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01 March 2008

Uncle out of hospital but entering nursing home.[More:]My cousin has sent out an update on her father's condition. He was diagnosed with sepsis and/or diabetic ketoacidosis. He was unconscious for a week -- I guess the doctors did not feel it met the conditions for a coma, but he did not ever fully "wake up" during that time.

Eventually he regained consciousness, but his dementia (which was a serious problem beginning around two years ago) has fully set in and he does not remember her name, although he recognizes her when she comes in, and they can only have halting conversation. He denies he's in a hospital or sick, for example. Since he cannot feed himself he cannot return to the assisted living facility.

They don't really know why it happened other than that he was not eating properly at the facility. He showed up for meals but may not have eaten them. He had also recently been placed on librium due to combative incidents with staff and other patients, and had begun sleeping a lot more.

Prognosis is for continuing to limp along, conscious but basically unaware, with most of his memory unavailable to him.

We had a good relationship and it seems like there may be little chance I'll ever talk with him again.

I'm also concerned because my dad, his brother, could have a comparable progression, as he's started showing serious signs of dementia himself (and we -- my mom and I -- just can't really deal with it, given my DD nieces and nephew on our hands).
Gosh what a tough situation stilicho - I'm really sorry, & I hope for the best for both your uncle and your dad. Hang in there.
posted by chewatadistance 01 March | 14:53
I've seen this kind of thing a thousand times. Like so many patients have told me, it sucks getting old.

You never know, his dementia will probably be the same, but he may do better physically if he is under more watchful care at the nursing home versus the ALF. Like you said, he probably wasn't eating or drinking enough and that put him in a bad place. Hopefully the nurses will monitor his intake and feed him if need be. Better health to you and the family.
posted by LoriFLA 01 March | 15:18
I'm so sorry, stilicho. *hugs*
posted by initapplette 01 March | 15:19
i keep deleting things so i'll just say
i know longer know what to say to anyone anymore about these things except that i understand and hope that means something.
posted by ethylene 01 March | 15:54
I'm sorry too, stilcho. Be strong. *whuffs*
posted by rainbaby 01 March | 18:43
It sounds as though there's a long, hard road ahead for the family. Don't forget we are here for you if you need a place to let off steam or just generally unburden.
posted by essexjan 01 March | 19:40
Thanks everyone. Again ...
We really seem to just solve every day as it comes.
posted by stilicho 02 March | 00:11
I must've missed this yesterday. So sorry to hear about your uncle stilicho.
posted by hadjiboy 02 March | 23:18
"Insert falcon." || She seems to have been born in privilege. . . .

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