My mom has been on her "own" for 1 week....one week ago today I took her to the doctor so she could be "rid" of everything.....I have worked hard at letting her be. It is has been strange picking my kids up again at their regular times, making dinner and being home on the weekends.
I talked to my mom everyday at least once. She seems good, still gets a little forgetful but seems to be remembering to take her meds and eat. She still isn't super hungry so she still doesn't eat much. Hopefully that will increase as the nutrients will give her strength and keep her head clearer. She still uses the oxygen at home but not when she goes out. She does not wear the mask at all. We have returned the hospital bed and wheelchair...she is happy to be in her own bed.
She has very little memory about any of the hospital stuff but I guess that is sort of normal. Next Tuesday I will be taking her to neurology so be assessed...I am hoping that they do an EEG so we will know it there has been any permanent damage.
I ask her if she is happy in her solitude and she says that visits would be nice. I told her that I thought she may have scared a few people off as she was so determined to be "home alone"...so I am opening the invitation to visit Lis. If she doesn't answer she is probably asleep...but she has not been sleeping so much during the day these days.
Hope everyone is well out there. Take care until next time. I am hoping to get my mom to read this at some point so she can see her journey for herself.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Days 60-64
May 16-20
This week has been about trying to help my mom realize that her helpers were here to help her....she has really rebelled against help. Not just people help from people but the help of the walker, oxygen and mask. I have seen my mom become very angry when anyone tries to "remind" her what she "should" be doing, this anger has been rough to watch not to mention receive. She argues with me when I remind what the doctor or therapist has said that she is to do....if I correct her it upsets her. I finally called the doctor who fit my mom in the next morning, Thursday.
My mom has been getting better. Everyday she looks more and more like herself. She still has a bad appetite and is not eating very much but she will drink an Ensure here and there. She still gets a little unsteady though and needs help moving from the shower but otherwise is doing quite well. The doctors have been worried about her memory and whether or not she has sustained any brain damage. I have seen her memory get better the longer she is home but I really needed to know if she was ok cognitively. So Deborah (Kaiser nurse and my friend) came over and did a cognitive test with my mom. I listened from the other room (as I was chasing my kids around) and she seems to be answering the questions well. It took about 45 minutes and they were done and Deborah told her that she did so well..that she had some short term memory recall but that could be due to normal aging. She told my mom that it is important for her to "use" her brain with word games and reading and that it was also important to eat well and exercise. I know my mom heard her....and Deborah tried to get my mom to do some exercises buy laying on the floor herself and demonstrating how to do them...my mom said that she would do them tomorrow. That seems to be a standard answer especially when we were working on the mask. Deborah's visit help me to make the decisions that I was being forced into anyways.
I took the day off to take my mom to the doctor. I had not spoken to the doctor directly but his staff knew that my mom was having a hard time and was feeling frustrated with the whole thing (people in her house among other things). So the doctor came in and asked my mom why she was there....I had a pen and paper ready to take notes because part of the problem is that my mom would hear one thing and I heard another and when I corrected her she would get so upset with me (I am just trying to do the right thing)....My mom told the doctor that she wants to get "rid of everything" and he asked "what's everything?" and she pointed to the walker and the oxygen and told him about the mask (that she has tried really hard to wear it but she just can't stand it) - I had taken her to the mask place to have her try different ones on and talk to the respiratory therapist and I thought we had "the one" but obviously not - So the doctor told her that she can not force her to use anything that it is against the law for him to force her to do anything - he can only advise her and tell her the pros and cons to the decisions. She told him that she didn't want all the people in her house (I understand this but we were told not to leave her alone for awhile so we have pieced it together with paid folks and friends and me to keep her safe). So the doctor told her that he felt that she should not be alone all the time that there should be people checking on her, he told her that she should wear the mask at least part of the time as a little bit is better than no time, he checked her oxygen levels while she was on the Oxygen then took it off then had her walk and took her levels again....the numbers were good so he told her to try to not wear it but if she felt light headed or short of breath then she should wear it and that she SHOULD wear it while she is sleeping. Then she asked about driving.....he said absolutely no driving and she asked how long until she could again and he said that it would be at least 3 months and maybe 6 months since she had a seizure..it is the law. I looked this up and sure enough it said 6 months but that it could possibly be 3 months. So my mom left the appointment without oxygen and walked to the car....with her walker. We met Evie (our awesome careperson) in the waiting room and headed for Starbucks...my mom was in a much better mood after that appointment...she got what she wanted...I just hope it is all right. That day my mom let everyone go...she didn't need anymore help...so everyone stopped.
