As for an update, yes, we had a bad experience in the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Mike was transferred to, and yes he ended up back at Kaiser via ambulance. We called 9-1-1 when his blood pressure was 174 over 102 and rising, short of breath, etc.... the pressure just got to him. At one point, it was greater than 200/100. Mikey spent Tuesday night/Wednesday morning in the ER being tested and observed while we reiterated that we wanted to go home rather than try another SNF. While that option had been presented to us prior to the King City fiasco, the staff became nervous if Mike was medically stable enough for that and how quickly they could outfit our home. Plus, both Mike and I realized that we had no idea of what meds he is now to take and how in the heck to handle his newly-diagnosed diabetes. So, they decided to admit him overnight again and we would be trained today and have the equipment sent home.
Trevor and I showed up at the hospital today, again prepared to take Mike home once we had our IV training. However, Mike is now covered with a horrible lobster-red rash (welts really). They have decided he is allergic to the amazing new antibiotic, and he's been taken off of that one, started on a new drug and needs to stay ANOTHER night for observation to see if the red is subsiding and if there are any problems with another new med. My poor husband. All the horrible swelling and pain in his lower right leg, and now this horrible sunburn-like condition which is so itchy. We did get to watch videos on home infusion/IV treatments and he received diabetes counseling, along with another visit from the dietitian. There was also a scheduling mix-up and the bed/equipment actually did not get set up today so it's a good thing Mike was kept an additional night.
We are again very thankful that he was in the right place at the right time. I don't know if/how the rash would have been treated outside the hospital setting, and I'm thankful we haven't had to keep transferring him around town.
We have some dear friends coming by the house on Friday, Frank from our community gruop and Craig who volunteers with me in the nursery. They will transport some firewood that's on the property up to the house for us, and then take a look at the furnace to see if it is truly working properly. I look forward to getting Mike home and into some sort of routine in time for a quiet Christmas at home. I don't even want to think about my home to-do list but am looking forward to a different kind of celebration next week ... more about thankfulness and the true meaning of Christmas. It doesn't matter what decorations we do or don't have, if there are many perfectly-wrapped packages or even a traditional dinner. Being together IS what counts.
I hope this post finds you all well. Thanks for much for your care and concern.
-Shawnee
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