Claudia began the day with mom this morning and found mom asleep. Mom was sound asleep even through her physical therapy/range of motion exercises. No matter what Claudia did, she couldn't wake mom up. Her breakfast came and still she couldn't wake mom. Claudia left for work . The CNAs were trying to wake mom too and couldn't. They are going to wash mom and dress her and get her in the wheelchair and try to get her to eat. They told Claudia that they will not throw mom's breakfast away--they will hang onto it and try to get her to eat when she wakes up.
Yesterday's missing pieces: Claudia also said that yesterday, mom's friend, Rita, was talking and mom was listening intently. When Rita went to leave mom made the sign of the cross as though she connected Rita to church. Mom explored the sensory toys on the tray as they talked. When Maureen, mom's other friend, came yesterday, mom was happy to see her. Claudia took out the megablocks and mom tried to play with the blocks nonchalantly while they all talked to Maureen. Dad made mom a stuffed pepper for dinner last night and brought it to her. Mom ate it so fast that she started to choke and had to be suctioned several times. Claudia tried the IPAD last night too but mom was too tired and fell asleep.
Dad and Anthony went to see the woman who is filing all the Medicaid paperwork for us. Dad had gathered more paperwork to bring to her. The Medicaid paperwork is a nightmare!!! I know I have said it already, but keep 5 years of receipts ready and labeled and available for use. It cuts back on the work in an emergency situation. When I came to see mom today, she was just starting lunch. Her CNA had the TV on really loud so that mom would stay awake. Mom didn’t wake up to eat breakfast. She was too sleepy. I had to feed mom her lunch. Her nose was running wildly during her meal as well (food allergy?). Mom ate turkey ala king, peas and carrots, apple crisp (soft inner section only), juice and a biscuit. She ate everything, but it appeared that at times she was sleeping as she ate. When she finished lunch, I put the headphones on with some spiritual music on the IPAD. Mom’s respiratory rates have not been good today…kind of high (40s as per the vent reading). The pulmonologist came to see mom and said that she sounded like maybe she had aspirated a little based on listening to her chest through the stethoscope. He also questioned why mom is using a straw to drink---he said it is not the best to do when on a vent and asked if the speech person ok’d it. They checked and found that the speech person said it was OK, even though the respiratory people felt it is not good to use for thickened liquids and/or when on a vent (could promote aspiration). I am thinking that we will just try not to use the straws at all. After mom was changed, her rate went down to the 30s again…this is good. She fell asleep listening to music with the headphones. I made the executive decision to let her rest---it takes a lot more energy then we know to breath, eat, drink and exert independence in doing so. Mom’s vent is still on CPAP mode, thank God. But, as much as I know you all do, PLEASE PRAY THAT MOM’S BREATHING IMPROVES SO SHE GETS OFF THE VENT ASAP. Thanks. Any time mom was awake so far during my visit, she has had periods of shaking (her rate goes to the high 30s and 40s when she shook). I have been holding her hands, praying over her, rubbing her back and telling her that this is a battle and she is doing great and fighting hard and that she’ll be through this battle soon enough. I feel the need to comfort and encourage her today.
This afternoon, Sister Alice, from mom’s church, came to visit. Mom slept pretty much the whole time Sister Alice visited. She woke occasionally and stared at her as we all spoke, but she mostly slept. Sister told mom about all the prayers that she brought with her for mom.
After Sister Alice left, mom was put back in bed. Dad said she ate her whole dinner but did not feed herself. She fell back to sleep as soon as she finished eating.
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
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