Day 7 of Scott's Hospitalization
2:20 a.m. - Not a quiet night. Some coughing - not easy on a vent. His O2 levels drop when that happens. Alarming, but the nurses & resperatory therapist all respond quickly.
2:26 a.m. - I wish I knew how he feels. If I could at least tell if he's in pain, I'd feel more like I'm doing my part to protect & care for him.
3:33 a.m. - When Scott wakes up, could someone convince him that he doesn't have 2 fight everything all the time? It's ok 2 relax. Ha. She says while standing watch @ 3:30 am...
7:47 a.m. - Fever back up, dangit. Finishes first round of plasma replacement today. I hoped he'd progress faster. He's always been a procrastinator.
8:25 a.m. - Mmmm... Panera bagels... Thanks, Stoney!
10:47 a.m. - NEWS: Epstein-Barr test was +. In severe cases, it can cause TTP. Still, his doctors don't think that's the smoking gun...
10:57 a.m. - Dr. doesn't want paralytic now b/c might b complications. His solution: morphine. Anyone else nervous?
11:57 a.m. - Mmm... Sammiches from Roly Poly. Thanks, Metro Spirit!! Miss you lots!
12:02 p.m. - Which reminds me: The new issue of Metro Augusta Parent goes to press today. Everyone be nice to the folks @ 700 Broad St! Parent reaches 38,000 readers each month. Call 706-738-1142 to reach our readers through advertising.
1:39 p.m. - Wow. Just passed a horrible wreck on W-boro Rd. I'm thankful Scott has a chance. I don't think that person did. Going home 2 sleep 4 a couple hours now that someone finally relieved me. Running on about 90 minutes rest.
7:46 p.m. - Couldn't sleep. Did laundry. Bathed dog. Checked email. Laid down 2 fix back... And woke up 3 hours later, disoriented & drooling on my pillow. Sexy.
10:20 p.m. - Thinking about how little time doctors have spent w/ Scott - & me - & wonder if should replace 1 or more specialists... or demand more tests? West Nile? CT scan? Something I don't know the name of? ... Or, since diagnosis is so unfamiliar, maybe move him 2 a place where it would be more familiar - Emory? If anyone has ideas, would love 2 hear them. Not trying 2 insult his caretakers or the hospital. But not all hospitals have same resources, & all health care is not created equal.
2:26 a.m. - I wish I knew how he feels. If I could at least tell if he's in pain, I'd feel more like I'm doing my part to protect & care for him.
3:33 a.m. - When Scott wakes up, could someone convince him that he doesn't have 2 fight everything all the time? It's ok 2 relax. Ha. She says while standing watch @ 3:30 am...
7:47 a.m. - Fever back up, dangit. Finishes first round of plasma replacement today. I hoped he'd progress faster. He's always been a procrastinator.
8:25 a.m. - Mmmm... Panera bagels... Thanks, Stoney!
10:47 a.m. - NEWS: Epstein-Barr test was +. In severe cases, it can cause TTP. Still, his doctors don't think that's the smoking gun...
10:57 a.m. - Dr. doesn't want paralytic now b/c might b complications. His solution: morphine. Anyone else nervous?
11:57 a.m. - Mmm... Sammiches from Roly Poly. Thanks, Metro Spirit!! Miss you lots!
12:02 p.m. - Which reminds me: The new issue of Metro Augusta Parent goes to press today. Everyone be nice to the folks @ 700 Broad St! Parent reaches 38,000 readers each month. Call 706-738-1142 to reach our readers through advertising.
1:39 p.m. - Wow. Just passed a horrible wreck on W-boro Rd. I'm thankful Scott has a chance. I don't think that person did. Going home 2 sleep 4 a couple hours now that someone finally relieved me. Running on about 90 minutes rest.
7:46 p.m. - Couldn't sleep. Did laundry. Bathed dog. Checked email. Laid down 2 fix back... And woke up 3 hours later, disoriented & drooling on my pillow. Sexy.
