I called on my first break of the day to check on Delfts and spoke to his current nurse for his status and how his night was.

Apparently he rested well, is in relatively good spirits, and is in his chair. He enjoyed the fruit, so I will be picking up more in the cafeteria this afternoon to drop off for him. Lychee fruit? I may actually have a can at home.

The nurse yesterday did as I asked (demanded) and placed a waffle mattress on his bed to lessen the chance of additional or worsening bedsores. The nurse today had already bathed his back, examined the existing sores, and had changed the way that they were being treated. No more tape laid over it. She was using something else that required a little more time to administer but would promote the healing process, not just stop the skin from splitting further.

Oh, you didn't know about the bedsores? Neither did I until yesterday, and I was Not Pleased™ at finding out about them. I discussed them with my submissive during the course of the day, and he made several suggestions based on his experiences both as a CNA and as a clinical engineering technician who has worked on the various beds used in such situations. Based on that information and what I had seen on Delfts' back, I made a decision and made a demand. It was good to see it was taken seriously.

Here's the scoop on his A-fib: The surgeon is not happy with his lack of progress on the meds they have tired for converting his rhythm back to some semblence of a sinus rhythm. As such, they are going to do a "Cardioversion" on him at about noon or whenever the surgeon is finished in surgery and free to do it. It will be done in his room under anesthesia. It won't take long. Hopefully it will be successful. If it is successful, he could be transfered into the step-down unit tomorrow, maybe earlier.

I am hopeful. If he is well enough to be moved to a real room with a phone and visitors, I am certain that it will do much to promote an improved mental outlook, something that has the potential of being of great benefit to him as he heals.

The nurse has been instructed to call me with an update when the cardioversion has been completed. I will post the results. Now it is time to go read what I can find on the proceedure...

Mamamontezz

Update: Okay, I don't feel so bad about this. I can deal with this.

Update: The Cardioversion is over.
He's waking up from the anesthesia.
His heart is in a normal sinus rhythm.
They've taken him off of one of the meds they were using
to regulate the A-fib.
They're watching him to see if it holds.
The nurse is hopeful.
I may have a room and phone number
for you before evening.
Yes, I am an optimist.

Now the battle will be between us, the insurance people, the discharge planners/case managers and the Utilization Review people. They will look at the total stay time and want him out. It will not matter to them that he has not truly had the time he needs to recover because of the complication of A-fib. The normal stay for open-heart is about a week and he's had that, damn the patient, keep those costs down.

My loins are girded. I hope they don't chafe.

Posted by: Mamamontezz at 09:18 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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