12/19/07 -- While driving to have my daily visit with Montell I received a call at 4:50 p.m. from Warden McCann, from Stateville who informed me that my visiting privileges had been revoked until I meet with the hospital’s administrative staff and that they would be calling me. I told him that they had requested that I remove all employees’ names from the blog and that I had. I also told him that I hold the Illinois Department of Corrections responsible for the condition that Montell lies in everyday.
While under their “watch and care” he developed Stage 4 bed sores, a blood infection that now reaches the bones of his limps and to add insult to injury while extracting some of his teeth they gave him Hepatitis C which now Montell is suffering and dying from. None of these are related to chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. I invited him as well as others from that department to come out and look at Montell lying in a fetal position and see how frail his body is and then tell me and others that you gave him the “best of care”.
I went on to tell him that his department have done a lot to me and Montell and the public needs to know what they are doing to men and women behinds those walls when they become ill. They need to know this and demand that these conditions be stopped immediately. I realized that I’m losing my son and hope and pray that by sharing what we are experiencing with this system will help to make the public cry out for justice and demand quality healthcare for all inmates. I will never stop telling our story until this has ended. I, as well as others am aware of the men and women who have already died behind those walls, this is outrageous and have got to stop!
Prisons are obsolete in the first place. Having them in existence does not deter crime. Having them is just a way of warehousing people and other people making money off of them.
The money wasted on building these facilities should be used for educating children and providing jobs for people. He then told me that the hospital would be calling me as well. Enough Is Enough! By the way I told him that he would see his name on Montell’s Blog in the morning as well as our conversation.
After hanging up the phone from him, I immediately called my attorney and told him what had just happened to me. I gave him the number to contact the prison. I’m tired of being denied the right to see my son.
I then call the hospital and talked with my contact person. at the hospital and told her what Warden McCann had told me. She stted that she didn’t know anything about the hospital asking that my visiting privileges be revoked. We had spoken this morning and I assured her that I would remain all hospital employees’ names from the blog and I had. She then told me that the meeting I had requested with the medical team working with Montell is scheduled for tomorrow at 11 a.m. She asked me let her make a telephone call. I told her about my concerns regarding Montell not seeing me today because of this mess and she assured me that she would check on him hourly and let me know how he was doing. I know that Montell is looking forward to seeing me, when I let him last night I told him I would see him today.
Since I didn’t hear from my contact as promised I called the hospital at 8:25 p.m. and asked to speak to the nurse who is taking care of Montell. She told me that she had been told to check him every hour and that she had just turned him form one side to the other. She stated that she was not told to call me, but had let Montell know that I would be there tomorrow. I asked for his vitals and she gave them to me from 5 p.m. His blood pressure was 95 over 60, pulse 95, respiration 22, oxygen level 96 and his temperature was 99.2.
12/18/07 – I arrived at the hospital at 2:45 p.m. Montell was lying on his right side. When he saw me he wanted me to put his left hand on his shoulder and the right hand down by his side so that he could touch the mattress. Today Montell was frustrated, he kept whining. I asked him if he felt well and he indicated that he didn’t. He wanted me to put the edge of the sheet his mouth and he wanted me to turn him to his left side but I was told by the nurse that they had turned him about an hour ago. Montell kept indicating that his right hip was hurting. I know that he doesn’t like lying on his right side and I told him that he had to wait because we want the bedsores on both sides of him to heal. I asked him to please lie on that side for one more hour and he nodded “yes”. The nurse came in and showed me how to do range of motion with his left arm. However, Montell didn’t want me to do it and started whining. The nurse told me that she had been doing this with him. Montell started whining again because he wanted his hands placed on his shoulders.
The wound care nurse came in to clean out his wounds and redress them. I noticed that the wound on his left feet isn’t healing very well, it seems to have an infection in it. As she was cleaning it out he started moaning. However, the other wounds seem to be doing better they look than last week. Montell wanted his right hand put by his side. I told him that he could do that his self, he motioned to me that he wanted me to do it. I did. However, I’m trying to encourage him to do as much as he can for himself. I don’t want the right arm to get like the left arm. After I moved the arm he drifted off to sleep. While he was sleeping I noticed that he was having spasms frequently and was moaning but still asleep.
About 45 minutes later he woke up and wanted me to cover up his hand, however, he kept taking the sheet off. He couldn’t decide whether he wanted his right hand on the pillow or touching the mattress besides his body. He finally decided to put in under the pillow. Then he wanted me to move his legs and pulled the pillow down so that it would separate his feet also. Montell decided that he wanted his palm of his left hand to touch the mattress. Later on he wanted me to cover up his right hand.
I went to the nurses’ station at 4:30 p.m. to get Montell’s vitals and the nurse told me she would be in to take them. Montell’s vitals are: blood pressure 121 over 74, pulse 106, respiration 22, oxygen level 99, temperature 99.8 and his blood sugar 107.
Montell started moaning again and I saw a tear coming from his right eye. He let me know that the spasms were hurting him. A nurse came in and I asked about her when he would be getting his Baclofin and she told me at 5:00 p.m. Montell wanted me to put his right hand under the pillow again. Through the ABCs Montell let me know something was wrong with his throat. I couldn’t get him to tell me anything else before his whole body started shaking. I immediately lifted his head by hand not remembering that he has buttons on his bed for doing that and asked the guard to ring the cal button for a nurse. The nurse came in and Montell settled down. It was was time for me to leave him so I told him that I would see him tomorrow. I called the hospital later to see how he was doing and was told that he was fine.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
UPDATE ON MAIL SITUATION AND MY VISIT WITH MONTELL
12/17/07 – This afternoon I called the hospital and asked to speak to person in charge of receiving the mail for the seventh floor and the fact that Montell wasn't receiving his mail. She told me that she was not the person who handles the mail and that I had been misinformed. However, they do have a person who does work in conjunction with the IDOC when it comes to mail being sent to inmates while they are hospitalized. I understand that the IDOC wants all mail that’s sent to inmates there to be sent to the facility that the inmates are housed at and then they will deliver the mail to the inmates. I told her that at the present time Montell is not in any facility. At this particular time I’m asking that all mail be sent to: Montell Johnson, B-61337, Stateville Correctional Center, P.O. Box 112, Joliet, IL 60434 and lets see if he then receives his mail.
She explained to me that she works with patients and their families and if they have any concerns about the care given to them in the hospital that its her job to check into the matter and get it resolved. I told her that my main concern was that I didn’t want Montell to get re-infected in his bedsores or any more bedsores and that was why I was concerned about him lying in his urine or feces. She assured me that the hospital doesn’t want this to happen either and would take all precautions to see that this doesn’t happen. She’s checking my concerns out now.
I don’t want her or anyone else to think that the hospital isn’t taking good care of Montell or can’t. However, his case is different, he’s unable to ring the call button or tell anyone when something is wrong. I realized that they have other patients that are ill as well but Montell’s needs to be watched more closely and turned within a two-hour timeframe in order for him to have his bedsores heal properly and not get any more. I hope that I have cleared this matter up with all of you and I deeply apologize for any misunderstandings or interpretations that you may had after reading what I written on those two days about Montell’s care while in the hospital.
Now let’s get to my visit with Montell today. I arrived at the hospital at 4:45 p.m. and when I entered Montell’s room he was lying on his right side in a fetal position. When he saw me he wanted to do the ABCx. He spelled out “turn”.. I told him to let me take off my coat and I would turn him to his left side. The guard told me that the nurse had turned him at 3:30 p.m. and had asked him to let me know that when he needed to be turned or anything to let them know and they would do it. I tried to explain this to Montell and he got upset with me and closed his eyes and wouldn’t response to anything that I said to him. I noticed that he was having spasms. Montell had his right hand on his shoulder and his left hand laying across his chest and he drifted off to sleep. I noticed that while sleep he kept pulling his facial hairs. Montell started moaning in his sleep and opened and shut his eyes again. I asked why was he moaning and he pointed to his left side indicating that he wanted to be turned.
At 5:30 p.m. a nurse came in to turn him to his left side and Montell drifted back off to sleep. I asked her for his 3:30 p.m. vital check. She told me that his blood pressure was 106 over 76, pulse 97, respiration 18, temperature 99.0, oxygen level 100 and blood sugar count 114.
