Mom is eating better.  She actually ate 90% of her breakfast, eating everything but the bacon which she had trouble chewing, so Chastity suggested we start grinding up the meat so she can chew it.  She is also back to feeding herself.  At lunch I was so proud of her because she had chopped up porkchop with gravy, mashed potatoes, spinach souffle', jello.  She was eating pork chop (so I thought) and ate all the mashed potatoes and a little souffle' and all her corn muffin.  When I went to move the plate, I found she had been getting all the gravy off the pork chop and hiding the pork chop under her plate.  I told her that she was "smarter than the average bear". 

 

She is not cooperating with Physical Therapy and Medicare law dictates that they have to be showing steady improvement which she is not so the plan is to discharge her to home on Wednesday.  Today they are going to teach me how to get her out of bed and into a chair with a lift and will be providing me with a crank turn lift at home along with the hospital bed.  Ashley (PT) suggested that Jack and I move the furniture over the weekend, as they will probably deliver the hospital bed on Monday or Tuesday.  I have to sign paperwork today for this service, as what I signed when she was on 5 South is void upon discharge from that floor and now must sign again from Rehab.  Isn't beauracrcy wonderful???  Mom was exhausted yesterday and I think it was because that girl made her stay up so long. 

 

I met Kay Cottrill, administrator of the UTCC yesterday.  She came to Mom's room and asked if I would come to her office with her and shut the door.  She said she heard there was an incident with my mother on Wednesday that we needed to discuss.  I asked who told her (as I had only discussed it with Ashley, PT yesterday so far and had not decided how to proceed, as I didn't know whether to report it yet or would the girl take it out on Mom when I'm not there).  Kay said it was not important how she got the word but was very important that SHE GOT

the word.  I told her what had happened and she told me that there is no such thing as a "stick figure count on how many times a patient tries to get out of bed" and there was no meeting of the nurses yesterday on how long my mother was to stay up.  Kay said that she had the same girl in her office day before yesterday on another complaint with another patient.  She told me that had found out this girl lies and lucky for them she is still on her 90 day probation period so she won't be hard to dismiss.  I told her that I hated for anyone to lose their job and she said, "this is not the kind of person I would want taking care of my mom and I won't have her taking care of your Mom like this.  She apologized on behalf of the hospital. 

 

While in Kay's office, I asked if there was any type of program that rewards good employees, as Chastity is so great with my mother.  She gave me the form to fill out and I am going to attach a letter to it.  She said that this would place $50 in Chastity's paycheck.  She certainly

deserves it.

 

When I first met Kay, she said, "I know I have heard your name many times".  I graduated from high school with her sister Barbara who is married to Richard Iaquinta who is a retired school teacher from RCB and is one of our House of Delegates for several years now.

 

Yesterday afternoon Mom was very confused and started yelling, "fire, fire".  I had a terrible time getting her to quit. I was afraid she would scare those other elderly people.  She insisted that the swing on our porch was on fire and thought the fireman were there putting it out.

 

When Jack and Wilma came she was insisting that her over the bed table be cleared off of everything (water pitcher, cup, etc).  Wilma told her that as soon as the truck came to clear everything off she would.

 

Mary Jo (nurse) gave me her evening pills and a container of ice cream to see if i could get her to take them and she took them right down and ate all but one bite of ice cream before we left.  I pray that she slept well last night and will cooperate with PT today.  Wish us luck and say a little prayer for me that Mom cooperates with me learning the lift today.  This is something I will definitely have to know when we get home.

 

Everyone have a great day!  vada