I had intended to carry out a bit of external house cleaning. We have a multitude of spiders and other creatures living around our windows and stuck to the walls. When the time came I decided it was much too hot and humid for outside work and anyway the spiders kept the other bugs under control.
Margaret was feeling quite well so about 10.30 am I got her dressed and took her out to the shops for morning tea and a little shopping. Margaret wanted to buy some cosmetics. One of the side effects of continuous treatment with steroids is that her, once, flawless pale British facial skin has now a fine network of veins across it. Margaret bought herself some foundation makeup which would cover these up. After morning tea and dough nuts for Margaret and coffee and dough nuts for me we looked around some other shops and came home in time for lunch.
Margaret was very tired and I helped her to get undressed and put on a clean nightie so she could rest. Unfortunately one of the other little features of Margaret's confusion returning is her obsession with time and appointments. She got up several times to check her next medical appointments. These are blood tests on 4th Jan, specialist appointment 6th Jan and GP appointment 7th Jan. All these are clearly written on our new 2010 calendar but she checks it every couple of hours and then checks with me that they are accurate.
Margaret went to bed at 9.30 pm and had a good night's sleep. When she woke up this morning she was quite breathless but now appears to be OK. We have a long weekend ahead when the only medical support is the hospital emergency centre so I hope she lasts out to Monday without any crisis. Her feet are quite swollen in spite of the restricted fluid intake and this is not a good sign.
K in South Australia tells me that he is not running a restaurant.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Still Quiet
When I got back from shopping yesterday Margaret said she felt better and was breathing more easily. I think that she builds up fluid on her chest (a totally unsubstantiated assumption by me!) which makes her early morning breathing more laboured. Anyway the rest of the day was nice and peaceful. Margaret rested most of the day in her bedroom and got up for dinner before watching TV until about 9.30 pm.
Before her most recent visit to hospital she was quite confused and having, I think, hallucinations which formed part of her conscious life. These decreased markedly while in hospital leaving only her dementia where her short term memory is shot. Last night her hallucinations made a reappearance. She told me that she missed getting e-mails from her friend K in South Australia but then he must be very busy since he started his restaurant!.. K is 72 and well retired. Perhaps he can explain this?
Margaret was puffing a lot this morning but is settling down now.
Before her most recent visit to hospital she was quite confused and having, I think, hallucinations which formed part of her conscious life. These decreased markedly while in hospital leaving only her dementia where her short term memory is shot. Last night her hallucinations made a reappearance. She told me that she missed getting e-mails from her friend K in South Australia but then he must be very busy since he started his restaurant!.. K is 72 and well retired. Perhaps he can explain this?
Margaret was puffing a lot this morning but is settling down now.
Monday, December 28, 2009
A Quiet Period
The last couple of days, Boxing Day Saturday and Sunday, have both been very quiet. I have been feeling a bit flat and apart from a little shopping, tidying up around the house, cooking and walking Louis have mainly watched the cricket on TV. Margaret is pretty well bed bound as she hasn't got the "moon boot" to support her injured Achilles Tendon. She is also getting very "chesty" and short of breath if she moves around too much. With her reduced fluid intake she is not on any diuretics and I am a little worried about fluid on the lungs - one of Margaret's chronic problems. Unfortunately our local GPs are not available until tomorrow and Margaret doesn't fancy a four hour wait in our local emergency dept and she in not ill enough, yet, to call an ambulance.
Her specialist is not available until 4th January and she is seeing him on the 6th after more blood tests on the 4th.
I think that the specialist treats the blood mineral deficiency problems and her chronic kidney failure and cancels any medications likely to exacerbate them while her GP treats her cardiovascular problems and pulmonary oedema and re-prescribes them. I would like to get somebody controlling the overall situation. We do have a geriatric specialist in Noosa who could be the answer.
I shall be going shopping in a little while while Margaret stays in bed with Louis lying next to her. She will be on her own for about two hours but she can contact me on my mobile phone in an emergency providing she remembers to just press 2 on her mobile!
Her specialist is not available until 4th January and she is seeing him on the 6th after more blood tests on the 4th.
I think that the specialist treats the blood mineral deficiency problems and her chronic kidney failure and cancels any medications likely to exacerbate them while her GP treats her cardiovascular problems and pulmonary oedema and re-prescribes them. I would like to get somebody controlling the overall situation. We do have a geriatric specialist in Noosa who could be the answer.
I shall be going shopping in a little while while Margaret stays in bed with Louis lying next to her. She will be on her own for about two hours but she can contact me on my mobile phone in an emergency providing she remembers to just press 2 on her mobile!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A Quiet Christmas Day
Christmas lunch at the Reef Hotel Noosa was a great success. I had managed to get Margaret dressed in a colourful kaftan instead of her normal blouse and pants. Lunch was due to start at 11.30 am so I got there early to maneuver her wheelchair into position. Unfortunately the access from the car park to the restaurant was locked and the only other access was up a steep flight of stairs. I had the Hotel's phone number and after a couple of minutes we were let in.