Thursday....my kids and I came over as the physical therapist was coming over. My mom was in her room with me and had just decided that she wanted to wear the oxygen as she felt a little short of breath so she put the canula on. I was in her closet trying to help her figure out her clothes. The phone rang and my mom jumped up...I stayed in the closet and heard a crash and Michael yell for me.....I knew that my mom must have fallen. Sure enough - my heart was racing when I ran out to the living room to find Lis lying on the floor...she had tripped over the oxygen cart that was laying on the floor. I checked her out and helped her sit up and then get up and sit in her chair....I found no marks...she said that her elbow and shoulder hurt but there was no swelling..I checked out her head as she hit that too....there was no mark. A few minutes later the therapist arrived and I told her that she had just fallen and she said, very casually, "I'm not surprised" - wow I thought her reaction would have been different. BUT she had been concerned all along how my mom wasn't careful with her movements.....makes me wonder if she will be falling again.
Friday - first day home alone.....I think my mom loved it - we showed up about 4:30 and Deborah about 5:00 we left her about 7:30 and she was on her way to bed - we did not stay the night.....she wanted to be alone so I honored that especially after her assessment showed what it did...I would not have been able to let her stay alone if I knew/thought that she wasn't in her right mind.
Saturday I talked to her in the late morning and we talked about what time I would pick her up for the wedding reception that we were going to. I told her I would call on my way but that I would be there about 3:30 as the party started at 4:00 at the club. I arrived to my mom sitting on her bed trying to get ready and she told me that everything takes so much longer now......we left and went to the club..everyone was excited to see her and she sat down in a chair and talked with people as I ran around. I had the oxygen in the car just in case but she never needed it. We went back to her house for a little while then I went home to my own house and we had decided that we would get together for lunch on Sunday. We left her house about 8:00.
Sunday....it has now been 2 months and 5 days since this all began.....wild. She called about 10:30 wondering where we were I told her that Malena was napping and we would be on our way when she woke up...great she said call on our way. We went to the club for lunch...she said hi to many people and they were all happy to see her. When we got home from the club Shirley came down for a few minutes and then we headed out as my mom was tired. She called me later and said that she had not taken a nap and was going to go to bed early.
I know that I am not writing everyday...things a cruising along now and my mom has what she wanted - a quiet house. Phone calls would be good and some visits if you want to - she talks more and more like herself.
This week has been about trying to help my mom realize that her helpers were here to help her....she has really rebelled against help. Not just people help from people but the help of the walker, oxygen and mask. I have seen my mom become very angry when anyone tries to "remind" her what she "should" be doing, this anger has been rough to watch not to mention receive. She argues with me when I remind what the doctor or therapist has said that she is to do....if I correct her it upsets her. I finally called the doctor who fit my mom in the next morning, Thursday.
My mom has been getting better. Everyday she looks more and more like herself. She still has a bad appetite and is not eating very much but she will drink an Ensure here and there. She still gets a little unsteady though and needs help moving from the shower but otherwise is doing quite well. The doctors have been worried about her memory and whether or not she has sustained any brain damage. I have seen her memory get better the longer she is home but I really needed to know if she was ok cognitively. So Deborah (Kaiser nurse and my friend) came over and did a cognitive test with my mom. I listened from the other room (as I was chasing my kids around) and she seems to be answering the questions well. It took about 45 minutes and they were done and Deborah told her that she did so well..that she had some short term memory recall but that could be due to normal aging. She told my mom that it is important for her to "use" her brain with word games and reading and that it was also important to eat well and exercise. I know my mom heard her....and Deborah tried to get my mom to do some exercises buy laying on the floor herself and demonstrating how to do them...my mom said that she would do them tomorrow. That seems to be a standard answer especially when we were working on the mask. Deborah's visit help me to make the decisions that I was being forced into anyways.
