Husband in ICU 30 days

[Jaxxay]

My husband took a fall from a 12' ladder at work on June 1st and fractured 8 ribs. June 5th they intubated him, he also had failing kidneys and low heart rate. They said his body and organs were under so much stress and shock it set off all kinds of problems. 6/23 they did a tracheostomy and he is still on the ventilator. Although thank God he is day by day doing better, one of my fears is the ICU delirium I have heard about and read about. I face time him daily since we are not allowed to visit, and there are some days I just don't think he even recognizes me, other days he asks me what happened and why he is there. I just wondered if anyone else had or is experiencing the same thing? I know this is a traumatic experience all around for him, I just would like to have an idea of the best way to help him physically and mentally... Thank you

[Sepsur]

Hi @Jaxxay

Welcome to this site. If I’ve not answered everything - please post again and let us know how you & your husband are getting on.

I’ll attach a link to an information page on our website - have a look at the full delirium pdf - here is a small extract 😊

“who has delirium may still recognise friends and family but they will not believe it when they are told that they are imagining these frightening situations. They feel in danger which they can’t escape from, so they may try to get out of their hospital bed or demand to be taken home.

Patients with delirium can find it very difficult to understand or remember information – so even if they appear to understand what is happening, or may be joining in a conversation, they may not remember what has just been said to them. Delirium can also change quickly, one minute you will be having a normal conversation and next they will say something that makes no sense to those listening.”

icustepschester.org/informa...

[Rgsable in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you for sharing. I think my husband is experiencing this at the moment

[Sepsur in reply to Rgsable]

It can pass on as quickly as it came on.

[Jaxxay in reply to Sepsur]

Great info! Thank you! Am hoping to be able to be a part of the meeting next week!

[Kjhart]

My husband was on a ventilator for 11 days. Admitted into hospital the 8th of May and is still in there now waiting to go to rehab. The ICU delirium was rough as for him 11 days felt like 8 months. He said people were torturing him and the sounds from the machines and everyone around him. He's going to be seeing a psychiatrist at rehab because of the PTSD it all caused. It gets better and gradually when they're off the ventilator the sedation meds get out of their system in about a week. I remember I could see my husband's pupils go huge and then he wouldn't know what's real and what's not. When he gets off the ventilator and you're offered rehab services I suggest you take them if it's a facility. Ask for a psychiatrist for him and maybe get yourself an appointment too. Times like these are traumatic for all involved.

[Jaxxay in reply to Kjhart]

Thank you for your response. They have actually started weaning him off all sedation medication, although he is still on a ventilator. He is seeming more like himself when we face time, although the nurses tell me he gets very agitated often and they have to explain to him where he is and what is going on but, then after they do he seems to relax more. They are planning to send him to a rehab facility sometime next week and have him on to see a psychiatrist. I could definitely use talking to someone as well.

That is good news your husband was only on the ventilator for 11 days though. I hope he will get in to his rehab very soon, if he hasn't already.

[Sepsur in reply to Jaxxay]

I hope you find a good person to talk to. My wife eventually found someone brilliant & has benefitted immensely.

[Sepsur]

You’ll be really welcome- we now run a weekly relatives only meeting on a Tuesday 6.50 pm BST - message or email me via

icustepschester.org - & I’ll make sure you have log in info.

Our yoga & exercise group is for relatives too. Some of our family members have been really shocked at how helpful these sessions have been & how quickly they have felt the benefits. 😊

It’s a glorious day here - I hope you can enjoy the day.