Beth did not leave the hospital against medical advice. The nurses had told her to get dressed to leave. A friend of hers helped her get dressed. She waited for two hours but then left feeling not too much pain because of the intervenous delautid.
Anyhow, I got a real friend to stay with her. We cleaned the apartment and got a referral from the hospital social worker for some in home care. My GP wrote a script for her meds in the meantime which I dole out one day at a time. I got her an appointment with a spinal specialist from the Rothman clinic and gave my number to the neighbors. I go out every day to make sure that her needs are met. She is cooperating with the pscyh meds and let me make a key to her apartment.
I talked to the hospital social worker, administrator and head nurse. No one said she left ama which is kind of a surprise. I was also surprised that there weree no drugs or alcohol in her blood. She was detoxing for a suboxone induction.
I thought she left with the sugar daddy to get her own drugs but I am not sure of that either as she was in screaming pain during the night. Why didn't the neighbors call 911? Why dIidn't she call me? I asked her and she said it only hurt that bad when she tried to get up so she did not try to get up more than a couple of times.
She is mentally ill but not legally insane which I think makes the system pretty crazy but there you have it. There are very few beds for the mentally ill. If the person is not a clear and present danger to others even if they were 5 minutes ago they are usually not allowed inpatient. She actually had a pscyh eval at my request as the hospital she was in had a mica ward. The shrink said that she had to want to help herself and did not meet criteria for involuntary commitment.
This would not have happened pre Ronald Reagan. We used to have psychiatric facilities in each county. Now we do not. Most of the mentally ill only do physical harm to themselves. That is the only reason we do not have more virginia tech type trajedies. I know that there were abuses in mental hospitals but they have not been replaced with other community supports. The families do what they can until they burn out.
Thanks for all your help on my last post.
Anyhow, I got a real friend to stay with her. We cleaned the apartment and got a referral from the hospital social worker for some in home care. My GP wrote a script for her meds in the meantime which I dole out one day at a time. I got her an appointment with a spinal specialist from the Rothman clinic and gave my number to the neighbors. I go out every day to make sure that her needs are met. She is cooperating with the pscyh meds and let me make a key to her apartment.
I talked to the hospital social worker, administrator and head nurse. No one said she left ama which is kind of a surprise. I was also surprised that there weree no drugs or alcohol in her blood. She was detoxing for a suboxone induction.
I thought she left with the sugar daddy to get her own drugs but I am not sure of that either as she was in screaming pain during the night. Why didn't the neighbors call 911? Why dIidn't she call me? I asked her and she said it only hurt that bad when she tried to get up so she did not try to get up more than a couple of times.
She is mentally ill but not legally insane which I think makes the system pretty crazy but there you have it. There are very few beds for the mentally ill. If the person is not a clear and present danger to others even if they were 5 minutes ago they are usually not allowed inpatient. She actually had a pscyh eval at my request as the hospital she was in had a mica ward. The shrink said that she had to want to help herself and did not meet criteria for involuntary commitment.
This would not have happened pre Ronald Reagan. We used to have psychiatric facilities in each county. Now we do not. Most of the mentally ill only do physical harm to themselves. That is the only reason we do not have more virginia tech type trajedies. I know that there were abuses in mental hospitals but they have not been replaced with other community supports. The families do what they can until they burn out.
Thanks for all your help on my last post.
This is good to hear this! I remember you and I discussing the mental health facilities (or lack there of) one time because I had not realized that was something Ronald Reagan was responsible for. Its true - families will eventually burn out over this, that's why so many mentally ill are living in the streets. Its heartbreaking - there are no answers.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending Beth a gentle hug and you a big huge one.
Awww Anna, I am glad things are calming down. I just know how this hard this would be for me if I were in your shoes. I really admire your strength.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad things are appearing to be a bit calmer. There are times that I see homeless men or woman walking down the street having intense conversations (by themselves) and it makes me sad. They are in need of help yet do not get it. I understand some just don't want it, but I can only guess at how many are victims of Mr. Reagans choice.
ReplyDeleteI continue to pray for your family and Beth's recovery in all areas. I hope she can see how much you love her and how much she needs you.
Your post shows you know exactly what is going on, born of many years of hard experience.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing to add...except that someday I'm convinced Beth will realize you are the one person who has her best interests at heart, forever and always.
Thank you for being such precious friends!
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