After the nurse turned him he drifted off to sleep until 6:48 p.m. and he opened and shut his eyes
At 7:35 p.m. the nurse came back in and turned him to his right side and he drifted off to sleep again or had his eyes shut. At 7:45 p.m. a nurse came in to take his vitals. His blood pressure was 87 over 55, pulse 90, respiration 19, temperature 99.2 and oxygen level 100. I told him that I would soon have to be leaving and he nodded. When it was time to leave I told him that I loved him and would see him tomorrow.
She explained to me that she works with patients and their families and if they have any concerns about the care given to them in the hospital that its her job to check into the matter and get it resolved. I told her that my main concern was that I didn’t want Montell to get re-infected in his bedsores or any more bedsores and that was why I was concerned about him lying in his urine or feces. She assured me that the hospital doesn’t want this to happen either and would take all precautions to see that this doesn’t happen. She’s checking my concerns out now.
I don’t want her or anyone else to think that the hospital isn’t taking good care of Montell or can’t. However, his case is different, he’s unable to ring the call button or tell anyone when something is wrong. I realized that they have other patients that are ill as well but Montell’s needs to be watched more closely and turned within a two-hour timeframe in order for him to have his bedsores heal properly and not get any more. I hope that I have cleared this matter up with all of you and I deeply apologize for any misunderstandings or interpretations that you may had after reading what I written on those two days about Montell’s care while in the hospital.
Now let’s get to my visit with Montell today. I arrived at the hospital at 4:45 p.m. and when I entered Montell’s room he was lying on his right side in a fetal position. When he saw me he wanted to do the ABCx. He spelled out “turn”.. I told him to let me take off my coat and I would turn him to his left side. The guard told me that the nurse had turned him at 3:30 p.m. and had asked him to let me know that when he needed to be turned or anything to let them know and they would do it. I tried to explain this to Montell and he got upset with me and closed his eyes and wouldn’t response to anything that I said to him. I noticed that he was having spasms. Montell had his right hand on his shoulder and his left hand laying across his chest and he drifted off to sleep. I noticed that while sleep he kept pulling his facial hairs. Montell started moaning in his sleep and opened and shut his eyes again. I asked why was he moaning and he pointed to his left side indicating that he wanted to be turned.
At 5:30 p.m. a nurse came in to turn him to his left side and Montell drifted back off to sleep. I asked her for his 3:30 p.m. vital check. She told me that his blood pressure was 106 over 76, pulse 97, respiration 18, temperature 99.0, oxygen level 100 and blood sugar count 114.
After the nurse turned him he drifted off to sleep until 6:48 p.m. and he opened and shut his eyes
At 7:35 p.m. the nurse came back in and turned him to his right side and he drifted off to sleep again or had his eyes shut. At 7:45 p.m. a nurse came in to take his vitals. His blood pressure was 87 over 55, pulse 90, respiration 19, temperature 99.2 and oxygen level 100. I told him that I would soon have to be leaving and he nodded. When it was time to leave I told him that I loved him and would see him tomorrow.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
MY VISIT WITH MONTELL TODAY
12/16/07 – Montell was lying on his right side when I arrived at 1:45 p.m. he was asleep. He woke up as soon as he heard my voice and pointed toward the guard. He wanted me to pull his sheet up around his shoulder and then he went back to sleep but was moaning. I asked him what was wrong and through the ABCs he told me “nothing” and drifted back off to sleep. While he was sleeping I noticed that he was having a few spasms
Montell woke back up and wanted a towel, I put a small cloth in his right hand and he began wiping his lips and face. He then wanted me to pull the sheet up around his shoulders and he drifted back off to sleep. When he woke up he wanted me to turn him to his left side. As I was turning him I noticed that he was lying in his feces again today. I put the call button on for a nurse and when she came in she stated that they had washed him up about three hours ago. I wonder how long has he been lying in his feces. They should be turning him every two hours. They had Montell cleaned up by 2:50 p.m. and he just laid there. One of the nurses dumped his output, it was 1,125 cc. When they left he wanted me to put his right and left hands on each shoulder, I did. I then asked him if he was comfortable and he nodded “yes”. He laid in the bed and watched the football game for awhile. He started moaning again, his right hand had fell from his shoulder and he wanted me to put it back, I did.
At 3:40 p.m. a nurse came in to take his vitals. His temperature was 97. blood pressure 105 over 70, respiration 22, pulse 105 and oxygen level 99. When she left Montell wanted me to put both his hands on his shoulders again and he wanted me to cover them up. His feeding tube started beeping at 4:38 p.m. and I put on the call button and someone answer it and told me they would be in. When I left to go get something to eat at 5 p.m., no one had came into the room. When I returned at 5:50 p.m., the feeding machine was operating properly. Montell wanted me to turn him to his right side, I cleaned his nose and then he drifted off to sleep. Montell woke back up at 6:28 p.m. and wanted me to put his left hand back on his shoulder. He also wanted me to move his legs to the left of the bed. When I went to pick him up and reposition him, I noticed that the white part of the pad that was lying under him was stuck to the ulcer on his right foot. I pushed the call button to tell them but got no answer so I walked to the nurses’ desk to tell them. The nurse told me that she would be there in a few minutes. She came into the room at 6:40 p.m. by that time I had already pulled Montell up higher in the bed and placed a pillow under his head. She cleaned up the wound and put some gauze and taped on it and left. Montell drifted off to sleep for a few minutes but was woken up because he started having spasms frequently. Montell then wanted me to pull his body to the left of the bed so that he could be in the middle, I did. He drifted back off to sleep for a few minutes and woke back up and wanted me to place his left hand back on his shoulder, I did. Montell drifted back off to sleep.
Two nurses came in at 7:50 p.m. and I told them that Montell was having spasms frequently and wanted to know when he would be getting his Baclofin. One of the nurses told me that he had been given it at 2 p.m. and wasn’t due for anymore until 10 p.m. I told her that didn’t happened because I was there at 2 p.m. and no one came in and gave him anything. She then told me that she would give it to him at 9 p.m. It was time for me to leave so I told Montell that I loved him and would see him tomorrow. He nodded his head and waved “goodbye” with his right hand. I intend to the hospital tomorrow and talk to the doctor about him not being turned every two hours and not receiving his Baclofin today.
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Montell woke back up and wanted a towel, I put a small cloth in his right hand and he began wiping his lips and face. He then wanted me to pull the sheet up around his shoulders and he drifted back off to sleep. When he woke up he wanted me to turn him to his left side. As I was turning him I noticed that he was lying in his feces again today. I put the call button on for a nurse and when she came in she stated that they had washed him up about three hours ago. I wonder how long has he been lying in his feces. They should be turning him every two hours. They had Montell cleaned up by 2:50 p.m. and he just laid there. One of the nurses dumped his output, it was 1,125 cc. When they left he wanted me to put his right and left hands on each shoulder, I did. I then asked him if he was comfortable and he nodded “yes”. He laid in the bed and watched the football game for awhile. He started moaning again, his right hand had fell from his shoulder and he wanted me to put it back, I did.
At 3:40 p.m. a nurse came in to take his vitals. His temperature was 97. blood pressure 105 over 70, respiration 22, pulse 105 and oxygen level 99. When she left Montell wanted me to put both his hands on his shoulders again and he wanted me to cover them up. His feeding tube started beeping at 4:38 p.m. and I put on the call button and someone answer it and told me they would be in. When I left to go get something to eat at 5 p.m., no one had came into the room. When I returned at 5:50 p.m., the feeding machine was operating properly. Montell wanted me to turn him to his right side, I cleaned his nose and then he drifted off to sleep. Montell woke back up at 6:28 p.m. and wanted me to put his left hand back on his shoulder. He also wanted me to move his legs to the left of the bed. When I went to pick him up and reposition him, I noticed that the white part of the pad that was lying under him was stuck to the ulcer on his right foot. I pushed the call button to tell them but got no answer so I walked to the nurses’ desk to tell them. The nurse told me that she would be there in a few minutes. She came into the room at 6:40 p.m. by that time I had already pulled Montell up higher in the bed and placed a pillow under his head. She cleaned up the wound and put some gauze and taped on it and left. Montell drifted off to sleep for a few minutes but was woken up because he started having spasms frequently. Montell then wanted me to pull his body to the left of the bed so that he could be in the middle, I did. He drifted back off to sleep for a few minutes and woke back up and wanted me to place his left hand back on his shoulder, I did. Montell drifted back off to sleep.
