My OH is in hospital in intensive care

Mojisola

When is he due to see a doctor again? Will they be doing any follow-up blood tests, scans, etc?

Has anyone been able to explain why he's still in so much pain?

victory

Mojisola wrote: »

When is he due to see a doctor again? Will they be doing any follow-up blood tests, scans, etc?

Has anyone been able to explain why he's still in so much pain?

He was due this week but the doc was away so monday now, yes he will have a lot of follow ups ,we will see what the doc says on monday. I personally think he is not on the right meds but I have no qualifications whatsoever to back that up, just looking at him, it just doesn't seem right that he is suffering like this when the meds are supposed to be helping, we had 2 different docs giving out 2 different opinions on what he should be taking and a nurse saying where he should be at with his progress, both docs and nurse were not agreeing and in the end I feel it was my OH that came worse off from changing meds, reducing them, swaping this one for that one, it needs to be finer tuned which will be on monday

elona

victory

When DH could not eat I made a protein drink into a milk shake to disguise the taste - just added some powder or liquid with a little milk. Also added some of the neutral drinks to some home made soup. Stuff like mashed potato and gravy with chopped cooked veg mixed in went down quite well as did cream cheese with a little smoked finely chopped fish mixed in or a cheesey omelette made quite sloppy.

I kept looking at yogurts, trifles or desserts and putting them back if not calorific enough but eventually found a few full fat thing that he would try to eat.

DH still has not got his sense of taste back fully but has improved a lot over the last couple of weeks after about six weeks of being very weak and tired etc.

I tried telling him not to push himself but to "gently stretch" what he could do and he seemed to respond better to that idea. We also never used the word "should" as it was just an extra pressure he did not need.

You are doing so well and don't doubt yourself.

itsanne

Victory, pain seems to be the worst issue. Would it be worth asking for him to be briefly readmitted to hospital just to get that sorted out?

Others who know better may well think that's a bad idea - maybe it is. It just seems that pain relief has not been properly sorted, and unless that's dealt with everything else is going to be so much harder, both for him and for you.

If only all the good wishes from everyone posting on or just following this thread could make a difference!

KxMx

You have one big qualification Victory to judge his pain, you are his wife and have been by his side since he came home.

If you think his pain meds are wrong, TELL the Drs so and insist on something being done.

Also don't be afraid to seek medical help sooner than Monday if you feel he needs it via 111.

RuthnJasper

elona wrote: »

victory

When DH could not eat I made a protein drink into a milk shake to disguise the taste - just added some powder or liquid with a little milk. Also added some of the neutral drinks to some home made soup. Stuff like mashed potato and gravy with chopped cooked veg mixed in went down quite well as did cream cheese with a little smoked finely chopped fish mixed in or a cheesey omelette made quite sloppy.

I kept looking at yogurts, trifles or desserts and putting them back if not calorific enough but eventually found a few full fat thing that he would try to eat.

DH still has not got his sense of taste back fully but has improved a lot over the last couple of weeks after about six weeks of being very weak and tired etc.

I tried telling him not to push himself but to "gently stretch" what he could do and he seemed to respond better to that idea. We also never used the word "should" as it was just an extra pressure he did not need.

You are doing so well and don't doubt yourself.

Victory, reading your latest updates I can't help thinking how fortunate your OH is to have you by his side. You seem (to me, anyway) to be saying, thinking and doing all the right things. I'm sure that seems too rosy a view to you, right in the heart of the current situation, but you're doing so well. Understanding that Mr. Victory needs to try with his exercises whilst still recognising when he has truly had enough and needs to rest - it's not everyone who can do this.

No-one's perfect, but you're doing great.

I just wanted to add my meagre hint to the excellent advice re. soups, etc. When I first entered into my IVA (now just over 1 year since it finished, yay ), I really struggled to afford food and started making lots from scratch. This book was - and still is - invaluable:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/075220503X/ref=sr_1_3_twi_1_olp?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420227708&sr=1-3&keywords=new+covent+garden+soup+company

It's the first book brought out by the New Covent Garden Soup Company. They must have had some sort of take-over some years ago because they've brought out several more books between now and then; the later ones trying but not quite managing to equal the spirit of the first two. Second-hand copies of the first book are available for 1p on Amazon!

The recipes are cracking and, if the ingredients are bought when in season, very economical. I think my most expensive one was Cream of Fennel at something like £2.94 per portion (made six portions). Most can be frozen and bulked-up if needed with a spoonful of mashed potato, cous-cous, or whatever you fancy.

I have no connection to the NCG outfit or their publishers or booksellers and I don't work for a food retailer (unless you count prescription-only dog or cat food from the emergency vets' clinic!), but I have found this one book to be an absolute joy to read, with a great selection of recipes and I can't recommend it enough for anyone thinking about making soup.

It's encouraged me to try some things I might not otherwise have done - and they're all super-healthy as they are home-made from natural ingredients.

Sorry to evangelize a bit, but it is a good book. I found soup-making to be quite therapeutic as well. xx

CruisingSaver

Hi Victory


I'm sorry to hear your OH is still struggling to manage his pain and I'd agree with others who've said you must insist on a review of his pain meds when you see the doctor.


I in no way mean any disrespect to nurses when I say this but they may not be the best healthcare professionals to assess how many steps etc your OH should be attempting as this isn't their area of expertise.


I would ask for a referral to community physiotherapy and occupational therapy if this isn't already in place for your OH.


CS x

mum2one

I would also ask for a review, and check what services are being offered to you.

I'm useless with names - but a big thank you just ordered the convent garden soup book, - soups are a staple part of dads meal plan.

A thought tho we were told to give dad jelly babies - there high calorie sweet xx

TiddlyPom

Just a quick visit to say I hope all goes well with the doctor today. Hopefully this will be your chance to express how you see your OH in pain and that needs to be go to on top of. Hopefully all the medical services will start to think in a joined-up way.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other. I know it feels like wading through custard, but each step is a step in the right direction.

RuthnJasper

TiddlyPom wrote: »

Just a quick visit to say I hope all goes well with the doctor today. Hopefully this will be your chance to express how you see your OH in pain and that needs to be go to on top of. Hopefully all the medical services will start to think in a joined-up way.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other. I know it feels like wading through custard, but each step is a step in the right direction.

Echo this - fingers and all else that's legal crossed for you Victory. x