10:20 p.m. - Thinking about how little time doctors have spent w/ Scott - & me - & wonder if should replace 1 or more specialists... or demand more tests? West Nile? CT scan? Something I don't know the name of? ... Or, since diagnosis is so unfamiliar, maybe move him 2 a place where it would be more familiar - Emory? If anyone has ideas, would love 2 hear them. Not trying 2 insult his caretakers or the hospital. But not all hospitals have same resources, & all health care is not created equal.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Day 6 of Scott's Hospitalization
6:59 a.m. - Not a great night or morning, but could be worse. He's still very agitated but maxed out on his sedation. They may order a paralytic.
9:45 a.m. - Now the big turd is running a fever. Really - does he have to create more drama? Someone nominate him for a Razzie.
10:07 a.m. - Funny: Scott's sister Vivian just got a call from her secretary saying that their law office is on fire. She's going back 2 ATL to deal with it
12:26 p.m. - His fever is higher now, along with his blood pressure - and his agitation. Dr. Brennan has decided against a paralytic for now. Seem counter-intuitive to anyone else?
12:31 p.m. - They'll probably go w/ a peripheral inserted central catheter (PICC line). That indicates he'll B here a while.
12:34 p.m. - Monsanto sent a nice snack bag - thanks!
2:22 p.m. - His fever is up again - 38.9 C / whatever F - so they gave him 650 mg of Tylenol.
2:33 p.m. - Um... Weird ideas about supernatural methods of healing being tossed around right now.
2:38 p.m. - Armchair q-backing/ diagnosing from non-med peeps. Everything from Lyme disease to - heck, probably demon possession.
3:34 p.m. - Just saw his chest x-rays for today. Some visible improvement, even just since yesterday.
5:09 p.m. - Ran home to shower and feed the dog. I swear I just saw la chupacabra on Kissingbower Road... I think I need more sleep.
6:01 p.m. - New theory from reputable source @ CDC. Will follow up & report back... If I ever see a doctor...
6:48 p.m. - Chris' law firm just delivered a huge UGA cooler full of snacks - very cute!
10:09 p.m. - I was all telephoned out after 5 days, so I took a break for a few hours. I'll return calls in the morning. X-ray improved from Tues. Organs holding steady. Fever down some. Less agitation. Hoping for a quiet night.
10:22 p.m. - I expected faster turnaround. Silly, naive me. If he's out of the hospital before Halloween, I'll count my blessings.
10:28 p.m. - Nights are so quiet and tense here. Geez someone tell a joke.
10:29 p.m. - Remind me later 2 write a piece about the waiting room caste system.
10:35 p.m. - "How long you been here?" "Five days." (scoff) "That's nothing. We've been here five YEARS." Way 2 keep up morale, people.
9:45 a.m. - Now the big turd is running a fever. Really - does he have to create more drama? Someone nominate him for a Razzie.
10:07 a.m. - Funny: Scott's sister Vivian just got a call from her secretary saying that their law office is on fire. She's going back 2 ATL to deal with it
12:26 p.m. - His fever is higher now, along with his blood pressure - and his agitation. Dr. Brennan has decided against a paralytic for now. Seem counter-intuitive to anyone else?
12:31 p.m. - They'll probably go w/ a peripheral inserted central catheter (PICC line). That indicates he'll B here a while.
12:34 p.m. - Monsanto sent a nice snack bag - thanks!
2:22 p.m. - His fever is up again - 38.9 C / whatever F - so they gave him 650 mg of Tylenol.
2:33 p.m. - Um... Weird ideas about supernatural methods of healing being tossed around right now.
2:38 p.m. - Armchair q-backing/ diagnosing from non-med peeps. Everything from Lyme disease to - heck, probably demon possession.
3:34 p.m. - Just saw his chest x-rays for today. Some visible improvement, even just since yesterday.
5:09 p.m. - Ran home to shower and feed the dog. I swear I just saw la chupacabra on Kissingbower Road... I think I need more sleep.
6:01 p.m. - New theory from reputable source @ CDC. Will follow up & report back... If I ever see a doctor...
6:48 p.m. - Chris' law firm just delivered a huge UGA cooler full of snacks - very cute!
10:09 p.m. - I was all telephoned out after 5 days, so I took a break for a few hours. I'll return calls in the morning. X-ray improved from Tues. Organs holding steady. Fever down some. Less agitation. Hoping for a quiet night.