I took the day off to take my mom to the doctor. I had not spoken to the doctor directly but his staff knew that my mom was having a hard time and was feeling frustrated with the whole thing (people in her house among other things). So the doctor came in and asked my mom why she was there....I had a pen and paper ready to take notes because part of the problem is that my mom would hear one thing and I heard another and when I corrected her she would get so upset with me (I am just trying to do the right thing)....My mom told the doctor that she wants to get "rid of everything" and he asked "what's everything?" and she pointed to the walker and the oxygen and told him about the mask (that she has tried really hard to wear it but she just can't stand it) - I had taken her to the mask place to have her try different ones on and talk to the respiratory therapist and I thought we had "the one" but obviously not - So the doctor told her that she can not force her to use anything that it is against the law for him to force her to do anything - he can only advise her and tell her the pros and cons to the decisions. She told him that she didn't want all the people in her house (I understand this but we were told not to leave her alone for awhile so we have pieced it together with paid folks and friends and me to keep her safe). So the doctor told her that he felt that she should not be alone all the time that there should be people checking on her, he told her that she should wear the mask at least part of the time as a little bit is better than no time, he checked her oxygen levels while she was on the Oxygen then took it off then had her walk and took her levels again....the numbers were good so he told her to try to not wear it but if she felt light headed or short of breath then she should wear it and that she SHOULD wear it while she is sleeping. Then she asked about driving.....he said absolutely no driving and she asked how long until she could again and he said that it would be at least 3 months and maybe 6 months since she had a seizure..it is the law. I looked this up and sure enough it said 6 months but that it could possibly be 3 months. So my mom left the appointment without oxygen and walked to the car....with her walker. We met Evie (our awesome careperson) in the waiting room and headed for Starbucks...my mom was in a much better mood after that appointment...she got what she wanted...I just hope it is all right. That day my mom let everyone go...she didn't need anymore help...so everyone stopped.
Thursday....my kids and I came over as the physical therapist was coming over. My mom was in her room with me and had just decided that she wanted to wear the oxygen as she felt a little short of breath so she put the canula on. I was in her closet trying to help her figure out her clothes. The phone rang and my mom jumped up...I stayed in the closet and heard a crash and Michael yell for me.....I knew that my mom must have fallen. Sure enough - my heart was racing when I ran out to the living room to find Lis lying on the floor...she had tripped over the oxygen cart that was laying on the floor. I checked her out and helped her sit up and then get up and sit in her chair....I found no marks...she said that her elbow and shoulder hurt but there was no swelling..I checked out her head as she hit that too....there was no mark. A few minutes later the therapist arrived and I told her that she had just fallen and she said, very casually, "I'm not surprised" - wow I thought her reaction would have been different. BUT she had been concerned all along how my mom wasn't careful with her movements.....makes me wonder if she will be falling again.
Friday - first day home alone.....I think my mom loved it - we showed up about 4:30 and Deborah about 5:00 we left her about 7:30 and she was on her way to bed - we did not stay the night.....she wanted to be alone so I honored that especially after her assessment showed what it did...I would not have been able to let her stay alone if I knew/thought that she wasn't in her right mind.
Saturday I talked to her in the late morning and we talked about what time I would pick her up for the wedding reception that we were going to. I told her I would call on my way but that I would be there about 3:30 as the party started at 4:00 at the club. I arrived to my mom sitting on her bed trying to get ready and she told me that everything takes so much longer now......we left and went to the club..everyone was excited to see her and she sat down in a chair and talked with people as I ran around. I had the oxygen in the car just in case but she never needed it. We went back to her house for a little while then I went home to my own house and we had decided that we would get together for lunch on Sunday. We left her house about 8:00.
Sunday....it has now been 2 months and 5 days since this all began.....wild. She called about 10:30 wondering where we were I told her that Malena was napping and we would be on our way when she woke up...great she said call on our way. We went to the club for lunch...she said hi to many people and they were all happy to see her. When we got home from the club Shirley came down for a few minutes and then we headed out as my mom was tired. She called me later and said that she had not taken a nap and was going to go to bed early.
I know that I am not writing everyday...things a cruising along now and my mom has what she wanted - a quiet house. Phone calls would be good and some visits if you want to - she talks more and more like herself.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Days 56-59
Friday through Tuesday
On Friday my mom called me a couple of times on the phone...I was surprised how her voice changed - she sounds more and more like herself. I can still hear a little something in her voice and she still gets a little unclear about memories of events of the day but overall is sounding like Lis. She forgets little things like what someone said...and it seems like she hears and retains certain parts, not all parts. Other than the canula in her nose she looks like herself too.
