I'm so sad - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

Janie5301 · 04-26-2008, 08:03 PM

Hi all,
I took my sweet husband to the hospital on Wed to have a medication and behavior evaluation and because he was pacing with clenched fists I think they thought he might violent so they really medicated him. He is in a geriatric psychiatric ward and they used to much older patients and with him only being 56 and still able to be a bit combative, they didn't want to take any chances. When I went to see him on Thursday around noon, I found him hunched over in a chair with his head resting on the tray and I lost it. He was so doped up it just broke my heart. I went to him and reclined his chair and put some pillows under his head to he could be more comfortable. They have a "patient sitter" with him all the time and it could be a nurse or student or anyone they can get. I stopped in on Friday at 11:00am and left at 4:00pm and he slept the entire time. Today I went at 8;00am and he was having some breakfast, still very out of it, but when I was talking to him, rubbing his back, telling him I loved him, he leaned over for a kiss. Made my day. I went up again this evening and he was awake again, but still very groggy, sitting in the chair and the same thing happened. He knew I was there and I got to feed him some ice cream, helped the nurses get him ready for bed and I just got home. The goal is to find a med formula to help with the anxiety & pacing and bring him home. I've called Hospice back so they can come out and re-evaluate him so they can help me bring home. I want to see how he does there first before I make any decisions to move him anywhere else. If the doctors and Hospice believe he's terminal, Hospice will take over whether we do it at home or at their facility. I also have a wonderful ALZ community i can move him to as well. This has been a very exhausting 4 days but also a soul full journey. I am very blessed because I have had 4 1/2 yrs to prepare, I have come full circle and I believe God has a plan and it's up to me to fulfill it. Thanks to you all for your kind words of support and love...

Janie

Niclolu · 04-26-2008, 10:03 PM

God has blessed your husband with an angel.

Hold on unswervingly to your faith because it will carry you above and beyond human strength. God bless you Janie.

Thank you for sharing your story. It helps some of us out here to appreciate what we have in life and gives us less of a reason to complain.

Martha H · 04-27-2008, 04:32 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with you. This is such a hard thing. I am convinced that Alzheimner's is far worse than the other most dreaded disease, cancer. I pray that you get through this all right. So far you have been a rock for your husband to lean on.

Love,

Martha

Beginning · 04-27-2008, 04:50 AM

Janie5301 -

I really appreciate your sharing this tough time with us, since your experiences are so helpful. You're doing an amazingly good job at handling this situation and getting him the care he needs!

As the years pass, we get better at thinking ahead to the ultimate conclusion. You said that you had 4-1/2 years to prepare. Is that how long it's been since your DH was diagnosed?

We're now going into Yr 6 of my husband's early-onset AD, and DH shows some of the behaviors that you described in an earlier post. In his last Dr visit, I was told we might have 2-yrs more to a NH depending in part on behaviors, how long he would be continent, etc. They said that except for the AD his health was good, so he could be in a NH for 3-4 years or even more. It's so hard to try to make plans or to see into the future! Please let us know if you get a hospice referral.

Janie5301 · 04-27-2008, 06:55 PM

Hi all,
Yes, I did get Hospice approval and my DH is coming home tomorrow afternoon. I can't wait to get him back into his familiar surroundings with the people he loves and trusts. I'm going to set him up in downstairs in our family room which is the hub of activity at home. Hospice is taking care of his bed, chair etc and a nurse for the first 8 hours he's home. My plan is to get him and his meds to a good balance so he can have a better quality of life. To be very honest, I think they over medicated him in the hospital and now it will be up to me to regulate him back to a good place. I believe this can be achieved and I just spoke to one of his caregivers and she totally agrees with me. Keep your prayers coming and I'll let you know how things are going in a few days. Love you all,
Janie