Monday, January 08, 2007

Jim has Really low BP

Yesterday morning, it was something like 62/56. After exercise, maybe 76/63.

The GP is really worried and has me withholding both diuretics and the lactulose and asking me to fill Jim with protein. GP said he would consult by phone with the GI guy today.

No diuretics means Jim's belly is swelling (ascites). With no lactulose, he is becoming more and more confused. He is sleeping something like 18 hours a day.

But at the same time, he can be really sharp and strong. Yesterday, while his cousin was visiting, he got pissed that I kept harping on his lack of exercise, and he took off on his walker, up both flights of stairs, and ended up in my bedroom recliner watching the Eagles football game for about 1/2 hour.

I am livid with his home health care case manager. The GP called her Friday because he wants to have the PICC line removed. On Sunday, the GP said he hadn't heard back from her. I called her this am, and she said she had just left a message on the GP's office machine. I offered her the GP's cell phone number. She said she doesn't like to call DRs on their cells. "And, besides, I didn't work this weekend."

Getting them out. Getting Hospice in.

In fact, I'm so pissed right now that I'm getting off line and calling this case manager's supervisor. Enough is enough.

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