We had a nice central table with just enough space for the wheel chair protected by a rail which meant that Margaret could see everything that was going on but was out of the way of passing diners and of course playing kids.
We started with a selection of nuts and fruits accompanied by a crusty wholemeal loaf and herb butter. Next was a huge seafood platter with prawns, oysters, sushi rolls, smoked salmon and some lobster. It was a meal on its own. I ate the oysters and Margaret most of the prawns and we made inroads into the salmon, sushi and lobster but were couldn't eat it all. I saved six large tiger prawns for later along with some beautiful peaches and plums.
We had a good half an hour's break until the main course of cooked honey glazed ham, roast chicken, roast potatoes etc. We managed to eat some of this.
During dinner we had a visit from Father Christmas - not just the kids. We were given little presents and sweets etc as gifts. Margaret really enjoyed it, especially a cuddle from Santa!
We finished off with Christmas Pudding, custard and ice cream. Margaret had two glasses of sparkling white wine and I had two diet cokes but caught up at home later with beer. We left about 2.00 pm and Margaret was very tired so I got her in a nightie and put her to bed.
I snoozed in the lounge for while before taking Louis, who had been sleeping of a massive Christmas bone, for a walk.
Margaret got up about 7.00 pm and had her prawns with bread and butter for tea while I just had some Christmas Cake.
We watched a movie together before getting Margaret to bed about 10.00 pm.
This morning Margaret is a little breathless and needs watching as she also says she has a sore throat. She had a good night's sleep in spite of it being a warm humid night.
We had a nice central table with just enough space for the wheel chair protected by a rail which meant that Margaret could see everything that was going on but was out of the way of passing diners and of course playing kids.
We started with a selection of nuts and fruits accompanied by a crusty wholemeal loaf and herb butter. Next was a huge seafood platter with prawns, oysters, sushi rolls, smoked salmon and some lobster. It was a meal on its own. I ate the oysters and Margaret most of the prawns and we made inroads into the salmon, sushi and lobster but were couldn't eat it all. I saved six large tiger prawns for later along with some beautiful peaches and plums.
We had a good half an hour's break until the main course of cooked honey glazed ham, roast chicken, roast potatoes etc. We managed to eat some of this.
During dinner we had a visit from Father Christmas - not just the kids. We were given little presents and sweets etc as gifts. Margaret really enjoyed it, especially a cuddle from Santa!
We finished off with Christmas Pudding, custard and ice cream. Margaret had two glasses of sparkling white wine and I had two diet cokes but caught up at home later with beer. We left about 2.00 pm and Margaret was very tired so I got her in a nightie and put her to bed.
I snoozed in the lounge for while before taking Louis, who had been sleeping of a massive Christmas bone, for a walk.
Margaret got up about 7.00 pm and had her prawns with bread and butter for tea while I just had some Christmas Cake.
We watched a movie together before getting Margaret to bed about 10.00 pm.
This morning Margaret is a little breathless and needs watching as she also says she has a sore throat. She had a good night's sleep in spite of it being a warm humid night.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Margaret is Home
Yesterday morning I was at the hospital by 9.30 pm. Margaret was sitting in a chair occupying the space where her bed used to be. Her room mate, also Margaret, was quite ill during the night and they had moved our Margaret to another room for the night to get some sleep. After her shower it was decided that she could sit up until it was decided whether the came home or not. She had had another blood test at 8.00 am and the results were being rushed through.
G Pavilion was in chaos. Those patients who were not going home were all being moved to D Pavilion as there were so few that it was not worth keeping the ward open. The other Margaret disappeared at about 10.30 am and by 11.00 am there were only two other patients on the ward also awaiting discharge. Finally at 11.30 am the specialist dropped by with the test results. They were not too great as her sodium levels had stabilized at 127 mmol/L, still well below the 140 normal low. The specialist said that he thought Margaret would be better of at home for a few days on certain conditions. One was that she went on a restricted fluid intake of 1.2 L per day - that's everything tea, water and alcohol. This is equivalent of 6 cups of tea a day Margaret's normal tea intake! The next is restricted walking as her boot hasn't arrived yet and finally not to over tire herself.
I queried her kidney function and he said it was normal for Margaret and above the level requiring dialysis! Her kidneys are shot and a eGFT of 30 is good for her. As I have said before above 90 is good below 60 is some kidney failure ,below 30 chronic failure, below 20 acute failure and below 10 dialysis is required. Margaret's were below 20 on admission and had clawed their way up to 30 on discharge. He was more worried about her sodium levels. She will have more blood tests on Jan 4 and a follow up visit to the specialist on Jan 6. If there are any signs of increased confusion it's back to emergency and on a saline drip. Happy Christmas!
