Can it get any worse?

[Scarlett123]

As if it's not enough that John has Stage 6 Alzheimers, COPD, and is physically disabled, at an outpatients appointment on Wednesday, we were told he might have Asbestosis, and that further tests are to take place.

Then on Thursday I was called by his club to say that an ambulance had arrived to take him to hospital, as he'd collapsed with chest pains. When I reached hospital, they carried out tests and it was confirmed he'd had a heart attack, and suffered damage to his heart.

I got home at 1 am yesterday, absolutely worn out, and was up at the hospital several times yesterday and today. John's being moved to the CC Unit, but he's so confused as to what's happening, and getting totally muddled. He seems to think he should be going for meetings at work (he retired over 20 years ago), and continually asks me if I want him to drive me home (he hasn't driven for yonks), and is having difficulty remembering my name. I keep telling the staff that, whilst I know they are busy, and that they treating him for a heart attack, nevertheless he has Alzheimers, and his sense of danger is equivalent to that of a toddler.

However, he appears to have wandered off a few times, so I phoned Security, and said how worried I was, and they just fobbed me off and told me to talk to the charge nurse on his ward. I did that, gritting my teeth, and they said John had only wandered from the Assessment Unit A (where he's waiting), to Assessment Unit B but he might as well have wandered to Timbuctoo.

I feel utterly in the depths of despair.

 

[Izzy]

Oh Scarlett. I'm so sorry to read about your troubles. I do hope that John is ok - and you.

 

[lis]

hello sounds scary

but i think inthe absence of nurses etc watching you will find that other patients and visitors keep an eye out- experience from my dad not with alzheimers had my mum has - try not to worry too much

 

[CollegeGirl]

I'm so sorry, you must be desperate with worry, I can understand how scared you must feel. I hope that things settle down very soon and will be thinking of you tonight xxx

 

[creativesarah]

I am so sorry that things are so hard for you at the moment

glad you told us

much support

sarah

 

[LYN T]

I'm so sorry that you are so worried. You are doing your very best-and doing it well. All I can offer is sympathy and a hug.

If you can try to keep posting for well earned support

Take care

Lyn T

 

[rajahh]

Having your husband in hospital is an absolute nightmare. It is the one thing I dread.

I hope someone really listens to you, perhaps go to PALS they deal with difficulties between patients and staff.

Jeannette

 

[starryuk]

It is so worrying for you, I am sorry. My mum is a wanderer and has been in hospital a couple of times, so I know how you feel.

I am hoping that the main exit door from the CC unit will be quite secure, or at least have to be opened by pressing a button of some kind which your OH can't figure out.

Both times with my mum, they figured out ways to keep an eye on her...and she is quite a mobile wanderer.

Are visiting hours restricted? in one of mum's hospitals they relaxed the rules and allowed me to stay as much as possible. I think the staff were quite relieved to have me there to keep mum under control!

I do hope things improve for you.

 

[Pross]

Having had my husband in hospital for the last six days, you have my complete sympathy. It's an absolute nightmare. Signs all over the hospital advertising dementia awareness but precious little awareness inside. And chronic understaffing. I wish you well and send a big hug full of fellow feeling. X

 

[Yanni]

It sounds horrific. I don't know how you are coping, but obviously you are doing your best. Probably as much as anyone could do in this situation. And as much as you care about what happens to your husband, you can't control the entire scenario. Do what you can and then... well play it by ear. I admire what you are doing and that's probably as much as you can in what you are experiencing.

 

[Scarlett123]

John's been moved to the CC Unit, and, thank God, it's secure. He's had a couple of scares in the night, so all I can do is pray. The trouble is, he's rigged up to a heart monitor, and keeps pulling the suction discs off.

 

[Onlyme]

In a way that is good as surely they will alarm if he removes them and they will be alerted to his attempt to escape.

I hope things improve for you.

 

[Scarlett123]

In a way that is good as surely they will alarm if he removes them and they will be alerted to his attempt to escape.

I hope things improve for you.

Yes, that's what I thought. One of the staff made no bones about how exasperated he was that John kept pulling the discs off, and I said "Yes, I know, it's a bind isn't it. And you being a Health Professional must be all too aware that when a patient has Alzheimers, they're not being awkward by doing what you've asked them not to do, but it's one of the symptoms of the disease - isn't it".

Where is Hattie Jacques when you need her!! Anyway, I was asked today if he could have a butterfly next to his name on the chart, to identify his dementia, and I said they could have a herd of elephants, if this would help!

He's having an angiogram tomorrow, at the London Chest Hospital, and I'm to accompany him in the ambulance. Hopefully the results will indicate the next step.

Thank God for TP and kind folk, who understand everything that I'm going through. Thank you all so much for your support.

 

[artyfarty]

Good luck for tomorrow. Hope everything goes well.

 

[Izzy]

Thinking of you. I hope tomorrow goes well.

 

[Pross]

Hospitals and dementia make for a total nightmare. You have my heartfelt sympathy. I really feel for you.
Big hug. Pross.

 

[Noorza]

I hope all goes well with the angiogram. Thinking of you both.

 

[Scarlett123]

Yesterday we went to the London Chest Hospital. I was asked to accompany John in the ambulance, as his escort, along with another patient from the ward. Many hours later, I was told that the 3 arteries were all damaged and they would be keeping John in. It was now 8 pm, so I asked if I could be taken back with the other patient to our hospital, and told no!

So I had to get a cab - £35 - to take me back. I phoned PALS today to complain about it, not so much for me, but for someone else who may not have the money to pay out! Anyway, after a 2 hours journey today by bus, train, train, tube then taxi, I reached the LCH to find John in a bay, right opposite a flight of stairs and the lift!

The nurses station, and admin office was the other end of the corridor, so I went down and asked why he was as far away as he could be, when they knew he had Alzheimers and was a wanderer. One nurse4 said "we don't know if we have a spare bed nearer to us" so I suggested that they move a patient without Alzheimers, who is aware of danger, to John's bay, and let John take Mr Compus Mentis' place. You'd have thought I'd just suggested a cure for World Peace!!

Anyway, it appears if John were younger, and without his other problems, then a triple bypass would be considered, but in view of the likely outcome, and everything else, they are considering the balloons, stents, and medication. John seems to be much worse Alzheimer wise, and told me he'd asked another patient to phone me, but they couldn't get through.

When I asked what number he'd given, it was his army number! He was chattering on that he was fed up being asked to go to meetings, and "they" thought he was a bouncer(?) and had I got the plastic bags for the doctors?

What a nightmare.

 

[Izzy]

On Scarlett. How awful. Thinking of you both. x

 

[lin1]

Dear scarlett
I am sorry I missed this

What a nightmare for you.
You must be exhausted not only by worry but the travelling as well.

A nephew of my mums had stents put in and they worked well, I cant remember how long he was in hospital afterwards but it wasnt long.

I hope that as soon as your husband is well enough after the stents that they will transfer him to a hospital nearer you for any recovery required,which will make travelling a bit easier for you