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How to manage a patient like Michael?
- by Gemita
- 2023-04-13 06:42:25
- General Posting
- 563 views
- 16 comments
Hello everyone, thank you all for your kind messages of support for Michael and for me. Michael has been in hospital since Easter Sunday. We had a 4+ hour wait in A&E which was gruelling but when we got called in to see the doctor we received excellent care and a fast referral to the Acute Medical Ward (Cardiology).
Michael was found to be suffering predominantly from high blood sugar levels due to uncontrolled diabetes, causing a range of difficult symptoms. He was also found to have several infections (respiratory, skin, urinary) clearly not helped by his uncontrolled diabetes. He is now receiving several different antibiotics (both orally and intravenously).
They are still not completely happy with his blood test results and may need to switch him to a different antibiotic. They also want to change his insulin since his current Lantus injections which are long acting, seem ineffective. He was found to have poor kidney function with high creatinine levels, raised troponin and CRP levels. They have ordered a CT head scan.
We were due to fly to Dublin to meet our great grandchild Bianca for the first time this Saturday, the 15th. The cases are already packed, but . . .? Michael is still saying he will be out of hospital with a clean bill of health by tomorrow when we can start to relax once we are on the flight. Let us wait and see. He is quite simply amazing and won’t let anything stop him. I will update this post whenever I can. Needless to say I am stressed but will learn to go with the flow whatever the outcome
16 Comments
Sending my best wishes
by Penguin - 2023-04-13 07:46:31
Best wishes to you both.
Take care and fingers crossed that all goes well for Michael. It sounds like he's battling on all fronts right now, but seems to be being very well checked over. Let's hope that the results will ensure some treatment that helps him through this.
Look after yourself too Gemita.
hugs to you
by Tracey_E - 2023-04-13 08:42:35
I sure hope you are able to meet your sweet grandbaby! I admire Michael's attitude, but can see how that stubbornness is a good thing but also a stressor to those who love him. I hope he is as well as he thinks he is by the weekend. Prayers for both of you.
🌷🌸💕
by Lavender - 2023-04-13 10:07:53
With you in spirit! Michael's feisty nature will pull him through. The care does sound indepth. Gotta be so careful with infections especially considering diabetes.
How exhausting for you, dear Gemita! Please don't wear yourself thin sitting with him too long. While others are managing his medical care, be good to yourself at home a bit more. We can't have you both in there side by side in beds.
If the trip isn't Saturday, it will be soon. Might just be delayed for now-not forever. Hugs! I'm sorry for your stresses in having this all pop up at a most inconvenient time. 🌻
Loved your "Sound of Music" reference--ala "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" 😘
Fingers crossed!
by Aberdeen - 2023-04-13 14:27:43
I hope Michael is well enough to go to Dublin on Saturday. If not shortly after. He has a very positive attitude!
Look after yourself too and keep us informed! Love and best wishes to you both!❤️
Wishing You Well
by Flo - 2023-04-13 15:06:37
Thank you for the post Gemita. Best wishes to you and Michael.
Love to you Both
by SeenBetterDays - 2023-04-13 15:09:11
It must be so difficult when you have such a lovely trip planned. You will be torn between ensuring Michael is well enough and wanting so much to see your gorgeous great grandchild. I really hope he makes a speedy recovery and is able to leave hospital soon. A 4 hour wait in A&E is no fun at all. Sending you both lots of love and I can tell that there will be no holding Michael back once he gets through those hospital doors! Thinking of you x
This brings back memories
by LondonAndy - 2023-04-13 16:09:50
I am an insulin dependent diabetic, and have been for about 27 years. I had a "crisis" (the excess sugar in my blood caused kidney pain due to ketoacidosis (or something like that!) and I spent 10 days in hospital being stabilised and commencing insulin treatment.
I was originally on a slow acting insulin, but was moved to a mixture: lantus once a day, for "background cover", and an insulin aspart (rapid acting) each time I eat. If this is what they decide for Michael, it can be tricky getting the dosage right at first and he may experience the odd hypo (low blood sugar), so doing the blood glucose tests will be important. As we are practically neighbours do reach out if this is the treatment they prescribe and you think I can help.
Prayers from Pasadena, California!
by arent80 - 2023-04-13 16:22:43
Sending prayers for positive thoughts to you and Michael. May the good Lord see to it that he leaves the hospital with a clean bill of health. Stay strong Gemita!
Alejandro
Get well soon
by Rch - 2023-04-13 16:22:47
Gemita
Sorry to hear he is still in the hospital but glad he's being cared for by a good team of doctors and the ancillary staff. I hope the change in antibiotics would help better control his infections and he would soon be discharged home on a modified insulin regimen to better control his blood sugars. I'm sure the elevated creatinine would stabilize once he is fully hydrated and finishes his antibiotic course! We wish him a speedy recovery!
much love to both of you
by athena123 - 2023-04-13 19:37:21
i have a feeling nothing will stop michael from seeing his granddaughter
Some better news
by Gemita - 2023-04-14 03:26:19
Thank you all for your wonderful messages of support both privately and on this thread. They mean so much and have helped me to keep going.
There is a glimmer of hope this morning. Michael’s blood test results last night (for infection markers) were much improved and if another set of bloods later this morning confirms this, doctors will be much happier and might allow him home on oral antibiotics?
Yesterday I managed to see the endocrinologist. She was concerned about Michael’s high HbA1c level - A blood test that shows what our average blood sugar (glucose) level was over the past two to three months. She explained that since Michael is not overweight she was hoping it would have been possible to maintain good glucose control with long acting insulin alone. It will now mean giving a fast acting insulin injection after “each meal” to keep Michael within safe limits but this will of course require additional testing to ensure that his levels don’t fall too low between meals.
I will do a new message as soon as I can if we ever make our flight to Dublin and Michael gets to hold his little great grand baby xx
insulin shot
by new to pace.... - 2023-04-14 07:20:33
Met a gal who had a insulin shot pump attached to her stomach, after each meal she would push someplace for an instant shot. Said that way she could eat whatever she wanted.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip.
new to pace
Better News
by benedeni - 2023-04-14 10:56:43
Yes, Gemita, it is better news and we can all heave a hugh collective sigh of relieft for that. One step at a time as they say. Still, we want you on that plane tomorrow so fingers and toes crossed for that next big step. Keep us up to date whenever you can find time.. xx
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Michaels update
by new to pace.... - 2023-04-13 07:44:30
Thanks Gemita for keeping us informed as to what is happening with Michael. Know you have been plannning this trip for awhile. At least he will be in relavity good shape for this trip. To lower the CRP ask the doctor if he can take Algal Oil instead of Fish Oil which can cause A-Fib. Which none of us want.
You take many deep breaths knowing he is getting taken care of.
new to pace