Claudia began the day with mom and found her asleep and sleepy, though mom did smile at her and seem happy when she finally woke up briefly. It took Claudia and the CNAs to try to rouse mom. It took a lot to wake her momentarily.
Mom was being bathed and washed when I arrived. She was initially awake and smiled at me but then went out like a light after she was settled. The CNAs reported that she is coughing a lot still. Everyone notices the change in mom…quieter, struggling at times (physically---cognitively, she is still as much there as before the excess fluid on the brain). Quite often, mom is drenched in sweat from coughing. Basically, we just sit with mom and keep her company or hold her hand when she coughs (she looks for this comfort). We are no longer doing any aggressive therapies like physical therapy, other than that which involves talking and thinking (crosswords…). I noticed today that mom has a new vent. I asked the respiratory therapist about it and was told the vent was replaced today…no reason as to why was reported. Mom slept a lot during my visit with her. She would wake a bit and smile or looked at me like she saw a ghost and then go back to sleep. I cut her hair…it was really long. Combing mom’s hair and the gentle pull of the comb through her hair is relaxing to mom. As soon as Dad joined us, mom woke and smiled at him. She remained awake for his entire visit. We talked for a while and mom was very focused and mouthed answers and comments often. Mom overheard someone ask about when she would be at the hospital and mom began to ask me about it. She asked who was going to the hospital and why she was going and for how long. She commented that it seemed like a good idea to her. Dad sat next to mom once she was put into her wheelchair and talked to her. She held his hand and stared at him intently. Good news!! The sore on mom’s bottom/lower back is almost gone!!! It is closed and only a little bit red with a few scares which will probably heal soon!!! I took out the colored pencils and a coloring book and mom grabbed a pencil to write with but didn’t have the strength to make a mark on the page.
I left because Lenny came home from work with a temp (never a dull moment! LOL). John came tonight to relieve dad. He said that mom was very connected and talkative and awake and alert. The best he has seen mom in a long time. He drew pictures and she said, "Beautiful." They had a great visit. However......earlier in the day (11:00 a.m.) I felt mom's mitts and posies and they were drenched from sweat so I asked the CNA to put them all in the wash and get her some new ones...mom's hands stunk from the sweat created in and by them. Around 2:30, I asked one of the nurses to find some mitts and posies....for later. Well....here it is 8:00 and I get a phone call from dad saying that when John left, no posies or mitts could be found for mom!!! Thank God that one of her best CNAs is on duty until 11:00 p.m. and this CNA is going to sit by mom's side until the mitts and posies appear from the laundry. Needless to say, I am on my way to assess the situation. Mom tried to pull out her trach 4 times this afternoon...I had to pry her fingers off it each time...wrestling her the whole time. I may have to sleep there tonight to be sure she doesn't pull the trach out. As I said before, "Never a dull moment." PTL
"Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established" Proverbs 16:3
PS No bed at North Shore yet....no word from the neurologist yet either...............
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