I'm starting a new thread since "Dad has cancer" doesn't explain it anymore. Praise God, the cancer was removed and the lymph nodes didn't show any spreading. But... He's back in the hospital again. He went in yesterday because his leg with the blood clot was super swollen and had fever in it. It was getting better after he left the hospital almost 2 weeks ago, but started getting worse again when they discontinued one of the anticoagulants. They have him back on an IV now. They did some more CT scans and x-rays to see the extent of the clot... As far as I know, it extends from his hip all the way down to mid-calf. They think his blood is susceptible to clotting because he wasn't responding to treatment the way they had expected. Anyway, he also had a fever and had been having some intestinal problems for a few days. We just found out today that he has C. Diff. It's a serious disease caused by using broad spectrum antibiotics. (Basically I think this is another screw up from his stay in ICU a few weeks ago - They put him on major antibiotics even though he wasn't showing signs of infection. I think the doctor was scared and didn't know what was wrong with him so he over-did it. But this is probably beside the point.) It's bad news... Now everyone who goes into his room has to wear gloves and a protective gown. I won't be visiting, but I was there last night so I'm a little scared about it. He also hung out at my house Monday between dr. appointments, used the bathroom and laid on my bed. But I'm more worried about my mom since she has been caring for him so closely. And for him since he's already weak from everything else. And his other problem which is now the least of his worries: He still has 2 catheters. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but at his last ER visit, they poked the catheter tube through his urethra and the hole is taking a long time to heal. He has one tube for his bladder and one tube to drain the area outside of the hole. He was supposed to go to St. Louis today to have that checked, but since he's in the hospital that didn't happen! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. It has been a long month, and I'm thinking he'll be in the hospital for at least another week just for the C. Diff. I don't even know about the blood clot. They don't let him move now because of that.
It is so hard to watch your dad suffer, I know. Thank God the cancer hadn't spread. These doctors confound me with their mistakes! It's more aggravating that no one is held responsible for the suffering inflicted on the patient.
My mom was in and out of the hospital for the last two years, one time for over 30 days, so I understand what you're going through. And I also understand frustration with the doctors. Some of her trouble probably could have been avoided if the doctors had bothered communicating with us!!! You are probably wise to stay out of his room right now. BUT...the gloves, etc. is probably to protect HIM from any germs, rather than to protect YOU from him. DON'T WORRY!!! You and the baby will be FINE!!!
Amanda, I will be praying for you and your family, I hate that you have to go through all this worrying while going through your pregnancy.
Amanda I agree with Jackie, I been there with my dh twice with the C and his sister. It's has nothing to do with you all getting what he has it's to help him from getting anything else. SO, don't worry you can't get it. Yes, he used your bathroom and bed that is ok. It's not going to hurt anything. You all will be just fine. They are trying to watch him and save him from getting anything else. Hang in there we will be praying for you and the family.
C. Diff creates spores when you start treating it with antibiotics, and these spores can live up to 2 years on surfaces. I think bleach is the only thing that kills the spores. I was a little worried about that, but since the C. Diff wasn't being treated when he was at my house, the spores wouldn't be lying around here. The spores are created as a defense mechanism when the bacteria is being attacked. Strange, isn't it? C. Diff is really serious and hard to get rid of. Even though there were mistakes I have to keep reminding myself that everything happens for a reason. I know the catheter mistake is how they found the blood clots and if he hadn't gotten the surgery to put in the screen in his inferior vena cava, the clots could have gone into his heart and lungs. The antibiotics were overdone, but at least he didn't end up with an infection somewhere else. He said when he got to St. Louis they said he was "soaked" with antibiotics and took him off of them right away. I get frustrated with my parents because they have been using a family doctor since they got back from St. Louis and did not ask for a specialist. I tried to tell my mom that a specialist would have identified problems and taken action sooner, but they are not thinking clearly right now. Please pray for good doctors.
Praying for all of you Amanda... the antibiotics should clear up the infection (which could be in part some of the fever he is running). Praying about the blood clots too.
I don't understand, but they sent him home from the hospital today. I have been harping at my mom all week about getting a specialist to check out his leg - It just gets worse and worse. But they still have only seen the family doctor. My mom said that my dad doesn't want another doctor, but she just goes along with whatever he wants. And he obviously isn't thinking clearly right now. I asked why they didn't just have the family doctor remove his prostate too. Anyway, they are supposed to go in for another blood test Monday to monitor the effectiveness of the anti-coagulants. Last time they did this, the leg got worse while they were waiting, so I'm praying that it will improve. On Tuesday they are scheduled to go back to St. Louis to check on the hole in his urethra. I think my hubby and I will have to drive them up because my mom just told me she couldn't handle it. I am thinking about getting an appointment for them with a vascular specialist up there. Then I can work on finding a good doctor here to follow-up on things.
A doctor with their head on straight would recognize when something like this is out of their range ans send the patient to a specialist! I used to see a doctor like that, though. He told me not all boys can be football players and Kevin should learn to live with his disability. Kevin didn't get proper treatment until we left that guy.
Amanda, is he homebound? If so, they might be able to get a home health nurse to come in a check on him. I think you need to talk with a social worker at the hospital. They can be VERY helpful. It sounds the same as with my mom. Seems all the doctors care about is getting them out ASAP, regardless of what's best for the patient, and moving on to the next person.
The home health nurse is a good idea - I have recommended that they get one so he won't have to go to the doctor every few days. Now they have to drive 30 minutes, get the blood test, then wait for over an hour to get the results, then drive home. All the while, he's not lying down, and the stupid doctor doesn't get him a room to lie down in. BUT they don't ask for one! They just prop his leg up on a chair in the waiting room. I think he will be on coumadin for up to 6 months, so as long as he is on it, they have to check his blood levels every few days. They already knew about the home health nurse option, so I'm not sure when they'll finally do it. We are headed up to St. Louis Monday afternoon and will get a checkup on his catheters Tuesday. I see the possibility that the doctor will look at his leg and recommend that he stay in the hospital for that. But mom did say it was looking a little better, so maybe things are on track now.