Two nurses came in at 7:50 p.m. and I told them that Montell was having spasms frequently and wanted to know when he would be getting his Baclofin. One of the nurses told me that he had been given it at 2 p.m. and wasn’t due for anymore until 10 p.m. I told her that didn’t happened because I was there at 2 p.m. and no one came in and gave him anything. She then told me that she would give it to him at 9 p.m. It was time for me to leave so I told Montell that I loved him and would see him tomorrow. He nodded his head and waved “goodbye” with his right hand. I intend to the hospital tomorrow and talk to the doctor about him not being turned every two hours and not receiving his Baclofin today.
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Saturday, December 15, 2007
MONTELL NOT FEELING WELL TODAY. VERY AGITATED.
12/15/07 – I arrived at the hospital at 5:25 p.m., I found Montell lying on his right side in a fetal position. Montell was whining and he seemed very agitated. When he saw me he wanted me to pull his sheet up and he let me know that he was cold and wanted a blanket. I rung his call button to ask for a blanket since there was none in the room. Montell let me know at 5:35 p.m. that he was wet. I went to the nurses’ station to let them know. The nurses came in at 5:45 p.m. and we found out that he was lying in his feces. The rectum tube has been removed. I asked why and the nurse told me that his stool was too hard to go through the tube. I don’t know how long he had been lying in that. Evidently, some must have gotten into his bedsores because they cleaned the areas and put some more gauze and tape over the opened wounds. He has two on his right hip and one going across his rectum. That must have been painful for him. Montell was given Baclofin at 6:05 p.m. and at that time he was having spasms frequently. Before they left they turned him to his left side.
Montell indicated to me that he wanted his right hand on his shoulder, I placed it there for him. Then he wanted me to pull his legs and feet to his right. He wanted his blanket pulled down. Montell wanted me to cover up both his hands while they were lying on his shoulders. I asked him if he had seen the doctor today and he nodded “yes”. Montell let me know that he wanted me to take the pillow from his head and place it under his left leg. I have noticed that if Montell’s leg is laid on top of a pillow no matter which leg is next to the bed and a pillow placed between them and his feet he doesn’t have as many spasms. He can’t have his legs and feet touching each other because of that. Montell later wanted to hold his left hand on his shoulder, I placed it there and then he started yawning. After awhile he let me know that he wanted his left hand to touch the mattress and his right hand to touch his pillow.
Montell wanted me to pull him up higher in the bed, I did. Montell through the ABCs spelled out “what’s up” and looked over at the guard. I didn’t answer him but I pray to God everyday that he would touch these people’s hearts and they let Montell along. Montell isn’t any harm to anyone and the guards being there is psychologically doing more damage, haven’t they done enough to him already? There is no need for them to even be there, Montell is not going to walk or fly off anywhere. He constantly watches them. I wish he could tell me why?
Montell then through the ABCs asked what day was it. I told him Saturday, December 15th and he nodded. Montell through the ABCs spelled “why” and looked at the guard again. The guard was sitting quietly on his left side by the wall and then Montell started whining and drifted off to sleep for about ten minutes. During that time I went to the nurses’ station to speak with his nurse and get his vitals. Montell’s temperature was 99, pulse 88, respiration 22, blood pressure 114 over 73, oxygen 99 and his output for the day was 2,000. These vitals were taken at 3:30 p.m.
Montell woke up and kept rubbing his face. He wants to be shaved. I called Warden Wright on Monday, December 10th and asked if they could do this. I was told that they could trim his facial hairs down a little but not entirely because it would distort his appearance. I wonder how would they like to look like he does now. When Montell was able to take care of himself, he was neat. The worst I’ve ever seen him in his life is since he’s had to depend on others to take care of his hygiene needs. He also needs some deodorant and I’m not permitted to bring him any and the IDOC hasn’t provided any.
Later on Montell let me know that he wanted his left hand on the mattress again. He lies in the bed just staring at the guard and then looking at me. He’s uncomfortable having these guards there and it hurts me to see my child hurting. Montell then placed his right and left hands on his shoulder and then drifted off to sleep for about ten minutes. He woke up and wanted me to pull him up higher in the bed, when I did this he started whining again. I asked him why and he let me know that he wasn’t feeling well. I let Montell know that I would soon have to leave and told him that I loved him and would be back tomorrow after mother and I got out of church. I don’t know how people could be so insensitive and heartless, why can’t they let Montell live his remaining days in dignity and leave him alone.
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Montell indicated to me that he wanted his right hand on his shoulder, I placed it there for him. Then he wanted me to pull his legs and feet to his right. He wanted his blanket pulled down. Montell wanted me to cover up both his hands while they were lying on his shoulders. I asked him if he had seen the doctor today and he nodded “yes”. Montell let me know that he wanted me to take the pillow from his head and place it under his left leg. I have noticed that if Montell’s leg is laid on top of a pillow no matter which leg is next to the bed and a pillow placed between them and his feet he doesn’t have as many spasms. He can’t have his legs and feet touching each other because of that. Montell later wanted to hold his left hand on his shoulder, I placed it there and then he started yawning. After awhile he let me know that he wanted his left hand to touch the mattress and his right hand to touch his pillow.
Montell wanted me to pull him up higher in the bed, I did. Montell through the ABCs spelled out “what’s up” and looked over at the guard. I didn’t answer him but I pray to God everyday that he would touch these people’s hearts and they let Montell along. Montell isn’t any harm to anyone and the guards being there is psychologically doing more damage, haven’t they done enough to him already? There is no need for them to even be there, Montell is not going to walk or fly off anywhere. He constantly watches them. I wish he could tell me why?
Montell then through the ABCs asked what day was it. I told him Saturday, December 15th and he nodded. Montell through the ABCs spelled “why” and looked at the guard again. The guard was sitting quietly on his left side by the wall and then Montell started whining and drifted off to sleep for about ten minutes. During that time I went to the nurses’ station to speak with his nurse and get his vitals. Montell’s temperature was 99, pulse 88, respiration 22, blood pressure 114 over 73, oxygen 99 and his output for the day was 2,000. These vitals were taken at 3:30 p.m.
Montell woke up and kept rubbing his face. He wants to be shaved. I called Warden Wright on Monday, December 10th and asked if they could do this. I was told that they could trim his facial hairs down a little but not entirely because it would distort his appearance. I wonder how would they like to look like he does now. When Montell was able to take care of himself, he was neat. The worst I’ve ever seen him in his life is since he’s had to depend on others to take care of his hygiene needs. He also needs some deodorant and I’m not permitted to bring him any and the IDOC hasn’t provided any.
Later on Montell let me know that he wanted his left hand on the mattress again. He lies in the bed just staring at the guard and then looking at me. He’s uncomfortable having these guards there and it hurts me to see my child hurting. Montell then placed his right and left hands on his shoulder and then drifted off to sleep for about ten minutes. He woke up and wanted me to pull him up higher in the bed, when I did this he started whining again. I asked him why and he let me know that he wasn’t feeling well. I let Montell know that I would soon have to leave and told him that I loved him and would be back tomorrow after mother and I got out of church. I don’t know how people could be so insensitive and heartless, why can’t they let Montell live his remaining days in dignity and leave him alone.
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Friday, December 14, 2007
DAMETRA AND I VISITED WITH MONTELL TODAY
12/14/07 – Today I arrived at the hospital at 12:45 p.m. and Dametra was already there. When I got to Montell’s room I noticed that he was quite agitated and wanted to know why? Dametra told me that she got there at 11 a.m. and that Montell had been lying in his feces since 11:30 a.m. She told me that she had rung the call button three or four times since that time and nobody came into the room to clean him up. There wasn’t any draw sheets, pads or gowns and she would have done it herself except for that. She told me that a nurse had came in and told her that she was getting a patient ready for surgery and that she had four other patients. Dametra told me that it doesn’t take that long to prepare a patient for surgery. The nurse had told her that she needed to order a rectum tube and Dametra said that she told her that they should always keep an extra rectum tube and Texas catheter in the room with Montell since they know that they are capable of coming off. She should know because she works in the medical field. At l:30 p.m. a nurse came in to give Montell some more IV and his antibodies. I told her and she went out and got what she needed to clean him up. She also dumped his output and he had 450 cc. I thanked her for cleaning Montell up. When she left Montell told me through the ABCs that nobody does any work and drifted off to sleep
When Montell woke up he wanted his left hand raised up. At 3:50 p.m. a nurse came in to take his vitals. His temperature was 97.6, blood pressure 110/69, pulse 100, oxygen level 99 and respiration 99. At 4:05 p.m. Montell told me that he had urinated on himself even though he has on a Texas catheter. I push the call button however, no one came into the room until 4:40 p.m. The nurse came in and even though I had told them that Montell was wet, she had to go back out and get the things to change the bed. In the process of changing him she flipped him over and his forehead hit the bed railing. After she left out the room Montell told me through the ABCs to “let’s go.” Lord, I hope and pray that I will be able to take him home and take care of him myself.
