Monday Jelf update
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 2:57 pm
🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞 UPDATE ON Steve Jelf 🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞
Look, I'm no 'Karen', I assure you. But the two times yesterday that I spoke with nurses since he was moved out of the ICU have left me lacking. One even told me that she cannot lawfully tell me anything, even though I'm authorised by Steve to get info. So I spoke with the nursing administrator, which really helped.
I was able then to get the lowdown from the Neuro-Science charge nurse. So here goes:
The most recent CT scan of the brain showed the brain bleed had stopped. There's still blood there, but the bleed has been arrested. The neurosurgeon team have not deemed this to be a serious hematoma, thus not requiring surgery at this time.
Bed rest, medications and observation may be all that is needed. The body can absorb the small amount of blood over time, usually a few months. Healthcare providers may order regular imaging tests (such as an MRI or CT scan) to monitor the hematoma and make sure it is healing.
One thing we have to be mindful of is that older adults who are recovering from a hematoma have a higher risk of another hemorrhage. Older brains don’t recover as quickly as younger brains. Also, as we age, our brains shrink and the space between the skull and brain widens. This further stretches the tiny thin veins between the outer membrane layers of the brain and skull and makes the older brain more vulnerable to future bleeding if another head injury occurs.
One thing to note is that Steve's mentation has become basically unresponsive in the last 24 or so hours. That's a back step from his first two days. Another test this AM showed that Steve's electrolytes were low. This may be a cause of that, so they're giving him extra via IV drip.
As far as his shift nurses, I've no complaint. I made these calls to the ranks above them just to try to understand their protocols. And it did turn out that one nurse wasn't clear on a few things. It's all good now.
And I'm confident he's getting the best care possible.
Cheers,
Molly <3
(Photo of Steve & my brother George)
Look, I'm no 'Karen', I assure you. But the two times yesterday that I spoke with nurses since he was moved out of the ICU have left me lacking. One even told me that she cannot lawfully tell me anything, even though I'm authorised by Steve to get info. So I spoke with the nursing administrator, which really helped.
I was able then to get the lowdown from the Neuro-Science charge nurse. So here goes:
The most recent CT scan of the brain showed the brain bleed had stopped. There's still blood there, but the bleed has been arrested. The neurosurgeon team have not deemed this to be a serious hematoma, thus not requiring surgery at this time.
Bed rest, medications and observation may be all that is needed. The body can absorb the small amount of blood over time, usually a few months. Healthcare providers may order regular imaging tests (such as an MRI or CT scan) to monitor the hematoma and make sure it is healing.
One thing we have to be mindful of is that older adults who are recovering from a hematoma have a higher risk of another hemorrhage. Older brains don’t recover as quickly as younger brains. Also, as we age, our brains shrink and the space between the skull and brain widens. This further stretches the tiny thin veins between the outer membrane layers of the brain and skull and makes the older brain more vulnerable to future bleeding if another head injury occurs.
One thing to note is that Steve's mentation has become basically unresponsive in the last 24 or so hours. That's a back step from his first two days. Another test this AM showed that Steve's electrolytes were low. This may be a cause of that, so they're giving him extra via IV drip.
As far as his shift nurses, I've no complaint. I made these calls to the ranks above them just to try to understand their protocols. And it did turn out that one nurse wasn't clear on a few things. It's all good now.
And I'm confident he's getting the best care possible. Cheers,
Molly <3
(Photo of Steve & my brother George)