This is an update to the previous post and I hope to give some folks some hope.
The Rapid Test was Negative.
Rich's classic symptoms screamed Covid. So much so that the doctors felt the test was wrong and asked for another more complicated test. Covid protocol came into effect. Of course now most every hospital I think practices some very strict PPE.
However they did treat him as an infected person and therefore I was an infected person most likely.
I had to return to the hospital twice for things they needed. The CPAP and then a list of medications. Yeah ... this is why the person who is the CareGiver should be present.
Also they should know how to use the VA's 'Veteran's Health Information Exchange' to look up his meds and current health notes. I will not judge them for these two issues because I know our tiny hospital is over run. So I printed out a copy from his Pharmacy list and took it to them with how he should take the meds.
The nurse called me later in the afternoon as they are very busy. She said 'We are going to remove the Propranolol from his meds and cut back on another med.'
I said to her that Propranolol was removed by his PCP a year ago because of adverse side effects, it drops his heart rate severely. This too exists in the VHIE [electronic health records].
She said 'Well it was prescribed in the ER.'
OK. One more reason to have someone who does CareGiving there for the patient.
Again, not really the nurse's fault, but a fault of the overburdened system right now. They probably thought it was prudent at the time. I told the nurse of my husband's health history. The Cliff Note version.
I discussed the pain med that they were withholding. It was prescribed for his Major Depressive Disorder or MDD.
She told me that Rich never could tell her exactly what hurts but everything hurt so bad. I said Bingo! MDD! You have a patient with severe depression and by withholding that med it causes him pain AND withdrawal pain.
See me visually smacking my head with one hand while trying not to get angry.
Test #2 finally came back. He is not Covid-19 positive. But he is a perplexing case. Wonky heart rate -- so much pain, not able to get enough 02, and some other things.
She remarked that he had asked for a DNR order and it was noted.
I told her I wanted a clear picture of what was his diagnosis. They get a bit hesitant with that stuff so I told her to look at the HIPPA Consent form under Richard's Living Will paperwork she had on file [in his chart].
I wanted to know if he was stable enough to come home even if he had to stay in bed. Did he need an IV for fluids? Were his lungs clear?
She made notes. She couldn't give me an answer.
I was polite and professional. The poor woman started her rounds in our little hospital at 7AM. She got her break to call me at 2PM.
Humans are odd creatures. My husband is one such creature. I've been his personal health advocate for 24 years. I even have a degree in Billing and Coding and nearly switched over to Pharmacology. I have a background in commercial and health insurance, billing, and coding. I am very serious about taking care of my husband at a hospital that is really not equipped for what he needs. Again, not their fault. I do believe it is an excellent facility.
It is not staffed with people who understand veterans with Mental Health issues. The best place for him is to be surrounded by vet nurses and veteran staff, but that hospital is full.
My course of action is to hope that a bed opens up for him soon or he becomes stable enough to come home.
The nurse said he was pleasant and she really liked him.
About 15 minutes later she called me back. She had the pharmacist with her and needed to go over a few things with me. I pulled up my chart and read off the answers for her.
So in conclusion, they are treating him for symptoms that parallel Covid symptoms. But don't have a clear picture of what is going on. His fever is gone.
At first yes Covid, then not Covid, then similar to Covid.
The only good thing to know after all of this ... is that all my extreme precautions have been working.
Another observation. When I brought his CPAP and later his meds to the hospital, I did wear a mask and tell the person in reception that I came from a home of a suspected Covid-19 patient.
That poor girl's eyes went deer in the headlight white and she went back for gloves and a Bio Hazard bag to put my chart in.
I was a Witching Pariah, or something to that effect.
We are living in a very strange world right now.
Last but not least I am starting a Suck Box. More on that later.