This morning brought a prescription for oxygen and some brilliant ideas. We decided that if we gave Helen Tylenol about a half hour before we started moving her she might not have so much pain. It worked, and though she complained some it was not as loud and persistent. Cheryl Webb, the PA that we normally take Helen to, suggested that we give her the Tylenol every 4 hours for a few days to stay ahead of the pain. It is really helping her attitude.
She ate a good lunch, then when Megan and Hannah came home from school she was awake and they spent a while talking with her. Nicole also came with Delaney and in all she had a great late afternoon. We moved her to the wheelchair and she joined us for dinner at the table and then went back in the TV area with David while we cleaned up the kitchen. She had an excellent dinner, equal to or more than she would normally eat. By the time she was put back into bed she was ready, but had had a good day.
Home health is supposed to be here tomorrow to evaluate the situation and determine what services she needs and qualifies for. I feel we should have a nurse occasionally, a bath aid and pt/ot. Time will tell on that. I was a little disturbed that they did not come in today, and in fact, I had to call them.
Tomorrow will be another day, and I trust it will be as good or better.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Now the Work Begins
After a restful day of study and hosting a Bible study group at our home we began a new chapter in our lives. At about 5:50 we wheeled Helen in and placed her in her hospital bed. Uptown delivered a truck load of equipment and supplies on Friday in preparation for this move from the Hospital to home today.
Unfortunately the energy of going from the hospital bed to wheelchair to the car; the ride home and back into the wheelchair and then into the bed was all Helen had. She slept through almost the complete the move, barely waking enough to help a little. She has been asleep since she was put into bed, though we have tried to wake her every half hour. It would have been nicer for David if she knew she was home with him.
Tomorrow will be a new day and we are trusting that she will be a wake and alert and aware of where she is in the morning.
Early in the week Home Health should be in to do an evaluation and then decide exactly what is needed. They have ordered a bathing aid and OT/PT, but I feel we will also need a nurse at least once a week.
As we progress through the challenges I will keep everyone posted on the blog.
Only 32 days and we leave for Israel
Unfortunately the energy of going from the hospital bed to wheelchair to the car; the ride home and back into the wheelchair and then into the bed was all Helen had. She slept through almost the complete the move, barely waking enough to help a little. She has been asleep since she was put into bed, though we have tried to wake her every half hour. It would have been nicer for David if she knew she was home with him.
Tomorrow will be a new day and we are trusting that she will be a wake and alert and aware of where she is in the morning.
Early in the week Home Health should be in to do an evaluation and then decide exactly what is needed. They have ordered a bathing aid and OT/PT, but I feel we will also need a nurse at least once a week.
As we progress through the challenges I will keep everyone posted on the blog.
Only 32 days and we leave for Israel
Ring Ring!
So last night, I had a very traumatizing experience. I was at Oak Street Haven and I was ready to go. I called my dad's cell phone but there was no answer. Then I called our house phone. No answer. Then mom's cell phone. No answer. Dads again. Moms again. House again. FREAK OUT! I was pretty angry with them for not answering and then they showed up! So I got in the car and after telling them exactly how I felt about it, I got over it. But then, today, I got inspired and wrote a poem about it :)
When Parents Don't Answer Their Cell Phones
Ring, ring, ring, such an empty, disturbing sound
"You have reached my voice mail, which means I am not around"
Where are you mom? Where are you dad?
This makes me worried, upset and mad
If you leave the house, please take your phone
For you're supposed to use it when you're not at home
If you do not answer, I may start to stress
Why has your answer button been left unpressed?
Has something bad happened to you?
If you are dead, what will I do?
Wait, there's your car! And there you sit!
Completely oblivious to my worried fit!
You heard it ring, but didn't reach it in time?
Guess what! I called a second time!
Just take your phone out and call me back!
This will prevent my heart attack.
Oh mother, oh father, I'm glad all is well
But next time, please, just answer your cell!
