January 2, 2019 (Happy New Year to you, dear reader!)
My husband had another seizure this morning. They seem to be happening with increased frequency and intensity, with the last two being December 22 and January 2 (this morning). These are not minor little "blank out seizures." They are more like grand mal, with foaming at the mouth and biting of the tongue. They seem to occur in the early morning generally, so far. I haven't witnessed one, but the description by the caregiver is quite dramatic. Since my husband and I have had no first-hand experience with seizures before, this is another learning curve for me. And of course it's also another source of stress. I find that my worry journal is very effective at helping me sort stress out these days!
The hospice nurse is called when my husband has a health event, and he or she visits in person to do an assessment, reports his or her findings to the doctor, and the doctor decides what to do about treatment, if any. Everything is handled direct with the facility, and I get a phone call from the facility to report the incident to me, then a phone call from the nurse to report observations, possible medication changes, and so on. When a stressful phone call wakes you out of a deep sleep and someone starts rattling off medication names and doses, it isn't always easy to grasp the conversation through the thick fog and the adrenaline. I've decided that whenever this happens, I will ask the medical technician at the facility for a new printout of medication orders for my file. I hope this will help me stay on top of things that have a tendency to spiral out of control at the drop of a hat.
When I went to see my husband today, he was rather lethargic, seemed to have a headache (He is unable to say, "I have a headache," but he did cup his hand on his head, exclaiming, "Ouch!"), and mostly wanted to curl up on his bed. All of that is apparently normal following a seizure. In spite of all that, he did eat all of his meal, which was served in his room. His appetite continues to be very good. And speaking of his appetite, I think I may have mentioned his substantial weight loss (from almost 200 lbs. down to 154 lbs.) and the fact that hospice has requested that he be given double portions if he will tolerate them. This is to ascertain whether his body is not processing nutrients or whether he isn't getting enough calories for weight maintenance.
The good news is that he tolerates the additional food and has gained five pounds! Anyone else would have gained 20 with the size helpings they put on his plate and the Ensure nutritional supplement, but I'll take the five. Apparently, his continuous pacing (though at a snail's pace) is causing his body to burn through the fuel provided. He can still absorb nutrition. Or at least if he isn't able to soak up everything, he's still able to absorb quite a bit.
I'd say this weight gain is an addendum to our Christmas miracle. Wouldn't you?
I'm unsure about the reasons why but Athena's seizures always happened when she was sleeping, that's why it was five years after the head injury before they were discovered. We'd find her wandering around the house apparently sleep walking, and would often complain of having bitten her tongue and inner cheeks during her sleep
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't until we moved into a different house where the bedrooms were right togetherand when she had a grandmal seizure and woke us up at 3 a.m. with her headboard hitting the wall. It was probably the scariest thing Linda and I ever experienced up until that morning, going in and finding her in full seizure with the non seeing eyes and foam and blood all over her face, hair, and bedding. Her poor husband had his first experience when due to the rushing and excitement she forgot to take her meds and had another major seizure while at a dude ranch in Colorado on their honeymoon the night after their wedding. She spent five days in a Colorado hospital before being released for a med flight back to Redding.
It might be hard for Harry to get the words out but Athena said she could tell when a seizure was going to happen because her vision would start closing in and her hearing would pick up a buzz and would sound almost like she was hearing people talk as though she was in a long tunnel. Linda and I both hope that these don't increase in frequency or severity, our family's prayers are with you. Keep your strength and faith strong! They haven't let you down yet.
Thank you, Delton. Wow...that must have been breathtakingly frightening, and I hope Athena is doing well now (and remembering to take her meds!). Thankfully, I have not witnessed his seizures, but they seem to be fairly dramatic. His meds have been adjusted and a new medication added, so now we wait and see. He had a good day today. As always, thank you so much for your prayers and support. Hugs to you and to Linda!
DeleteI have seizures and Although I haven't had one in five years as my meds are working they can be scary to your caregiver. What Delton said is true I know when my seizures are coming on. Although I have to say with the last one I did not. Prayers for Harry. I especially feel for you stay strong.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that with me, Judy. It really is so frustrating that my husband can't tell me how he's feeling or if something is hurting or where. It would be so helpful to know! But it is what it is. Meds have been adjusted, so now we wait and see. Today was a good day. Hugs to you!
DeleteIt is weird after rereading Daltons comments about his mom's? seizures and how she knew they were coming on that is exactly how my last long came on.It was different then the others some of which I was asleep when I had them then last two I was not and those two I felt them but the last one was so different I didn't know that it was a seizure.
ReplyDeleteIt was Delton's daughter, I believe. So interesting about seizure disorders and how they present differently with different people. Of course, even if Harry was aware of what was happening when one comes on, it isn't like he can tell anyone or describe it. Makes me feel so helpless!
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