The weekend was pretty uneventful.....although my mom seems a bit short tempered and very frustrated that she has to have "helpers" around all day...she believes that she should be able to be alone. When I try to talk to her about this she just gets angry. The physical therapist told her that she wouldn't be able to be alone until she could be safe in the way she moves around the house. But my mom sometimes thinks that she gets to decide when she can be alone and I tell her that it is up to her doctor. She also needs to do her exercises at least 2x a day....she has not done them once unless the therapist is there. I asked her today about doing them when she is home alone and she said that she probably wouldn't. She did walk to the mailbox today.
She still gets a little confused about all kinds of different things...she would disagree but it happens...like not be able to feel the canula and forgetting who is coming when or things that were talked about and the reality of some things. She argues very easily but thinks that I am the one....I have learned this week why they have support groups for care givers..it is not easy and a lot of times the patient takes it out on the care giver. I do give it back to her though as I get frustrated too.
It is also crowded at my mom's there are 4 of us and 1 of her...her house is not kid safe........so I am usually running around trying to keep it all rolling....
Yesterday (Monday) I took my mom down to talk to the respiratory therapist about her mask....she really hates it and does not want to wear it. The gal tried them on her and she settled on one...the RT fixed the mask to fit her so that she could put it on by herself and we decided to leave the canula in so that when she did take the mask off she would still have the oxygen. My mom asked her "how long do I have to wear it?" and the RT told her a minimum of 4 hours BUT all night would be best. I know my mom only heard the 4 hours....last night she took it off at some point and the canula too...so much for that idea.
Monday evening she attended her pow-wow at the pool with all the women in her condo complex and there I left her sitting with her friends until Sonia arrived awhile later.
Today (Tuesday) we went to see my 99 year old grandmother (my dad's mom). My mom used the walker only - no wheelchair. My grandmother took a minute but then recognized us...we sat with her during her music sing-a-long, I love just observing all the patients. We stayed about 45 minutes and then it was home again for Macelita who was coming at 3 and I had to get going to get my kids.
I found out today that my mom has told our main help, Evie that Friday will be her last day....um let's see what the medical people say. I am not going to lie that I feel very frustrated with her attitude and am trying to be patient but it is hard. On my way home I called her and told her to make a list of all of her concerns - the mask, the oxygen, home alone, medication, etc. I will be going there when Virginia (nurse) is there just to help her get the information that she wants.
Until next time...........good night
On Friday my mom called me a couple of times on the phone...I was surprised how her voice changed - she sounds more and more like herself. I can still hear a little something in her voice and she still gets a little unclear about memories of events of the day but overall is sounding like Lis. She forgets little things like what someone said...and it seems like she hears and retains certain parts, not all parts. Other than the canula in her nose she looks like herself too.
The weekend was pretty uneventful.....although my mom seems a bit short tempered and very frustrated that she has to have "helpers" around all day...she believes that she should be able to be alone. When I try to talk to her about this she just gets angry. The physical therapist told her that she wouldn't be able to be alone until she could be safe in the way she moves around the house. But my mom sometimes thinks that she gets to decide when she can be alone and I tell her that it is up to her doctor. She also needs to do her exercises at least 2x a day....she has not done them once unless the therapist is there. I asked her today about doing them when she is home alone and she said that she probably wouldn't. She did walk to the mailbox today.
She still gets a little confused about all kinds of different things...she would disagree but it happens...like not be able to feel the canula and forgetting who is coming when or things that were talked about and the reality of some things. She argues very easily but thinks that I am the one....I have learned this week why they have support groups for care givers..it is not easy and a lot of times the patient takes it out on the care giver. I do give it back to her though as I get frustrated too.
It is also crowded at my mom's there are 4 of us and 1 of her...her house is not kid safe........so I am usually running around trying to keep it all rolling....
