Another ER visit at the worst time

Quilting brings calm

Mom fell out of bed today. The AL called me at 4:45 because she was having trouble breathing and pain. Her BP was 81/66. ( it’s higher now). So she was loaded into an ambulance and transported to the ER. I had had trouble getting to sleep, so I’m operating on 3-3.5 hours of sleep. As I write, it’s 7:03am. She’s had blood drawn, and pain medication. A CT scan has been ordered( and she just now left for it) . The oxygen saturation alarm keeps going off because it’s in the 80s. The nurses think it’s just because she is cold/ but she does have scarring in her lungs. My guess is that she’s cracked or broken ribs or vertabrae. Both something she’s done multiple times. She’s actually fairly calm- but she’s only been here a couple hours.

Why is it the worst possible time? Well, besides the 3-3.5 hours of sleep… I’m supposed to have my long delayed first knee replacement surgery sometime tomorrow. I had lots of things that needed done today. I also really needed a good nights sleep last night because I won’t get one tonight. We asked for the first surgery of the day because I can drive to the hospital but not home. My spouse doesn’t drive after dark, so we will need discharged at a time that puts us home before 4:30pm sunset.

Edited to add: I just came off a 30 day heart monitor because my AFIB acted up the day of my colonoscopy in September. The last thing I need is for it to act up today or tomorrow

forbarbara

Oh my goodness! I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s fall and ER visit. Those ER trips are draining for everyone involved.

Good luck with your surgery - I hope it goes smoothly and you recover quickly. You already know this, but it’s worth saying over and over in our forums: taking care of yourself is a critical aspect of caregiving. So take good care!

M1

Qbc i am so sorry. Knee replacement is no picnic. Keep us posted.....

Quilting brings calm

I’ve edited this comment because I got an update:

@forbarbara thank you. I’m trying to take better care of myself. I’ve reached 65, and it’s as if the warranty ran out. LOL.

@M1 I will post about the surgery tomorrow evening - if I have it - we just got the update from the nurse and are awaiting the trauma team. Three fractured ribs and a small puncture in the lung.

We've hit the part of the ER visit where she is agitated. She tried to roll over and everything hurts, and she doesn’t understand why. She wants a drink and of course she can’t have one. We’ve had that discussion multiple times.

harshedbuzz

@Quilting brings calm

Oh dear. That's a lot of moving pieces. You deserve a break for a change.

I hope your mom is as OK as can be under the circumstances and that you're able to get home to a restorative nap. Good luck tomorrow.

HB

Marp

I'm so sorry. Praying for healing and that your mom's situation can be such that you can have your surgery.

M1

I am sure she is going to get admitted. That may be good and/or bad news for you. You may need to hire a sitter for her, that was very difficult during our recent hospitalization. Any chance your brother can step in to help?

QBC I have to say that I am also concerned about your trying to have the knee replacement as an outpatient procedure. I know the new Medicaid rules are such that they only cover a rehab stay if you have both knees done simultaneously, but honestly these were the most painful surgeries I ever had (and I'm 4/4 or 6/6, both knees and both hips and both rotator cuffs). It just worries me for you.....

harshedbuzz

OMG.

Reading fail. I had "outpatient" TKR 2018. Even though I was never admitted, per se, I did sleep over after the surgery and DH collected me the next day around 11am. Is that a possibility for you? I had a spinal and had to prove I could pass urine a few hours after I was back in a room. This could slow your discharge. You might need a plan B.

Good luck with your recovery. It was totally worth it, but it was months before I felt that way.

HB

Quilting brings calm

@M1 - outpatient is the standard here ever since covid. The surgeon doesn’t even want physical therapists coming to our home. He wants his patients to be going out to rehab, as a means of making sure they are up and around. I expect it will be painful- I know my compressed vertebrae fracture was, and that didn’t include a surgery.

my step-brother and step-sisters won’t help at all. Even when I rolled my SUV and got that compressed fracture in my back in Dec 2021( which delayed my first attempt at this knee replacement). They said no when I asked for help that time

I forgot that our son was coming down ( 3 hour drive) tomorrow to be our ride home in case I did not get released in time to be home before dark. If I don’t get released for some reason, he can run my spouse home for the night/ we have additional vehicles there. He’s now also going to check on my mom ( now that I remembered he was coming). Brain is slow on the uptake today. The two hospitals in town are 8 blocks apart.

@harshedbuzz - I saw your post after I had posted this. Yes, it’s possible that I’d end up overnight. I’m getting that spinal block. Surgeon hasn’t mentioned an overnight stay, but you never know what’s going to happen. My spouse could collect me the next day as long as someone got him home the night before.

I have to wash my sheets and my clothes ( that I will wear tomorrow) tonight and take the special shower tonight and in the morning. Surprisingly I can drink Gatorade or Pedialite up until two hours before arrival time at the hospital. No food or other liquid after midnight.

GothicGremlin

Oh my gosh @Quilting brings calm that is a lot on your plate! I'm glad your son is going to be around so you have some back-up.

Thinking good thoughts about your knee replacement surgery, and also for your mom.

I don't know what the "special shower" is, but it doesn't sound fun. Hearing you about expired warranties. 😄

Emily 123

Thinking about you, QBC, and hoping that your surgery goes well. I'm so sorry that this is happening--what timing. Glad that your son will be available to help. Best wishes for a smooth surgery and a speedy rehab.

JDancer

If the hospital is aware of your mother's situation, I would expect them to provide a bedside sitter, especially if she gets a chest tube. When an inpatient is confused, a sitter is often required for safety. In addition to falls, confused patients are at risk for pulling out lines and tubes.

ButterflyWings

(((QBC))) Lately, I have been saying "when it rains, it pours" -- but my gracious, your dilemma is giving me an attitude adjustment. We are all pulling for you through this challenging time.

Quilting brings calm

@ButterflyWings I think the same when I read everyone else’s news.

I will admit that the idea that my mom and step-dad could slowly go downhill for years is very sad and depressing. I don’t know how many questions that she answered incorrectly today about her medical history.

JeriLynn66

Praying for you, your Mom and family this morning. Sending hugs.

harshedbuzz

@Quilting brings calm

I am thinking of you this morning. I hope things go swimmingly for you.

HB

Marta

QBC: sending positive thoughts 💭.

Quilting brings calm

Through surgery. Back in staging room. Blood pressure a little low. Physical therapy still to go before discharge 

Son visiting mom.

she called me last night. She wanted the nurse to move her from the bed she was in to the bed in the bedroom. It’s a hospital room/ there’s no other bed and there’s no other bedroom. You know how it goes