Friday, November 30, 2007

Good Nurse Visit/Hospice House Stay

When the nurse called on Tuesday she sounded quite impressed. Mom is so much more alert, talking, hard to understand, yet talking.

Mom's care taker called as well. She is wanting a little time to get ready for Christmas. So mom is going to go to the Hospice House for a few days as long as there is availability. I pray this all works out.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Got it Straight Now

Mary the hospice nurse called. No urologist is needed. She does have a small cyst on her kidney. It is believed by her Dr. that does not need to be followed up on. Glad we are all finally on the same page. Dr., his office, hospice, me and all you who are care join along.

The nurse will be there today so I should know more later.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Christmas Shopping

While I did not take mom out, I was out today I did call mom's caretaker to get some suggestions for what would be a good gift for mom. I thought of one thing, but knew there had to be something she needed. She quickly shot back footed sleepers. While they will not be easy to find I will keep my options open to get her some. Just because there was none at Kohl's does not mean it is time to give up. Then again they may not be findable so I will search for what I can do. She mentioned how mom is always cold summer and winter. As long as I can remember she always has been. She said sweats would be good her favorites have appliqued pictures on the flowers hearts cuddly animals and the like. May be I should run out to one more store to look for her. I am tired, so I do not know.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Dr.s Office Called

While briefly home today I received a call from moms Dr. office. The nurse said she had some abnormalities in her stomach CT and she had a balder infection on the 16th when she was tested. I questioned and the 16th is when they got the results from the test, They want her to go to the urologist, I will talk to the hospice nurse about this development when she calls today.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Getting Better

Mom's caretaker called today. Mom talked, and dressed herself! She was still wobbly on her feet but much better than since she got out of the hospital. Her caretaker has not giver her any Linasinporl for a couple of doses. That helped bring her back. Mom has the best care she could have with dad gone. I can be thankful my brother insisted I look into her being cared for here. =-) We are both so happy about this!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Back Home on Hospice

As I drove over on Wednesday, Allen Hospital called. I was told they were releasing mom back to her care takers home as long as she was on hospice. Not a problem as they felt she is in the end stages of dementia, and a high risk for another stroke that will likely be her last. So after running across town for her medication to get those up dated, then back to get mom following eating and getting dressed. We got her in the house about 15 minutes prior to when I was to meet Hospice. Things went well with all of that.

Gripe with Allen. I told them all her meds, how many times? Way to many for them to have it messed up. She had been pulled off Lisinopril May 1st when when she had a stroke. So why did they have her on it and discharge her with it? I do not want her over medicated and loosing her hair unnecessarily. Well the hospice nurse checked her blood pressure 118/80. The Dr. said, "No! do not give it to her. So we are not. Her thyroid is upped, Lorazepam was upped last refill. Prilosac has not changed and back on potassium again. And Tylonal for pain if needed. Yet she is not likely to tell us she has pain too often. Another thing about Allen they are bad about letting me talk to the Dr.s. I never once talked to one while I was there, only on the phone, on days when I was not. What is with that!

While hospice did not mention it one nice service they offer. When the time come is to dispose of all prescribed meds unused. So we will not have the headache we had when dad left for his reward. Yeah! We are going to start with Hospice coming in three times a week, with a home health aid. They will come up to 5 days a week 2 hours a day. I am not sure of the time but think they are only doing one hour for now. I am still reading through there materials.

While the Dr. at Allen did his job, DHS called today. They are going to check tomorrow. I just pray the lady is reasonable. She will see all is in order and well recorded.

Mom's care taker pointed out what a great danger mom and dad were in. There was so very much grease on the broiler pan starting the oven could have started a fire! I can imagine how much worse that would have been.

To Waterloo to winterized the hot tub.

Much to thank the Lord for! Thank you Lord!!!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

At Allen Hospital

About 3 p.m. I got a call that mom fell split her head open and was on her way to the hospital. I directed her to be taken to the right hospital. 8 staples later they are keeping her for 4-7 days I was told tonight. She has developed another UTI [=-(] and is dehydrated. So I will be going over tomorrow.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Doctor visit today

Let us go back one day to November 8, about 8 a.m. Moms Dr. office called. They wanted her to come in to talk about her most recent blood work, lab results. I was concerned but guess I did not need to be too much, as it turned out. I was told the Dr. was booked solid for three weeks. Then asked if we could be there at 10 today. I made some quick calls to cover the boys and work out my end of things here. The Dr. just wanted to up her thyroid medicine, and get her on potassium again. His next concern was that she is almost due for a mammogram. Yet I did ask about her eating and eating while loosing weight. He ordered a stomach CT, and chest x-ray as well as the mammogram for after the 13th. One year from when she last had one, translated when insurance would let her get another one. He inquired about her having a colonoscopy, which I told him she had one in May. I think I should have mentioned at Covenant since he might think she had it where she should have in stead of where she did. He was glad for that. But ordered testing as he thought possibly stomach cancer. So we will be going next week to check on that.

She got her flu shot today. I learned she had a pneumonia shot in 2004. More so they are good for 5 years, so if asked again I can now tell them or look it up.

Her new grandson has a shower tomorrow.

She is falling a lot and often bruised from her falls. =-(

Friday, November 2, 2007

Mom's weight is dropping!

Considering she was 160 in March and down to 114.6 now. I am getting concerned. The Dr. had me bring mom in for blood work today. Last time they said they could not get her blood. Today they could not from her right arm. After a good amount of time They tried her left and they got it. I ran her over to check her weight and last time I checked about a month ago she was 12? (124, 126). Today she was down to 114.6. She eats a lot and good food not junk. Still she is loosing, I will call the Dr. on Monday to inquire about it.

Took care of her banking today, and found all the licence's at there place I should have. Since my youngest brothers truck was on the renewal notice we wondered if his trailer was as well. Glad it was not. Just the truck we sold and Craig's I will not be paying the renewal fees for. Oh and baring hearing from my youngest brother soon like the next 12 hours. I will have sold the kitchen stove. It is going to a good home. =-) So we are rolling along.

Did I mention mom's 12th grandchild was born October 24. Cute as can be. There was a lot that happened in October with youngest dear brothers marriage ending. Dad's birthday would have been this month. His grand daughter born one day off from his had hers, the new grand son born, and youngest brothers intended wife had her birthday as well. Sold the truck, Amen! No need to pay for another year of license.