Yesterday (Monday) I took my mom down to talk to the respiratory therapist about her mask....she really hates it and does not want to wear it. The gal tried them on her and she settled on one...the RT fixed the mask to fit her so that she could put it on by herself and we decided to leave the canula in so that when she did take the mask off she would still have the oxygen. My mom asked her "how long do I have to wear it?" and the RT told her a minimum of 4 hours BUT all night would be best. I know my mom only heard the 4 hours....last night she took it off at some point and the canula too...so much for that idea.
Monday evening she attended her pow-wow at the pool with all the women in her condo complex and there I left her sitting with her friends until Sonia arrived awhile later.
Today (Tuesday) we went to see my 99 year old grandmother (my dad's mom). My mom used the walker only - no wheelchair. My grandmother took a minute but then recognized us...we sat with her during her music sing-a-long, I love just observing all the patients. We stayed about 45 minutes and then it was home again for Macelita who was coming at 3 and I had to get going to get my kids.
I found out today that my mom has told our main help, Evie that Friday will be her last day....um let's see what the medical people say. I am not going to lie that I feel very frustrated with her attitude and am trying to be patient but it is hard. On my way home I called her and told her to make a list of all of her concerns - the mask, the oxygen, home alone, medication, etc. I will be going there when Virginia (nurse) is there just to help her get the information that she wants.
Until next time...........good night
Monday, May 14, 2012
Monday May 14
I am writing to promise that I will post tonight....it has been a long weekend and things are going well. More later..........
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Day 54 and 55
Tuesday.....Well I am a day late on getting this post done. I went to work and Evie was with my mom from 7-1 - thanks Evie. Evie told me that my mom had slept in until about 11'ish so she had eaten late breakfast. I got there about 12:45 as my mom had a doctors appointment at 1:30pm.
I could hear the radio in my mom's room - a familiar sound both of my parents would turn the radio on loud while they got dressed and ready. I had not heard that radio since my mom had been home....that must mean that she is feeling more like herself. I opened her door to see her plop down on her bed in a big huff....she said that it was hard to get anything done. She was trying to get dressed and couldn't figure out how not to get tangled up in the oxygen cord. I helped her get her street clothes on so we could get going. My mom forgets that it takes longer to get ready these days...so we run a little late wherever we go. Confusion was still present as she was not sure of the day or time but it seemed a bit better than Monday.
We had an appointment at orthopedics to double check her hand (she had a hair line fracture from her initial fall March 16) - the ortho doctor said that he thought she was healed and didn't want her to wear the splint anymore and gave her the green light for her physical therapist...it was a 10 minute situation and my mom was so tired she was falling asleep in the office. We got home and she went right to bed and I headed home.
I called to check on her in the evening and Erika told me that she was in the refrigerator looking for something to eat....she was craving spinach...I brought her some.
Wednesday.....I arrived at 8:30'ish to find Penny sitting and waiting and my mom asleep. I talked with Penny a little and then went and tried to get my mom up. She didn't want to get up but I told her that we had to be at the doctor by 10:30. She asked why I had scheduled an appt. so early...I told her that I have kids I have to pick up and don't have so much time to get it all done. She wanted to get up so she could read the paper and just sit a little. I went out and put together a breakfast and went back in to get her up. She finally got up and came and sat down. It is funny but I run around trying to get stuff done...she is always telling me to sit down....I am watching the clock and reminding her that it takes longer for her to get ready now...but she just kept sitting there - the first appointment was at 10:30 and it was now 9:45 and my mom still wanted to take a shower. So she finished her pills and we were rolling...we made it to the parking garage of Kaiser at 10:25am, I park and my mom says "we have 2 minutes now"....yea I know that's why I said we had to hurry...luckily the doctors are rarely on time.
Dr. Koga my mom's general......came in and was so impressed with how my mom looked. He said that he had not expected her to look this good. She was surprised that she was upright. He said that not many people live through this and make it. He talked to my mom about the importance of the (dreaded) mask and told her that she must wear it....she listened and I told her that I would try to get ahold of someone who could show her everything and try different masks on. He also told her how important it is for her to take all her meds (she had refused her bedtime meds and I was frustrated because no one called me to tell me) that all of the meds were important right now and she had to be careful to take them. He also told her that right now she someone watching over her 24/7 to make sure she is alright. That hopefully at some point she could be alone again but not right now. He said that he blood pressure was great and her breathing sounded really good. Hopefully if she does what she is told she can get off the oxygen and maybe the Bi-PAP (my mom calls it the BeeBop). She did tell Erika that she HAD to wear it tonight. Maybe it is finally sinking in. He wants to see her again in 1 month and her ordered some blood work for us to complete today...we did.
