Could be soon
06.12.07 (8:56 am) [edit] |  |
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William came home from East Point hospital after a month stay. While the medication helped him to calm down, his health continued to decline. He refused food most of the time and when he ate, it was very little. Also liquid was taken in very small amounts. We would tempt him with coke, something he loves very much and ice cream, but it was not enough. He became very weak, and bedridden, death seemed eminent.
After consulting with the Doctor it was thought best to send him into the ER for blood work and also to get hydrated. We wanted to try that, to give him a chance to see if after hydration he would begin to eat and drink more. When I arrived at the ER I notified the receptionist that I was here for Mr. Lockhard, they told me to sit and they would call me when he was settled in. I waited for 30 minutes and asked again. He was settled and they rang me through. I got there just as they were finishing putting on a restraint. They were very happy to see me, and I told them that I had been out front. He was confused, and all the stimulation of the ride, the stretcher and the lights in the ER had made him a little hyper for a short time. He then became lethargic and fell asleep. When the Doctor came in she asked me what he was in for; hydration and blood work, but we do not want him admitted, was what I told her.
After about an hour they came in and drew blood, which was difficult since he was very dehydrated, but luckily his veins were still in good enough shape to allow needles without his veins collapsing. Then they hydrated him. The process took about 2 hours, most of which he slept through. When the process was three fourths finished he started to wake up, talkative, though still confused. After it was over, the nurse came in and asked me to go with her to the check out office. I felt uncomfortable with this, since he was in a vest restraint and I knew how restless he could be. The nurse told me that they would watch them. So I went, and had to wait for about 15 minutes. When I got back to the room two nurses where struggling to keep him in bed. So I helped them. Then it began. He started yelling; telling me and the nurses we should be ashamed of ourselves, and I started thinking that perhaps this was a mistake. Though I knew we had to try it. After 30 minutes of this workout, I ask the nurse to please see if they could give him an injection of Ativan so he would be calmed down enough to be able to go back by ambulance. They gave him the shot, and it helped some, enough to get him home.
When he got back, and I arrived a few minutes later, we put him in a geriatric chair, and put the front table up. He seemed content. He was peaceful throughout the night, and Neda, the night LPN, was able to get some fluids into him; juices and a milk shake. When I got there early he was in a deep sleep and did not look like he was going to come out of it anytime soon. So we put him in a new room, one close to the Nursing Station where he would be seen often when people walked past his room. Right now he is still sleeping deeply, at peace, something I am thankful for.
We called his family and one nephew is flying in this evening to see him, and if he thinks it important, two other members of the family will come down tomorrow. We will start him on hospice today.
While at the hospital with William I was struck with my reaction to his plight. There was sadness, worry, and yes humor. Humor helps all of us to cope with life’s pain and misfortunes, though I often feel a little guilty when I find certain things humorous. Yet without it I don’t think anyone could be a caregiver for long. Laughter can be cruel true, but it can also be healing, and bring a little light into a very sad and painful situation. I don’t know which way this will go. Death has it own timetable, but I don’t think he has long. It could be days, perhaps weeks, maybe a month or two, but unless he starts to eat and drink more, it will be very soon.