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Life in the ICU

Barbara’s in the ICU. Restraints haven’t been necessary, as she is not sufficiently aware of her surroundings to be a problem. I guess I should thank the gods for the small favors. She has had no periods of coherence since late Saturday afternoon. I am in the ICU waiting room. This hospital (LTAC) doesn’t permit sleeping with ICU patients.

I’ve been down this road before. Last time it was 10 days. Who knows this time. Tomorrow, I will see what I can do about rounding up a cot. Tonight, it looks like it’ll be waiting room chairs.

Tags: lasarina hospitalization, pneumonia, sepsis

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Categories Barbara hospitalization
Author Janet Logan

Transfer to ICU ordered

7 Jun

No surprise. I was expecting that. Yes, she is that sick.

Tags: lasarina hospitalization, pneumonia, sepsis

Restraints and Tube Feeding

7 Jun

And no, I am not talking about some weird BDSM play. Continue reading →

Tags: lasarina hospitalization, pneumonia, sepsis

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Categories Barbara hospitalization
Author Janet Logan

As The White Count Rises … [Updated]

6 Jun

Yes, you read that right. Continue reading →

Tags: lasarina hospitalization, pneumonia, sepsis

Barbara’s having a rough day [updated]

5 Jun

The term ‘altered mental state’ seems to apply today. She didn’t sleep well, and has been alternating between dream and semi-wakeful states all morning (since at least 5 am). She keeps coming out with comments and questions based on dreams she’s having. She is currently unable to distinguish between sleep and wake.

I’ve reported this to the nurse, and they intend to let the doctors know. I don’t think there have been any med changes to explain this. I do know that she was a bit low in potassium yesterday, and she has had an ongoing issue with edema (fluid retention). Neither of those explains neurological symptoms though, as far as I know.

I admit I am more than a little concerned with this turn of events. Hopefully, it really is just a ‘bad day’.

[Updated]

Doctor covering weekend for her attending was just here. After hearing the description of what was happening, his first thought was infection. I admit I had considered that possibility too, but wanted to wish it away. Barbara just doesn’t need more sepsis. He’s ordering cultures. Depending on the bug (if any) it can be 24-72 hours before the cultures reveal anything.

Tags: lasarina hospitalization

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Categories Barbara hospitalization
Author Janet Logan

Toxoplasmosis affects human behavior? Maybe.

3 Jun

Toxoplasmosis and psychology: A game of cat and mouse

One reason to suspect this is that a country’s level of Toxoplasma infection seems to be related to the level of neuroticism displayed by its population. Another is that those infected seem to have poor reaction times and are more likely to be involved in road accidents. A third is that they have short attention spans and little interest in seeking out novelty. A fourth, possibly the most worrying, is that those who suffer from schizophrenia are more likely than those who do not to have been exposed to Toxoplasma.

Apparently, the protozoa known as Toxoplasma gondii carries genes for the production of dopamine, which serves no purpose to single celled organisms. It does have significant effects in higher organisms, such as humans, and cats.

Cats transmit toxoplasmosis to rats and mice. It seems that this disease then causes rodents to behave in self-destructive ways, which includes being attracted to the scent of cats. Toxoplasmosis needs infected rodents to be consumed by cats so that it can continue its life cycle. Now the fact that this disease affects rodents in a way that promotes its own life-cycle is nothing short of amazing to me. Continue reading →

Tags: Psychology

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Categories Psychology, Toxoplasmosis
Author Janet Logan

Barbara’s EGD Results

2 Jun

Well, that wasn’t too bad. They found a minor ulcerated hernia which the GI doctor believes is sufficient to explain Barbara’s bleeding. Continue reading →

Tags: lasarina hospitalization

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Categories Barbara hospitalization
Author Janet Logan

Troubles continue for Barbara

2 Jun

Barbara apparently has some minor internal bleeding, presumably somewhere in the digestive tract, since it had a lot of work done recently. Continue reading →

Tags: lasarina hospitalization

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Categories Barbara hospitalization
Author Janet Logan

Barbara is back at LTAC

28 May

She is improved enough that she no longer needed to be in the primary hospital. She is ready to start rehab, and is more comfortable with the team at this LTAC. It ‘feels like home’ after spending so much time here.

Besides that, she wasn’t satisfied with the care of her latest surgical wound at the hospital. This LTAC specializes in wound care, and the team here is very good. So here we are.