karenulijohn

It has been one week since Harvey was discharged from the hospital and he has been working very hard to make sure he continues to progress.  He has seen improvement in his appetite,and his ability to get around the house, with fewer visits to the lavatory.  The edema is subsiding slowly but surely; he lost four pounds overnight.  His hands are back to normal, but his legs and feet are still pretty swollen.  The skin is so tight and thin that it is easily abraded.  On several occasions I have seen blood running down his leg and spent at least ten minutes applying pressure to stop the bleeding.  The other hurdle that has arisen is pressure sores.  I discovered these just before we left the hospital.  Fortunately, we have had three very competent home nurses visit us over the week.  One is a wound specialist who spoke to the Doctor and advised a course of antibiotics for the pressure sores, presumably to preclude a recurrence of the sepsis.  Harvey is also scheduled to have home physical therapy, and while he is on the schedule, they haven’t got anyone assigned because of vacations.  I can tell that Harvey wants to get well because he is religiously performing the exercises they gave him in the hospital.

Harvey has gone from taking one baby aspirin to taking five different medications including antibiotic, iron, protonix, aspirin, and amiodarone for cardiac disrhythmia.  Of course, the responsibility for making sure he takes all of these on time and the correct dosage falls to me.  On the first day, I was worried sick that I might forget something and give him an overdose.  So, I created a spreadsheet detailing the drug, time, and dose, and I put a checkmark when he has taken it.  The nurse has also suggested that I take his blood pressure, pulse and weight each morning.  So, I have added those elements to my chart.  No one can say that I am NOT obsessive compulsive or anything!

Being homebound, Harvey appreciates visits from friends.  I, on the other hand, am finding being homebound a little confining.  When I finally realized why I was so grumpy, I headed for the mall and tried to spend some money.  I really enjoyed walking around, searching for something upon which to spend my money.  I looked at a MacBook Pro at the Apple Store, and a diamond bracelet at Ben Bridge.  I even contemplated getting a convection/toaster oven to replace my 25 year old model.  In the end, I bought a couple of pairs of shorts on sale.  I just don’t understand what is wrong with me.  Actually, I do.  It’s no fun buying stuff that I don’t need if I can’t have Harvey there to say “you really don’t need that!”