We are relaxing, post dinner, in the noisiest room on Karri Ward. We are right next to the doorway in and out of the ward, meaning every bed, every trolley and every body clatters past our door, at all hours of the day and night. The food has, mostly, been quite acceptable, about from the stone cold stale toast and a hot drink beaker delivered with lukewarm water and a teabag on the side. The airconditioning continues to be too cold over my bed and non-existent over Michael's bed. Oh, and the toilet seat still has a mind of its own, hurtling past unsuspecting willies mid stream.
The first evening and the following morning post operatively were most promising for Michael's swift recovery. We were visited by physio Barney, who commenced Michael's exercise programme. Just after lunch, Vanessa surprised us with coming in to see Michael. After a delightful half hour, she kissed us both and took off in her golden buzz box.
Whilst Vanessa had been with us, Michael began to show some signs of confusion. He had also developed a rash on his arms, tummy and groin. Later he ran a bit of a temperature and when his catheter was removed, complained of stinging wee. His blood pressure remained stubbornly low and his oxygen saturation levels were also not ideal. Plus, he was nauseated and very drowsy. As the afternoon wore on into evening, he became very anxious. He wasn't sure where he was and struggled to express coherent thoughts.
An allergy to a medication seemed the most likely culprit for the rash. The anaesthetic appeared to have caused his erratic thought processes. Too much, too long? And the removal of the catheter or a low grade urinary tract infection could have explained the stinging sensation. He was also retaining urine in his bladder - another concern.
Anti nausea medication, a long shower, an anti-histamine, oxygen and a neutralising potion for his wee all helped him recover somewhat by dinner. Barney the physio returned and gently exercised Michael's hip whilst he drifted in and out of sleep.
He began to perk up after dinner but we retired early. I raised the bars on Michael's bed to keep him safe during the night. Towards morning, he became agitated once more, believing there was a rope running down the edge of his bed. We navigated our way to the bathroom for him to have a widdle. The bladder scan afterwards showed he still had half a litre of urine in his bladder.
Twenty minutes later, another trip to the loo emptied Michael's bladder almost to normal. A relief. We then slept until breakfast arrived on our trays. We talked about the previous evening and night. Michael described his confusion as "dreams coming out of my mouth". He had also observed the room walls waving and thought we were either at home, with the dogs, in a motel or at another hospital!
Before I left to pick up his hired high back chair and toilet seat, he had improved mightily. Vanessa came in once more to be with him whilst I was out. Picking up the goods was painless and quick and then I was off to Shenton Park for a meeting with Alinea (Alex's workplace) to discuss the summary of Alex's testing. The session with Thinley went very well indeed with progress in his tailored support at work and proposed using their occupational therapist Danita for additional needs. I dropped Alex off in the city near his gym and returned to the Mount Hospital.
The afternoon was still glorious. Michael was longing for some fresh air, so I commandeered a wheelchair and took him outside into the warm sun. We walked up Mounts Bay Road to Jacob's Ladder (the 224 step stairway to Kings Park), admiring the enormous fig tree at its base. We practised some 4WD wheelchair antics on our way back, with me bellowing "It's Not Unusual" at the top of my voice. Even though we were only outside for about fifteen minutes, we were both cheered mightily by escaping the confines of the hospital.
Michael's confusion is still present, but lessening. We have talked a lot about where he is and what has happened to him over the last three days. I just need to get him out of the Big Smoke tomorrow. I know that once he is back in familiar surroundings, he will be so much happier and content. As for me, I need to water the garden and walk the dogs, before I tackle all the housework that should be done!
I also know that after three nights in hospital, we will be heading to the pub for dinner.
Stay tuned for October's exciting adventures. Tally ho!
The Mount Hospital
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