I asked Montell if he had seen the doctor today and he nodded his head up and down, indicating “yes”. Montell drifted off to sleep for a little while and he when he woke up he wanted to be moved to the center of the bed. Later on he wanted me to place his left hand on his shoulder and cover him up with the sheet only. I told Montell that I was going to get me something to eat because I began to get a headache at 5:45 p.m.
When I arrived back in his room at 6:30 p.m. Montell was irritable and through the ABCs let me know that he wanted us to go again. Montell then wanted me to put the pillow his head was on down so that his shoulder and head were both on the pillow. I later noticed that he was having spasms frequently and he was crying. He wanted me to take his left hand and put it up so he could hold the pillow and he wanted me to cover him up. At 7:l5 p.m. the IV machine started buzzing and I rung the button to inform them. You would not believe that no one came in before I left at 8 p.m. I decided to turn Montell to his left side at 7:30 p.m. and make sure that he was comfortable before I had to leave. I asked him if he was comfortable and he nodded “yes”. I told Montell that if he drifted off to sleep before I left that I would see him tomorrow and told him that I loved him. I asked him if he loved me and he nodded “yes”. When I left Montell was sleep.
This morning I called the hospital to find out why Montell wasn’t getting any mail. I left a message for the supervisor, telling him that its illegal to fool with U.S. Mail. He called me back while I was at the hospital on my home phone and left a message telling me that he delivers the mail to 7 East to be delivered to patients and that Montell's mail should be with her. I then called the hospital and was told that the person I needed to talk with wouldn’t be in until Monday however, a clerk told me that they have a procedure. I will call her the first thing Monday morning about this matter.
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When Montell woke up he wanted his left hand raised up. At 3:50 p.m. a nurse came in to take his vitals. His temperature was 97.6, blood pressure 110/69, pulse 100, oxygen level 99 and respiration 99. At 4:05 p.m. Montell told me that he had urinated on himself even though he has on a Texas catheter. I push the call button however, no one came into the room until 4:40 p.m. The nurse came in and even though I had told them that Montell was wet, she had to go back out and get the things to change the bed. In the process of changing him she flipped him over and his forehead hit the bed railing. After she left out the room Montell told me through the ABCs to “let’s go.” Lord, I hope and pray that I will be able to take him home and take care of him myself.
I asked Montell if he had seen the doctor today and he nodded his head up and down, indicating “yes”. Montell drifted off to sleep for a little while and he when he woke up he wanted to be moved to the center of the bed. Later on he wanted me to place his left hand on his shoulder and cover him up with the sheet only. I told Montell that I was going to get me something to eat because I began to get a headache at 5:45 p.m.
When I arrived back in his room at 6:30 p.m. Montell was irritable and through the ABCs let me know that he wanted us to go again. Montell then wanted me to put the pillow his head was on down so that his shoulder and head were both on the pillow. I later noticed that he was having spasms frequently and he was crying. He wanted me to take his left hand and put it up so he could hold the pillow and he wanted me to cover him up. At 7:l5 p.m. the IV machine started buzzing and I rung the button to inform them. You would not believe that no one came in before I left at 8 p.m. I decided to turn Montell to his left side at 7:30 p.m. and make sure that he was comfortable before I had to leave. I asked him if he was comfortable and he nodded “yes”. I told Montell that if he drifted off to sleep before I left that I would see him tomorrow and told him that I loved him. I asked him if he loved me and he nodded “yes”. When I left Montell was sleep.
This morning I called the hospital to find out why Montell wasn’t getting any mail. I left a message for the supervisor, telling him that its illegal to fool with U.S. Mail. He called me back while I was at the hospital on my home phone and left a message telling me that he delivers the mail to 7 East to be delivered to patients and that Montell's mail should be with her. I then called the hospital and was told that the person I needed to talk with wouldn’t be in until Monday however, a clerk told me that they have a procedure. I will call her the first thing Monday morning about this matter.
.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
MY VISITS WITH MONTELL - DECEMBER 3RD. THROUGH DECEMBER 13TH..
12/13/07 – Today when I arrived at the hospital Montell was lying on his left side in a fetal position. He was upset; the guard told me that he had been down for a procedure. I felt his forehead and right hand and they were cold. He settled down about 15 minutes later. He had his gown down on his left shoulder so I pulled it back up on him. Montell was trying to talk today, you could understand some things but his words became slurred the more he tried to talk. The nurse came in and took his vitals at 3:30 p.m. His blood pressure was 101/61 temperature 97.8, pulse 84, respiration 16 and oxygen level 100. His output was 350 cc and a light yellow.
Montell kept having me do the ABCs and he kept spelling out his gown was inside. I noticed that he was having spasms frequently. Montell wanted to know what time I was leaving and I told him 8 p.m., he nodded. Montell wanted me to put the edge of the sheet in his mouth. I turned Montell over on his right side at 5 p.m. and he drifted off to sleep. When I saw the nurse I asked her what kind of test did Montell have and she told me that he had a “Lower Extremity Venus Dopler Study” to check the circulation in his legs. Montell woke up and wanted me to put his hand in the hold in the bed railing. I turned Montell to his left side at 7 p.m. and pulled him up in the bed higher. Montell drifted off to sleep. He woke up and I told him I had to leave but I would see him tomorrow.
12/12/07 – Today I arrived at the hospital at 12 p.m. and Montell was lying in a fetal position on his left side. I felt his forehead and right hand and they were a little warm, his complexion was normal and he was having spasms. The guard told me that I only could stay two hours and I had to leave for an hour and come back. I told him that I didn’t do this because I needed to be there to interact with the doctors and nurses. He called Stateville and they told him that he was right. I told him he needed to call Warden Wright and get so that he would know that I was telling him the truth. Montell’s first question for me while I was doing the ABCs was “Why does he have a guard?” Montell wanted me to place his head in the center of the pillow. Montell let me know that he wanted his right shoulder covered up. Montell wanted me to pulled him up in the bed and place him in the center of it after that he drifted off to sleep. Dr. Bryant came in and told me that Montell was a little dehydrated and didn’t seem to have any infection. He asked me if Montell had been coughing and I said “no”. However, later on when Montell woke up he started coughing. The nurse came in at 2:55 p.m. and gave him some Baclofin for his spasms and he drifted back off to sleep.
I turned Montell to his right side at 3:55 p.m. His bed is higher now because they say this would keep him for aspirating because of the feeding tube. Montell drifted back off t sleep. The nurse came in at 3:20 p.m. and took his vitals. His blood pressure was 99/66, pulse, 103, respiration 105 and oxygen level 100. I left Montell to go get something to eat because I realized that I hadn’t eaten very much this morning. When I returned Montell was moaning. He immediately stopped when he noticed that I was back in the room with him and drifted off to sleep. When I started turning Montell over to his left side I noticed that his gown was wet from top to bottom. I had to ring for a nurse. She came in noticed that his IV was out left and came back with another one and left again and told me she was going to get some new bedding and gown. She came back 25 minutes later with another nurse but by this time Montell had started moaning and coughing again. When they finished cleaning Montell up he drifted back off to sleep. I felt his forehead and it was quite warm. Montell woke up at 7:30 p.m. because he was having severe spasms. I noticed that they had put his right leg on top of his left leg without a pillow between his legs. I immediately put a pillow between his legs and the spasms stopped. When it was time for me to leave I told Montell that I would see him tomorrow.
12/11/07 – I called Stateville this morning spoke with Dawn about getting Montell a haircut, shaved and some deodorant. I was told that they couldn’t shave him because it would alter his appearance but they would cut the facial hair down some. As far as the deodorant I was told to notify the hospital because I am not allowed to bring any. I asked Dawn to have the Warden Wright call me.
