Ok, so by 4p, McKinney brought Dr. Kohlberg, who seemed to have a bit more authority. I am figuring she is a resident. Refreshingly she did not insist that there is nothing wrong with Bill's weight loss. She did not say this is just the disease process and she did not say that this is normal outcome of dialysis. She admitted that they should have looked at this issue sooner, especially because Bill has been in a mal-nourished state for the past weeks.
She agreed to increase Bill's caloric intake slowly. So as of this evening, he will be getting 125 calories more. If his body does well with this, they will increase it even more.
I feel better about this finally. But Abby should keep on the doctors on this issue when she returns. I am afraid it might fall through the cracks again.
Best,
Bravo, Kris!
ReplyDeleteYou did exactly what needed to be done.
Arlene
Are they putting braces on his hands at night? Do they advise continuing to practice swallowing and do the nurses do this when there are no visitors to help? Is the physical therapist visiting each day and are they putting him in the cardio chair as well as getting him to sit on the side of the bed? Arlene
ReplyDeleteI was at the hospital for six hours today and much of that was spent talking with doctors, feeding Bill ice chips (which he did very well), keeping him company while they took out his infected catheter, and massaging his feet. I didn't have time to follow up on the other issues. Abby should definitely keep at these other issues you raise. McKinney did say that we SHOULD have the nurse call her if nurse refuses to give ice chips. I looked at the sign posted above Bill's bed and it clearly says ice chips are ok under supervision.
ReplyDeleteAbby should push hard for PT and OT involvement. They said that they are so busy they do not come around as much as they would otherwise. I believe we should make a strong case for them to be coming everyday if possible.
Kris
Kris You did a fantastic job. Did you have to wear a paper gown and gloves?
ReplyDeleteI asked the questions that you had raised earlier just as a reminder for all of us that they need to be addressed.
We got back from the airport around midnight; Abigail left for the hospital at 7:30 this morning.
It sounds as if they do not have a theory to explain the weight loss. How do they know his body is doing well or not well with the added calories?
Perhaps a different formula should be used. His body was accustomed to a lot of daily psyllium, low fat foods, and probably not a lot of protein. Wonder if the diet change could be a factor. Arlene