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?????)