When I arrived at the hospital Montell was lying on his left side. I felt his forehead and it was warm, his right hand was cold, however, I could tell that he wasn’t feeling well. Montell was upset because they had inserted a rectum tube in him and he immediately let me know that he wanted me to take it out. I tried to explain to him why it was there and that I couldn’t remove it and he began to cry. He kept telling to get it out through the ABCs. I also noticed that he was receiving IV again and was told that was because he was dehydrated again and not urinating as he normally does. His output today was only 350 cc.
I noticed that the blood blister on his left arm seems to have dried up. Montell kept trying to reach the left railing and I offered to help him but he was mad at me because I wouldn’t remove the rectum tube and didn’t want my help. He eventually drifted off to sleep for about 40 minutes. A nurse came in to take his vitals and work him up at 5:25 p.m. His blood pressure was 101/65, his pulse was 112 and his oxygen level was 99. She told me that she was concerned because at 3:30 p.m. his blood pressure was 89/58 and that she might have to call the doctor to report it. After she left Montell drifted off to sleep again. The nurse came back into the room at 6:30 p.m. and turned Montell to his right side. I noticed that the bedsore on the right side of his hip now have a bandage on it. She told me that the wound care specialist had cleaned this area out today. When she left Montell drifted off to sleep again. Later on a lab technician came in to draw some blood from him and he drifted off to sleep again. The nurse came back at 7:45 p.m. and took his vitals again. This time his blood pressure was 88/66 in his left arm so she took it from his right arm and it was 94/70, his temperature was 99.1 his pulse was 108 and his oxygen level was 99. When I got ready to leave for the evening I had to wake him up and let him know that I was leaving. I told him that I would see him tomorrow.
12/10/07 – When I arrived Montell was lying on his left side in a fetal position. I noticed that his complexion was darker and his forehead and right hand felt warm to me. Montell was having spasms frequently. Montell wanted me to put hte edge of his sheet into his mouth and then he started crying about his left hand. He wanted me to reposition it for him. Montell wanted to old the television remote in his right hand when actually its too heavy for him to hold so I held it and pretended that he was doing it by himself. The nurse came in at 3:35 p.m. and took his vitals. His blood pressure was 103/68, his temperature was 99.8, pulse, 04 and oxygen level was 98. I was told that Montell was sleeping quite a bit today. I noticed that he wasn’t very active. I had to leave him in order to attend a meeting so I told him that I would see him tomorrow and kissed him on the forehead and left.
12/9/07 – When I arrived Montell was lying on his right side. He wanted to be placed into he center of the bed. Montell forehead and right hand were cold; however, he let me know that he was feeling well. Montell wanted to be moved to his left side at 3 p.m. The nurse came in and took his vitals at 3:335 p.m. His blood pressure was 90/60, pulse 96, oxygen level was 99. When she left Motell drifted off to sleep for little while. When he woke up he wanted me to turn him to his right side and then Montell drifted off to sleep again. Later on the nurse came in to give him some Baclofin and he drifted off again. Around 7:30 p.m. I woke him up again so that I could turn him left side and make sure he was clean before I left. I told him that I would see him tomorrow.
12/8/07 – When I arrived at Montell was lying on his left side. He was verbal for awhile today, Montell said that he likes laying on his left side. I noticed that he has no IV today. He told me that he was sore and asked me not to touch him. He was having spasms rapidly. I asked him if he had seen the Dr. Falck and Diane, the medical student today and he nodded “yes”. Montell then drifted off to sleep. When he woke up he wanted the call button, which is difficult for him to hold in his right hand but I gave it to him and held it as well. He then wanted me to reposition his body so that he would be in the middle of the bed, I did. He then drifted off to sleep. The nurse came in at 3 p.m. to take his vitals. His blood pressure was 103/69, temperature 96.4, pulse 78, respiration 20 and oxygen level 96. Dianne the medical student came in to check the blood blister on his left arm and said that there shouldn’t have been any gauze put on it and she remove it. The blood blister looks like an upside down “V” or a lopped sided “7”.
After she left Montell wanted me to reposition him and put him in the center of the bed. Montell also let me know that he was cold. When I went to change Montell to his right side at 5:45 p.m. I found out that he was wet. I rung for a nurse because his “Texas Catheter” had came off. The nurse came in and put another one on him. Montell drifted off to sleep. The nurse came back in at 7:45 p.m. to take his vitals. His blood pressure was 86/61, pulse 68, and oxygen level was 97. I’ve got to find out why Montell didn’t get anything to eat by mouth today. I kissed Montell on the forehead and told him I would see him tomorrow.
12/7/07 -- When I arrived at the hospital Montell was lying on his right side. I felt his forehead and right hand and they weren’t warm. Montell’s left hand is not swollen today. I was able to get Montell to eat 4 ounces of the Thicken Easy Orange Juice. He wanted me to remove all his pillows from the bed. Montell wanted me to turn the ceiling lights out. He wanted me to position him so that he could lay directly on his back I told him that I couldn’t because of the bed sore that’s on his back above his rectum. He started crying and moaning because he started having spasms. Montell let me know that he wanted his hair cut and to be shaved. I told him that I would see about getting this done. I noticed that there was something on Montell’s left arm. I thought that it could have been some blood or some of his breakfast on him. So I went into the washroom and wet a towel to wipe it off. I gently rubbed him but nothing came off on the towel. I rung for a nurse. Dianne the medical student told me that it looked like a blood blister. She cleaned it and put a bandage on it and said she would have Dr. Falck look at it. I noticed that Montell wasn’t getting IV any more.
A nurse came in at 5:20 p.m. to take his vitals. His blood pressure was 93/62, pulse 7l, oxygen level 99 and temperature 98.6. After she left Montell started vomiting something yellow. I had to sit him up in the bed. Montell then let me know that he wanted his left hand on his shoulder. He started have severe spasms around 5:30 p.m. Montell then wanted his left hand to go into the hole in the bed railing but it wouldn’t reach the bed railing because his left arm is contracted. He then wanted me to place it on his shoulder. Montell let me feed him four ounces of vanilla ice cream. I was almost time for me to leave so I turned Montell on his left side and told him that I would see him tomorrow.
12/6/07 – When I arrived today, Montell was lying on his back asleep. He woke up and saw me and drifted back off to sleep. His forehead and right hand were cold. Dianne the medical student came in to examine Montell. He told her “no” I told him that she had to do it and he agreed to let her do it. Montell seems to be coming down with a cold; he coughed five time within an hour time. Dr. Falck came in and wanted to examine his lungs, he refused and I told me she had too and he agreed to let her do it. After she left Montell wanted to be covered up. He kept letting me know that he wanted some food. He had me saying the ABCs and he drifted off to sleep. The officers being in the room seem to be upsetting Montell. He constantly watches whoever is in the room. The nurse came in to take Montell’s vitals. His blood pressure was 99/56, his temperature 98.1, pulse 89, oxygen level 100, respiration 20, blood sugar 100 and output 320 cc.
12/5/07 – When I arrived at the hospital Montell was lying on his left side and was asleep. When he woke up he wanted me to move his left and right legs over and cover him up. He later wanted me to put his head in the middle of the pillow. Then he wanted me to wipe his lips with a towel even though he didn’t have anything on his lips. Montell kept letting me know that he wanted some food by opening his mouth and pointing to it. I told him that he was getting fed but he shook his head “no”. He wants it in his mouth. Later Montell wanted me to move his right foot. I noticed that Montell is not getting IV any more however, he is still receiving the three antibodies, I was told that this was because the infection that he has in the bedsores and ulcers have reached his bones. When it was time to go, I told Montell I would see him tomorrow.
12/4/07 – I arrived at 11:45 a.m. and found Montell lying on his left side in a fetal position. Montell keeps letting me know through the ABCs that he wants some food. Montell was having spasms frequently. The nurse came in and took his vitals. His blood pressure was 108/68, temperature 98.0, pulse 101, respiration 22, oxygen level 98. Montell called out “my hands belong under the cover’ and then he drifted off to sleep. When he woke up he wanted his left hand to hold the pillow. He woke up at 4:50 p.m. moaning, he wanted to be raised to the top of the bed. Dr. Vurn came in and told me that the MRI that Montell had on his head show no new lesions. I asked him if Montell could have some food and he said he would check. When he left Montell wanted his left hand to touch the pillow. I noticed that Montell now has a rectum bag on now. Montell told me that when he needs help the guards wouldn’t help him. I told him to push the red button on the remote. This however, seems to be a problem since most of the time when I walk into the room the guards have the remote instead of Montell. Montell then let me know that he wanted a towel. Montell then wanted his left hand to touch the pillow. Most of the day Montell slept. I had to wake him up and tell him I was leaving but would see him tomorrow.