We got home at 12.30 pm to a rapturous welcome from Louis. He wouldn't let me wheel Margaret in her chair from the garage and just stood there with his paws in Margaret's lap licking her face. Margaret has been resting up as much as possible and watched the Carols by Candle Light on TV before going to bed.
Today she is quite bright but has had two cups of tea before 8.00 am! I will help her get showered and wash and set her hair (it's very short) before going out to Christmas Lunch at the Reef Hotel at 11.30 am. I will take my camera and try and get some photos.
G Pavilion was in chaos. Those patients who were not going home were all being moved to D Pavilion as there were so few that it was not worth keeping the ward open. The other Margaret disappeared at about 10.30 am and by 11.00 am there were only two other patients on the ward also awaiting discharge. Finally at 11.30 am the specialist dropped by with the test results. They were not too great as her sodium levels had stabilized at 127 mmol/L, still well below the 140 normal low. The specialist said that he thought Margaret would be better of at home for a few days on certain conditions. One was that she went on a restricted fluid intake of 1.2 L per day - that's everything tea, water and alcohol. This is equivalent of 6 cups of tea a day Margaret's normal tea intake! The next is restricted walking as her boot hasn't arrived yet and finally not to over tire herself.
I queried her kidney function and he said it was normal for Margaret and above the level requiring dialysis! Her kidneys are shot and a eGFT of 30 is good for her. As I have said before above 90 is good below 60 is some kidney failure ,below 30 chronic failure, below 20 acute failure and below 10 dialysis is required. Margaret's were below 20 on admission and had clawed their way up to 30 on discharge. He was more worried about her sodium levels. She will have more blood tests on Jan 4 and a follow up visit to the specialist on Jan 6. If there are any signs of increased confusion it's back to emergency and on a saline drip. Happy Christmas!
We got home at 12.30 pm to a rapturous welcome from Louis. He wouldn't let me wheel Margaret in her chair from the garage and just stood there with his paws in Margaret's lap licking her face. Margaret has been resting up as much as possible and watched the Carols by Candle Light on TV before going to bed.
Today she is quite bright but has had two cups of tea before 8.00 am! I will help her get showered and wash and set her hair (it's very short) before going out to Christmas Lunch at the Reef Hotel at 11.30 am. I will take my camera and try and get some photos.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
She is Still in Hospital
Yesterday I went to the hospital at 9.00 am so as not to miss Margaret's specialist. I got a funny look from the Unit Manager (Senior Nurse) so I asked if it was true that Margaret was to be allowed home later in the morning as the nurse has said on the previous night. She said that was so provided her blood tests came back OK. This confused me as Margaret had not had any more tests since Tuesday and those results were why she was still in hospital!
I went and sat with Margaret who, like yesterday, was sure that she was coming home although she had very sore arms from the cannulas and failed drip from the day before. At about 10.15 am the pathology lab's blood collector came by and took more blood from Margaret and I knew that she wasn't coming home that day. I left her for a while to get a coffee and on the way met her specialist. He asked how Margaret was and I told him that she was upset because she thought that she was going home. He was surprised and told me that he not told anyone that and the nursing stall were making assumptions. He was to say the least "not amused".
He explained that following Margaret's problems with cannulas and drips he had decided to postpone the saline drip until she had more blood tests that day. He said that another patient had had anomalous results similar to Margaret and it could be a testing error.
After coffee I returned to Margaret and her specialist dropped in to see her and apologize for keeping her in for at least another day and assured her that, come what may, she would get out for her Christmas Lunch even if she has to return afterwards.
At 5.00 pm I visited Margaret once again and she had just seen her specialist. He had chased up her blood test Sodium levels results and they were still low but rising. The normal lower pass level is 137 mmol/l and Margaret's were now 127 from a low of 120 a couple of days earlier. On this he would release Margaret over Christmas but further blood tests would be required to check that the trend continues. Low Sodium is not a life threatening condition but does affect the brain function and hence Margaret's hallucinations. If left untreated and it falls too low the brain can swell and the patient die so it has to be watched.
On the down side the results showed that Margaret's kidney function is still in the chronic failure mode. For example the lower level for normal eGFT is 59 ml/min hers is 31 and the Urea maximum level for normal is 7.5 umol/L while her is, at best this week, 11.4 and has been as high as 26.5. I think that you and I would be in hospital with these readings but they are just "normal" for Margaret and part of the chronic state of poor health.
I am off to pick up Margaret at 10.00 am.
I went and sat with Margaret who, like yesterday, was sure that she was coming home although she had very sore arms from the cannulas and failed drip from the day before. At about 10.15 am the pathology lab's blood collector came by and took more blood from Margaret and I knew that she wasn't coming home that day. I left her for a while to get a coffee and on the way met her specialist. He asked how Margaret was and I told him that she was upset because she thought that she was going home. He was surprised and told me that he not told anyone that and the nursing stall were making assumptions. He was to say the least "not amused".
