Around ten last night, I got out the oximeter to put on Tommy's finger. I thought he might object. I told him to give me his index finger. He gave me his middle finger. No, not that way. Finally, I got the oximeter on his finger. Then, I struggled upright and to my chair. In about a minute after putting it on his finger, I asked him about the numbers on it. He said he would see and reached toward his table! He said I told him to take it off when I left him. I said, "Don't take it off." As usual he said that "take it off" was the last thing he heard me say.
He tried to put it back on and could not. I kept saying "squeeze it" as he tried to pry if open sideways. He refused to quit breaking it until I raised my voice. I got it back by having him toss it to me. I held it up and showed him how to look at the notch and squeeze there. Well, this is not going well. Finally, he did get it on his finger but sideways. I went over and put it on before he broke it. I can only stand so long, plus, I am still weak.
He cannot hear well along with his selective hearing. Now this. My voice has not recovered and is not strong. Communication is iffy.
His OA was 89. I know that below 90 is not good. So, I called 911 and firemen in a huge firetruck and an ambulance came. They would not come in but had him come out. One of them got the lawn chair and put it in front of the door. So, his OA was 94, still not good but not critical. They said the ER would send him home with that level. So, I kept him...lol.
He used the oximeter after struggling from the bathroom and his breathing was shallow. I was told to let him sit a bit before using it for a better reading.
It is Sunday about 3 am and I am sitting in the dark listening to him breathe, shallow, raspy breaths. He swears all the gurgling in his throat is from his head not his lungs. Anyway, I did something for him the best I could, something I did for asthmatic daughter and anyone who was coughing and gurgling around me.
He should have been lying on his stomach, but I had to settle for his sitting up. I had him cough out without taking another breath while I beat lightly or not on his back/lungs. He got lots of mucus up. I don't know what this maneuver is called. I did this for my daughter with asthma when her lips turned blue as she struggled to breathe. She, however, lay across the ottoman with head and arms hanging off. After she struggled and ran to the bathroom to get rid of the mucus/phlegm, her lips lost the bluish tinge. I fussed at my doctor for not teaching me this.
I learned this from a special ed teacher. I saw her doing the pounding bit to a 12-year-old child's back who had cp and mental capacity of infant. I questioned her. She said it was because he could not cough, so she did this to compensate. When I asked her about my child with asthma, she told me how to have her flat on the edge of the bed with arms up and hanging over near her head. So, she helped me with the ottoman idea.
Don't get bent out of shape at the word "pound." I am not hurting him, nor did I hurt my child. If you want, think "pat hard." Not one medical professional has ever been alarmed or corrected my concept.
When I told him that tomorrow (Sunday) I am taking him to urgent care, he said okay. I know he is ill when he is so compliant.
I need to get one of those devices where the person sucks on a tube and makes balls rise. I will get that for him, spirometer.
Sunday afternoon
I sat up most of the night, listening to him breathe. I turned on the light, woke him and pounded on his back and he coughed and spit for so long it was scary. Finally, I slept from 8 am until 1:30 pm. Last night, he finally quit objecting to my saying it was in his lungs.
When I tried to sleep around 4 am, I could hear something. I ran as well as I could and turned on the light, asking him what I heard from him. He was trying to cough and was getting stuff out of his lungs. I had lectured him on how he needs to stop letting it all rattle, how he needs to breathe more deeply. It is scary what I hear. I am trying to keep him off a ventilator.
One comment mentioned my thermometer might be off. I have taken it to three doctors and taken my temp as soon as the nurse did. Mine was the same temp, so I had thought of that.
I suppose I ought to get in the kitchen and find our Campbell's selection for the day.
Men are so difficult to take care of when ill. When Tommy does not fight me, I worry because he is very ill. Right?
He's obviously very ill and I wish you had help. His illness and low oxygen will be lowering his cognitive ability, just to make it all harder.
ReplyDeleteUrgent care sounds like a good idea
kylie,
DeleteIt does make it harder, wears me out.
Yes, he's very ill and the low oxygen is probably not helping his cognitive ability, which makes it all harder.
ReplyDeleteI wish you had help and I'm glad you're going to urgent care. Wishing you both luck!
You did the right thing, calling 911 for help. I have also used the gently hitting on the back to loosen the mucas in the lungs, It makes it so much easier to get that stuff out. I hope you can get both of you to the doctor tomorrow. Tommy most definitely needs to be checked. Even though you are feeling better it would be wise to have them check your vitals and lungs.
ReplyDeleteIf you are out and have the energy go pick up some favorite foods to have when you are recovering. It is nice to be able to go and pull something out of the fridge. Maybe some KFC, some chick salad chicken from that place you love. I always do this when I am sick, it is expensive but takes off the pressure of worrying about food and cooking, doing the dishes etc.
I tend to get fried chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw. I get a few burritos from taco bell and sub sandwiches at Jersy Mikes. I have them make a container of oil and vinegar I can add myself when I eat it. It keeps the bread from getting soggy.
I also like going and getting barbequed brisket, pulled pork or chicken, Making some sides is easy, I open a can of green beans, baked beans, black eyed peas and baked potatoes. If I feel good I will make a pot of pinto beans and some scalloped potatoes. We all have food craves when we are sick. I like homestlye Campbells chicken noodle soup. I make a pretty good potato soup that really helps when you have an upset stomach. My Mom made it for me, I made it for my son when he was young. I still make it when I am not feeling well.
I have not felt well the last couple of days. I did cook some smothered steak and onions last night. Tonight, I have made mashed potatoes and corn. That should get me through the next few days.
Please go in and see the doctor and make sure your both okay!
Hope both of you feel better soon!!
You eat well when ill. I would hate KFC from refrigerator. We are not up to that level of eating yet...lol.. He was not getting worse by the minute when he awoke today.
DeleteWhat you did to Tommy is called "chest percussion" and can be done on the back, as you did, or on the chest. It's a common medical technique to loosen phlegm so it can be more easily cleared away.
ReplyDeleteNo one is going to scold you for "pounding" Tommy. He's very lucky you knew the technique and used it on him to great effect. And if you snuck in a couple of good, hard whacks, I think most of us would call them well-deserved. LOL!! ;^)
It must be so unsettling to listen to him wheeze and rattle. But good on you for continuing to monitor his health as vigilantly as you do. I just wish you could get more rest/sleep for yourself. It's so hard that both of you are sick at the same time, and he needs so much monitoring. Well, that's because he's a man. And yes, when they stop fighting and grumbling, you know it's serious!
Sue,
DeleteThanks. I knew it had a name for the technique. He still won't do the coughing part right. He just pants little, bitty breaths. I gave him a good lecture on the benefits of deep breathing or coughing to get this clear, telling the benefits of the machine that will do it for him!
I can barely stand to pound his back, and cannot get behind him. So, he does not get my best effort. Last night, I was ready to whack him good.
It IS unsettling! If I felt better, it would make this easier. I am just barely able to do what I do. It would also be easier if her were not so recalcitrant.
Hopefully today Tommy can get the medication straightened out and start feeling better
ReplyDeleteOne,
DeleteThanks. It is 9 am, and I am sitting here, waiting for a call about the meds.
Why didn't the emt's come in the house? The men and women of our fire and rescue insist on coming in, and speaking with the patient. While I wish I wasn't that familiar with them, our local fire and rescue is excellent. They are putting forth another levy measure (last one failed) and you can bet I'm going to be campaigning for it!
ReplyDeleteMeg,
Delete"We don't go into Covid houses." I was a little surprised. Poor Tommy was at his worst and could barely get out of house and back safely. These people certainly deserve our support.