Mom Update, May 30, 2011, Monday

Mom’s update Monday, May 30, 2011

Mom was awake when I arrived this morning. I had to fix her in the bed. She was hanging off the end of the bed and slumped over to the right. She looked uncomfortable. I also noticed bubbles and foam around her neck. I asked a CNA to help me to straighten and fix her in the bed before I raised the bed up. I do this most mornings so that when I raise the bed she is “bending” at the waist. I also mentioned the bubbles and the CNA suctioned around the trach. I asked the respiratory therapist to come in and she said that happens when the cuff needs to be expanded. They do this by using a syringe to blow air in the cuff to tighten the fit of the cuff in the trach. Once she was all set I put the lap desk on her lap and put a computer on the desk. I brought Carol Burnett DVD’s with me today. I asked her if she liked Carol Burnett and she shook her head “yes”. I then put the DVD on and she attended to the DVD laughing now and then to the skits. I sat next to her doing paper work. She nodded off.

The aides then came in to wash and dress her. When I came back in she was coughing a lot so they had to suction her. She then fell a sleep for a while. When she woke up I put food network on and gave her a “Woman’s Day” magazine. She held the magazine and looked at the pages and then fell asleep.

Dad came and sat with mom. She was sleeping. Terry also came and Terry said she had a sleepy afternoon, but the times she was awake they interacted and talked. Terry said at one point dad said to mom, “Give me a hug Dot” and mom lifted her arms to hug dad. Mom was put back in bed and Terry said she was awake for a short time and that it looked like she was fighting to stay awake. Terry said to her, “Mom shut your eyes and sleep if you have to.” Mom did and fell asleep until Terry left for the night.

One of the hardest things in the world to do is to “Let go and let God,” giving your problems to God and let him take care of them and you. We are all trying, but it is getting harder and harder, especially when we have such a sleepy day like today.

Please keep our family in your prayers as we approach a year June 1st. This week will be difficult for us all.

I know I don’t even have to ask… pray for a bed at North Shore!

Peace and Love,

~Claud