He explained that following Margaret's problems with cannulas and drips he had decided to postpone the saline drip until she had more blood tests that day. He said that another patient had had anomalous results similar to Margaret and it could be a testing error.
After coffee I returned to Margaret and her specialist dropped in to see her and apologize for keeping her in for at least another day and assured her that, come what may, she would get out for her Christmas Lunch even if she has to return afterwards.
At 5.00 pm I visited Margaret once again and she had just seen her specialist. He had chased up her blood test Sodium levels results and they were still low but rising. The normal lower pass level is 137 mmol/l and Margaret's were now 127 from a low of 120 a couple of days earlier. On this he would release Margaret over Christmas but further blood tests would be required to check that the trend continues. Low Sodium is not a life threatening condition but does affect the brain function and hence Margaret's hallucinations. If left untreated and it falls too low the brain can swell and the patient die so it has to be watched.
On the down side the results showed that Margaret's kidney function is still in the chronic failure mode. For example the lower level for normal eGFT is 59 ml/min hers is 31 and the Urea maximum level for normal is 7.5 umol/L while her is, at best this week, 11.4 and has been as high as 26.5. I think that you and I would be in hospital with these readings but they are just "normal" for Margaret and part of the chronic state of poor health.
I am off to pick up Margaret at 10.00 am.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
A Confusing Situation
On Monday I met Margaret's specialist who said that her sodium levels were not serious and that she could come home yesterday (Tuesday) after the results of her latest blood tests were back.
So yesterday morning I quickly dusted and vacuumed the house and did some last minute shopping before going to hospital to pick up Margaret at 10.00 am. She was already to go. Her medications were being documented by the hospital pharmacy so we just needed the specialist's "off you go" signal and Margaret was coming home.
At about 11.00 am the specialist arrived and said "No!"... Margaret's sodium levels had continued to fall and she could get quite sick if she didn't have an intravenous saline drip. This should put her right to be home for Christmas. Margaret was very upset so I popped out to the car and brought in some flowers that I had bought her as a welcome home gift. This cheered her up somewhat.
Just before 12.00 noon, after three goes, they go a cannula inserted and the drip started so I went home to lunch. When I returned at 5.00 pm there was the drip disconnected and the cannula removed but the saline bag was still full. The drip had failed and no other suitable veins were available. A passing nurse said that Margaret was going home today (Wednesday) and the drip didn't matter. I am now very confused and unless I can see the specialist and get a satisfactory explanation for how she was likely to be seriously ill in the morning without the drip and OK to go home in the evening when it had not been administered.
Stay tuned!
So yesterday morning I quickly dusted and vacuumed the house and did some last minute shopping before going to hospital to pick up Margaret at 10.00 am. She was already to go. Her medications were being documented by the hospital pharmacy so we just needed the specialist's "off you go" signal and Margaret was coming home.
At about 11.00 am the specialist arrived and said "No!"... Margaret's sodium levels had continued to fall and she could get quite sick if she didn't have an intravenous saline drip. This should put her right to be home for Christmas. Margaret was very upset so I popped out to the car and brought in some flowers that I had bought her as a welcome home gift. This cheered her up somewhat.
Just before 12.00 noon, after three goes, they go a cannula inserted and the drip started so I went home to lunch. When I returned at 5.00 pm there was the drip disconnected and the cannula removed but the saline bag was still full. The drip had failed and no other suitable veins were available. A passing nurse said that Margaret was going home today (Wednesday) and the drip didn't matter. I am now very confused and unless I can see the specialist and get a satisfactory explanation for how she was likely to be seriously ill in the morning without the drip and OK to go home in the evening when it had not been administered.
Stay tuned!
Monday, December 21, 2009
A Quick Update
On Saturday I found out a bit more about Margaret's Achilles Tendon Injury. While not requiring surgery Margaret will have to wear an orthopedic boot to hold her ankle at 15 degrees for some time. This will lessen the strain on the ruptured tendon so it can heal naturally. There are also some degenerative changes to both Margaret's ankles causing the fluid build up in the joints. This will be addresseds later.
Her ribs are much better and breathing exercises begin today.
Unfortunately her sodium levels have dropped once again and her potassium levels have risen both of which are not good. Her medications will be discussed and a conference today when her on going treatment will be reviewed.
We still hope that she will be home in time for Christmas but if not I will be able to take her out to lunch using her wheel chair. She really wants to go to the Reef Hotel where we have booked lunch.
Her ribs are much better and breathing exercises begin today.
Unfortunately her sodium levels have dropped once again and her potassium levels have risen both of which are not good. Her medications will be discussed and a conference today when her on going treatment will be reviewed.
We still hope that she will be home in time for Christmas but if not I will be able to take her out to lunch using her wheel chair. She really wants to go to the Reef Hotel where we have booked lunch.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Some Developments
On Thursday Margaret was in a great deal of pain in the ankle area. She had X-rays and was given Morphine to help her relax. She didn't feel well enough to get out of bed without assistance.
