Hemoptysis & a Hospital Visit

(Originally published on 2/23/14 on cotaforjensh.com)

Jens called me a little after 3 AM on Friday morning to tell me that he was coughing up blood (hemoptysis). We gathered the essentials and headed to the ER at VUMC (Vanderbilt Hospital). After running the necessary tests, they admitted him to an ICU room within a few hours and decided to keep him for observation at least 24 hours. We thought that they might try to do an embolization, something he's had done twice in the past. We knew that an embolization would stop the bleeding, but we also were fearful of his history with this procedure. He had this done in 2009 and 2011 after hemoptysis, and after both, he had pancreatitis and high fevers, among other complications.

The doctors decided the best plan of action was to start him on some IV antibiotics and observe him here at the hospital. He was doing well enough to move from ICU to a "regular" room around 6 PM on Saturday night. We went from a pretty large, wooden floor room to the smallest corner room on the floor with that awful dingy white everywhere. I could tell instantly that his spirits were low. He was grumpy and impatient with the new nurses. I was frustrated because we came right before a shift change, so the first nurses were on their way out. I never felt like the new staff truly knew what Jens's case was.

At 9:30 as Jens was eating dinner, he started coughing up fresh blood again. We became anxious at this, with good reason. It's never fun to feel like they don't understand your case and when the patient feels that he has to make the decisions for himself (because they don't fully understand his treatment plan or history).

I could tell Jens didn't want me to leave, but didn't want me to stay either. I fell asleep there and woke up at 2 to go home to get some rest in my bed. We both live within a couple of miles, so it's manageable to go back and forth between the hospital and our homes.

Today, we've continued to moinitor the hemoptysis, as we wait and see what steps to take next. At least the lunch looked appetizing today!

Prayers for wisdom to know what to do, kindness even though we are frustrated, and hope and cheerfulness to defeat our anxiety.

Thanks!
Abby (and Jens)

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