Monday, May 21, 2012

You Can Lead A Patient To Water, But You Can't Make Her Drink!


This has been a very mentally exhausting day.  This morning I could not get a blood pressure reading on Mom. She was conscious but not relating to me in any way.  Scared?  you betcha!  Thank God that Jeff, the Physical Therapist came early today.  I was still trying to get vitals when he arrived.  He also tried and could not get a blood pressure either and the pulse was very weak and erratic. I told him that I had been having trouble the last two days getting Mom to drink fluids, especially water.  He pinched her skin and it just stood there - yep, she was dehydrated.  (I just made Jeff a doctor, lol).  Anyway, we started trying to force fluids.  He told me that I was giving her to much orange juice because this would give her diarrhea (didn't know that).  He suggested Gatorade and caffeine free Coke, of which I had neither.  We thought we were going to have to take her to the hospital for an IV bolus of fluids but I begged them to let me try forcing fluids here (since I now know the problem).  Shayla, our aide came and definitely noticed the change in Mom and called the office.  They gave me one hour to turn her around or we were to call the Emergency Squad and go to the ER.  Shayla, Jack, Wilma and I were really working on getting her to drink through a straw.  Polly Lasher and Bev Kramer furnished the Gatorade and Wilma went in search of those little sponge things on a stick to put in Gatorade and put in her mouth and some caffeine free Coke.  Within the hour, we got what was a non-registering blood pressure to a meek 85/60 early on and at the end of the hour, I am so pleased to say we got a blood pressure reading of 121/92 and a strong pulse of 71.

This team work was A+ today.  Thanks Lord for letting us put our best foot forward and getting the job done.

Yesterday was a good day.  Kristi Ryan, our hairdresser came to the house and gave Mom a hair cut and me a color and hair cut.  I now have my "little boy haircut" for the summer.  I just can't take messing with longer hair and taking care of Mom in the heat.  I may look like Mrs. Hickman's little boy (well, except for those darn boobs) but I'm just still plain ole simple me.

Praying for a better tomorrow.  (Hey, did you notice this post was from me?????)

Hello World!!  I am excitedly working on my Blog!

My High School Chums

Well, "Sleeping Beauty" is still sound asleep. 

 

Last evening, I had my first outing.  My high school chums, Nila Means May and Sherry Slaughter and I went to dinner at the FOP.  She comes from her home base in 

Fresno,CA to this area once a year and we always get together for dinner and it is amazing. For those of you that don't know, Sherry has been with Campus Crusade for Christ since graduating from Marshall University (we will forgive her the Marshall part of her life, not everyone can be a WVU girl, lol).  Nila is to humble to admit it but she runs the engineering office, the guys just think they do.

Amazing to see how the Lord has worked in these wonderful ladies lives.  It is so nice to see how over the years our lives have taken different twists and turns but when we return for that one night dinner together each year, we are still those three high school girls that the Lord has blessed so much.  I have learned so much from these two ladies.

 

Jack and Wilma stayed with Mom so that I could go to dinner and I can't thank them enough.  Wilma got Mom to eat more than she has eaten in a while and of course Mom loves her "golden boy"(Jack) and his presence always brings a smile to her face.  Gave mom her pills when I came home and she went to sleep within an hour and is still sleeping.  Jack said she never did nap while they were here.  I guess she was afraid she might miss something.  She watched the Preakness as she still loves horses.  Hey, the little jockey in lilac won the race again.  Something about that color purple/lilac is a winner.  See, if I were a betting person, I could be rich today!

 

My nephew Tommy took over my computer (from his home in Akron, OH) and did some updates on it.  It amazes me how he can do that.  He is one terrific young man with a wealth of knowledge and tries to keep his old aunt updated on the "techie stuff".  Christie, Tommy's Mom is under the weather this weekend and we hope she is feeling better this morning. 

 

Everyone have a blessed day and get out there and enjoy the sunshine with your families.  vada

Good morning everyone.  It sure is a beautiful day out there.  Mom is just now beginning to stir.  She slept from early evening until around 3 a.m. and then was awake from then until about 7:45 a.m. when she went back to sleep.

 

She is eating much better.  That baby food trick is working and she also loves lemon pudding.  So far Strawberry Cream is her favorite BOOST drink.

 

Shayla came yesterday and gave Mom her bath and we had a lovely visit.  Polly Lasher and Bev Kramer both came while she was here and we discussed how we all feel that Shayla will make a great nurse.  She has wanted to be a nurse since she was small and is looking into pursuing this idea. 

 

Jack came last evening while Wilma went to her VFW meeting and we had a great time talking about the "good ole days".  I love walking down memory lane with him.

 

Everyone get outside and enjoy the day.  vada

Hey I am an offical blogger now - well I'm just getting started as my niece  Christie surprised me with it yesterday. She used the title from one of my posts and I am so proud. She also used my favorite colors and has done a wonderful job with links on the right side to her blog and also one to Toni's blog. Now I have to learn how to turn my emails into this blog but this is soooo exciting. You know I really think that I am a frustrated writer. Or maybe a career counselor. This little girl who comes to bathe Mom has decided to further her education and either go to LPN or RN school. She has to work also because she is a single mother (2 year old Katie). I have been talking to her about this and have been looking schools up online for her, etc. Today when she comes Bev is coming over to talk to her about what types of schooling is available, grants, etc. I am so excited for her. Hey, I may be old but there are things that still get my heart started.