10:22 p.m. - I expected faster turnaround. Silly, naive me. If he's out of the hospital before Halloween, I'll count my blessings.
10:28 p.m. - Nights are so quiet and tense here. Geez someone tell a joke.
10:29 p.m. - Remind me later 2 write a piece about the waiting room caste system.
10:35 p.m. - "How long you been here?" "Five days." (scoff) "That's nothing. We've been here five YEARS." Way 2 keep up morale, people.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Day 5 of Scott's Hospitalization
12:18 am. - He's well enough for a feeding tube now; And the nurse tells me his kidneys seem 2 B working a little better.
12:22 a.m. - This thing hit so fast, so hard... He was less than 5 minutes from death on Sat night. His nurses saved his life. I am so grateful.
1:12 a.m. - He seems 2 be restful now. I'm going 2 try 2 sleep. Ahh, vinyl chair, my old friend...
2:23 a.m. - He's biting his breathing tube. They're going 2 have 2 put a bite block on him.
2:44 a.m. - Alarms going off. I'm freaking.
2:48 a.m. - Turns out nothing wrong. They removed his monitors while they bathed/changed him, & switched tubes & electrodes.
9:42 a.m. - Spoke with Dr. Brennan. Scott's x-rays show the sponginess seems to have reduced by 1/3. Good news.
9:46 a.m. - His kidney function has not improved measureably, but at least it is no longer declining. Still waiting for a lot of test results.
3:02 p.m. - Emmie @ home tonight for the 1st time in 4 days. She's w/ my sis. She's been w/ Scott's bro. She'll go to Atl. w my family for the weekend. Her two young cousins will keep her mind off the situation.
3:55 p.m. - Drama from one family member. Note to world: asserting your desires over others' in this situation is not appreciated.
4:17 p.m. - He just opened his eyes for a sec to look @ his sister, Vivian. That brought happy tears to her eyes.
9:35 p.m. - His platelets are back down to 27,000, so the nurses are bagging up some more for him. Snack time!
9:40 p.m. - Hard to be away from Emerson. My sis says E. stops mid-play & whines that she misses us. I need to be here for now. Emerson is the only thing that can take my attention from Scott, and he needs me to be his advocate while he can't protect himself.
10:40 p.m. - Nurses warning us that noise, touch, & conversation agitates him. We R trying 2 keep the room dark & quiet so he will rest.
10:55 p.m. - Stuck my finger in his mouth 2 try 2 get him 2 stop gnawing his breathing tube & he chomped my finger. Swear I saw him smile a little.
12:22 a.m. - This thing hit so fast, so hard... He was less than 5 minutes from death on Sat night. His nurses saved his life. I am so grateful.
1:12 a.m. - He seems 2 be restful now. I'm going 2 try 2 sleep. Ahh, vinyl chair, my old friend...
2:23 a.m. - He's biting his breathing tube. They're going 2 have 2 put a bite block on him.
2:44 a.m. - Alarms going off. I'm freaking.
2:48 a.m. - Turns out nothing wrong. They removed his monitors while they bathed/changed him, & switched tubes & electrodes.
9:42 a.m. - Spoke with Dr. Brennan. Scott's x-rays show the sponginess seems to have reduced by 1/3. Good news.
9:46 a.m. - His kidney function has not improved measureably, but at least it is no longer declining. Still waiting for a lot of test results.
3:02 p.m. - Emmie @ home tonight for the 1st time in 4 days. She's w/ my sis. She's been w/ Scott's bro. She'll go to Atl. w my family for the weekend. Her two young cousins will keep her mind off the situation.
3:55 p.m. - Drama from one family member. Note to world: asserting your desires over others' in this situation is not appreciated.
4:17 p.m. - He just opened his eyes for a sec to look @ his sister, Vivian. That brought happy tears to her eyes.
9:35 p.m. - His platelets are back down to 27,000, so the nurses are bagging up some more for him. Snack time!
9:40 p.m. - Hard to be away from Emerson. My sis says E. stops mid-play & whines that she misses us. I need to be here for now. Emerson is the only thing that can take my attention from Scott, and he needs me to be his advocate while he can't protect himself.
