Last Wednesday after dialysis, Jim had an episode that has proven to be unexplainable. His speech was garbly and all symptoms pointed to a stroke. I immediately took him to Barnes ER and after a grueling 21 hours there, MRI's taken, CT scans taken, blood work taken, there seems to be no explanation. They say it may have been a "mini stroke" that would not appear on the MRI, or perhaps it was delirium. He was hospitalized for 2 days with no further test. His speech has improved and his cognitive senses seem ok now.
While this was terribly disturbing and scary, I think it has taught Jim he has to have his head in the game. He worries a lot and tends to keep things inside. Perhaps it was an overload of worrying and depression from all that he has gone through these past several months. Needless to say he has been very apprehensive about dialysis since this all seemed to occur right afterwards, but the doctor tried to assure him it was merely a coincidence. Having just dropped him off, I took am anxious to see how he is reacting.....ok I hope.
Once again Jim seems to be on track. He had the drain bag removed last Wednesday prior to this episode and things we thought were looking up. His appetite has improved the last few days. He is eating (and enjoying) it much better. His nutrition has been so poor with all he has gone through. Once weighing as much as 260 lbs., he is now down to 211.
After my talk with him and the doctors telling him so much of his recovery is psychological, I think his head is finally starting to get into the game.and he is starting to realize he must be in a better frame of mind. He has a lot to be thankful for whether he realizes it or not. I remind him that everyone has problems and some are a lot bigger than his. Let's hope things improve. Like I said before...enough is enough.
