Amanda didn’t sleep well last night. I was hoping she’d get some decent sleep as things progressed. Her BP was down a bit, so during rounds, they dropped her to net even, only pulling what she takes in, on the CRRT machine. If I were to guess I’d say she would be off the dialysis soon since her BP is taking medication to maintain a decent level. She has lost a little of the sub-q air. I was joking with her and saying she was going to pop like a balloon when they put a chest tube in the right spot. She said, “Fine with me!”
There was a new NP; I didn’t even see her until rounds. She was spouting off things that weren’t right, too. It was obvious that she hadn’t done an exam to me and the nurse. I didn’t correct her even though I wanted to. It wasn’t worth the fuss. I was talking to the nurse about how I advocate, when needed, I will stir the pot for Amanda. We’re coasting right now, so to speak, and it wasn’t worth it. The nurse was also a little perturbed with the NP. She said she wanted to correct her, but she never asked for a report from her. Same for me, the NPs always ask if I have any questions, and this one didn’t. Not a fan of that, and neither was the nurse. We may tag-team the NP tomorrow if it’s the same story.
Amanda has been mad about the NG tube since she woke up from the extubation. She is so ready to get it out. It makes her nauseous and full, she says. It’s hard to eat and swallow with it in. I feel so bad; I keep telling her she needs to just push through to get it out and eat. It’s a catch-22 if she doesn’t eat, they leave it in, but it makes her nauseous, round and round. Plus, they keep NPOing her, but want her to eat! It’s a little counterproductive, kinda like tube feeds make her nauseous, let’s run them 24/7. At least I got that to nocturnal only. The NG tube will be a hill I’ll die on sooner or later, but now isn’t the time!
They read a constant BP from an A-line, a catheter inserted into an artery. Her current one in the groin has been reading crazy pressures and hasn’t been too accurate, and wouldn’t draw back any blood. It was going bad, and getting a cuff BP wasn’t too accurate with all she had in her arm. So, they needed to place another A-line. This time, the fellow would put a new one in her arm for a little more mobility. It’s important to have an instant BP with the CRRT running and also with PT, so they know if any BP meds are needed at that moment. I was kicked out of the room for this because it was a sterile procedure. I took the time to make a drop-off at the cleaners. I’ve been here for 18 days and alternated between two pairs of pants; it’s time I had one washed! That’s the nice thing about starch britches: they last forever if you don’t get them dirty. When I returned, the nurse was walking out to get me, thinking I was in the waiting room.
I’d forgotten it was farmers market Thursday in the hospital courtyard. Amanda actually reminded me of that; she had an order ready—a hibiscus aqua refresher from a taco truck. Also, gelato that she and Beverly got, but she was NPO, so that was a no-go. I got some Mexican street corn, which everyone raved about, from the same place. It was ok, but for the price, I won’t get it again. Maybe I’m spoiled from living where the real deal is! I also got a few other things, including some vegan jerky, which is usually awful, but I tried a sample and it was surprisingly good – the best vegan jerky I’ve had. I got some sourdough and fresh veggies for the apartment.
Larry, my buddy who is coming, also loves to cook. So, I’ve got plans for the fresh produce I picked up. I cook for therapy, too. I cook when I’m mad, sad, glad, angry, or happy; I love to cook. So, I need to cook, that’s one of my first things to do when Larry gets here, while Britt relieves me for a few days. I don’t need a break from Amanda, but I need a break from this hospital. This is about day 5ish for Amanda, I’m clocking in at 18 or 19; I’m beat down and spent after this stint. This hasn’t been just easy go get food and coffee and argue with nurses, hospital days; this has been some of the worst of the hospital days we’ve had. I sent two prayer request texts out that were riddled with uncertainty about whether Amanda would even make it. I’ve never had to make those calls before. I’m ready to be out of these walls, and so glad we have someone were both comfortable with to advocate in my place and a friend to come to hang out. I’ve had to beat these two off coming before. Mostly, Larry wanting to come stay with me while Amanda wasn’t doing so well. I told him I didn’t need him then, I felt it was my job to be by Amanda’s side, and I didn’t want to have a distraction. I knew I’d need a distraction later when she was doing well, and I’d have a fill-in at the hospital. Now is that time.
In the afternoon, I needed to take care of some union work. I had my monthly billing report to take care of and second-quarter reports I needed to knock out. I had both my laptop and MacBook sprawled out on the hospital table. We signed a consent form in the morning with the IR to place a new test tube. They were going to do it under CT guidance, to get the tube in just the right spot. It was scheduled for 3:30, and I planned to go to Hop and have a burger and chat with someone. Brett had texted me to check on us earlier in the day; he’s a solid guy. So, I knew he wasn’t working since he said he was working on new music for a gig he has next Friday. My brother-in-law and his wife should be here then, I hope we can all go support him.
They went to take Amanda down to CT, so I took off to get a burger. It was close to shift change when I got there. One of the guys I knew from open mic night came out of the kitchen to talk to me. He got out 15-20 minutes on the clock, talking to me before the manager asked if he was clocked out! We ended up chatting until I finished eating, about an hour there: total BS talk, a needed distraction. Amanda had been firm about me not being gone too long; she was ready to have a drink when she got back and was off NPO!
I was back in the room before Amanda was; I thought I was going to be late after all the talking. I waited a while, she was gone so long that a helpall nurse was restringing the CRRT machine, when I arrived. After 2 hours of no blood circulation, they have to restring and prime it all over again. They have floating nurses called helpalls here, and multiple charge nurses. Much bigger than what we were used to. Amanda wasn’t in too much pain and was more awake than I expected as she arrived back in the room. I don’t know if it was instantaneous, but the air has been going down. I can see her jawbone now, at least. Her chest is less puffy and less rice crispy feeling, too.
Amanda wanted her farmers market refresher as soon as she got back. I had gotten it in a bottle instead of a cup. Then I had the nurse print some patient labels with her name on them to claim the bottle when I put it in the fridge. So it was nice and cold when she got back. She liked it but wanted a “cocktail,” so I got a Sprite from the nurse and mixed the two. She drank a ton too, without having anything to eat, which shot her blood sugar sky high; she needed a ton of insulin after that! The steroids really mess with her blood sugar levels. She felt like sushi; they didn’t have any veggie sushi rolls in the cafeteria, so I ordered some from Uber Eats. They were too dry for her; it’s a consistency thing for her right now with food and drinks.
The night nurse has a cute personality. She is from another ICU unit, so we likely went to see her again. She is funny, and we have all been joking around. Amanda has even been joking a good bit. This has been the most we’ve talked since the surgery. The night NP came by, Amanda was ready to make her ploy to get the NG tube out. She didn’t have a very convincing story, though! She will have to eat more to get it out. I just don’t know what she’d eat, I’m not sure she does either.
Response
I am glad that you are taking some time away from the hospital. Take care of yourself! ???