Husband been in surgery since 9:30 it is now 11 still waiting for surgeon to come out to talk about how things went hope this gets rid of infection

Surgery went well last 2 hours been in recovery for 40 min waiting for him to go back to his ICU room

Even if it is against his judgement, fevers such as your husband has are serious. Especially since the notes from hospitals always say to call, if a fever should develope. Get him into the hospital, call 911 if you have too. I would rather have him mad at me, than fail health wise. He needs to be seen ASAP. I am so sorry things are so stressed at your home. ginnie

I took him in on Sunday to er been in ICU since then had surgery to clean out bacteria and fluid he been doing 2 antibiotic IV since he got here he in alot of pain his blood pressure was 79/48 in the er three bags fluids and 2 antibotics still couldn't blood pressure up had to put cath in neck give meds to raise blood pressure

I hope things start to improve. It may take a few days but I'm sure he'll be back to normal soon - and might not even remember being so ornery!

Hi Robin,

I've been following your posts closely; unfortunately my circadian cycle seems to be out of sync. with events/postings.

It's true that a competent rational adult has the legal right to refuse medical treatment/intervention (It's also possible that in your locale, medical personnel are required by law to inform patients of this right, but I don't know this as fact), however IMO, based on the irrational statements and behavior your husband has been exhibiting, exercising that power of attorney may be in order and appropriate. A family conference and/or psychiatric consult (for him) may be in order to cover all bases - something to ask his doctors.

What's been bothering me most is the lack of any reasons given by him for his refusals of/for treatment and his belligerence.

My suggestion/advice (which anyone is free to disagree with and/or ignore at any time) is to listen to your heart/guts. It's very difficult for me to bring this up, but some "tough love" may be appropriate in order to ensure his compliance with medical help/intervention for his own good. It could be pointed out to him that he can cooperate voluntarily, or that with the stroke of a pen (by a psychiatrist or judge) he could lose that right, and be subject to someone else's decisions/judgment without any say in the matter.

Were you to play this card, there is also the distinct possibility that he may "call your bluff", and you may be faced with having the resolve to follow through. This is where the support/commitment of your family is essential.

I sincerely hope that all of this will turn out well for everyone, and that all I've said will be moot. Unfortunately these are the kinds of situations/decisions life hurls in our path, the consequences of which we must live with for the rest of our lives.

I do wish you well, and will be thinking of you,

Doc

People who have high fevers, and are on painkillers, can develop a form of delirium. That is why staying in the hospital is best,
because the staff there recognizes it and can log it in the records, and deal with it.

If he indeed has septic shock, with very low blood pressure, he would not really be mentally alert or rational IMO.

Ask the nurses what they think. They see this all the time.

So glad he is in the hospital. I was really worried. I hope he feels better soon. It was the right thing to do, and after he gets home, he will know that too. Men can be oh so stubborn when it comes to that kind of thing. I will be praying he recovers soon. ginnie

RDavis - You did the right thing getting him into the hospital. I was in your husband's shoes two months ago but it was me that wanted to go to the ER. The doctor on call just ordered antiobiotics and then a stronger one the next morning. That afternoon, he felt I should go to the ER. I ended up being admitted with a post-surgical infection and required surgery, too. There was the threat of additional surgery each day I was in the hospital until my WBC stabilized. I hope your husband recovers quickly and doesn't need more surgery. It's definitely scary for both the patient and the family member(s).

Fever, sepsis, pain and being confined in a hospital environment can cause psychosis. Hospital personnel call it ICU psychosis, this may be why he is focusing his anguish on you.
Glad you made it in time. Survival rate from full blown septic shock is around 3%.

You must take care of yourself, too.