I throw a lot of weird words and acronyms around in the posts, so here is a place to check out what I am talking about just in case I forget to explain it.
CCU – Critical Care Unit. One step down from the ICU. Also called the Intermediate Care Unit. https://www.sharecare.com/health/critical-care/what-are-the-icu-and-ccu
CPAP – Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A machine to help you breath while you sleep. Good for people with sleep apnea or who snore heavily. http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/continuous-positive-airway-pressure-cpap-for-obstructive-sleep-apnea
CT scan – Computerized Tomography Scan. This is a scan that is made up of a bunch of x-rays that are then put together in a way that allows for a better look at soft tissue in the body, especially the brain. http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ct-scan/basics/definition/prc-20014610
EKG – Electrocardiogram. A test or monitor that shows the activity of the heart. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/electrocardiogram#1
ICU – Intensive Care Unit. The highest level of care you can get in the hospital after the Emergency Room. https://www.sharecare.com/health/critical-care/what-are-the-icu-and-ccu
INOVA – The name of the hospital where Sue is staying. It is part of the larger INOVA medical network spread all across northern Virginia. http://www.inova.org/
NG tube – Nasogastric tube. This is a small tube that they put through the nostril and feen down into her stomach to provide food and sometimes medicine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasogastric_intubation
OT / occupational therapy – This is the therapy that involves the movements to help a person better their lifestyle. These are things like writing, typing, socializing, etc. Think of these as the “finer points” of physical therapy. http://www.livescience.com/42923-occupational-therapy.html
Bonus! PT/OT Differences: http://physicaltherapyweb.com/differences-occupational-therapy-physical-therapy/
PEG tube – Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. This is the replacement for an NG tube that goes directly into her stomach. This is a more stable solution to mid-term feeding. This is generally done for periods of six weeks or longer to allow for ease of feeding without the discomfort and inconvenience of an NG tube. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percutaneous_endoscopic_gastrostomy
sundowning / Sundowner’s Syndrome – This is a syndrome that is basically day/night confusion. Having a dark room all day and being allowed to sleep (or being sedated) and then having a dark room at night but being woken up for medical procedures or checks can cause patients to confuse what is day and what is night. Their bodies do not adjust fully to the fact that it is nighttime, so they are extremely active. Because this is generally in contradiction to their natural body rhythms, they are often confused and agitated, and can become angry and combative. Please note: Most of the information that you will find on sundowning deals with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia. This is not the case with Sue. Not everyone that has Sundowner’s Syndrome has dementia, just like not everyone that has dementia has Sundowner’s Syndrome. http://sundownerfacts.com/
PT / physical therapy – This is therapy that helps a person with basic physical movements, flexibility, and mobility. These are things like swallowing, walking, bending, etc. Think of this as the “broad points” of movements, to be followed by occupational therapy to get the finer points. http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/tc/physical-therapy-topic-overview
Bonus! PT/OT Differences: http://physicaltherapyweb.com/differences-occupational-therapy-physical-therapy/
TEE / Transesophageal Echocardiography – A tube down the throat uses sound waves to take several “pictures” of your heart and blood vessels, and then combines them into a detailed image that doctors can look at to determine clots, damage, or other irregularities. http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/cardiology/Pages/tee.aspx
water lollipop / water sponge – Sue is not allowed to drink water, but they do allow her to have a small sponge on a stick that is moistened with water. She can suck on that, chew on it, and we even use it to clean her mouth. It looks like the ones in the picture to the right. These have been a life saver for her and she asks for them often.