12/3/07 – Today Sonja called me at 9:30 a.m.from Neurology and told me that the MRI of Montell’s feet showed that the ulcers had extended to the bones. I call Warden Wright at 11:50 a.m. to ask her if I could bring some thermal shirts out to Montell at the hospital because he usually wears them. He stays cold all the time and she told me “no”. If she did this for him she would have to do if for all the inmates. I then explained to her about Montell’s condition and told her that at Dixon he always had on a thermal shirt. I then asked her if he could receive cards to help encourage him to keep on fighting for his life. I received the same answer “no”. She then told me that I couldn’t take anything in to him.
When I arrived at the hospital I heard that the IDOC was planning on taking Montell back to Dixon. Even though this seemed a little strange to me, I immediately contacted my attorney and told him. I didn’t wait this time because I remember what happened the last time he was here. I didn’t understand this move because we were scheduled to be in court in the morning for the judge to rule on what was going to happen to Montell. My attorney told me to go to Medical Records and get his records from November 30th through December 3rd. Ms. Spreights told me that she could release records until a patient was discharged. I told her I needed them for court in the morning. She then told me that she would have to call the hospital attorney because it was not legal to release a patient records while they were in the hospital. I then called my attorney and told him what she had said. She also asked me to have him call her. I decided to wait for awhile before returning to Montell’s room since Medical Records is a block away. Ms. Spreights came back out and told me that she hadn’t heard from her attorney, so I left and returned to Montell’s room. When I got back Montell wanted to be turned to his right side. Later he wanted to be turned to his left side. Montell had a very busy day with all the different teams coming and going. Between each team’s visit he would drift off to sleep. His output was 450 cc however, its still a dark yellow. His forehead and right hand felt warm to me. I understand that the head of general medicine had discharged him so that he could be returned to Dixon but Dr. Falck decided to keep him at the hospital tonight pending the hearing in court tomorrow. When I left the hospital tonight I felt a lots better, this has been a very trying day for us.
Montell kept having me do the ABCs and he kept spelling out his gown was inside. I noticed that he was having spasms frequently. Montell wanted to know what time I was leaving and I told him 8 p.m., he nodded. Montell wanted me to put the edge of the sheet in his mouth. I turned Montell over on his right side at 5 p.m. and he drifted off to sleep. When I saw the nurse I asked her what kind of test did Montell have and she told me that he had a “Lower Extremity Venus Dopler Study” to check the circulation in his legs. Montell woke up and wanted me to put his hand in the hold in the bed railing. I turned Montell to his left side at 7 p.m. and pulled him up in the bed higher. Montell drifted off to sleep. He woke up and I told him I had to leave but I would see him tomorrow.
12/12/07 – Today I arrived at the hospital at 12 p.m. and Montell was lying in a fetal position on his left side. I felt his forehead and right hand and they were a little warm, his complexion was normal and he was having spasms. The guard told me that I only could stay two hours and I had to leave for an hour and come back. I told him that I didn’t do this because I needed to be there to interact with the doctors and nurses. He called Stateville and they told him that he was right. I told him he needed to call Warden Wright and get so that he would know that I was telling him the truth. Montell’s first question for me while I was doing the ABCs was “Why does he have a guard?” Montell wanted me to place his head in the center of the pillow. Montell let me know that he wanted his right shoulder covered up. Montell wanted me to pulled him up in the bed and place him in the center of it after that he drifted off to sleep. Dr. Bryant came in and told me that Montell was a little dehydrated and didn’t seem to have any infection. He asked me if Montell had been coughing and I said “no”. However, later on when Montell woke up he started coughing. The nurse came in at 2:55 p.m. and gave him some Baclofin for his spasms and he drifted back off to sleep.
I turned Montell to his right side at 3:55 p.m. His bed is higher now because they say this would keep him for aspirating because of the feeding tube. Montell drifted back off t sleep. The nurse came in at 3:20 p.m. and took his vitals. His blood pressure was 99/66, pulse, 103, respiration 105 and oxygen level 100. I left Montell to go get something to eat because I realized that I hadn’t eaten very much this morning. When I returned Montell was moaning. He immediately stopped when he noticed that I was back in the room with him and drifted off to sleep. When I started turning Montell over to his left side I noticed that his gown was wet from top to bottom. I had to ring for a nurse. She came in noticed that his IV was out left and came back with another one and left again and told me she was going to get some new bedding and gown. She came back 25 minutes later with another nurse but by this time Montell had started moaning and coughing again. When they finished cleaning Montell up he drifted back off to sleep. I felt his forehead and it was quite warm. Montell woke up at 7:30 p.m. because he was having severe spasms. I noticed that they had put his right leg on top of his left leg without a pillow between his legs. I immediately put a pillow between his legs and the spasms stopped. When it was time for me to leave I told Montell that I would see him tomorrow.
12/11/07 – I called Stateville this morning spoke with Dawn about getting Montell a haircut, shaved and some deodorant. I was told that they couldn’t shave him because it would alter his appearance but they would cut the facial hair down some. As far as the deodorant I was told to notify the hospital because I am not allowed to bring any. I asked Dawn to have the Warden Wright call me.
When I arrived at the hospital Montell was lying on his left side. I felt his forehead and it was warm, his right hand was cold, however, I could tell that he wasn’t feeling well. Montell was upset because they had inserted a rectum tube in him and he immediately let me know that he wanted me to take it out. I tried to explain to him why it was there and that I couldn’t remove it and he began to cry. He kept telling to get it out through the ABCs. I also noticed that he was receiving IV again and was told that was because he was dehydrated again and not urinating as he normally does. His output today was only 350 cc.
I noticed that the blood blister on his left arm seems to have dried up. Montell kept trying to reach the left railing and I offered to help him but he was mad at me because I wouldn’t remove the rectum tube and didn’t want my help. He eventually drifted off to sleep for about 40 minutes. A nurse came in to take his vitals and work him up at 5:25 p.m. His blood pressure was 101/65, his pulse was 112 and his oxygen level was 99. She told me that she was concerned because at 3:30 p.m. his blood pressure was 89/58 and that she might have to call the doctor to report it. After she left Montell drifted off to sleep again. The nurse came back into the room at 6:30 p.m. and turned Montell to his right side. I noticed that the bedsore on the right side of his hip now have a bandage on it. She told me that the wound care specialist had cleaned this area out today. When she left Montell drifted off to sleep again. Later on a lab technician came in to draw some blood from him and he drifted off to sleep again. The nurse came back at 7:45 p.m. and took his vitals again. This time his blood pressure was 88/66 in his left arm so she took it from his right arm and it was 94/70, his temperature was 99.1 his pulse was 108 and his oxygen level was 99. When I got ready to leave for the evening I had to wake him up and let him know that I was leaving. I told him that I would see him tomorrow.
12/10/07 – When I arrived Montell was lying on his left side in a fetal position. I noticed that his complexion was darker and his forehead and right hand felt warm to me. Montell was having spasms frequently. Montell wanted me to put hte edge of his sheet into his mouth and then he started crying about his left hand. He wanted me to reposition it for him. Montell wanted to old the television remote in his right hand when actually its too heavy for him to hold so I held it and pretended that he was doing it by himself. The nurse came in at 3:35 p.m. and took his vitals. His blood pressure was 103/68, his temperature was 99.8, pulse, 04 and oxygen level was 98. I was told that Montell was sleeping quite a bit today. I noticed that he wasn’t very active. I had to leave him in order to attend a meeting so I told him that I would see him tomorrow and kissed him on the forehead and left.
12/9/07 – When I arrived Montell was lying on his right side. He wanted to be placed into he center of the bed. Montell forehead and right hand were cold; however, he let me know that he was feeling well. Montell wanted to be moved to his left side at 3 p.m. The nurse came in and took his vitals at 3:335 p.m. His blood pressure was 90/60, pulse 96, oxygen level was 99. When she left Motell drifted off to sleep for little while. When he woke up he wanted me to turn him to his right side and then Montell drifted off to sleep again. Later on the nurse came in to give him some Baclofin and he drifted off again. Around 7:30 p.m. I woke him up again so that I could turn him left side and make sure he was clean before I left. I told him that I would see him tomorrow.