 

Pastor Larry came to visit us yesterday afternoon.  I just love that man.  He is doing such a wonderful job serving our Lord.  It was so nice to be able to talk to him yesterday and we had a great visit.  I am so blessed with such wonderful people surrounding me.  My church family means so much to me.

 

My new blog: http://hickmanhospitalgazette.blogspot.com

Just click on the purple link above and it will take you right to it. I feel like a new mother who just gave birth. lol   Thank you, Thank you Christie for all your hard work and giving me this wonderful gift.  I love my blog.  Now I have to learn how to be the author of it.

 

Well, my night of expermentation did not last long.  The nurse had told me try not giving Mom an Ativan one night to see how she did. After Jack and Wilma left last night she was sound asleep for maybe a half an hour and THEN she started talking and within the hour she was yelling and then started to scream.  I couldn't take it so I gave her her pill and she finally went to sleep within 2 hours and has slept pretty well last night, fitfully towards morning but is still sleeping.

 

My friend Sherry arrived in WV last night from CA and she, Nila and I are going out to the FOP for dinner tomorrow night.  I am so excited, get to catch up on all the girl talk just like when we were in high school.

Jack and Wilma are staying with Mom while I do dinner.  Jack and Sherry's dad worked together at G. C. Murphy's for years. 

 

Remember there are people out there needing our prayers. 

 

Everyone have a super-duper weekend.  I think it is going to be a beautiful, hot one.  ENJOY!

Well that big day has come and gone!  Mom got her splint and sling removed yesterday.  He told me not to use the sling as there is a little place on the end of her elbow which looks like an infection spot that is trying to pop through and a sling would rub it.  Have to keep a careful eye on that spot because if that happens then we have to go back to surgery. 

 

Jack and I made the trip in the van with her and Wilma met us at Dr. Waxman's office.  Mom did quite well except somewhere in the trip she scraped her knee but took care of that when we got home.  Kenny, the van driver was very nice to us and he sure was appreciated.  $38. for round trip; sure beats $650 from JanCare transport van.  We don't have to go back to Dr. Waxman only on as an as-needed basis.  His nurse said not until I needed my knee replacement.  This turned out to be not a joke, as last night my left knee hurt so bad I had to hold on to things to walk.  I bathed in Ben Gay and took an Advil.  Is some better today.  Darn, getting old really isn't for sissies!

 

Jeff, PT got Mom to walk 10 feet yesterday (her legs moved 10 feet; he is practically carrying her body and I'm bringing up the rear and pushing wheelchair with my knees.

 

Mom was exhausted after her big outing so she immediately went to sleep but only slept for maybe 30 minutes, woke up and she was famished.  I got her to eat a jar of ham, pineapple baby food, whole jar of peaches, banana cream pudding and a whole bottle of Boost along with some water.  Best she has eaten in a long time.

 

Sleeping is still the problem.  She yelled way into the night and is now sleeping.  Wish we could get the nights and days straighted out.  (God, I'm not complaining, I'm thankful for the things that are going right).

 

Thanks to Jack and Wilma who were with Mom and I every step of the way yesterday.  Thank all of you for your prayers.  Keep all of those in need in your prayers today.

Praise God that Nila's test results came back negative. 

 

Looks like a beautiful day out there.  vada 

Today is D-Day or should I say C-Day, as we go to see Dr. Waxman today  at 3:45 p.m. for the cast removal.  Hooray!  I just feel that Mom will do so much better once she gets that heavy thing off her arm.  She is in her bed chattering like she has been most of the night.  I think she is "somewhat sleeping" but still talking at the same time.  Eyes are shut but she is still talking.

 

Simply amazing what a little sleep will do for you.  Since I didn't sleep Monday night and felt pretty worse for the wear because my left shoulder was really hurting and my old arthritic knees were giving me trouble, I broke over and took 2 Aleve.  My endocrinologist does not want me taking these because he is afraid my stomach will start bleeding but told me that once in a while when the pain is so bad I could get by with taking a couple and then them alone for a while.  Well, last night was Aleve night and Mom was still carrying on at about midnight so I took them and really did get a few hours sleep.  Wow, I feel like a new woman!!!

 

The RN was here yesterday and said that Mom now has her days and nights mixed up which is part of the disease.  She said I should try to keep her awake.  Yeah, right!  It does not work.  No matter what I tried she was determined to sleep, so finally around noon, I just gave in and took a nap with her (about an hour).

 

Polly Lasher came while the nurse was here.  She is so amazing, 93 years old and is very spry and always has me laughing.  Karen, the RN was well entertained by her. 

 

Today, Jeff from PT will be here this morning and also Shayla the aide prior to noon.  Talked with Ken the driver from Mt. State and he will be here around 3pm to pick up Mom and Jack and I are both allowed to ride with her.  Wish us well!

 

Great news:  My nameless friend who has been in the hospital having multiple tests received news that her temporal biopsies came back negative.  Praise God!  Her temperataure is now back to normal and the team of doctors still have no idea what caused this but is sending her home.  Maybe it was something viral (that's Dr.Coonley's opinion  ).  I am so thankful for the negative biopsies.  We serve a great God, don't we?  Please add Bill Mason (Rosemary Toryak's brother in law) to your prayers, as he was just sent home from the hospital (heart) because they can do no more, but we know our Lord can.

 

Everyone have a wonderful day!  vada