We then went and saw Dr Brawley (the surgeon who saved my mom) he also was amazed how good she looked and told her that he was going to email everyone who was in the O.R. on March 16th and tell them how great she looks. He wants to see her again in 3 months.
After we left Kaiser we talked about getting something to eat before we went home....how did the club sound......Great...we went to the club for lunch and Shirley joined us. My mom was very clear and wide awake there...talking to us a lot and following conversation very well...she was joking a lot with John (the waiter) and talking details with us. Different people came up to her and welcomed her back with hugs and kisses. We all ate our lunch my mom finished the majority of hers and we went home. My mom really ready for a nap now. Kathy the PT would be there soon so she had to hurry to get a nap in. After today I feel like (and can see) this will all work out and my mom will (most likely) be back to her (close) self soon and she will get to stay home alone. We shall see how it all goes.
Tonight they were eating some yummy potato soup made for them by her neighbor...so nice.
I could hear the radio in my mom's room - a familiar sound both of my parents would turn the radio on loud while they got dressed and ready. I had not heard that radio since my mom had been home....that must mean that she is feeling more like herself. I opened her door to see her plop down on her bed in a big huff....she said that it was hard to get anything done. She was trying to get dressed and couldn't figure out how not to get tangled up in the oxygen cord. I helped her get her street clothes on so we could get going. My mom forgets that it takes longer to get ready these days...so we run a little late wherever we go. Confusion was still present as she was not sure of the day or time but it seemed a bit better than Monday.
We had an appointment at orthopedics to double check her hand (she had a hair line fracture from her initial fall March 16) - the ortho doctor said that he thought she was healed and didn't want her to wear the splint anymore and gave her the green light for her physical therapist...it was a 10 minute situation and my mom was so tired she was falling asleep in the office. We got home and she went right to bed and I headed home.
I called to check on her in the evening and Erika told me that she was in the refrigerator looking for something to eat....she was craving spinach...I brought her some.
Wednesday.....I arrived at 8:30'ish to find Penny sitting and waiting and my mom asleep. I talked with Penny a little and then went and tried to get my mom up. She didn't want to get up but I told her that we had to be at the doctor by 10:30. She asked why I had scheduled an appt. so early...I told her that I have kids I have to pick up and don't have so much time to get it all done. She wanted to get up so she could read the paper and just sit a little. I went out and put together a breakfast and went back in to get her up. She finally got up and came and sat down. It is funny but I run around trying to get stuff done...she is always telling me to sit down....I am watching the clock and reminding her that it takes longer for her to get ready now...but she just kept sitting there - the first appointment was at 10:30 and it was now 9:45 and my mom still wanted to take a shower. So she finished her pills and we were rolling...we made it to the parking garage of Kaiser at 10:25am, I park and my mom says "we have 2 minutes now"....yea I know that's why I said we had to hurry...luckily the doctors are rarely on time.
Dr. Koga my mom's general......came in and was so impressed with how my mom looked. He said that he had not expected her to look this good. She was surprised that she was upright. He said that not many people live through this and make it. He talked to my mom about the importance of the (dreaded) mask and told her that she must wear it....she listened and I told her that I would try to get ahold of someone who could show her everything and try different masks on. He also told her how important it is for her to take all her meds (she had refused her bedtime meds and I was frustrated because no one called me to tell me) that all of the meds were important right now and she had to be careful to take them. He also told her that right now she someone watching over her 24/7 to make sure she is alright. That hopefully at some point she could be alone again but not right now. He said that he blood pressure was great and her breathing sounded really good. Hopefully if she does what she is told she can get off the oxygen and maybe the Bi-PAP (my mom calls it the BeeBop). She did tell Erika that she HAD to wear it tonight. Maybe it is finally sinking in. He wants to see her again in 1 month and her ordered some blood work for us to complete today...we did.
We then went and saw Dr Brawley (the surgeon who saved my mom) he also was amazed how good she looked and told her that he was going to email everyone who was in the O.R. on March 16th and tell them how great she looks. He wants to see her again in 3 months.
