Note from Sierra about Ian, November 2011

News from Saturna:

Ian came home today, and was VERY stubborn. He refused to change his
urine soaked trousers, and sat on the bed all wet and yelled at irene-
the home care assistant, mum and myself.  Later he refused to use the
walker, almost fell, and then agreed to use the walker. After dinner
he pulled a full Milton and fell asleep in his soup dish and refused
to get up from the table. He finally got up and then went to the bed
room and lay on the regular bed and refused to sleep in the hospital
bed. (This would be okay if he weren't incontinent at night but he goes
through 1-3 changes per night so mum can't sleep in the same bed.) We
argued with him for over an hour to get in the hospital bed he said he
wanted to go back to the hospital. He pushed mum around and finally we
got him to sit down on the hospital bed and eventually he got so tired
of being stubborn and laid down and fell asleep. Tomorrow is a new day
BUT if it is as hard as today i am not sure if we can do it.

Sierra 

Note from Sierra about Ian, November 2011

This is old "news" but I don't want to forget what happened.
Dear all,

We spoke to the neurologist today and Ian's intra-cerebral bleed has stabilized and now they are just managing the swelling. There is no treatment for this condition so it is a matter of watching and waiting and keeping him a safe and controlled environment while he recovers.

Cognitively Ian is quite confused, disoriented, and ornery (as usual) but no longer combative.the location of his stroke is were social inhibition resides so he is quite disinhibited. He is incontinent as well. Fortunately his motor skills are all still intact.

The neurologist says the orientation will likely improve and the incontinence may resolve over the next few weeks/months It is unclear whether he will ever be "back to normal" as far as the dis-inihibition and he will likely only partially recover from the confusion.

They are also trying to balance the management of all his other illnesses.

As far as his heart: he still has not been seen by a cardiologist but I have asked that some one weigh in on whether it could have been a cardiac issue that caused him to faint in the first place. Hopefully we will speak to some one about his heart today.

The immediate risks are either a re-bleed or an ischemic stroke. (de coded: to much blood on the brain or not enough blood to the brain). It is a balancing act between keeping his heart safe for which the meds can cause a re-bleed and keeping his brain safe which means keeping him off his heart meds. So basically it is a balancing act between heart and brain.

In terms of long term plans: He will be in the hospital for a few weeks and then likely be transferred to an inpatient  rehab facility for a few months. Then he will need home nursing care in the long run. All of which will be covered by health insurance.  Needless to say mum is gonna need to some help and she will need to make some decisions around whether he will stay in Saturna or get an apartment in Victoria to be closer to Ian.  I will discuss this with her over the next few days.

Love you all.
Sierra