10:40 p.m. - Nurses warning us that noise, touch, & conversation agitates him. We R trying 2 keep the room dark & quiet so he will rest.
10:55 p.m. - Stuck my finger in his mouth 2 try 2 get him 2 stop gnawing his breathing tube & he chomped my finger. Swear I saw him smile a little.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Day 4 of Scott's Hospitalization
11:50 a.m. - It's been a good day so far. They have been able to reduce his sedation. He has opened his eyes and responded by nodding.
11:54 a.m. - It was good to see that the whites of his eyes are now a paler yellow than they have been. The concern now - besides everything else, of course - is that his kidneys have taken a hit. They might begin dialysis.
11:56 a.m. - Thanks to all of our snack fairies. We certainly never go hungry.
12:35 p.m. - Mmmm... Wife Saver. Thanks, Beasley Broadcasting!
4:05 p.m. - He's getting his second bag of blood of the day b/c his hemoglobin is low.
4:08 p.m. - ''At least he's on the mend,'' a friend said. I wish. The best we can say is that his march towards certain death has slowed.
7:29 p.m. - They've lessoned his sedation and it has allowed him to respond in his own way: turn his head towards voices; faint squeeze of his hand... He's not necessarily getting better, but it's gratifying to me.
8:18 p.m. - Running home 2 pick up essentials (even Scott prob. wants me 2 wear deoderant). Feel like I'm playing hooky: worried, guilty, excited.
11:54 a.m. - It was good to see that the whites of his eyes are now a paler yellow than they have been. The concern now - besides everything else, of course - is that his kidneys have taken a hit. They might begin dialysis.
11:56 a.m. - Thanks to all of our snack fairies. We certainly never go hungry.
12:35 p.m. - Mmmm... Wife Saver. Thanks, Beasley Broadcasting!
4:05 p.m. - He's getting his second bag of blood of the day b/c his hemoglobin is low.
4:08 p.m. - ''At least he's on the mend,'' a friend said. I wish. The best we can say is that his march towards certain death has slowed.
7:29 p.m. - They've lessoned his sedation and it has allowed him to respond in his own way: turn his head towards voices; faint squeeze of his hand... He's not necessarily getting better, but it's gratifying to me.
8:18 p.m. - Running home 2 pick up essentials (even Scott prob. wants me 2 wear deoderant). Feel like I'm playing hooky: worried, guilty, excited.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Day 3 of Scott's Hospitalization
12:13 a.m. - After six hours of physically fighting him to keep his ox mask on and stay in the bed, I have given consent to put him on a ventilator. Watching the preparations makes me 2nd guess myself.
12:16 a.m. - I asked the nurse if I am making a mistake. She says no. He is very agitated. We are not able 2 keep him calm.
12:38 - The vent is not improving things.
12:41 a.m. - No one indicated to me just how sick he really is. I've been making jokes to try to keep the mood up. I feel like an ass.
1:52 a.m. - The 2 most terrifzing words in the English language: ''crash cart.''
3:15 a.m. - Scott is stable but currently unconscious on a respirator. This won't get better any time soon. It could be days, weeks - or it could kill him. We just don’t know.
8:48 a.m. - Theories abound. Answers are few. Calling Dr. House...
10:26 a.m. - They may have isolated what's ailing Scott: an auto-immune disorder called TTP. It's Thrombo-somethingsomething-Purpora.
10:53 a.m. - They have a course of treatment that works for TTP - and the class of similar diseases that it could also be.
11 a.m. - They remove his plasma and replace it with both his own blood products & new plasma w/o the deadly antibodies his body is producing.
11:03 a.m. - If it is effective, we could see results in a day or two. It may take longer. & there is a chance it may not work at all.
11:04 a.m. - We've consented to an arterial catheter & they have begun treatment.
3:28 p.m. - Semi-official diagnosis: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura - ever heard of it? Me neither.
3:31 p.m. - First course of treatment is very encouraging. His jaundice is improved. He just LOOKS better.
3:34 p.m. - Even if he snaps out of this tomorrow, it will be a while before he gets out of the hospital. But here is better than the worst alternative.