Friday morning she was a lot brighter and had showered with assistance. By luck her Specialist came round while I was visiting her and said that she had fluid in her ankle joints as well as the surrounding tissue. She has also partially ruptured her Achilles Tendon in one ankle and he would get an Orthopedic Surgeon to have a look at it. Margaret would remain in hospital over the weekend and there would be a conference to determine what the way ahead on Monday. All things being well she would probably be released on Wednesday, possibly with some limitations on her mobility.
The Ortho guy visited Margaret on Friday evening and after reviewing the X-ray determined that she did not require surgery but she would require physiotherapy to rectify the damage and strengthen up her legs. Remember it is just two months since her release from rehabilitation to do just that. At least she wont be in a cast for six weeks.
My days have developed into a routine. Up at 5.00 am, shower and breakfast then walk Louis for an hour. Work around the home or garden until about 9.00 am and go shopping. Home at 10.00 am and have a cuppa before cycling off to hospital for my morning visit. Home about 12.30 pm for lunch and catch up with any clerical work and bills (Christmas Cards this week) check my e-mails etc.. Read a book and snooze until 3.30 pm the take Louis for his afternoon walk. 4.300 pm drive to hospital to visit Margaret. Home at 6.15 pm to cook and eat dinner. 7.30 pm settle down in front of TV, usually Louis sleeps by my side until 9.30 to10.00 pm when it's off to bed. I normally read a book for half an hour before going to sleep. I even forget what day of the week it is!
Margaret's main concern is that she won't be home for Christmas as we have booked lunch at one of the local hotels and she doesn't want to miss out. She was not amused when I said I could go with one of my dog walking ladies to save wasting money.
Friday morning she was a lot brighter and had showered with assistance. By luck her Specialist came round while I was visiting her and said that she had fluid in her ankle joints as well as the surrounding tissue. She has also partially ruptured her Achilles Tendon in one ankle and he would get an Orthopedic Surgeon to have a look at it. Margaret would remain in hospital over the weekend and there would be a conference to determine what the way ahead on Monday. All things being well she would probably be released on Wednesday, possibly with some limitations on her mobility.
The Ortho guy visited Margaret on Friday evening and after reviewing the X-ray determined that she did not require surgery but she would require physiotherapy to rectify the damage and strengthen up her legs. Remember it is just two months since her release from rehabilitation to do just that. At least she wont be in a cast for six weeks.
My days have developed into a routine. Up at 5.00 am, shower and breakfast then walk Louis for an hour. Work around the home or garden until about 9.00 am and go shopping. Home at 10.00 am and have a cuppa before cycling off to hospital for my morning visit. Home about 12.30 pm for lunch and catch up with any clerical work and bills (Christmas Cards this week) check my e-mails etc.. Read a book and snooze until 3.30 pm the take Louis for his afternoon walk. 4.300 pm drive to hospital to visit Margaret. Home at 6.15 pm to cook and eat dinner. 7.30 pm settle down in front of TV, usually Louis sleeps by my side until 9.30 to10.00 pm when it's off to bed. I normally read a book for half an hour before going to sleep. I even forget what day of the week it is!
Margaret's main concern is that she won't be home for Christmas as we have booked lunch at one of the local hotels and she doesn't want to miss out. She was not amused when I said I could go with one of my dog walking ladies to save wasting money.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Margaret is Still in Hospital
There has been little to report for Monday of Tuesday. Margaret is feeling more comfortable and he hallucinations appear to have reduced,. She still has little or no short term memory. This is best shown at meals times when she looks amazed at what she receives. As she orders it by ticking a printed menu the day before it is all her request. She gets very annoyed if I point this out to her.
She is still waiting for the physiotherapists to see if she can breath properly but she is getting up an showering and using her wheely walker to walk around the ward.
I haven't caught up with her specialist for a day of so.
She is still waiting for the physiotherapists to see if she can breath properly but she is getting up an showering and using her wheely walker to walk around the ward.
I haven't caught up with her specialist for a day of so.
Monday, December 14, 2009
A Quiet Sunday
There is not much to report today. I met Margaret's specialist yesterday morning and he is happy with Margaret's progress. She is getting by with less morphine and he hopes to start physio soon to help her get back on her feet and breath easily.
In the evening I found Margaret had been moved to a private shared room in G Pavilion. She misses her friend back in the public ward she was in. She is not doing much – not even watching TV. I have taken in a short romance type novel in large print to try and to encourage her to read.