12/8/07 – When I arrived at Montell was lying on his left side. He was verbal for awhile today, Montell said that he likes laying on his left side. I noticed that he has no IV today. He told me that he was sore and asked me not to touch him. He was having spasms rapidly. I asked him if he had seen the Dr. Falck and Diane, the medical student today and he nodded “yes”. Montell then drifted off to sleep. When he woke up he wanted the call button, which is difficult for him to hold in his right hand but I gave it to him and held it as well. He then wanted me to reposition his body so that he would be in the middle of the bed, I did. He then drifted off to sleep. The nurse came in at 3 p.m. to take his vitals. His blood pressure was 103/69, temperature 96.4, pulse 78, respiration 20 and oxygen level 96. Dianne the medical student came in to check the blood blister on his left arm and said that there shouldn’t have been any gauze put on it and she remove it. The blood blister looks like an upside down “V” or a lopped sided “7”.
After she left Montell wanted me to reposition him and put him in the center of the bed. Montell also let me know that he was cold. When I went to change Montell to his right side at 5:45 p.m. I found out that he was wet. I rung for a nurse because his “Texas Catheter” had came off. The nurse came in and put another one on him. Montell drifted off to sleep. The nurse came back in at 7:45 p.m. to take his vitals. His blood pressure was 86/61, pulse 68, and oxygen level was 97. I’ve got to find out why Montell didn’t get anything to eat by mouth today. I kissed Montell on the forehead and told him I would see him tomorrow.
12/7/07 -- When I arrived at the hospital Montell was lying on his right side. I felt his forehead and right hand and they weren’t warm. Montell’s left hand is not swollen today. I was able to get Montell to eat 4 ounces of the Thicken Easy Orange Juice. He wanted me to remove all his pillows from the bed. Montell wanted me to turn the ceiling lights out. He wanted me to position him so that he could lay directly on his back I told him that I couldn’t because of the bed sore that’s on his back above his rectum. He started crying and moaning because he started having spasms. Montell let me know that he wanted his hair cut and to be shaved. I told him that I would see about getting this done. I noticed that there was something on Montell’s left arm. I thought that it could have been some blood or some of his breakfast on him. So I went into the washroom and wet a towel to wipe it off. I gently rubbed him but nothing came off on the towel. I rung for a nurse. Dianne the medical student told me that it looked like a blood blister. She cleaned it and put a bandage on it and said she would have Dr. Falck look at it. I noticed that Montell wasn’t getting IV any more.
A nurse came in at 5:20 p.m. to take his vitals. His blood pressure was 93/62, pulse 7l, oxygen level 99 and temperature 98.6. After she left Montell started vomiting something yellow. I had to sit him up in the bed. Montell then let me know that he wanted his left hand on his shoulder. He started have severe spasms around 5:30 p.m. Montell then wanted his left hand to go into the hole in the bed railing but it wouldn’t reach the bed railing because his left arm is contracted. He then wanted me to place it on his shoulder. Montell let me feed him four ounces of vanilla ice cream. I was almost time for me to leave so I turned Montell on his left side and told him that I would see him tomorrow.
12/6/07 – When I arrived today, Montell was lying on his back asleep. He woke up and saw me and drifted back off to sleep. His forehead and right hand were cold. Dianne the medical student came in to examine Montell. He told her “no” I told him that she had to do it and he agreed to let her do it. Montell seems to be coming down with a cold; he coughed five time within an hour time. Dr. Falck came in and wanted to examine his lungs, he refused and I told me she had too and he agreed to let her do it. After she left Montell wanted to be covered up. He kept letting me know that he wanted some food. He had me saying the ABCs and he drifted off to sleep. The officers being in the room seem to be upsetting Montell. He constantly watches whoever is in the room. The nurse came in to take Montell’s vitals. His blood pressure was 99/56, his temperature 98.1, pulse 89, oxygen level 100, respiration 20, blood sugar 100 and output 320 cc.
12/5/07 – When I arrived at the hospital Montell was lying on his left side and was asleep. When he woke up he wanted me to move his left and right legs over and cover him up. He later wanted me to put his head in the middle of the pillow. Then he wanted me to wipe his lips with a towel even though he didn’t have anything on his lips. Montell kept letting me know that he wanted some food by opening his mouth and pointing to it. I told him that he was getting fed but he shook his head “no”. He wants it in his mouth. Later Montell wanted me to move his right foot. I noticed that Montell is not getting IV any more however, he is still receiving the three antibodies, I was told that this was because the infection that he has in the bedsores and ulcers have reached his bones. When it was time to go, I told Montell I would see him tomorrow.
12/4/07 – I arrived at 11:45 a.m. and found Montell lying on his left side in a fetal position. Montell keeps letting me know through the ABCs that he wants some food. Montell was having spasms frequently. The nurse came in and took his vitals. His blood pressure was 108/68, temperature 98.0, pulse 101, respiration 22, oxygen level 98. Montell called out “my hands belong under the cover’ and then he drifted off to sleep. When he woke up he wanted his left hand to hold the pillow. He woke up at 4:50 p.m. moaning, he wanted to be raised to the top of the bed. Dr. Vurn came in and told me that the MRI that Montell had on his head show no new lesions. I asked him if Montell could have some food and he said he would check. When he left Montell wanted his left hand to touch the pillow. I noticed that Montell now has a rectum bag on now. Montell told me that when he needs help the guards wouldn’t help him. I told him to push the red button on the remote. This however, seems to be a problem since most of the time when I walk into the room the guards have the remote instead of Montell. Montell then let me know that he wanted a towel. Montell then wanted his left hand to touch the pillow. Most of the day Montell slept. I had to wake him up and tell him I was leaving but would see him tomorrow.
12/3/07 – Today Sonja called me at 9:30 a.m.from Neurology and told me that the MRI of Montell’s feet showed that the ulcers had extended to the bones. I call Warden Wright at 11:50 a.m. to ask her if I could bring some thermal shirts out to Montell at the hospital because he usually wears them. He stays cold all the time and she told me “no”. If she did this for him she would have to do if for all the inmates. I then explained to her about Montell’s condition and told her that at Dixon he always had on a thermal shirt. I then asked her if he could receive cards to help encourage him to keep on fighting for his life. I received the same answer “no”. She then told me that I couldn’t take anything in to him.
When I arrived at the hospital I heard that the IDOC was planning on taking Montell back to Dixon. Even though this seemed a little strange to me, I immediately contacted my attorney and told him. I didn’t wait this time because I remember what happened the last time he was here. I didn’t understand this move because we were scheduled to be in court in the morning for the judge to rule on what was going to happen to Montell. My attorney told me to go to Medical Records and get his records from November 30th through December 3rd. Ms. Spreights told me that she could release records until a patient was discharged. I told her I needed them for court in the morning. She then told me that she would have to call the hospital attorney because it was not legal to release a patient records while they were in the hospital. I then called my attorney and told him what she had said. She also asked me to have him call her. I decided to wait for awhile before returning to Montell’s room since Medical Records is a block away. Ms. Spreights came back out and told me that she hadn’t heard from her attorney, so I left and returned to Montell’s room. When I got back Montell wanted to be turned to his right side. Later he wanted to be turned to his left side. Montell had a very busy day with all the different teams coming and going. Between each team’s visit he would drift off to sleep. His output was 450 cc however, its still a dark yellow. His forehead and right hand felt warm to me. I understand that the head of general medicine had discharged him so that he could be returned to Dixon but Dr. Falck decided to keep him at the hospital tonight pending the hearing in court tomorrow. When I left the hospital tonight I felt a lots better, this has been a very trying day for us.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
MY VISITS WITH MONTELL OVER THE WEEKEND
12/02/07 – Today I arrived at the hospital at 2:25 p.m. and Montell was lying on his right side watching a football game. I noticed that he is his normal complexion today. Montell’s output was lighter today but still dark, he had 400 cc in the Foley. While we were doing the ABCs Montell let me know the following: He wanted me to turn him to his left side. He wanted me to help him touch the bed railing with his left hand after we did this he wanted his left hand to touch the air mattress and I helped him do it. Montell wanted me to cover him up. While I was saying the ABCs Montell drifted off to sleep and slept for about thirty minutes. When he work up he wanted me to place his right hand on his shoulder. Montell began to have frequent spasms around 3:35 p.m. I have noticed that they seem to come more in the evening than in the morning. Montell wanted to know what we were doing? I told him that we were watching a football game. Then he wanted to know why his left arm and hand were contracted and I told him it was because he didn’t get occupational therapy. Montell had me saying the ABCs again and he drifted off to sleep for thirty minutes and he woke up moaning. I asked him what was wrong and he let me know that he wanted his left hand to touch his right hand. I asked Montell if he had seen Dianne, the medical student this morning and he nodded “yes”. Montell let me know that he wanted a pillow behind his back. He wanted me change the little pillow that was under his head and put the larger pillow there, I did. Montell wanted me to move his left leg and elbow. Montell wanted a towel so he could wipe his mouth. Montell kept having me turning him from his right side to his left side and when I did he wanted to be back on his right side. After doing this three or four times, I told him to make up his mind which side he wanted to lay on and he decided to lay on his left side finally. The nurse came in and gave him some Baclofin through his feeding tube at 5:30 p.m. and took his vitals. His Blood Pressure was 109 over 71 and his Blood Sugar was 97. Montell just laid in his bed and watched television and would drift back and forth to sleep. When it was time for me to leave, I had to wake him up so that he would know that I was gone, I kissed him and told him that I would be back tomorrow.
