Won't do this again

I always get vaccinations on different days. Kind of a hassle, but that way if I have a reaction I know which vaccination was the culprit. Thus far, luckily, my reactions have been limited to a slightly sore arm for a day or two. This year, however, I’ll be getting the RSV jab for the first time so who knows if my luck will hold.

I did COVID, flu and shingrix last October at the same time. (I did it on a Friday after work so I told my friends I went out for shots after work! 😁) Shingrix definitely made my arm sore but I felt fine. So I did the same last week since I had not gone back for the 2nd dose of shingrix yet. Wow! The shingrix vaccine hurt going in, my arm had quite a reaction and I felt pretty garbage-y for a couple of days... glad I don't have to do the shingrix again! DH had shingrix and pneumovax about 4 yrs ago and did the first 2 COVID vaccinations but refuses flu and now COVID boosters. I try to stay healthy so at least I don't make him sick!

Years ago we used gentian violet (messy) or nyststin suspension for thrust in infants.

How are you feeling today, M1?

Iris

How awful! I am so sorry!

Iris

Oh my, so sorry to hear this. What a cascade of issues as her immune system struggles. I'm sure you will, as usual, do a wonderful job of advocating for her.

M1 and Jo C: holding you in my heart. We all care about you.

I would do them separate for a few reasons. First, if you do them all together and have a bad reaction, you won't know which one caused it.

Second, as I get older I have found I have a stronger reaction to vaccines. No need to make myself feel worse and do them all at once. And I figure if I'm struggling with them, it will only be that much harder for my mom.

Third, her primary care said to get the RSV vaccination separately since it's a new vaccine so there are fewer studies about how the body reacts.

M1, I am so deeply sorry for what has not been happening for your Partner at the hospital. The lack of professionalism and not having a clue regarding dementia is appalling, but it is something I have run into multiple times. Seems we have to type up our own Plan of Care needs with explanations and reasoning to present so there is some sort of basic understanding and for the MDs to write actual orders to fill the broken spots.

I am also concerned on your behalf your needing to be there on a daily basis for such a long period of time, under stress, when you have your own care needs. Truly, can you ask your Partner's physician to write orders that would cover the lapses?

I was in hospital two years ago (missed diagnosis of kidney stone); anyway, my room mate was a woman somewhere in her 90's I think; she was in latter stages of dementia. She literally hollered loudly and screamed 24/7. She may stop for 20 minutes or so on a 24 hour continuum; but off she would go again. I had her with me for four days! No sleep for me and not a single understanding staff member. Place filled, no alternative rooms.

I did not turn on my TV as I did not want the poor woman to be frightened or upset by the picture much less the sound; kept my curtain drawn so she did not see me and kept myself quiet. She was totally ignored. If she had pain, no one was even trying to assess. The RN came to my bedside to give me a pill and mentioned how hard it was for the nurses to feed the patient as with each spoonful all she did was cough. (!)

Not wanting to sound like a smart ---, I mentioned, "I wonder; do you think she may be aspirating her food? Wonder if doctor knows she is doing this." Well; that got some attention and a swallow eval was ordered. HOWEVER: this patient's doctor ( a messy, unkempt looking old fellow with NO bedside manner or speaking with patient; he was really a dilly. ) He ordered an Upper GI rather than a regular swallow exam because her swallow was off. What the heck??

In came THREE RNs who in concert decided to try and insert an NG tube into the poor woman . . . What????? OMG!!! You can imagine what ensued . . . the poor panicked patient screamed and screamed and thrashed and fought - two nurses were trying unsuccessfully to hold her down and one trying to get the tube down her nose - I was undone! Could not help myself in suggesting that was not good practice and perhaps best to cease the fighting the patient, etc. and let the doctor know the lack of being able to perform his order. Horrible.

Never in the four days that woman was in my room did one single staff member try to connect with her, speak to her, try to soothe her, assess for pain that she may have but could not communicate. Task orientation ONLY as required if a mess to be dealt with and then with nothing soothing to help.

I did not get any sleep, but overall my concern was for that patient. I even presented the staff with the connection for Alz Assn and for ALZ Connected as being, "very interesting and helpful.". All one RN did was to print it in small letters on a white board at the foot of the patient's bed and that was that. Eventually, they moved the patient to another room and I never did find out what happened to her. None of any of that necessary. So much missing. Overall; ignored.

As for my own experience with my LO; same sort of experiences you are having whether in the ER or Inpatient setting. Rare staff understanding and me realizing a HUGE hole in the education of medical people in regard to dementia patient needs, etc.

And yes; I did indeed type up concise bullet points re my LO and what she could and could not do; what she could communicate or not; etc. and the plan of what would be needed in care. Asked that the points be included in their Plan of Care and to let staff know. Helped a tiny somewhat but not a lot.

Stick to your guns and get the Docs to write orders that must be followed. May this soon have some settling and please do not forget to care for yourself. I am so very sorry.

J.

How awful. Do you know how much longer they expect to keep her? Sounds like she can't get out of that setting soon enough.