Still On Anna Nicole

Sandy has now been in the hospital for just over two weeks, and this week has been relatively uneventful, with one notable exception. I will explain that later. Sandy has done a lot of sitting around and healing, though the progress seems lethargic to her. Her energy is still pretty minimal, but the big things are working and the small things that need managing are manageable.

The leak in the pancreas seems to be resolving itself, too. The enzyme levels are down significantly, indicating that it is healing properly. Sandy is still on “Anna Nicole” for nutrition, but now it contains a new formula. This is fed through a central line (PICC line) that was installed through a vein in her right, upper arm on the inside of the bicep. This line travels all the way to the heart. With a little luck, she may be ready to try real food again in the next day or so.

You cannot imagine how uncomfortable it is to not be able to eat or drink anything. Not even ice chips. “My mouth feels like a cardboard box full of glue,” she says.

I suppose I should explain the exception I mentioned above. Sandy might not appreciate my sharing this on the blog, but it is pretty funny.

Some of the narcotics they were giving her were causing hallucinations. These hallucinations were varied and brief and would come and pass at any time. They didn’t seem like much of a big deal and the nurses and doctors thought it was not uncommon, given the magnitude of the surgery, time without sleep and food, and the volume of narcotics she is on. Sometime late on Sunday night, Sandy had a little break with reality. The hallucinations turned insidious and she decided that she needed to escape killer nurses. She managed to pack her bag, put on her shoes, and drag her IV pole with her down to the elevator. After putting up a pretty good argument, the staff was able to return her to her room…and post a babysitter by her bed and guard by the door. I received a phone call at 6:30am on Monday from the Dr on call who started with, “Let me start by first telling you that Sandy is fine.” He told me only that she had become agitated during the night and might call me. “I need to you talk to her in a soothing voice and assure her that everything is okay.” Dr. Singer said. I did not find out about the escape attempt until a nurse told me about it later that morning.

Most of that morning (this was Monday), Sandy was clear but incoherent. She tried to hand me things that did not exist, tell me all about some ribbons that she hung—and she seemed absolutely amazed by the ribbons—and so on. This lasted for several hours until she finally fell asleep, exhausted. She slept for the first time in days.

The hospitals have a term for this, called IC Psychosis. It is a general term to describe when patients just get a little whacky, and can happen when a person is sleep deprived, does not eat, and is under heavy narcotics.

Stay tuned. I’ll update this again as soon as she gets to eat something!