Mom’s update Monday, September 5, 2011 (TRULY LABOR DAY)
What a workout we all had today!!!
I started the day with mom. When I arrived shortly after 8am mom was in her wheel chair, which is weird. The CNA was there and she explained that mom had received an enema because of bowel issues (no bowel issues that we were told? They said she couldn’t go for two days. TWO DAYS? Is that a reason to give someone an enema? Seems a little drastic – no?) She was all dressed and washed and ready for her day (mainly because of what happened after the enema). Breakfast came and mom told me she didn’t feel well. She said her stomach hurt. The nurse and I thought it may have been because of the enema. I went and got her a ginger ale. She sipped the ginger ale but didn’t touch her food. After breakfast she wanted to just sit so we did. Then she pointed to her stuff on her shelf so I asked if she wanted to do some work. She said sure. I took out three tasks and let her choose one. She chose to work with the deck of cards. I took out the cognitive book that my friend gave me and did one of the activities. I placed three number cards on the table. I ask her to tell me what they were. I then turned over the first card (2) and then asked what card it was and she said 2. I then turned over the next card (6) and asked what the first card was – 2 and then the second card – 6. I then did the same with the third card. Mom was able to remember the cards turned over. I then asked her to hand me the cards (face down) out of order. She did. I then turned them right side up and added a card (now there were four cards). I did the activity up to five (which was too challenging for her). I then played a few round of memory with photo cards. After the second game mom complained of a pain in her side and back and said she needed to use the toilet. I called for the CNA and she put her in the lift and tool her to the bathroom. Mom started to say she was nauseous. She also said she wanted to go back to bed. I asked the CNA to ask if she was getting PT or OT today and she called down and they said no. We put her back in bed and that is when her mood started to change She was telling me her stomach and back and side hurt. I told the nurse who came in and said she was reacting to the enema. Lunch came and she didn’t eat. She drank a little apple juice and some ice water. Dad came and he was concerned. He asked the nurse to look at her again. Time passed and mom started to vomit. I held a basin and dad kept handing me paper towels to help mom. Dad went out in the hall and got another basin. When one filled up we swapped and I cleaned the basin and swapped again. We called the nurse and the nursing supervisor came in and said she is reacting to the enema. Time passed and she started to throw up again. After this bout she started to shiver uncontrollably. It was painful to watch. She complained of being cold (freezing). We put many blankets on her and once again called the nursing supervisor. They took her temp and she had 101.4. They called an ambulance and Anthony and Con came by that time. Con and I stayed with mom while the prepped her for the hospital. Mom started to slip away, no talking, eyes shut and not responding to us. I was crazy with worry. We all followed the ambulance to the hospital. I stayed with mom because I knew the history of the morning. I shared all the info with the triage nurse and the nurse in the ER. They took blood and did some tests. The doctor came in and the following is what he said…
Her liver and kidney function is fine. The infectious disease doctor looked at her and her white blood cell count is high - 19. He said she has a slight pneumonia in her left lung and may have already aspirated when she vomited. He said the way he is looking at this is that the aspiration didn’t give her the fever; He needs to find out what gave her the fever and what caused her to vomit. Something (an infection) caused her to have a fever and caused her to vomit and the vomiting cause her to aspirate and the aspiration caused the pneumonia. She tested positive for a urinary tract infection. Kathy told him that she has a specific type of colonized bacteria that is resistant and the doctor’s at NS said they only treat it if she becomes symptomatic – she is now symptomatic and therefore, needs to be treated. The doctor said leave in the g-tube (UGH!!!) in until she is ready to go home. It is convenient because she would never have been able to drink all of the dye for the CAT scan (they put it in the g-tube). He wants to do the CAT scan to rule out anything in the abdomen causing the infection. His mission right now is what triggered the vomiting? As far as the aspiration there is nothing to do – he will give her antibiotics, nebulizer and treatments.
Dad and Anthony and Kathy were with mom as of 8pm. I suggested that someone go home and they take turns. It is not good for us to get sick form being worn out.
This is some crazy segue…but last night I forget to mention that when we were with mom hanging out for Labor Day Bash, the “rehab crew” (Sam, Anth, Gina and Mikey) sang their rendition of “You Gotta Get Better!” This is the song they wrote when mom was in a coma. There were a lot of people there and they can all attest to this… mom sang along! She knew every word. We haven’t sung that since she was in the coma! How crazy is that? Or how miraculous!
Mom has also been sad and pensive lately. I told you all last night that when Con and Anth and I were with her she told us she didn’t think she would ever come home and then cried. Kathy had an experience with mom last night that I will attach next…
~Claud
Lately, at night, when I (Kathy) put mom to bed, we have the most amazing conversations. Mom said that she is beginning to realize how separated our family has become since all this happened to her. What she meant, after we talked and clarified, is that our family is not all together at home any more because we all take turns being with her in the facility. She forgets all the together times we share as a whole family unit at the facility. Mom also told me last night that it is her hope that I some day find a man like dad for myself. We sit in the dim light and talk about life and us and our family. We dream, hope, reminisce... Last night though, mom began to cry and told me that she is afraid to die. She asked me what she should do and how she could know she would be safe when she dies. We talked about covenants and being in covenant with God. We talked about how, to be in covenant with God, all you have to do is give yourself and your life completely, and faithfully, in total trust, over to Him and He will give you His Life in return. His Life in all its abundance, power, glory, safety, wonder. Mom smiled and held my hand tightly and squinted her eyes shut and told God that she gave Him her life in exchange for His. Then we prayed and I anointed her with oil....and we kissed each other good night as she asked how she could ever repay us all for what we have done for her. She still doesn't realize that she already has repaid us...
~Kathy
Matthew 5:3-12
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Peace and be well,
~Claud
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