Good news and bad news day

Originally published on Multiply November 15th 2007

Today is a mixed bag of emotions I guess. I got to the hospital a bit later this morning because I was waiting for someone from Tony's office to come and pick up papers for the disability insurance, when I got there, our niece Anna was there keeping him company, I was glad to see her there, she's a nurse in the maternity ward at the Jewish General Hospital and always works the night shift, so she dropped in on her way home. So it turned out ok that I was late, he wasn't alone.

I thought at first that his speech was a bit more slow this morning, but as the day progressed he got better. The physio therapist hadn't been there the day before and it was late morning when I thought I would enquire about it, so I got the extension of the department and phoned them to inquire, I was told that they had 5 therapists throughout the hospital in various departments, and she would enquire about it, as I couldn't remember the name of the therapist who had come to see him, she did show up in the afternoon, and it went pretty well, he got a bit of movement on his elbow and a bit at the knee when it's bent, but the leg by itself, or the foot or arm and definitely the hand do not have any movements. This will require a lot of physio to get these working, but I am hopeful.

He ate pretty well too, although what they are serving is certainly not appetizing......lol...and their portions are way too big, so it's a real waste of money as most of the main course goes straight to the garbage is where it belongs in the first place.....lol).

The neurologist came over in late afternoon to say that they had the result of a blood culture that revealed Tony had an MRSA infection (staphylococcus aureus) and it is in his bloodstream and not airborne. So we need to wear yellow gowns and gloves when going into the room and we can't get out of the room without removing these. We also shouldn't have personal effects around him, I really can't see why not as it's not airborne, but I store mine in the cupboard he has in there.

He was scheduled to be sent to another floor, and now they have to wait for an available isolation room. At least that will mean he has a private room, he didn't want to go to a ward again, after the last experience. He was insisting on getting at least semi-private, but they keep telling us because of the overcrowding they can't promise anything, it's first come first serve, so you take what you can get!!! Our health care is a very sad state of affair here. So that was the bad news of the day. Hopefully they can treat it quickly.

I don't know how long he will remain in the hospital once he's moved to another floor. All therapy will continue, but he will eventually have to be moved to a rehabilitation center, as they can't do that kind of rehab at the hospital. So I have to wait and see what will happen with that. I imagine that tomorrow he will be moved, but I'm secretly hoping he stays there longer as the service there is way better than on a regular floor. And the bed is more comfortable, although he's always having problem with that, as he is too tall, and keeps on sliding to the bottom and his feet hit the bottom of it making it uncomfortable.

Tonight, I left early, because he was sleeping like a baby, and I didn't want to wake him up. Well, about 3/4 hour later, I'm here reading an email, and the phone rings, I answer and I couldn't believe my ears, it was TONY!!!!!! I marvelled at the fact that for one thing he was able to reach the phone from his bed - luckily it is located on his left side, and second because I could comprehend him perfectly!!! I was totally blown away and was crying tears of joys!!! He admonished me not to do that again.........lol.........and I won't.

So, as you can see there were highs and lows, but I guess the highs are kind of taking over, at least for today, and hopefully tomorrow will be even better.

Wishing you all goodnight, sweet dreams, or good morning to those on another time zone :)

barbarab1313 wrote on Nov 15, '07

I don't know what to say. I am crying as I read this. I am so happy that Tony was able to call you. Hopefully it will all be uphill from here on in. All you can do is take it one day at a time. The hospital system really sucks. Thanks for the update. Prayers and HUGS.

moezie wrote on Nov 16, '07

thanks for posting mo ... glad to hear about tony's phone call .... about MRSA , i know when i was admitted to the jewish general years back, they gave me this ointment to put around my nose to prevent getting it ... and if you're looking for a good rehab i would suggest the catherine booth they do wonders there although its in NDG. take care mo xoxox

mistyshadows2u wrote on Nov 16, '07

Thanks MO..I was looking for an update. You must remember to take some needed time for yourself. If you don't this running back and forth and staying long times will wear you down. I know Tony needs you and you have to keep abreast of his care and treatment but if you let yourself go you'll end up sick which won't be good for either of you guys. I'm thrilled to hear Tony called you. That would be the highlight of anyone's day. Are you saying that infection has caused all this to Tony? Is this what caused all the bleeding?

dkbtimbo51 wrote on Nov 16, '07

Ohhhhh good news about Tony calling you, Monique. I know hearing his voice was sweet music to your ears. We are all praying for Tony and he seems to gain more and more movement and speech with each passing day. Keep the faith my friend. Hopefully they will find a good strong medicine to knock out the problem within his blood stream. I hope he does get a private room, even semi-private is better than what he had. It is the time of season where there is a lot of sickness going around. So I can understand how the hospital is over crowded. They are here in my city , too.I so appreciate your updates with Tony and yourself. Has anyone from Tony's work come to see him, yet? I think they should. Have a good day Monique, and hopefully soon you will have your Tony back home with you where he belongs. Big hugs, Donna

osuzana wrote on Nov 16, '07

That's good mo. What are they doing about the infection. I am so glad he was able to use the phone. That is wonderful!

moscreations wrote on Nov 16, '07

Thank you Donna, it sure was a pleasure to hear him last night. They are giving him very strong antibiotics and I hope they will work soon and get rid of the infection. MRSA is rampant everywhere unfortunately!! The people where he works have been wanting to come see him, but he doesn't really want to see anyone other than family right now. Maybe next week and preferably when he is moved to a regular room. I'm afraid though that it will be a long time before he can come home for good!!

Hi Misty, well today I did take a few hours at home, mainly because I had to get through to my insurance to ask questions. I took the opportunity to sit down and actually watch some programs I had recorded, I haven't seen anything in way over a week. I have zero interest in tv or much of anything else right now.
The infection stems from the IV line that they had removed, which had been there too long, that's what started the whole ball of wax, but not the stroke, or so I'm told. The bleeding was something unrelated, that's what he originally went to the hospital for, the bleeding in his bowel movement, then he had chest pain, so they kept him and had this nuclear test started, and he was supposed to have the last part of it on the 13th, but he had the stroke on the 12th!

Thanks Moe, Tony's MRSA is in his bloodstream, not in his nose, which is why it took time for them to discover it!! Lord knows how long he's had it!!!! But someone was telling me that we ALL have it, it's just not active in most people and a lot of people are carriers. Catherine Booth is one of the 3 Rehab center that is affiliated with the Lakeshore. The others are The Julius Richardson and the other is the Lindsay, my mother in law spent time at that one and it was very good. I don't know if I get a choice of the 3 or if they decide which one to send him to.

No worry Kanda, I also exercise Tony's leg and arm, because the physio therapist doesn't always come every day as she should, which is why it will be good to get him in that rehab center quickly. Thanks for the prayers. And what is wrong with your Multiply that your comments are always taking up pages and pages.....lol,,,,I'll delete your entry after I post this, only because it's taking too much space......lol

Thanks Barbara, he's improving a little bit every day :) I am so thankful!!