Irv Update - September 2011 #5

I knew everything was going too smoothly, so to speak. At 8:20 PM the hospitalist called to say Irv had developed heart arrhythmia's, was spiking a temperature, and had too low of a blood pressure even after 4 liters of fluids. They were concerned about infection (septicemia), internal bleeding from the drain placement today, and who knows what else? So, he was moved to another room, this one on the cardiac telemetry floor. He is now in room 776. NO VISITORS except family at this time. I raced back to the hospital. Irv looked very sick again. His pressure was stuck at about 90/70. He was in pain and because of the low pressure could only be given oral pain meds, which don't work very well for him. His breathing was also somewhat labored so the good IV drugs were NOT an option for the pain. His abdomen looked like he was retaining fluid in that area. He does have a large tummy, but to my eyes this seemed much larger. This was a concern that had been mentioned previously. Liver patients often develop such fluid outside of the vascular system. I strongly mentioned it to both the RN and the doctor and I hope they will watch that seriously overnight. Of course, the RN is run off her feet with FOUR patients, all sick like Irv! Modern medicine? Right! I couldn't call as I was too upset and would have just cried at you all over the phone. Penny