I am taking advantage of the morning visits to hospital to get in some cycling on my little folding bike. It's about 7 km each way to the hospital and I do it in about 25 minutes. It also means that I don't have to find a parking place which is difficult during the day time.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A Talk With the Specialist
I arrived at the hospital just before 10.00 am to ensure that I was available when the specialist made his rounds. Now Noosa Hospital is different to most hospitals in the area which are either private and one pays your way or public where all is funded by the state. Noosa Hospital was built on 1999 using state funding but then leased to a private company to run. This company in turn receives state funding to run a public facility on their behalf in parallel to their private operation. Margaret is a private patient but due to her late admission on Thursday and the fact that the private facility was full she was placed in a public ward which she is sharing with 3 other ladies. I got to know these quite well as we waited nearly two hours for the specialist to arrive.
The rural nature of Noosa Hospital also means that most specialists don't work at weekends and generally one specialist physician takes over all medical cases, both private and public, from the other specialists over the weekend. This weekend, by chance, it was Margaret's private physician on duty but his rounds followed the following routine. A quick check of all the public patients at about 10.00 am all of whom are in Pavilion D (no wards in Noosa) and then on to Pavilion G, the private wards, to check up on all the other physicians private patients plus his own private patients who he spends more time with. Then finally back to Pavilion D to consult his own private patients temporarily housed there. In this case Margaret. Actually he had assumed that as she was paying full whack she would have been transferred to a private room by now so apologised for the lateness of his visit.
By now Margaret had got herself in a state. She told him that she just wanted to die. He told her that he understood and that her pain and poor state of health would make most people feel that way and that his primary job was to relieve the pain then treat her underlying condition. He explained to her that she would continue to receive morphine while the ribs healed. Then he would ensure that her lungs were clear and functioning, properly and finally he would try and restore the balance of the minerals in her blood which would make her feel better. Then she could go home until the next time. He told us once again that Margaret could expect problems to arise on a regular basis due to her normal body functions being destroyed by the steroids used to control her Chron,s disease over the years and now essential to replace her failed adrenal gland cortisone production.
He asked me to talk with him outside where he explained that the main problems were with the diuretics used to control Margaret's fluid retention. These are necessary to prevent excessive retention affecting her already poor cardiovascular system and leading to congestive heart failure. Her GP and other doctors just prescribe more and more Lasics/Frusimide as required. These reduce the fluid retention but literally leach all of the mineral out of Margaret's body hence the low Sodium levels. He is trying different diuretics to overcome the problem. Without diuretics she is likely to become critically ill. With Lasics she is now in a precarious position. Over the next 10 days he will try and stabilise the situation. We discussed her living at home and he said that she was in danger of falling but this would not be any better in a nursing home and she would be very unhappy there. I had to accept that these things can happen and not feel guilty if and when the next serious fall occurs. Her dementia wasn't too serious as she was aware of what she was doing and functioning at a reasonable level albeit with some peculiar memory loss problems. He also thought that she was suffering steroid induced hallucinations at times due to her medications but reducing these would result in her not functioning at all. She will remain in hospital until she is stable and safe to come home and I am to take advantage of her absence to build up my reserves until she comes home.
I visited her again at dinner time and she was much happier and settled. Two of the other ladies had been chatting to her and made her part of their little community. The other was very old and frail but also quite nice.
I shall visit this morningat 11.00 am.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
No News Today
I visited Margaret between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm but still didn't see her specialist. Apparently he was waiting for the results of her blood tests from the night before. She was on morphine injections to keep he comfortable and being moved as little as possible as her ribs were extremely sore. She was still in her own world and I am afraid that I couldn't make head nor tail of most of what she said.
Her specialist made his visit when I wasn't there about 4.00 pm but left a message that he wanted to see me at 10.00 am today. From Margaret's reaction to his visit I learnt two things. One the ring he wore is not that big and that we deserved each other! She was also alarmed that she would be put in a nursing home where she would be raped. Unfortunately such terrible things have happened in the past and it is buried in her sub-conscious. The hospital's occupational therapist dropped by during the day. He has assessed Margaret on two previous occasions in the last two years and is now concerned that her present mental and physical conditions puts her at risk living at home. I looked forward to the specialist's opinion.
Friday, December 11, 2009
A Hectic Thursday
The heading says it all. Margaret was still in pain when she woke up so I gave her more paracetamol which with her patches gives her some relief. Thursday is my normal big shopping day so I got out early and was back by 9.30 am. I found Margaret wheeling her walker around the house dressed only in heavily soiled incontinence pants.
She had had an accident and hadn't made it to the bathroom in time. Her bed sheets and nightie were soiled and her near miss in the bathroom had resulted in muck all over the floor and toilet bowl. I managed to get Margaret out of her pants and into her shower where I hosed her down, washed her with Johnson's liquid baby soap and after drying her down and applying soothing cream to her sore rear end finally dressed her and got her settled in her reclining chair in the lounge.
Next I put my shopping away as it had several frozen items and milk which don't last too well in 30 C plus heat. I also turned on the air conditioning to make us both comfortable, I stripped Margaret's bed and put the sheets into wash. Next I faced the task of cleaning up around her toilet area. Thank God for tiled floors. A bucket of hot water and disinfectant soon had the job done. Finally I made up Margaret's bed with fresh clean sheets and made us both a cup of tea it was now getting on for 11.00 am.
