Fw: Re: Ted Mass General

[http://www.juno.com/~bhavaniowl]

John is:

MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers, Inc.
105 Chauncy Street
Boston, MA 02111 John Fabiano- 617-733-6109

Margaret,

I visited Ted yesterday (Building A, Floor 10, Room 38) and spoke with the nurse. She said his fall(s) due to Atrial Fibrilation which is when the upper part of your heart beats faster than the rest of your heart.  Its caused by blood clots and she would normally recommend a blood thinner but can't because he lives alone. He is currently taking aspirin. You should probably talk to the nurse, if you haven't already, she can explain it better. She said Ted needs a week or more of inpatient therapy so when he is discharged from the hospital in a day or two, he will be transferred to a local rehab facility.

Ted, overall was in good spirits, but is visibly weaker. He complained of pain in his left hand which he may have landed on awkwardly during his fall. He's enjoying his meals in the hospital and the only concern he has expressed to me has been food going bad in his refridgertor (he is quite the worrier, I'm sure you know that).

Yesterday, I went to Teds apartment to retrieve his glasses. I also made copies of his key so I can give you and Richard one. I'm going to visit again at lunch today. Are you planning on visiting soon?  I would suggest calling and talking to his case manager in the hospital who can tell you more about the rehab and also has some recommendations.

John

On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 1:38 PM, <http://www.juno.com/~bhavaniowl> wrote:

John-

Good since he wants you to visit. I did speak to him this morning while the nurse was putting on his hose/stockings and he said they aren't supposed to be this tight! I explained, they were for his heart and clotting. He said , is that right.

Anyway, let me know how he seems. I spoke to him about another key and he agreed that we need one.

My mother was living alone years ago and finally she moved in with us for 3 years. She was passing out more than once at home and I think with low blood pressure and perhaps even some mini strokes. Yeah, It is getting unsafe for Ted to be alone if he is willing to try something different with some medical help. Yeah, I remember those commercials(Phillips Lifeline Program) that they use to make fun of...

Some info: My other mother, biological, is actually not doing so well in Florida with colon cancer. She is Beatrice(Bea) Ted's first cousin. Bea's mother was (Dorthea)Cate. Ted was brought up by his/their Cate grandparents in New Hampshire.

~Margaret

On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:45:24 -0400 John <http://www.gmail.com/~johnfabi> writes:

Margaret,

Richie and I have been unsuccessful in reaching him too. I spoke with Richie last night, he was going to try and make it over there this morning and I'm going to take some time off around lunch to visit.  Richie made a copy of his third floor key and said he could make one for me as well-I can ask him to make another for you and Richard.

This might be a good time to start talking to him about assisted livings. I think, as many people do, that he associates them with nursing homes when in fact they are very different and allow a senior to live independently while serving meals, providing activities, and having medics on site. One thing we should definitely explore is getting him involved in the Phillips Lifeline Program (if you recall from the old "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" commercials).

I'll email back this afternoon after I have gone to visit

John

On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 9:34 AM, <http://www.juno.com/~bhavaniowl> wrote:

Hi John-
I keep calling Ted's room at the hospital and do not get an answer. Do
you have any news? We would like to see him if it is possible for us to
get into Boston?. Richie called and explained the fall etc. We need to
really be firm about him turning off his airconditioner. I recommend
that he keep it on at all times during these 'hot times' maybe around 75
degrees all the time. ...he thinks at night it is cooler and doesn't need
it.

Perhaps since this isn't the first time he fell we might speak to him
about the assisted living in Charlestown.

Thanks for your call. And oh we need to get a key for his third floor
door as well --incase of an emergency.

Warm regards,
Margaret {Ted's cousin}