There are a lot of options that may or may not be appropriate at this point. Computer devices (though you have to be careful with those in the hospital because sometimes they end up getting lost, broken or stolen, especially in busy ICUs), picture boards, tracheostomy speaking valves (which go on the end of the trach tube and partially redirect air flow to aid in voice production and swallowing) ... even good old-fashioned pen-and-paper. Most of these things only work once a certain level of conscious awareness is achieved. The neurologist is probably the best person to tell you when it's appropriate to think about those kinds of things -- it may still be too early. If there isn't a speech pathologist working with him yet, there should be soon.
It may be a long road of recovery, but there are lots of things that can help along the way. Hang in there, both of you! And don't stop being pushy and bossy!
It is true that an extended stay in a critical care unit is unusual, but sometimes it is necessary. The patient needs access to certain equipment, and the critical care unit is where that equipment is. Also, some patients just take longer to become free of the needs that put them in the critical care unit.
Robert and I are both pretty big guys, and as one who has spent some time in a hospital, I can attest that the typical hospital beds are too damn small. The last time I was in a hospital bed (about a month ago, for tests), my feet hung off the end of the bed, and I was pretty much limited in my options for sleeping positions. The rails on the bed seemed to be placed so as to maximize discomfort.I went to the Acute Care Hospital where the primary dr. has said he would like to send Robert. My friend from work went with me. We were both very impressed with what we saw on our tour of the facility. It looks fairly new, and the set-up is similar to where he is now. They have a small ICU and less than 100 beds altogether. They do not handle emergencies - those are transferred to the hospital Robert is in now. They are a highly specialized hospital, and I am convinced Robert will receive excellent care there. In their regular rooms (which is Acute Care), there are 5 patients per 1 nurse. In ICU, the ratio is like where he is now, 2 to 1. I don't know which section he will be transferred to. We asked about a bariatric bed like he has now, and the nurse-tour guide said they can arrange for a "big-boy-bed."