We had a light lunch and then it was time to visit her GP once again. He was very concerned about Margaret's pain and also her low sodium levels so he packed us off to get X-rays of Margaret's chest and ribs while he contacted her physician at Noosa Hospital. Just before the X-rays were taken we got a message from him to collect the films, when ready, and go directly to the Noosa Hospital Emergency Department where admission would be arranged.
After a brief wait in emergency Margaret was placed in a side ward and given morphine for pain relief while more blood and other tests were taken. The X-rays had been quickly assessed when taken and nothing noted but the emergency doctor found two cracked ribs and fluid on the lung due to inadequate breathing. I popped home to get Margaret's medications and a nightie and she was admitted at 8.00 pm.
This morning I went back to see if I could see her specialist but he had not visited the ward yet and it could have been an all day wait. While I was there the RN looking after Margaret asked me to assist her in filling out some forms concerning Margaret's previous health history. Apparently Margaret could not assist them due to her confusion. The RN had nursed Margaret earlier in the year and noted how much more confused Margaret had become in the last three months. She would be accompanying the specialist on his rounds and will pass on my concerns if I don t catch him later.
I took in Big Ted to keep Margaret company.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Another Visit to the Doctor's
I took Margaret to her GP's office yesterday morning. Before we left home I had to dress her as she was in pain and it soon became obvious why. In falling she had hurt her hip and ribs and the bruising was worse that the leg. I took her wheelchair with us as she was pretty unsteady on her feet. Her GP was appalled at her condition but soon determined that nothing was broken but the bruised rib were going to be very painful for a few days. He debated putting her in hospital but we both decided that Margaret would be happier at home. I am using osteo-paracetamol to help with the pain as these due the least damage to her kidneys. The doctor still believes that Margaret confusion is exacerbated by some chemical imbalance and sent her to have blood collected for multiple tests.
The rest of the day and evening she was in considerable pain and I was very pleased when she finally dropped of to sleep about 10.30 pm.
She had an uncomfortable night and I could her her groaning every time she moved. Today she didn't feel well enough to go out to lunch but I will get some Indian Take-away for dinner instead.
At 2.00 pm today her GP phoned to say that her Sodium levels were extremely low and he was going to consult her specialist physician at Noosa Hospital to see what is the preferable treatment. Normally one would be put on a saline drip and thinks would right themselves in a couple of days. Margaret however just fills up with fluid and has congestive heart failure. In the mean time she is at home still confused and in pain. To add to her woes she is now having massive cramps in both legs, We will see her GP tomorrow afternoon to see where we go from here. It is possible that her additional confusion is caused by the low sodium level.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Another Fall
Sunday passed with Margaret remaining in a deeply confused state most of the time. She wasn't very hungry at dinner time and left most of her meal. She went to bed at 8.30 pm and took about an hour to settle before I could watch the Sunday movie in time shift mode from ABC1.
On Monday morning I went shopping straight after Margaret's breakfast leaving her in bed. While I was out the parcel post delivery man delivered six parcels and Margaret had to get up and sign for one of them. Three were packs of incontinence underwear which were on order through The Commonwealth Incontinence Support Scheme where they provide $485 a year towards their cost. The others were from our daughter H in South Australia. These contained three pairs of cotton trousers which look like they will fit Margaret. H probably picked them up at a jumble sale or Op Shop but they will save me the problem of dragging a protesting Margaret to she shops to buy them.
Among H's gifts was a stuffed Dragon clearly marked for Louis's Christmas present which Margaret has taken to be a gift for her and it is now in bed with her. Fortunately Louis doesn't appear to mind.
Margaret continues to be off her food and wouldn't eat her dinner which was battered Barramundi fillets normally one of her favourite meals. Louis is going to have an expensive lunch today!
Margaret had another relatively early night but took over and hour to settle..
This morning, for some reason, I was lying awake at about 4.15 am when I heard a thump and soon afterwards Margaret calling out. She had had fall while coming out of her en suite bathroom and ended half in and half out of the shower cubicle. She had a big bruise coming up on her right shin but had not broken the skin. She was in some pain and very uncomfortable. I tried to get her up but couldn't do so so I phoned 000 and the paramedics were there in 15 minutes. They checked Margaret over and apart from the obvious bruise and the less obvious one on her bottom did not think that she was serious injured. As we has an appointment with her GP at 10.30 am today they decided not to take her hospital. They noted that Margaret was confused and her speech slurred but I didn't think that it was much worse than normal for the last few weeks. Note that if I hadn't been awake I probably would not have heard Margaret and she would have spent much longer on the floor. I don't wear my hearing aids to bed.
