AboutHillarie Speziale Expertise I can answer general questions about ICU care, the frequently used medications, procedures, and life supports. I can also explain many of the diagnoses and supportive measures used for patients with that particular illness. I am familiar with the infectious, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and gastric problems that can land you in the ICU. I can not tell you exactly how long the patient stay will be, diagnosis your symptoms, or tell you with any certainty that the care you (or your loved one) received was wrong. I can also answer career questions regarding RRT and RN fields. Please note: neurology is not a field I have a great deal of familiarity with..
Experience I have 17 yrs experience as a Respiratory Therapist, and 9 yrs as a critical care nurse. I am familiar with infectious, cardiac, respiratory, renal and gastric diagnoses that can land you in the ICU.
Education/Credentials Assoc. Degree in Respiratory Therapy, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of science in psychiatric nurse practitioning.
Question QUESTION: My dad is 80 years old. on Nov. 6th he was informed that he has prostate cancer. 2 weeks later, on Thanksgiving day he started having trouble breathing. I live in Fl he is in Cal. He went to the emergency room and was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia. At this time we found out he had pulmonary fibrosis. The following day, Sat., he was brought to ICU with pulmonary edema. Sunday morning he was put on a respirator. He is heavily sedated on pain med. He is also on a water pill lasik. We have been told his kidneys failed 2X, he is not taking any breaths on his own the machine is doing everything. They tried to wean him off the respirator but he was distressed. We have been told that he will never have the life he had before and most likely, if he pulls through will be in a nursing home. 3 of the 4 doctors attending to him do not feel he will pull through. Now the problem. They want to give him blood to help with his oxygen levels, they are also talking about doing a traciodamy and a feeding tube. In your opinion, are these things necessary? I have power of attorney and have stated we do not want this. My dad wouldn't want this. I am not getting straight forward answers. In your oninion, based on what I have said, are we doing the right thing?
ANSWER: Hi Virginia, I think the most important thing is holding true to your father's wishes. If you are sure this is not something he would want, would not be the way he wanted to live, then I think you're doing the only thing you can. It's not always an easy decision. People can become confused and follow their choices rather than honoring the wishes of their loved one. I applaud you in listening and choosing what you know your father would have wanted.
Take care of yourself, Hillarie
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for you response. I did get to Ca where my dad is. I saw him and we did disconnect him. He passed away within 10 min.
Answer Virginia, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope there is some small comfort in knowing you honored his wishes and values. The rule of thumb a critical care physician taught me was it was 3 - 4 days of rehab or nursing home for every one day a patient spent on the ventilator. Given the health problems your father was facing, as you mentioned in the note above, it sounds as if the physicians were quite right that he would live out the rest of his life in a nursing home at best. You let him retain his dignity. I'm sure it was not an easy thing for you to do, but it was the right thing, in remembering it was about his values and wishes. I am sure, from where ever he is now, he is thanking you.
Sincerely, Hlllarie
