OT: Mike & I have Pneumonia!

Just a quick update. I've gotten mostly everything squared away with the staff and they seem to be paying better attention to details. I've slipped some $$ to a few aides and it's paying off. Mike is improving a bit in strength but we're dealing with dysphagia now and is on pureed food and thickened liquids. They're worried about aspiration. He has a terrible cough which seemed a little better today.Some tests and xrays have been ordered. He'll be in rehab until 7/6 so I'm now arranging for home care which is a whole other ballgame. There's been some talk about hospice but I'm not there yet. I've made some good contacts so hopefully it will work out with home care. Thanks to all of you for keeping us in your prayers. You're such a great group!

I know this is difficult but we are praying for you and hope for the best for Mike.
Hugs.
James

Thank you for the update.

Thank you for posting Dori. Like everyone else, I was hoping for better news.

My thoughts continue to be with you both.

Dori,

I'm so sorry your news wasn't better, but I am still praying for you & Mike.

With love,
Jen

I will take this as good news and being an optimist I will say that it looks like Mike has turned the corner... Still sending prayers and warm thoughts your way.

My prayers are with you and Mike, Dori, and hope that by the time he gets to come home, you will have gained enough strength to deal with the extra load.

HUGS!

49er

And yet more hugs.
I wish I were close enough to drop in and help in person.

I haven't been posting lately, but I do check up from time to time. Dori, I just finished reading your posts. My heart goes out to you! What a horrible time you're having!! It's pretty scary to read up on the lack of quality care Mike is getting, at least as concerns his sleep apnea! If someone told me that the machine wasn't that important for the short run I'd be incredibly angry. Having pneumonia certainly doesn't seem to me like a reason NOT to use xPAP therapy .... if anything the challenge with getting enough O2 that pneumonia causes only makes the need for xPAP that much stronger. O2 that isn't getting in to his lungs isn't doing him a whole lot of good.

Having your own medical issues at the same time is a real drag! You absolutely DO have to take care of yourself. Seems like you are getting some help from your kids, which is great ... you just have to let yourself recover.

I'm keeping you in my thoughts Dori!
-Kevin, with hugs!

Dori,

My heart goes out to you. You and Mike are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dori,

Continuing to think about you and Mike. Thanks for the update. My sister's MIL quit eating, and it turns out she is now going to have therapy to teach her how to swallow again. Hopefully, with the thickened liquids, Mike will get enough calories to continue healing.

Drop me a PM if you want any ideas for what I call "savory smoothies."

Oh my, just got back to the forum and have read your thread Dori. I too have been battling pneumonia, so definitely do know the problems that can ensue from this, still can't do much but am progressing slowly. I hope Mike is doing the same, with all of his problems it will be a hard row to hoe, but I hope and pray that he will get well enough for you to take him home. You MUST take care of yourself too Dori, Mike needs you now more than ever, without you he would never make it. Take care both of you and get well soon..... prayers and the biggest hugs ever are on the way.
Love ya
Nan

"Mike needs you now more than ever, without you he would never make it."

Nan I know you mean well, but I think that's a bit much to put on Dori! Unfair. And certainly unknown.

I am new here, but sending great thoughts for Mike's healing.