:)
When Parents Don't Answer Their Cell Phones
Ring, ring, ring, such an empty, disturbing sound
"You have reached my voice mail, which means I am not around"
Where are you mom? Where are you dad?
This makes me worried, upset and mad
If you leave the house, please take your phone
For you're supposed to use it when you're not at home
If you do not answer, I may start to stress
Why has your answer button been left unpressed?
Has something bad happened to you?
If you are dead, what will I do?
Wait, there's your car! And there you sit!
Completely oblivious to my worried fit!
You heard it ring, but didn't reach it in time?
Guess what! I called a second time!
Just take your phone out and call me back!
This will prevent my heart attack.
Oh mother, oh father, I'm glad all is well
But next time, please, just answer your cell!
:)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
It is in the works
Carla had toe surgery today. An ingrown toenail made a real mess. She is feeling great tonight. I trust that she will be doing as good tomorrow.
I had a meeting yesterday afternoon with the OT/PT for Helen and found out that the dementia is hampering any real progress for a walking recovery in the near future. Since Medicare required a certain level of progress within the first ten days there is not an option for her to stay any longer. I had another meeting with the OT this morning and scheduled home care training for Carla for Friday morning. It looks like we will be bring Helen home on Saturday late afternoon.
Hannah, Megan and David went to the hospital around 4:30 pm yesterday and Helen slept the whole time they were there, about 45 minutes. Sarah, Carla and David went to day about 10:30 am and they could not wake her up enough to talker to her. I looked in while was there early this AM and in the afternoon when I was confirming all the needed equipment orders and both times she was sleeping pretty sound. The nurses told me they were having to feed her again and that when they tried to do therapy she would go to sleep.
We are trusting that when she is home and in a familiar environment with family around all the time she will be more cooperative. We will have home health coming in at different times during the week. Most likely an RN weekly and an aid three times a week to help with bathing.
Frank is planning to come tomorrow (Thursday) for a short visit. I think that will be good. Trusting that his voice may trigger a little more responsiveness. It will also be good for David to see him as well.
Carla and my 32nd anniversary is Friday,so we will celebrate while Frank is here. If we can get reservation we want to go to Mattina's, an Italian restaurant in downtown (old town) Kingman. A lot has transpired in the last year.
I had a meeting yesterday afternoon with the OT/PT for Helen and found out that the dementia is hampering any real progress for a walking recovery in the near future. Since Medicare required a certain level of progress within the first ten days there is not an option for her to stay any longer. I had another meeting with the OT this morning and scheduled home care training for Carla for Friday morning. It looks like we will be bring Helen home on Saturday late afternoon.
Hannah, Megan and David went to the hospital around 4:30 pm yesterday and Helen slept the whole time they were there, about 45 minutes. Sarah, Carla and David went to day about 10:30 am and they could not wake her up enough to talker to her. I looked in while was there early this AM and in the afternoon when I was confirming all the needed equipment orders and both times she was sleeping pretty sound. The nurses told me they were having to feed her again and that when they tried to do therapy she would go to sleep.
We are trusting that when she is home and in a familiar environment with family around all the time she will be more cooperative. We will have home health coming in at different times during the week. Most likely an RN weekly and an aid three times a week to help with bathing.
Frank is planning to come tomorrow (Thursday) for a short visit. I think that will be good. Trusting that his voice may trigger a little more responsiveness. It will also be good for David to see him as well.
Carla and my 32nd anniversary is Friday,so we will celebrate while Frank is here. If we can get reservation we want to go to Mattina's, an Italian restaurant in downtown (old town) Kingman. A lot has transpired in the last year.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
We are progressing
Helen's attitude is very good, she is very cooperative, she is eating good, we see progress.
The posting is slow for the past few days because I have been taking "non-Drowsy" Clariton and it muddles the mind. I would rather sleep than function. I took just a single Benidril last night and the mind is still not clear. Guess antihistamines are not in the drug regiment to get rid of what ever I have.