5:05 p.m. - Going home for the first time since Friday. Wish Scott were, too. Needed a task to start & finish so I cooked dinner 4 my parents - they did clean my house, after all
7:52 p.m. - Scary again. Some coughing and blood drawn from his lungs. ''Every time he coughs you're going 2 c blood. His chest x-ray did not look good," the nurse says.
8:34 p.m. - He seems to be stable again... But for how long this time? I'm afraid to fall asleep.
8:39 p.m. - They are giving him another round of platelets now.
8:56 p.m. - Nurse says it's still touch and go but that he's on a continuous positive upward swing
9:04 p.m. - By the way: no flowers or other allergins allowed. Don't bother sending them. If you want to help, you can donate blood, plasma, time, or money.
9:41 p.m. - New development: we're giving away our housebroken rat terrier, Scrabble. With a suppressed immune system, I am making an executive decision that we can't risk the allergens. So if you would like to take this very fun and loving dog, please give me a call.
12:16 a.m. - I asked the nurse if I am making a mistake. She says no. He is very agitated. We are not able 2 keep him calm.
12:38 - The vent is not improving things.
12:41 a.m. - No one indicated to me just how sick he really is. I've been making jokes to try to keep the mood up. I feel like an ass.
1:52 a.m. - The 2 most terrifzing words in the English language: ''crash cart.''
3:15 a.m. - Scott is stable but currently unconscious on a respirator. This won't get better any time soon. It could be days, weeks - or it could kill him. We just don’t know.
8:48 a.m. - Theories abound. Answers are few. Calling Dr. House...
10:26 a.m. - They may have isolated what's ailing Scott: an auto-immune disorder called TTP. It's Thrombo-somethingsomething-Purpora.
10:53 a.m. - They have a course of treatment that works for TTP - and the class of similar diseases that it could also be.
11 a.m. - They remove his plasma and replace it with both his own blood products & new plasma w/o the deadly antibodies his body is producing.
11:03 a.m. - If it is effective, we could see results in a day or two. It may take longer. & there is a chance it may not work at all.
11:04 a.m. - We've consented to an arterial catheter & they have begun treatment.
3:28 p.m. - Semi-official diagnosis: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura - ever heard of it? Me neither.
3:31 p.m. - First course of treatment is very encouraging. His jaundice is improved. He just LOOKS better.
3:34 p.m. - Even if he snaps out of this tomorrow, it will be a while before he gets out of the hospital. But here is better than the worst alternative.
5:05 p.m. - Going home for the first time since Friday. Wish Scott were, too. Needed a task to start & finish so I cooked dinner 4 my parents - they did clean my house, after all
7:52 p.m. - Scary again. Some coughing and blood drawn from his lungs. ''Every time he coughs you're going 2 c blood. His chest x-ray did not look good," the nurse says.
8:34 p.m. - He seems to be stable again... But for how long this time? I'm afraid to fall asleep.
8:39 p.m. - They are giving him another round of platelets now.
8:56 p.m. - Nurse says it's still touch and go but that he's on a continuous positive upward swing
9:04 p.m. - By the way: no flowers or other allergins allowed. Don't bother sending them. If you want to help, you can donate blood, plasma, time, or money.
9:41 p.m. - New development: we're giving away our housebroken rat terrier, Scrabble. With a suppressed immune system, I am making an executive decision that we can't risk the allergens. So if you would like to take this very fun and loving dog, please give me a call.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Day 2 of Scott's Hospitalization
10:05 a.m. - Scott in hospital. No idea what's wrong. Liver. Lungs. All malfunctioning. 10:05 AM
10:06 am. - Blood o2 dropping. On o2 mask now.
10:09 a.m. - Heart rate erratic. Adding a monitor 4 that, too.
10:11 a.m. - Odd how small a grown man can seem behind all the machinery.
10:13 a.m. - He's babbling about west virginia and political campaign law - & who is e. Smith?
10:27 a.m. - Pain meds have him talking out his @$$
10:29 a.m. - He wants me 2 measure how fast he's going. Seeing as he's strapped 2 an ox mask i estimate 0 mph.
