Mark has been in the ICU for over a month now. His leg was amputated and he gets dialysis three times a week. He is still getting a lot of IV antibiotics. He is not making sense when he talks and forgets that I have talked to him or brought him things. He has forgot how to use the phone and claims his ATM card. Is this just ICU memory loss?
I try to talk to him and he just gets mad saying "It's my money and it's none of your business!" I wish I could explain to him that yes, it is your money, but soon the skilled facility will be taking that whole check minus maybe thirty bucks to pay for his care. I can understand some ICU fogginess (who wouldn't lose track of the days or time of day etc) but the fact that he is saying his ATM card won't work and he wants me to withdraw cash (not a little amount like $30 but over $300). He is saying he owes someone at the hospital and we are just confused as ever.
The second time she had delerium in a hospital stay for back surgery , an MRI revealed moderate chronic ischemia of her white matter , which confirmed my guess that she had undiagnosed (earlyish ) vascular dementia .
You, on the other hand, have a gentleman who is very, very ill and in many of his most vital organs. His lungs alone, with their deficits are not allowing enough 02 to the brain.
This just can't be predicted.
I am sorry to hear this update that he isn't progressing well.
Do the doctors tell you that this is expected, or "not good"? Do you have any indicators from medical at all?