Nicole had dinner with Helen last night, that made her happy. She enjoys seeing family members especially at meal time.
Hopefully I will be able to give a better update tonight.
The posting is slow for the past few days because I have been taking "non-Drowsy" Clariton and it muddles the mind. I would rather sleep than function. I took just a single Benidril last night and the mind is still not clear. Guess antihistamines are not in the drug regiment to get rid of what ever I have.
Nicole had dinner with Helen last night, that made her happy. She enjoys seeing family members especially at meal time.
Hopefully I will be able to give a better update tonight.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Lasagna and green beans
And desert was chocolate cake. You guessed it! That was Helen's dinner tonight. We went to visit during her evening meal and sat with her to encourage her to eat. She had eaten 80% of breakfast and 40% of lunch. I would guess about 60% of dinner and the portion was large.
Today they dressed her and she had therapy three times. She had a much better day and was more co-operative. I watched when they transferred her to the wheelchair for dinner and she did help a little. There was some complaint of pain, not much and it did not last. She is only on Tylenol standard strength so that is very good.
Yesterday was a very bad day. No cooperation and slept most of the day. She was very with it and made it plain she did not like all they (the nurses and PT) were doing and went to sleep to keep from doing what they wanted, including eating breakfast and lunch. Dinner she ate about 80%. The nurses aid said she was hungry.
There is a re-evaluation of her status on Monday to re-determine if rehab is the right palace for her. AS a family we will be working on a plan B and ways that each member can help to take some of the stress off of me.
We had a few minutes of rain today and it was only into the low 90"s. A very nice day.
Today they dressed her and she had therapy three times. She had a much better day and was more co-operative. I watched when they transferred her to the wheelchair for dinner and she did help a little. There was some complaint of pain, not much and it did not last. She is only on Tylenol standard strength so that is very good.
Yesterday was a very bad day. No cooperation and slept most of the day. She was very with it and made it plain she did not like all they (the nurses and PT) were doing and went to sleep to keep from doing what they wanted, including eating breakfast and lunch. Dinner she ate about 80%. The nurses aid said she was hungry.
There is a re-evaluation of her status on Monday to re-determine if rehab is the right palace for her. AS a family we will be working on a plan B and ways that each member can help to take some of the stress off of me.
We had a few minutes of rain today and it was only into the low 90"s. A very nice day.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Acute Rehab Here we Come
Since Wednesday night is grocery shopping night I did not go to the Hospital to visit.
Carla and David went in the afternoon. They were getting ready to do the Rehab evaluation and while they were there and had said they would call us to discuss the options if she was not accepted. We had not heard anything later in the day
This morning when we went to the old room the bed was empty. The nurses desk was the next stop and they excitedly told us that she was in acute rehab room 385. This is where they will help her rebuild her strength and learn to walk again. Her comment was that she felt that she was in a prize fight and they were shoving her. I am sure we will hear about all kinds of torture as they work with her. Helen is not used to being told she has to do something and pressing for endurance.
Will post more as time progresses. We are very thankful that she was accepted.
Carla and David went in the afternoon. They were getting ready to do the Rehab evaluation and while they were there and had said they would call us to discuss the options if she was not accepted. We had not heard anything later in the day
This morning when we went to the old room the bed was empty. The nurses desk was the next stop and they excitedly told us that she was in acute rehab room 385. This is where they will help her rebuild her strength and learn to walk again. Her comment was that she felt that she was in a prize fight and they were shoving her. I am sure we will hear about all kinds of torture as they work with her. Helen is not used to being told she has to do something and pressing for endurance.
Will post more as time progresses. We are very thankful that she was accepted.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I Can See Clearly Now (almost)
Today was a good day. When we walked in Helen was setting in a chair, and was easy to awaken. Her mind was much clearer tonight the majority of the conversation was current about real people. She reverted to the past and some dreams a little, but much more aware of who we were. We talked for about 45 minutes before she started nodding off for a nap. The timing was good because the nurses arrived to move her back to the bed from setting up in the chair.
