After effects of pneumonia

[Kellsbelles]

Hello, sorry this is a bit of a moan / question post! My dad is currently in hospital. He choked on some food at his nursing home which lead him to stop breathing & then having to be resuscitated after a suspected cardiac arrest (a week and a half ago) He was given strong antibiotics after the incident but he has still developed pneumonia, which he is currently battling and he is apparently responding to antibiotics. The hospital is impossible to get hold of, as the phone just rings out. One day I called over 20 times unsuccessfully. I’m not allowed to go and visit him due to Covid. I was just wondering (as I can’t see him) if this will send him off into another steep decline? If he’s had pneumonia once, will it be easier for him to get it in the future? I found out the hospital haven’t been giving him any foods at all- which I only found this out because the doctor rang me to ask if they had my permission to give him mushy foods to see how he gets on. I worry this has weakened him further? I feel so kept in the dark. I know they are busy but you would think updating me on important things- such as developing pneumonia, would be important!

[Hidden]

Once anyone has had pneumonia you are more prone to get it again.

One after effect of pneumonia is lingering fatigue. He will probably sleep a lot.

[Kellsbelles in reply to Hidden]

Yes, he sleeps a lot anyway now. I just wish I could see him to see how he is.

[kenh1 in reply to Kellsbelles]

My wife was put on an ng tube feed they regarded a peg feed as too much of a risk. The feed boosted her health gave her 4 more years of life and no more pneumonia.

[bikershel]

Is he under the care of a palliative care team or Parkinson's nurse? They may be able to find out more information for you. Also try the PALS team at the hospital, from my experience they have helped me find out information about my father when the ward was unresponsive.

You could also try the hospital's OT team as they will have undertaken a swallowing test.

I'm so sorry you cant be with him.

Best wishes Michelle

[Kellsbelles in reply to bikershel]

Thanks Michelle. No, he doesn’t have either of those- I’m not sure they provide this where I am? I’ve tried to ask about palliative care referral for the future but this hasn’t been offered. I’ve managed to get hold of a nurse now who I have guilted into giving me regular updates! My dad is doing a lot better now and the antibiotics seems to be working. They’ve given him some puréed food and he’s been coping well. I feel a little better knowing this.

[AJK2001]

I really feel for you. I know how worrying it is when you can't find out how someone is when they are in hospital. I'm sure you have tried ringing at different times but try to avoid shift changeovers, meal times & ward rounds. Definitely try PALS, I have always found them very good, they seem to be able to make something happen. Also if you know who the doctor is, ring their secretary and ask them to call you. Write down what you want to ask - such as how your Dad is getting nutrition, so that when you hopefully do get to talk to a human your mind doesn't go blank because you are so taken aback.

xxx

[Kellsbelles in reply to AJK2001]

Thank you for your advice!! Yes, I’ve spoken to three different doctors and didn’t get anywhere requesting them. I’ve managed to find a nurse who has been good at giving me updates (after I cried on the phone to her with relief from getting hold of someone!) he’s doing much better now thank you- responding to the antibiotics and eating puréed foods now. I always have to write down what I want to say, as my anxiety does make my mind go blank, you’re right! Xxx

[HARRADL]

So sorry to hear about what your father is going through and your experience. My mom was in the hospital here in Ontario, CA recently, and given COVID, I couldn't see her either. Being able to connect is so important.

In case you didn't try this, when calling the hospital's main line, I asked to speak to the nursing station where my mom was and was put through there. Although ver busy, they allowed me to speak with the nurse looking after her - I thanked them profusely of course. It gave me some reassurance and information, plus as you are noting, it gave my mom some real comfort too knowing I was calling and the nurse told her. I sure hope you have improved communication, connecting and get to talk to your dad directly.

Best wishes,

Deb

[Kellsbelles in reply to HARRADL]

Thank you! Yes, I’ve finally managed to speak to a decent nurse who is giving me updates. I am so relieved. She even admitted they just let the phone ring out as they are always so busy and the phones are so much busier now that visiting isn’t allowed. I haven’t spoken to my dad directly but we are hoping to get a phone to him- that the nurses can help him use so I can speak with him. X

[JA10]

Hi Kellsbelles

My Mum is also in hospital due to aspiration pneumonia at the moment, communication has also been poor this time.

I ended up phoning the discharge team's number, (found on the website) as I know they start working on each patient as soon as they arrive.

Through them I found out that the doctors had signed mum off as medically well and they were trying to get her into a nursing home for a care assessment.

This leads to a whole different situation which I am now battling, (we want her home), but at least I know how she is.

At her hospital, they have actually opened up to some visitors too, so last week I was able to see her which was good. There were rules in place, each ward was managing their own booking and we were allowed one person for two hours, but that was enough to help mum feel a little brighter.

I hope you manage to get your Dad back where you can look after him again, soon.

Julie

[Kellsbelles in reply to JA10]

I’m sorry to hear about your mum, Julie! I hope she starts to improve soon. It is good that you have been able to see her. I can imagine that has cheered her up immeasurably, after all that time without you! I am still not allowed to see my dad sadly. We are desperately trying to get my dad assessed for CHC funding as his care is costing so much atm (as he needs someone with him at all times due to falling) Ideally we want him back home but he can’t afford the 24/7 care as his saving are running low, so we need to see if he can qualify for the funding. It’s an uphill struggle every step of the way. I got told this would be completed automatically in hospital (info from adult social services) but the hospital don’t seem to agree.