The Saga Continues
Today, I went to visit my friend Sue's husband to try to get him to understand his wife's condition. I wanted him to realize that she may never come home. She has lost down to 80 lbs. She cries all the time and her mind is all messed up. I told him to hope for the best but, prepare for the worst.
They are trying to find out why her mind went bad in a short day or two. She talks about the same things years ago, some blue bowls, she says a nurse beat her at the nursing home and tortured her for 3 days and 3 nights, wouldn't give her, her medicine and told her she had cancer that she should just die anyway.
They moved her to another hospital that specializes in mental cases and prescription drug interactions. They are going to start weaning her off some of her drugs to see if there is an interaction somewhere that is causing this irrational behavior for the past week. They are also going to do brain scans to see if the cancer has went to her brain. She has lung and esophagus cancer. They had to take her cell phone away because she was calling everyone all hours of the day and night, telling the same stories over and over again.
This afternoon, her husband calls me and says that she called him and told him she was fine. He said she talked about blue bowls, etc and the lady beating her at the nursing home. I told him this is the same story she has told over and over and over again for a week. He said he wasn't aware of that.
He says that family can not come see her but, I can because I am a preacher. He asked me to go see her. I know what will happen if I do. She will want my cell number and my home phone number and she will start the calling all over again from the hospital phone. I am going to wait a week or so and see what the hospital can find out. Man. this is never ending. I hope they can help her, if it is a drug interaction. If it is the cancer, it may take her life. She was given 3 months to live in Oct. of 2009. This is so sad and so stressful for her and all of us who love her.
They are trying to find out why her mind went bad in a short day or two. She talks about the same things years ago, some blue bowls, she says a nurse beat her at the nursing home and tortured her for 3 days and 3 nights, wouldn't give her, her medicine and told her she had cancer that she should just die anyway.
They moved her to another hospital that specializes in mental cases and prescription drug interactions. They are going to start weaning her off some of her drugs to see if there is an interaction somewhere that is causing this irrational behavior for the past week. They are also going to do brain scans to see if the cancer has went to her brain. She has lung and esophagus cancer. They had to take her cell phone away because she was calling everyone all hours of the day and night, telling the same stories over and over again.
This afternoon, her husband calls me and says that she called him and told him she was fine. He said she talked about blue bowls, etc and the lady beating her at the nursing home. I told him this is the same story she has told over and over and over again for a week. He said he wasn't aware of that.
He says that family can not come see her but, I can because I am a preacher. He asked me to go see her. I know what will happen if I do. She will want my cell number and my home phone number and she will start the calling all over again from the hospital phone. I am going to wait a week or so and see what the hospital can find out. Man. this is never ending. I hope they can help her, if it is a drug interaction. If it is the cancer, it may take her life. She was given 3 months to live in Oct. of 2009. This is so sad and so stressful for her and all of us who love her.
Replies
Focus on comfort and finding something which helps ease her mind. Sometimes it\'s caused by medication interactions. If this is being caused by metabolic condition the only solution will be medication. I wonder if her liver is being affected?
It\'s really hard to see this type of deterioration. It\'s unsettling to not be able to communicate in rational way. I would find myself not knowing how to connect with patients in this condition. We\'ve been told to just go with whatever they are saying. If she is saying blue bowls go with blue bowls as topic. If she brings up nurse beating her. Tell her nurse is no longer there and you are safe. Finding a place of inner peace, while Sue is in this choatic, anxious state is important for you.
Pee Wee, I know how hard this is for you to see Sue in this condition. Her family is very lucky to have your support even though I know it is very stressful for you. Maybe the change in the meds will help and her behavior will change. I think it\'s a good idea to give it a little time and see what the doctors find out. I know the constant phone calls from her, especially when they are rambling and incoherent are very unsettling for you. Sue and her family are in my thoughts and prayers...so are you. Love you my friend.
I am so sorry to hear what is happening to Sue, it so difficult and sad for you to see her in such bad condition. You are a blessing to her and her family, I know this is very hard and stressful to you. I am keeping Sue, her family and friends in my thoughts and prayers.