She remembered Hannah visiting the night before last and Nicole and David visiting last night, also ask about Sarah and Frank.
PT had her up taking a few steps. They also moved her from the bed to a chair several times. She told the nurse they were torturing her when they moved her. The nurses said she is very cooperative and a great pill taker. That makes their job. easier
The evaluation for Acute Rehab began today. It will be good if they accept her. Medicare allows three weeks of rehab. It will take a lot of work to rebuild her strength so she can stand alone and learn to walk again.
She remembered Hannah visiting the night before last and Nicole and David visiting last night, also ask about Sarah and Frank.
PT had her up taking a few steps. They also moved her from the bed to a chair several times. She told the nurse they were torturing her when they moved her. The nurses said she is very cooperative and a great pill taker. That makes their job. easier
The evaluation for Acute Rehab began today. It will be good if they accept her. Medicare allows three weeks of rehab. It will take a lot of work to rebuild her strength so she can stand alone and learn to walk again.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Mind Clears a Little
There was some improvement today, but nothing massive.
Carla and I visited early this morning. Helen was much more with us.
This evening Nicole visited with Helen before we arrived and found her very much aware of what was happening. She remembered Hannah visiting last night and asked about the grand kids and other family members.
PT was not able to do all the planned activities as Helen's HH screen was not within the correct parameters. They have given her two units of blood hoping that will bring the hemoglobin level up to the acceptable levels. They are also giving breathing treatments to help keep the lungs clear.
The nurses are very good working with her to get food and liquid into her. Helen does not like fluid so that has always been a challenge.
David is doing so so, very lonely and not sure what to say to her when visiting. Since he doesn't say much to us either it is really hard to know what is going on in his mind. When she was very confused it was obvious he did not understand at all what was going on, even when we tried to explain.
We are trusting each day to be an improvement. We trust she will be able to move into the rehab program.
Carla and I visited early this morning. Helen was much more with us.
This evening Nicole visited with Helen before we arrived and found her very much aware of what was happening. She remembered Hannah visiting last night and asked about the grand kids and other family members.
PT was not able to do all the planned activities as Helen's HH screen was not within the correct parameters. They have given her two units of blood hoping that will bring the hemoglobin level up to the acceptable levels. They are also giving breathing treatments to help keep the lungs clear.
The nurses are very good working with her to get food and liquid into her. Helen does not like fluid so that has always been a challenge.
David is doing so so, very lonely and not sure what to say to her when visiting. Since he doesn't say much to us either it is really hard to know what is going on in his mind. When she was very confused it was obvious he did not understand at all what was going on, even when we tried to explain.
We are trusting each day to be an improvement. We trust she will be able to move into the rehab program.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Adventures of the Mind
Where do I begin? The stories are fascinating, beyond real, but not hallucinating. The nurses tell me that Helen was awake all night talking with David, some in New York but mostly in Boston. By the time we got there at 9 am she was sound asleep for the morning.
This afternoon She had great conversation, but we were not there to participate. By 5 PM when we arrived at the hospital she was sleeping. After several attempts we aroused Helen and most likely she knew we were there as she told us about the adventures of the afternoon. The Parkinson medication is capable of causing some very vivid dreams, thus most likely the source of her conversation topic. Dr. Dawn also told Carla that the vivid dreams and adventures are a part of hip fractures. For brief moments we could tell she was with us, though she is not sure where she is. When we ask her where she was we would never get a straight answer.
Carla tried to get her to eat some of her dinner, without success. Not even the cake. But when the nurse came in with some medication she took it just fine. They tell us she is a good pill taker.
Tomorrow Physical Therapy will be in to begin getting her up and walking some. Tuesday or Wednesday they will evaluate for acute rehab. Because of the Parkinson and dementia she may not be a candidate for the rehab program. We are trusting that she can go into the rehab program as the other choices are coming home or a facility (we do not consider that a choice)
Life right now is one day at a time.
