What’s her problem?
I must be more exhausted than I realized. I thought the EMT that just transported my wife from the mental ward to the Emergency Room just gave me a ration of stuff because he didn’t like my wife’s attitude. “Oh nothing. She just has dementia and is suffering an acute episode of manic delirium. What’s your excuse?” is what I felt like asking him.
But I’ve learned. Be nice to the people who are manhandling your wife from one facility in or to another.
“She has dementia and is suffering from acute paranoia and her blood pressure has suddenly spiked to such a dangerous level that they decided to transport her to ICU by way of the ER.The acute anxiety which causes her to react with such paranoia is a symptom.” is what I actually said.
And I’d do it again.
“Why are these restraints on her arms?” I must be more exhausted than I realized. I thought the RN that came on duty for the night shift on the ICU unit just asked me why my wife is tied to a freaking bed in her hospital on her ICU shift as her patient and responsibility at night after visiting hours when I have to leave her here by herself with no one but these strangers who are NOT family. “She has dementia and is suffering from acute paranoia, and her blood pressure has suddenly spiked to such a dangerous level that they decided to transport her to ICU by way of the ER. If she’s not restrained, she will pull out the IV’s, rip off the monitor leads, pull the nasogastric tube and catheter out and attempt to leave.” is what I said.
And I’d do it again. You know, actually I’m easy. Just make me think you might threaten someone I love with indifference, retribution or incompetence, whether that is actually what is happening or not, and I cave like the house built on sinking sand under a tsunami.
It must be me. I’ve learned a valuable lesson about exhaustion and paranoia.
I’m just too tired to remember what it is.
jimmy, i’ve been internetless for a bit so am just now catching up. i will be praying for you and your wife.
transplantingme
June 22, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I will pray for you both. Stay strong
roger
June 23, 2008 at 9:46 am
Not sure how you did it. MAYBE I’m cool with the first question, but by the second question I am going off.
Scott
June 23, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Again, thank you all. I’m about to go back to the ICU unit to spend another night with my wife.I’ve had between 3 and at the most 5 hours of sleep for the past week. I just managed to sleep for 2 hours before the sound of our neighbor’s dog howled and I thought I was my wife moaning. She’s at the hospital and I’m at home while her daughter watches her. The way you do it is to be more concerned with encouraging the people that will be responsible for looking after the welfare, safety, comfort and emotional welfare while you can’t be there to make sure they do so.
Fear of possible mistreatment of a loved one, especially because of your actions, is a great motivator.
jimmy paravane
June 23, 2008 at 9:05 pm
oh sweet guy – again, tell your wife she and I are lucky. she would agree..
Jenn
June 23, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Thank you Jenn, Roger and TM.
Her daughter and I are taking 12 hour shift turns in ICU to be with her so that she remains calm enough for them to treat and try and figure out what is going on with her dangerously high blood pressure. Otherwise she grows violent and they have to restrain her. All the other stuff she is going through is unfortunately secondary until they can get her physically stable enough to transfer back to the evaluation facility. I’ll tell her, but she’s not really at a place right now where she’ll remember.
jimmy paravane
June 25, 2008 at 3:49 am
Scott, not leaving you out of the Thank yous! I think I responded to you already but before last night I hadn’t slept much more than 3-5 hours in the last 10 days or so.
Anyone who I have missed saying thanks to, please know that your comments have been greatly appreciated.
jimmy paravane
June 25, 2008 at 3:53 am
You are a gracious man, full of compassion and Love.
Robin Meadows
June 26, 2008 at 7:43 am
Its not you, its natural, thankfully He is super-natural.
We’re praying for you here brother.
bert boan
June 26, 2008 at 10:56 pm
[...] friend of the blog, Jimmy Paravane, is down, his wife is having a hard time. As Kurt Russell said in “Soldier,” [...]
Men On Purpose - Call to Prayer
June 26, 2008 at 11:05 pm
bert boan, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. They are very much appreciated.
jimmy paravane
June 27, 2008 at 4:18 am
You have my prayers
Mike Jones
June 27, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Mike Jones, thank you.
jimmy paravane
June 28, 2008 at 8:43 pm