Tucker Pavilion

Background to previous message:  Due to the increase in agitation/anxiety over the weekend, I called Dr. Silver's office on Monday and asked if there was anywhere Mike could go to be observed and have medication adjusted. We've been on this anxiety-aggression-agitation-calm-lucid-out-of-control roller coaster several times over the past 9 months and frankly, I'm worn out with it. Mike has continued to grow stronger and I'm more tired, plus don't have the knowledge or power to change the circumstances. I was a little bit afraid in recent days that someone was going to get hurt. Dr. Silver was not in on Monday, but his nurse called on Tuesday and said the doctor felt it would be good for Mike to be evaluated. He recommended and would send a referral to Tucker Pavilion, a psychiatric ward at Chippenham Hospital, if I was agreeable.  I voiced my concern that Mike would just be drugged, but was assured by the nurse that this facility would work to get Mike on a more even keel, as much as possible.

I called Mike's insurance company to see if this type of treatment would be covered by insurance and was told that inpatient psychiatric care was only covered for those under 18 years old. Feeling a bit desperate, I called Mike's health coach, Rebecca. (she calls approximately every 2 weeks to check in and is a great source of information) She didn't know, but knew who to call to verify and soon we were on a conference call and Praise God! found out that this treatment would be covered. All these phone calls took place while I was sitting in a parking lot in Farmville just after attending the brain injury support group there. Feeling nervous about this decision, but sensing the necessity of it, I called Dr. Silver's nurse back and asked them to send the referral. I'd much rather take this step now and try to avoid someone getting hurt, plus I really believe that Mike is very close to having a clear mind, it's just the medication combination is not right. I hope this will expedite finding the right combination, and I really need a time of respite.

While waiting for almost 5 hours to have Mike evaluated and admitted, we ran the gamut of his behaviors. Thankfully, the various folks were able to see his unpredictable behavior and agreed that he needed to be admitted. The process took so long that by the time we were taken upstairs, Mike's night meds had kicked in and he was so tired that he could hardly stay awake. This made the event of being taken back to his room very untraumatic. He just wanted to go to bed and didn't complain at all.

Even though I have power of attorney, it does not cover psychiatric care. I would have to be his legal guardian. Therefore, part of the long wait was so that a representative from Richmond Behavioral Health could come and determine if they thought Mike needed to stay. Also, Wednesday morning, we had to have a hearing with a judge to obtain a TDO (Temporary Detention Order). I was back at the hospital at 8:00am and spoke individually with the head nurse, a social worker, and an attorney who was assigned to Mike. Then they all met with a judge and observed Mike. After that, the judge told me he had approved the TDO and that Mike would remain at the facility until the Psychiatrist, Dr. Summers (Sommers?) along with the staff and myself deemed that he was stable enough to return home. Everyone was very kind and the lawyer even prayed for us after we talked!  What a blessing. Thank you, Lord!

When I first got there Wednesday morning, I could hear Mike and see him pacing by a door. Business as usual. After all the meetings, the nurse came out and said Mike was very lucid and telling him about our children and where we met. So he brought Mike out for a while so we could visit.  We didn't talk much, but when it was time for me to go, Mike wanted to come with me and said he didn't want to go back to "the prison". :-(  I called later in the day, and it wasn't a good moment. In the evening, I received a call from the nurse because Mike wanted to talk to me.  M - "Where are you?" J - "At home." M - "You're at the farm." J - "Yes"  M - "How did you get there?" J - "I drove our car." M - "How did you get the car?"  Some things are clear, some not.

I did not go today. I spoke with his nurse. Dr. Summers has already stopped the Risperdal and tried Geodon by injection and pill, but Mike started drooling a lot so that was stopped also. Another drug, Zyprexa was prescribed, as needed.  I'm not sure if that was used or not. Evidently Mike was rather aggressive yesterday. Today they gave him Ativan. I'm not sure of the sequence of events (before or after the new drug), but the nurse said Mike just stood in one spot for about an hour today so that was a concern.  Tonight he was doing his usual pacing and repeating. I have not met Dr. Summers yet, but the nurse said he is very good with patients like Mike and obviously, he didn't waste any time trying some new medication. I am very thankful. Sounds like Mike is in good hands and they will figure out what is best for him.

After I left the hospital yesterday, I stopped and enjoyed leisurely walking around 2 nurseries.  I bought a few flowers and a little fig tree.  Fresh figs are SO delicious and I just couldn't resist.  I spent the rest of the afternoon planting, watering, and trying to relax.  Today Daddy and I planted squash, sweet potatoes, and mint in the back garden and the fig tree in the orchard - Dad made space for two, so now we HAVE to go buy a 2nd fig tree. :-) We ran the rototiller through the front garden and ran a small fake electric fence around the flowers just in case the cows get out. Hopefully they won't test it. I planted lots of flowers and weeded, then tonight I made banana bread.  It's so nice to be able to be productive; however, my mind was mostly with Mike. Praying that the staff is kind, praying for his healing, praying for the doctor, etc.  Also fighting the condemning and guilty thoughts that pop up. It will probably take a bit to really relax, I kept feeling like there was something I was forgetting.  I heard a noise during the night and instantly woke up, then realized Mike didn't need me, he wasn't there.

Thank you for all your notes, prayers, and love.  We really need and appreciate the support.