After we left Kaiser we talked about getting something to eat before we went home....how did the club sound......Great...we went to the club for lunch and Shirley joined us. My mom was very clear and wide awake there...talking to us a lot and following conversation very well...she was joking a lot with John (the waiter) and talking details with us. Different people came up to her and welcomed her back with hugs and kisses. We all ate our lunch my mom finished the majority of hers and we went home. My mom really ready for a nap now. Kathy the PT would be there soon so she had to hurry to get a nap in. After today I feel like (and can see) this will all work out and my mom will (most likely) be back to her (close) self soon and she will get to stay home alone. We shall see how it all goes.
Tonight they were eating some yummy potato soup made for them by her neighbor...so nice.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Day 53
Monday....last night Erika stayed with her, she woke up several times just to check on my mom. Erika left about 7am and Shirley arrived. Shirley called me to say that the physical therapist (PT) wanted to come assess my mom this morning. WOW we were supposed to go and get her hair done...but this was more important. I arrived about 8:30 with latte's in hand. My mom was still sleeping.
I got my mom up so that she could get her pills, a little coffee and a bite to eat before Kathy (PT) would be there. I had called a told the hair people that we would be a little late - they said no problem. I wanted to try and get a shower for my mom....but right now things don't move quite that fast...we started the water but Kathy arrived before that could happen.
Kathy talked with my mom about all that has happened to her in the last 7 weeks. My explained the best she could looking to me to fill in a few blanks. Then Kathy wanted to see her move...so my mom got up and walked with her walker and had to show her how she got in bed....once back in bed she showed her how to do some strengthening exercises that she wants her to do 2x a day as well as walking around the house.. Kathy set her next appointment for Wednesday and left. I hurried my mom into the shower and helped her where she needed it. She did good and I know it felt good to get a good shower in her own shower. OK we had to get going so I got her in the wheelchair, hooked up the portable oxygen and off we went.
We arrived to Julie at her hair place...and she was so excited to have her head really scrubbed. I helped her move from the shampoo chair back to the wheelchair and then Julie just did her hair while she sat in that chair. I ran to BelAir to get a few things and hurried back. She was done within about 45 minutes and it was off to get her toes done......She said that is felt so good to get her toes and hair done but she was really tired. I could see that she wasn't completely "aware" of the whole situation - she would cross her feet while they were still wet and turn her feet under forgetting that she had just had them done. My mom treated me to a pedi too...nice
It was now about 12:30 and she had not slept yet or eaten very much. I knew I had to make something quick and easy as she was fading fast....so she had an Ensure, cheese and bread and was off to bed.
I made the different appointments (doctor) that still needed to occur and wrote the "directions" of taking care of my mom.....tonight was her "widows club" in her complex - they meet every Monday just to sit and chat- Shirley thought it might be good to see if my mom would want to sit outside with them...it could be interesting. I left about 3pm and Carol came to sit with my mom.
Shirley called me later and said that my mom had stayed with them the whole time, about 1.5 hours, and had been cracking jokes and just hanging out. Good. I talked to my mom later and asked her if she had fun and she said it was nice...I told her "like old times" and she said Yes.
I got my mom up so that she could get her pills, a little coffee and a bite to eat before Kathy (PT) would be there. I had called a told the hair people that we would be a little late - they said no problem. I wanted to try and get a shower for my mom....but right now things don't move quite that fast...we started the water but Kathy arrived before that could happen.
Kathy talked with my mom about all that has happened to her in the last 7 weeks. My explained the best she could looking to me to fill in a few blanks. Then Kathy wanted to see her move...so my mom got up and walked with her walker and had to show her how she got in bed....once back in bed she showed her how to do some strengthening exercises that she wants her to do 2x a day as well as walking around the house.. Kathy set her next appointment for Wednesday and left. I hurried my mom into the shower and helped her where she needed it. She did good and I know it felt good to get a good shower in her own shower. OK we had to get going so I got her in the wheelchair, hooked up the portable oxygen and off we went.
