To Jean

[Guest guest]

Hi Jean,

I am so sorry about your husband. I hope that things settle down

a little. It may be little consolation but I think that the type of injury

that he has had predisposes a person to this type of anger and

actions. Part of it is the medication that he may be on, part of it is

the injury to the brain from the stroke and loss of blood pressure

and part of it is the psychological effects of having a very major,

life altering, scary event. If there is someone available at the

hospital through social services or the unit he is on, maybe see

if he can have some time with a counselor. Or if not him, maybe

you could arrange to meet with them. My understanding is that

mood swings and hostility and other anger behaviour is quite

common and not always under the control of the patient. Taking

some time to yourself is also a smart thing to do........you need to

keep your mental and physical health going too.

I agree too that our health care system is screwed up. I am not

sure what the answer is but it seems heartless and cruel to have

the finest medical devices and procedures and facilities

available only to be denied because of a relatively abstract

concept such as money. Compared to life and health, money

really has no intrinsic value. But not the time or place for

philosophical discussion.

I hope time will show you the best course to take. Remember

that the hospital has departments and personnel that can help

you through decisions like this. Social services, the chaplaincy

and / or counselors are very. very good resources.

When I was a surgical in-patient, my surgeon arranged for

several visits from the counselor that was associated with the

surgical ward. He had special training and experience in the

needs and situations of surgical patients. I am betting that the

stroke center at the hospital that your husband is at has

someone similar that can guide you through this process of

rehab and healing.

Laurie