WAGblog

A brief hello

Update on Joe: he has had a set-back recently. After a near miraculous recovery and the news that he would be moved to a rehab hospital for weaning from the vent during the day so he could go home and have only night time nursing vent care, he developed a new pneumonia. This time it is bacterial rather than aspiration pneumonia, and with it a urinary tract infection and a blood clot in his lung. He will be on heparin to rid him slowly of the clot for a month, and strong antibiotics to cure him of the infections for a while and then we hope will again be transferred to the Hospital for Special Care, for rehab. But now we don't know where he stands in terms of coming home...He didn't really want to in the first place, being scared that something could happen that Karen and I could not handle. But the doctor told him that he would not go home until he felt comfortable about the idea, and so he calmed down a bit.

But now, with all the complications, he is down and discouraged. I can only imagine how much. The first time around he spent all his energy on getting better; refusing most visitors and outside stimulation, no TV or radio or books, just thinking and concentrating on breathing and and healing. Now, he has conceded that these stimuli may be helpful too, and is more open to distractions, though also less able to pay attention, due to the powerful drugs he is getting. I visit every other day and Karen takes the days I don't go in, that way he is covered for visitors every day and we don't get exhausted.

I am busy making jewelry and trying NOT to listen to the constant bickering and arguments of the little people, or the infernal music that plagues me again. It is not easy, but my friend and homemaker Josephine insists that I put on the TV or radio in the background, and I know that does drown them out, though if I'm trying to read it is also very distracting. But I do not even try to read these days as it simply is a trigger to put me to sleep every time. I do my reading on line, when I can, and I watch C-span and PBS for news occasionally. I can usually get through the short but informative articles in The Week, that magazine, so I know a little about what is going on in the world, but I know about nothing in depth, not the way I used to on my ambivalent miracle drug Zyprexa. I am taking a new sleep drug Remeron I think it is called, a Melatonin agonist, to push my natural sleep and circadian rhythm forward to something approximating normal. Right now, I am most alert from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., which is absurd, as I have to go to bed right when I most want to stay up. The Remeron should help reregulate my circadian rhythms such that I will be most alert from 6 p.m. to midnight, which is what I want. (I don't need a complete rehauling in order to be alert from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those hours are already taken up by chores and tasks I don't care as much about as the writing I do at night.) I will let you know if it works. Remeron is usually used for insomnia, but Dr O has used it for sleep phase disorders and it has worked well before, so I am hopeful now.

Otherwise, things are okay, though I am still very tired and do not have enough time alone or to myself. Karen must call 7-10 times a day if I don't visit her enough. And she ALWAYS calls during my writing hours. I should know enough NOT to pick up the phone, as I have threatened not to, but for some reason I always do, just in case it is important. Naturally, it never is. One of these days, I will learn my lesson and stop!

Here is a question for all of you: Does anyone know of any psychology professor who might want a copy of our book, possibly to teach it in a class (if it appeals and is appropriate)? I would send a promotional copy plus a letter and photo to anyone who would like a copy - the professor or teacher, if you simply send me the name and the name of the school or college and the address there. Even if you don't personally know the teacher, if you can get me the name and address, I will send a book out. Teachers of Abnormal Psychology are the best, but heads of departments are also good. Thanks to anyone who can help me out! Just email me at the address above, or use the comment section.

And that about wraps it up for this quickie update. I hope to return in September, but will continue to take this vacation time through August. Many thanks to all who keep checking in and to those who plan to return in the fall.

Pam

Posted by pamwagg at August 1, 2007 10:10 PM