Mom was put in a regular room late last night or early this morning. She was still disoriented. In Sunday ICU visit. She said credit card stolen, and fake pharmacy drug charging a lot of money asked me to call and get money back. She knew who I was. This morning I called. She said the people there told her she was crazy and she needed to talk to a lawyer or head of the hospital. She is not crazy. She also said that I wasn't her daughter. That her daughter didn't know she was in the hospital. She had been asleep and the phone woke her when I called. She never had disorientation before. She is on pain medication. Can that cause it?
Barbara
He was fine once he was off the vent. He could swallow and talk just fine (never STOPPED talking :) It was the trauma of not being "in control" that got to him. They keep them in a state of semi-consciousness after a long surgery like that (20 hours) and he was only sort of aware of what was going on, but he's big (6'5" and 280 lbs) so someone that size trying to fight off the vent, the tubes, etc., I know they took good care of him and all--like I said, he did develop this phobia and he finally got over it, but it was years.
My son was in the ICU after brain surgery. This time I was allowed to stay with him. He was 21--but he wasn't on a vent, just semi paralyzed for a few days. ICU's are just scary, not-fun places to be. I DO wish they had educated my hubby better--he did not know he'd wake up there and be on a vent. He's a control freak and this was very scary.
And yes, he had terrible PTSD from the ventilator tube. He couldn't drink out of a bottle with a smaller opening (such as juice or pop) for years.
Afterwards he did suffer a lot from anxiety attacks and depression, but I think that was the outcome from the transplant and the trauma it involved.
If the medical staff thinks she will be fine, she most likely will be. Give her a little more time.
And I agree with Babalou -- make it clear that Mom is not really safe at home. And that YOU ARE NOT CAREGIVING AT THIS TIME.
It's being someplace they are not familiar with.... new faces with each new shift.... being awaken at 5 a.m. for a pill or to draw blood.... all the new noises... and the different smells. Most elders get delirium, which doesn't go away until a couple days being back home.
If Mom goes into rehab, the same thing will happen again, but eventually she will get use to her surroundings.... I hope she agrees to go, it would be in her best interest. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and her.
Barbara
She thinks mom just needs a little moretime and she will be fine.
I wish I didnt have negativity so deeply ingrained in me. It's making this time with mom in hospital so much harder. Its not just the confusion. Its everything.
Barbara
I would try to find out what she was given and if she has eaten and then see if there are alternatives to try. It happened to my mother in ICU. When the meds were adjusted the mental confusion was gone. It's difficult to get staff to understand sometimes because they don't realize your mom is not normally confused. I would Insist they not give her more until I could speak with the dr. I suppose it might be necessary for her to be on stronger meds depending on the pain she is in. My mother would rather hurt than be confused. I hope you are able to help her.