The nurse from the Intensive Care Unit called me at 2:00AM to tell me that Jeanne's blood pressure was falling dangerously low. He defined her status as "more critical." And then he calmly asked the question, "Are you coming in?".
"Should I be there now?" I replied, already knowing that I was headed to the hospital but hoping to gain a bit more information about Jeanne's condition by asking the question.
"That would be great," he said. No more information to give out...just a re-statement of his original invitation. And so I was out of bed and off to the hospital, wondering if this would be the last bit of time that I spent with my wife. Now knowing exactly how "that phone call" sounded.
As I drove to the hospital, I thought about how differently my day had started. I arrived mid-morning at Hillcrest Care Center for my daily visit with Jeanne. As I parked, I saw that the Long Beach Fire Department Paramedics were parked in front of the facility. Rather than worry, I reminded myself that lots of people were at Hillcrest and the odds were high that this had nothing to do with Jeanne. Besides, I had seen her yesterday and she seemed fatigued but otherwise fine.
As I turned down the hallway that led to Jeanne's room, I noticed that the paramedics had left a couple of their cases in the hall not far from Jeanne's room -- but the cases were close to several rooms. And then I walked into Jeanne's room -- just in time to see her placed on a gurney, completely non-responsive.
Jeanne was taken to Long Beach Memorial Hospital. From the Emergency Room, she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit diagnosed with a urinary tract infection that had become septic. Sepsis resulted in her "altered mental state", as her condition was characterized.
Walking into ICU at 2:25AM, I found Jeanne to be in the same state as when I had left her at the end of visiting hours. She was completely non-responsive, although her pulse was not as rapid as it had been. Fortunately, by the time that I arrived her blood pressure had been brought under control by medication. Her nurse let me stay for a few minutes, but then sent me back home, as the "urgency" of the situation had already resolved itself.
Jeanne opened her eyes two days later. She was communicative later that same day. And, thanks to excellent care and powerful antibiotics, she continued to improve. Within 5 days, she left Intensive Care and was re-located to a room on a "General Medicine" floor of the hospital. Three days later, she was discharged back to Hillcrest in better health than I had seen her enjoy in months.
Jeanne is still receiving IV antibiotics at Hillcrest. Her infection was resistant to most antibiotics, and she was fortunate that her doctors were able to find a treatment that was effective for her. But she's more talkative, more aware and more "present" than she's been in a very long time. It's truly been a blessing to see her smile each day.
This is probably one of the most difficult aspects of being a caregiver. Sometimes, there just isn't anything for you to do except to be supportive and show strength -- even when you feel as if you lack it. Standing by while the love of your life hovers barely above death is an excruciating experience that I lack the words to truly describe. All that I can say is that the joy in seeing that special person survive once again is an equally indescribable feeling.
This post would not be complete if I didn't add a special word about the quality of care that Jeanne received from the doctors and nurses at Long Beach Memorial. Over the years, we've had the opportunity to experience treatment from several different hospitals, some with global reputations. From my perspective, the care that Jeanne received at Long Beach Memorial was the very best care that she has ever received. I will always be indebted to the team that provided treatment, but also delivered a sense of real caring. And I will take every opportunity to sing their praises.
Sepsis is so incredibly frightening to watch. My partner, BR, survived a very similar UTI-gone-wild bout with sepsis in December 2007. He maintained until he entered the ICU, then went on a mental holiday for about 3 days. He ended up losing a lot of physical strength in the battle which he has never fully regained.
I'm so glad they caught it in time and Jeanne is well on the road to recovery.
Posted by: steve | March 19, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Too often as caregivers we all forget to acknowledge 'the good guys'in the medical profession, and as you rightly sing their praises there are some. My wife Patti was plagued by UTI's when her MS related incontinence began years ago. After way too many finally she began a prophylaxis with Macrobid and has NEVER had another.
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick
Posted by: Patrick Leer | April 01, 2009 at 08:27 PM