We arrived to Julie at her hair place...and she was so excited to have her head really scrubbed. I helped her move from the shampoo chair back to the wheelchair and then Julie just did her hair while she sat in that chair. I ran to BelAir to get a few things and hurried back. She was done within about 45 minutes and it was off to get her toes done......She said that is felt so good to get her toes and hair done but she was really tired. I could see that she wasn't completely "aware" of the whole situation - she would cross her feet while they were still wet and turn her feet under forgetting that she had just had them done. My mom treated me to a pedi too...nice
It was now about 12:30 and she had not slept yet or eaten very much. I knew I had to make something quick and easy as she was fading fast....so she had an Ensure, cheese and bread and was off to bed.
I made the different appointments (doctor) that still needed to occur and wrote the "directions" of taking care of my mom.....tonight was her "widows club" in her complex - they meet every Monday just to sit and chat- Shirley thought it might be good to see if my mom would want to sit outside with them...it could be interesting. I left about 3pm and Carol came to sit with my mom.
Shirley called me later and said that my mom had stayed with them the whole time, about 1.5 hours, and had been cracking jokes and just hanging out. Good. I talked to my mom later and asked her if she had fun and she said it was nice...I told her "like old times" and she said Yes.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Day 52
Sunday.....last night was not as smooth as Friday night.....I changed the mask back to the canula about 11:30pm and she slept a little...she woke up about 2:30 am and after helping her back to bed (she got herself turned around and couldn't figure out how to readjust herself) I put the mask on her again....it wasn't on right so it was making a lot of whistling noise and my mom was frustrated...so I took it off again and she went back to sleep...I didn't though. I laid there thinking about the "what if's"...what if being at home doesn't work?? what if she would need 24 hour care for longer than 3-4 weeks?? she has already brought up her finances...and how much this all was going to cost...I told her that I had it worked out..she doesn't like that...I thought about how she would feel having to give up control of "her stuff". Oh well we will just have to wait and see - in the meantime....here we go.
My kids woke me at 7:30 so I was up and running....my mom wanted to sleep longer....she asked the time and went back to sleep. She did think that is was Monday and that we were going to get her hair done. About 9 my mom got up...ate a little bfast and took her meds. The phone rang and it was Virginia the home health nurse wanting to come by and see my mom this morning...YES I said...so she said she would be there about 11am...my mom said "I am tired I want to go to bed" - I didn't let her so that she could be up for the nurse. When the nurse got there she asked my mom a few questions..and my mom took a little while to answer but she got them right. I asked Virginia (in front of my mom) if she could be left alone...and Virginia said not for a while....at least 3-4 weeks - my mom had been complaining about all the people in her house. We shall see. It would be hard to have all your independence taken.
My cousin Alina has been awesome these last 2 days...she came over and took Mia to her house or the park.....she would have been so bored just hanging around. Leif, Sonia, and Shirley worked hard with me to make a schedule to keep my mom covered....thanks you all. At 3pm today my brother came over so I could get going home....Michael has a test everyday next week and he needs to go to bed early and sleep well. It is easier for me to help my mom while my kids are in school as this keeps their lives consistant. So I will be there tomorrow and am taking my mom to get her hair done and her toes polished...she should be good and tired after that.
So until tomorrow...good night.
My kids woke me at 7:30 so I was up and running....my mom wanted to sleep longer....she asked the time and went back to sleep. She did think that is was Monday and that we were going to get her hair done. About 9 my mom got up...ate a little bfast and took her meds. The phone rang and it was Virginia the home health nurse wanting to come by and see my mom this morning...YES I said...so she said she would be there about 11am...my mom said "I am tired I want to go to bed" - I didn't let her so that she could be up for the nurse. When the nurse got there she asked my mom a few questions..and my mom took a little while to answer but she got them right. I asked Virginia (in front of my mom) if she could be left alone...and Virginia said not for a while....at least 3-4 weeks - my mom had been complaining about all the people in her house. We shall see. It would be hard to have all your independence taken.
My cousin Alina has been awesome these last 2 days...she came over and took Mia to her house or the park.....she would have been so bored just hanging around. Leif, Sonia, and Shirley worked hard with me to make a schedule to keep my mom covered....thanks you all. At 3pm today my brother came over so I could get going home....Michael has a test everyday next week and he needs to go to bed early and sleep well. It is easier for me to help my mom while my kids are in school as this keeps their lives consistant. So I will be there tomorrow and am taking my mom to get her hair done and her toes polished...she should be good and tired after that.
So until tomorrow...good night.
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