Another Crisis

Jim was hospitalized after a bad fall Friday following ER treatment for facial lacerations requiring stitching, dislocated thumb, many bruises and lumps. More concerning was cellulitis in both lower legs necessitating antibiotics via IV (has nothing to do with the fall but fortunate to be discovered as it is serious).

Because of his advanced dementia, Jim is agitated, combative and paranoid. Accused me of trying to kill him, then punched me in the face (I’m ok). So various meds are being tried to find something that lessens anxiety with fewest side effects (do NOT talk to me about why this sometimes is inadvisable). He has a 24/7 sitter in the hospital.

He could be discharged tomorrow IF a high-quality skilled nursing facility (why use the two-word “nursing home” when three will do) will accept him. He’s already been turned away thrice due to his dementia behavioral issues. This, even though I have guaranteed I will hire 24/7 sitters experienced with dementia patients. So cross your fingers we land a good place where he can do rehab and PT for several days before returning to his home at Palo Alto Commons where he is in their dementia care wing.

Much more to say but my folk likely don’t need to hear another screed about health/medical care in the U.S.

Here’s the comedy portion of the current Jim tragicomedy:

I used a hospital bathroom on my way to visit Jim. It was a one-holer with toilet and sink.  As often is the case in this configuration, there was no where to hang one’s purse so I slung it into the sink before settling on the commode. There followed the sound of rushing water. It was an automatically activated sink so water was pouring into my purse. I leapt up to contain the disaster but the purse was waterlogged. Which could have been ok but for two issues: car registration rendered pulpy and my iPad rendered inoperable.

But I am ever adaptable. Stopped at the Apple store in Palo Alto on my way home, walked out 25 minutes later with a new iPad. BTW, there were FIVE dogs in the store along with 100+ people so, when I say it was a zoo, I mean it.