10:54 a.m. - I think of that line in 'the graduate' about plastics. Someone totally makes a killing from hospitals alone.
12:11 p.m. - Gastrointerologist in 4 a check. No immediate answers. Wants 2 move him 2 intensive care.
12:23 p.m. - Moving him 2 ICU.
2:53 a.m. - A new doc just told us he has ARDS, also called 'leaky lungs' may have 2 put him on a ventilater
3:05 p.m. - Scott is moving 2 the cardio-pulmonary intensive care unit - room 499. Send money.
3:11 p.m. - Scott's all hopped up on pain meds. He just pressed the nurse call button and said 'hey there's this beeping noise & we want 2 know if someone can come down here & get rid of it!' It's been beeping all day.
4:21 p.m. - Emmie isn't allowed 2 c Scott. Children under 12 not allowed on the floor. It makes us all sad. It was Scott's only request.
4:23 p.m. - A relative has arrived spewing drama, of course. I'm saving my drama for when it counts with Scott's treatment.
4:27 p.m. - ''How does your mom cry and keep her makeup on?'' ''I don't know. It's crazy.''
7:18 p.m. - Back 2 the hospital. Visiting hours are open, except 4 shift change between 6-8 am & pm. Only 2 people in the room @ a time.
8:37 p.m. - If anyone wants 2 learn about the Continental Congress, come 2 room 499.
8:39 p.m. - Theory by Hudson. Lecture by Dilauded - and other opiates.
11:46 p.m. - No surprise here but Scott has been fighting with anyone who will listen about the oxygen mask. It's been going on since 4 pm.
11:50 p.m. - The nurse just flushed the toilet. Scott said, ''Did you hear that? I think we just had a plane crash!'' And tried to leap out of bed to go cover the story.
10:06 am. - Blood o2 dropping. On o2 mask now.
10:09 a.m. - Heart rate erratic. Adding a monitor 4 that, too.
10:11 a.m. - Odd how small a grown man can seem behind all the machinery.
10:13 a.m. - He's babbling about west virginia and political campaign law - & who is e. Smith?
10:27 a.m. - Pain meds have him talking out his @$$
10:29 a.m. - He wants me 2 measure how fast he's going. Seeing as he's strapped 2 an ox mask i estimate 0 mph.
10:54 a.m. - I think of that line in 'the graduate' about plastics. Someone totally makes a killing from hospitals alone.
12:11 p.m. - Gastrointerologist in 4 a check. No immediate answers. Wants 2 move him 2 intensive care.
12:23 p.m. - Moving him 2 ICU.
2:53 a.m. - A new doc just told us he has ARDS, also called 'leaky lungs' may have 2 put him on a ventilater
3:05 p.m. - Scott is moving 2 the cardio-pulmonary intensive care unit - room 499. Send money.
3:11 p.m. - Scott's all hopped up on pain meds. He just pressed the nurse call button and said 'hey there's this beeping noise & we want 2 know if someone can come down here & get rid of it!' It's been beeping all day.
4:21 p.m. - Emmie isn't allowed 2 c Scott. Children under 12 not allowed on the floor. It makes us all sad. It was Scott's only request.
4:23 p.m. - A relative has arrived spewing drama, of course. I'm saving my drama for when it counts with Scott's treatment.
4:27 p.m. - ''How does your mom cry and keep her makeup on?'' ''I don't know. It's crazy.''
7:18 p.m. - Back 2 the hospital. Visiting hours are open, except 4 shift change between 6-8 am & pm. Only 2 people in the room @ a time.
8:37 p.m. - If anyone wants 2 learn about the Continental Congress, come 2 room 499.
8:39 p.m. - Theory by Hudson. Lecture by Dilauded - and other opiates.
11:46 p.m. - No surprise here but Scott has been fighting with anyone who will listen about the oxygen mask. It's been going on since 4 pm.
11:50 p.m. - The nurse just flushed the toilet. Scott said, ''Did you hear that? I think we just had a plane crash!'' And tried to leap out of bed to go cover the story.
Day 1 of Scott's Hospitalization
We came into the University Hospital ER at 5 p.m. on Sept. 19 because Scott thought he had jaundice. He was admitted at 10:30 p.m.
