July 15, 2009

Mom had a pretty good night last night. I gave her some of the medicine for pain at about 9p.m. She slept well for a while, but was restless and awake at about 3 a.m. I gave her something for anxiety then. Once again she went back to sleep and slept til about 6 a.m. That's when I gave her another dose of the pain medicine. It seems to be keeping her pretty comfortable. She's still refusing to eat more than a couple of bites of anything...and will only take sips of water at times.

She wanted to get up in the recliner for a little while. I think she gets tired of being in the bed. Although she's very weak, I put the recliner close to the bed so all she needed to do was basically stand a turn a little bit to sit. She's resting comfortably in the chair now. I keep offering her something to eat, but thus far she will only take a bite or two and that's all. She's occasionally thirsty and likes just plain water to drink. But...again...she's not taking in very much.

She's comfortable....and not worried or anxious...and that's the goal at this point.

July 14, 2009

This picture is so sweet. Mom has been through so much, and feeling so bad, but she managed a smile for me!

Yes, it's been an eventful few days. She went to the emergency room on Thursday (today is Tuesday). They admitted her for multiple reasons: chronic diarrhea due to C-diff infection, colitis, UTI, dehydration. She was feeling so horrible. She stayed in the hospital until yesterday. They were giving her IV fluids and antibiotics for the infections and dehydration.

She was discharged yesterday under Hospice care. We have a hospital bed, a bedside commode and a wheelchair in the home now for her. Man I tell you, that bed had been such a blessing. I think she really likes it too because we can keep the head of her bed up at times.

The nurse that came out today was great. They got some medicine in the home for me to give and she's all taken care of.

I just wish she would eat...or drink. She's only eating a couple of bites of yogurt, and a few sips of chocolate carnation instant breakfast. Plus sipping on water throughout the day. Not much mind you.

Tonight she told me she was dying. I asked her if she was ready and she said yes. I tell you, I had to go into the other room for a few minutes. I don't want to cry in front of her. I told her that she was going to go to heaven and that everything would be okay. I told her I would miss her.

And I will miss her....so very much....when that time comes.

Wednesday July8, 2009

Mom is having a very rough time right now. She had the CT scan done on Monday, which revealed that she has Collitis. I have been giving her Citrucel (she hates it!) and Activia (she likes the strawberry) to help get her bacteria balanced out. Don't ask me how all this happened...and of course...it's a very bad thing for her. She is still very weak from having the problem for a couple of weeks. I gave her pedialite, and tried to keep fluids down her, but she still lost a lot of weight (about 10 lbs)...so now she is just very, very weak and needs to regain her strength.

She wasn't able to walk to the bathroom this morning, so I had to use her walker (it's one of those that she can sit down on if she gets tired) to get her in there. She's so fragile, I'm afraid for her to fall...and I know how easily she can be bruised if I have to grab on to her should she start to fall.

She did eat a good breakfast for me this morning...yogurt (activia), oatmeal, and 1/2 banana. She also drank her citrucil. But...as you can see from the pictures...she just went back to sleep on the couch. She's very listless and weak.

I hope she can pull out of this. I don't know...

July 2nd, 2009

The past couple of weeks have been difficult. Mom has had a bit of a rough time of it. We went to the Dr. yesterday. She lost 10 lbs over this last month!! She is still complaining of having abdominal pain, so on Monday she is going to have a CT scan of her abdomen to see if there's anything going on.

The Dr. also made some med changes: Her lasix was decreased to 20 mg from 40, Potassium was dc'd, Trental was dc'd. The only meds she's on now are Lasix and Lisinopril on M-W-F, and the Trazadone and Ranitidine at bedtime. Also got an order for something that I can give her when she has anxiety and agitation. I'd rather just give her something when she needs it, rather than give her something that will make her into a zombie and take away whatever personality or memory she has left. I guess they have to try them though.

Not to mention the cost. I don't know how elderly pay for their medicine, because they are on a fixed income. The two meds we tried cost $140. and $170. each...and she can't even take them. Pretty crazy I tell you.

I now have a POA for Mom, but still need to get the medical POA. Will update after Monday when we get the results of the CT scan.