It will be good to go to Israel in October for two weeks, we are almost ready to start counting the days till we leave. I think it is 46 now, we won't start counting until it is 30.
This afternoon She had great conversation, but we were not there to participate. By 5 PM when we arrived at the hospital she was sleeping. After several attempts we aroused Helen and most likely she knew we were there as she told us about the adventures of the afternoon. The Parkinson medication is capable of causing some very vivid dreams, thus most likely the source of her conversation topic. Dr. Dawn also told Carla that the vivid dreams and adventures are a part of hip fractures. For brief moments we could tell she was with us, though she is not sure where she is. When we ask her where she was we would never get a straight answer.
Carla tried to get her to eat some of her dinner, without success. Not even the cake. But when the nurse came in with some medication she took it just fine. They tell us she is a good pill taker.
Tomorrow Physical Therapy will be in to begin getting her up and walking some. Tuesday or Wednesday they will evaluate for acute rehab. Because of the Parkinson and dementia she may not be a candidate for the rehab program. We are trusting that she can go into the rehab program as the other choices are coming home or a facility (we do not consider that a choice)
Life right now is one day at a time.
It will be good to go to Israel in October for two weeks, we are almost ready to start counting the days till we leave. I think it is 46 now, we won't start counting until it is 30.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Recovery Here We Come
Today was the day for surgery. Helen was out after three incisions by 1 PM and on her way to recovery.
The pain medication she has been on has strange side effects, therefore she had a sleepless night with some very vivid flash backs of her past years. This morning before surgery she was still very confused and wondered when we were going to take her to her appointment for surgery at the hospital. Having experienced many of these same things with mother when she had surgery and was on morphine I was not surprised by her experiences.
Tonight Helen was still coming out of the anesthesia and a little confused, but appeared to be doing very well for being 6 hours post surgery.
The plans for tomorrow are for her to be up and doing a little walking. Most likely not ready for a Marathon yet.
The pain medication she has been on has strange side effects, therefore she had a sleepless night with some very vivid flash backs of her past years. This morning before surgery she was still very confused and wondered when we were going to take her to her appointment for surgery at the hospital. Having experienced many of these same things with mother when she had surgery and was on morphine I was not surprised by her experiences.
Tonight Helen was still coming out of the anesthesia and a little confused, but appeared to be doing very well for being 6 hours post surgery.
The plans for tomorrow are for her to be up and doing a little walking. Most likely not ready for a Marathon yet.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
What will happen next
Yesterday was a really good day for Carla's Mother Helen. She was awake more that normal, all the grand kids were here and she had a great time with them.
This morning did not start out as good. She did not really want to wake up and get the day started, so everything ran a little late. Thankfully Megan was home and able to take care of Dave and Helen's breakfast. She is really good about helping out.
About 12:15 Megan called me at work requesting that I come home, grandma had fallen and need help to get up. In the process of getting her up I realized that the right leg would not bear weight, I knew then that we had a problem. David got a chair for me to put her in. The next step was a call to 911 and a trip to the hospital for evaluation of the situation.
End result is a broken hip. Not a real bad break, but at 87 any break is a bad break. There are some pre-surgery test in the morning then if all the test are ok the repair surgery will be done, most likely tomorrow.
I will try to keep the post current on how she is doing.
This morning did not start out as good. She did not really want to wake up and get the day started, so everything ran a little late. Thankfully Megan was home and able to take care of Dave and Helen's breakfast. She is really good about helping out.
About 12:15 Megan called me at work requesting that I come home, grandma had fallen and need help to get up. In the process of getting her up I realized that the right leg would not bear weight, I knew then that we had a problem. David got a chair for me to put her in. The next step was a call to 911 and a trip to the hospital for evaluation of the situation.
End result is a broken hip. Not a real bad break, but at 87 any break is a bad break. There are some pre-surgery test in the morning then if all the test are ok the repair surgery will be done, most likely tomorrow.
I will try to keep the post current on how she is doing.
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