12/01/07 – Today I arrived at the hospital at 1:00 p.m. and when I got to Montell’s room he waslying on his left side in a fetal position. By doing the ABCs Montell let me know the following: He wanted the call button. He wanted to know what we were watching, I told him the Jamie Fox Show and he indicated that he wanted to watch a football game, I changed the channel to one. Montell let me know that he had his air mattress. He wanted me to move his left hand up on the pillow. He wanted to wanted to know what time I was leaving? I told him 8 p.m. and he nodded his head up and down.
At l:50 p.m. they came in to take Montell for an MRI. I asked the guard if I could accompany them. The guard call Stateville and made them aware that Montell was going to another location for a MRI and the person he was speaking too told him I had to leave the room while they were gone and that I couldn’t accompany them. I also found out that when an inmate is being transported there must be two guards. They returned back to the room at 3:25 p.m. I noticed that Montell’s output is a deeper and darker color of yellow today, yesterday it was much lighter. A nurse came in and took his blood sugar it was 85. She told me that this must be done every six hours. Montell wanted me to lay his left hand on the pillow and then he drifted off to sleep for about twenty minutes while I was saying the ABCs to him.
When Montell woke up he wanted me to put his left hand under the pillow. Later on he wanted me to remove it because he wanted to make a fist and wanted me to put it under the covers. Then he wanted me to turn him to his left side and he wanted to hold the call button again. I noticed that as it gets later in the evening that Montell has more spasms. As I was sitting and watching him I noticed that the color of his skin was getting darker.
At 7:03 p.m. Montell let me know that he needed to be cleaned. I rung the call button some one answered and I let them know what I wanted. I had to push the call button at 7:13 p.m. again because no one had came in and Montell began moaning and crying. I asked if it was burning him and he nodded yes. At 7:30 p.m. the RN came in and stated that she would have to get some help but before she left she took the empty IV bag and brought in another one and left. I went into the bathroom at 7:35 p.m. and wet a towel and came back and opened his Depend and began wiping him myself, Betty came in and helped me clean Montell up and then she took his vitals.
Montell’s blood pressure was 99 over 68, his pulse was 89, oxygen level 98, respiration 92 and his temperature was 97.6. I thanked Betty for helping me. At 7:50 p.m. the RN returned to the room with another person but we had already cleaned Montell up. Montell was non-verbal today. I kissed Montell good night and told him I would see him tomorrow after Mother and I came from church probably around 2 p.m, he nodded his head up and down.
11/30/07 – Today I arrived at the hospital at 12:45 p.m. but didn’t get to see Montell until 3:05 p.m. because they didn’t have the necessary paperwork for me at the front desk. When I did get there Montell was lying on his right side in a fetal position. He wanted me to put his left hand up on the pillow for him and to put a pillow between his right and left legs so they didn’t touch each other. Later on Dianne the medical student came in and asked me some questions about Montell’s medical history. A team of doctors came into the room and examined Montell’s bedsores and the ulcers on his feet. Montell wanted to know what they were doing?
After they left Dianne then listened to his heart and lungs and said they sounded good. She told me that she was going to order a MRI for him and that a wound care counselor would also be checking his bedsores and the ulcers on his feet. When she was examining the area where the feeding tube is inserted Montell indicated that it was hurting him. She listened to the sounds in his stomach and said that they were very soft. After she left Montell drifted off to sleep for awhile when he woke up he wanted me to put his left hand under the pillow and lay it flat. I noticed that his output was very light yellow. When I woke him up to let him know that I would be leaving, he let me know that his mattress wasn’t comfortable to him. I told him that they were ordering him a air mattress and kissed him good night. I told him that I would be back tomorrow. Montell wasn’t very active today
12/01/07 – Today I arrived at the hospital at 1:00 p.m. and when I got to Montell’s room he waslying on his left side in a fetal position. By doing the ABCs Montell let me know the following: He wanted the call button. He wanted to know what we were watching, I told him the Jamie Fox Show and he indicated that he wanted to watch a football game, I changed the channel to one. Montell let me know that he had his air mattress. He wanted me to move his left hand up on the pillow. He wanted to wanted to know what time I was leaving? I told him 8 p.m. and he nodded his head up and down.
At l:50 p.m. they came in to take Montell for an MRI. I asked the guard if I could accompany them. The guard call Stateville and made them aware that Montell was going to another location for a MRI and the person he was speaking too told him I had to leave the room while they were gone and that I couldn’t accompany them. I also found out that when an inmate is being transported there must be two guards. They returned back to the room at 3:25 p.m. I noticed that Montell’s output is a deeper and darker color of yellow today, yesterday it was much lighter. A nurse came in and took his blood sugar it was 85. She told me that this must be done every six hours. Montell wanted me to lay his left hand on the pillow and then he drifted off to sleep for about twenty minutes while I was saying the ABCs to him.
When Montell woke up he wanted me to put his left hand under the pillow. Later on he wanted me to remove it because he wanted to make a fist and wanted me to put it under the covers. Then he wanted me to turn him to his left side and he wanted to hold the call button again. I noticed that as it gets later in the evening that Montell has more spasms. As I was sitting and watching him I noticed that the color of his skin was getting darker.
At 7:03 p.m. Montell let me know that he needed to be cleaned. I rung the call button some one answered and I let them know what I wanted. I had to push the call button at 7:13 p.m. again because no one had came in and Montell began moaning and crying. I asked if it was burning him and he nodded yes. At 7:30 p.m. the RN came in and stated that she would have to get some help but before she left she took the empty IV bag and brought in another one and left. I went into the bathroom at 7:35 p.m. and wet a towel and came back and opened his Depend and began wiping him myself, Betty came in and helped me clean Montell up and then she took his vitals.
Montell’s blood pressure was 99 over 68, his pulse was 89, oxygen level 98, respiration 92 and his temperature was 97.6. I thanked Betty for helping me. At 7:50 p.m. the RN returned to the room with another person but we had already cleaned Montell up. Montell was non-verbal today. I kissed Montell good night and told him I would see him tomorrow after Mother and I came from church probably around 2 p.m, he nodded his head up and down.
11/30/07 – Today I arrived at the hospital at 12:45 p.m. but didn’t get to see Montell until 3:05 p.m. because they didn’t have the necessary paperwork for me at the front desk. When I did get there Montell was lying on his right side in a fetal position. He wanted me to put his left hand up on the pillow for him and to put a pillow between his right and left legs so they didn’t touch each other. Later on Dianne the medical student came in and asked me some questions about Montell’s medical history. A team of doctors came into the room and examined Montell’s bedsores and the ulcers on his feet. Montell wanted to know what they were doing?
After they left Dianne then listened to his heart and lungs and said they sounded good. She told me that she was going to order a MRI for him and that a wound care counselor would also be checking his bedsores and the ulcers on his feet. When she was examining the area where the feeding tube is inserted Montell indicated that it was hurting him. She listened to the sounds in his stomach and said that they were very soft. After she left Montell drifted off to sleep for awhile when he woke up he wanted me to put his left hand under the pillow and lay it flat. I noticed that his output was very light yellow. When I woke him up to let him know that I would be leaving, he let me know that his mattress wasn’t comfortable to him. I told him that they were ordering him a air mattress and kissed him good night. I told him that I would be back tomorrow. Montell wasn’t very active today
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