I have just walked Louis and given Margaret her breakfast but she is very, very confused. She keeps asking why she has to go to the doctor's as he only deals with funerals. The last couple of days Margaret has been blaming her Mother for all of her problems as she keeps interfering. I pointed out that her mother died 10 years ago but Margaret still says that its her fault. Note that Margaret's mother had never really interfered in our lives as for the greater part of out marriage were were in Australia and she in England.
Next stop the doctor's.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
A Confused Saturday
There is not an awful lot to say about Saturday which is my normal washing and housework day. Margaret was in an confused state all day. She stayed up late watching the TV but from her comments did not take much in which is probably good as the last programme was a gruesome episode of Taggert. She was very difficult to get off to bed. She was in her bathroom putting cream on her face which she would usually use for the other end. When I pointed this out she said that I had told her to use it on her face. She them proceeded to use her eyebrow pencil and put on lipstick. She told me we were going out. It is the first time she has but on “make up” for several months. Anyway I got her ready for bed, medications taken, teddies in bed and TV off when she got up and repeated putting on her make up, less the cream. Finally after about an hour she settled and was soon asleep.
This morning she put on more lipstick.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A Visit to the Eye Specialist
The rest of Thursday passed without any major incidents apart from Margaret being very confused and going to bed early. Unfortunately my brother, who lives in England, phoned and wanted to talk. I think I mentioned earlier that his wife, also Margaret's older sister, had died a few months earlier of dementia. We get together on the phone every couple of weeks to catch up on things and talk about our early lives. Margaret was woken up by the phone and I had to settle he down again.
Friday morning was the day Margaret was visiting her Specialist to get her eyes checked out. She had had a cataract in her left eye fixed two years ago and the right eye also had a cataract which would need fixing one day. The specialist said that Margaret would not benefit from an ocular transplant as her problems with reading were due to her lack of cognition not poor sight. He would normally recommend a transplant at this stage of the cataract's development but not in Margaret's case. Her eyes were both healthy and the sight adequate for normal life. Reading glasses might help but if her confusion and dementia were permanent or she had more strokes he didn't hold out much hope. This was all discussed in Margaret's presence but I don't think that she took it in. In the middle of the consultation she blamed it all on Louis not having had his bone today (he had!) and kept on about until we left. In a way I am relieved as I am not sure that Margaret would have coped with the surgery and immediate after care but I am sorry that her reading is now limited.
Margaret was very confused after dinner last night and took her self off to bed early but did not settle for an hour or so.
This morning she keeps asking when she has to get up. I have told her that she can get up when she wants to. I think that she think she has a doctor's appointment. She is not normally quite as confused this early.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A New Bruise
Soon after I completed yesterday's blog I heard Margaret call out from her bathroom. She had had another little “accident”. I helped her into her shower and cleaned her up . After she was dry and comfortable she wanted to lie down but on the way from the bathroom she began to stumble and fall. I managed to grasp her arm and steady her but this resulted in a large bruise on her right forearm. I cleaned up the bathroom and she had a rest for an hour or so before getting up to go out to lunch.
At lunch Margaret was talking all the time and caught the attention of a lady at an adjacent table. She must have recognised Margaret's dementia because she came up and talked to her as if she was a child. Although she was very nice to Margaret I found it a bit embarrassing. In this area of Queensland the average age is among the highest in Australia and there are several elderly people with dementia around the place.
After lunch Margaret wanted some cheese, she had eaten a very large lunch! I cut her of a slice and gave it to her and she promptly broke it in half and gave some to Louis. So much for his diet!!
After her afternoon rest she had a light snack instead or dinner and also shared this with Louis before going to bed. She took some time to relax and drop off to sleep and I went in several times to see if she was OK.
Today she has started off sounding quite lucid until I asked her if she needed anything from the shops and she said no but if she did need anything she would get B to go out for it. Now B is a neighbour and would probably go shopping for Margaret in an emergency but has never done so to date. She also said that G another neighbour would go if B was busy. I have no idea how Margaret's mind has worked out that our neighbours would do her shopping as she hasn't talked to them in two or three months.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Car Service
Cooroy Main Street the garage is the buildingat th far left by the small crossing sign.
My visit to my GP was the usual non-event. My blood pressure is fine and so are my blood sugar levels although they were a little elevated during August to October when Margaret was seriously ill. I have series of test scheduled for January.
My GP looked up Margaret's latest Urine Test results which showed that there was no infection of the Urinary Tract which could have been the cause of Margaret's increased dementia. Unless there is some other, yet to be determined medical condition causing it , Margaret now has quite severe vascular dementia or Alzheimer's.
Back home Margaret was worried about going out in the afternoon. She needed assurance that we were not going out until 1.30 pm to drop of the car for it's service. I think she asked me four or five times between 11.00 am and lunch at 12.30 pm and was ready and dressed at 1.15 pm.
The drive to Cooroy is via 15 km of recently upgraded and widened road which Margaret told me was too narrow and needed widening. I am sure that the Sunshine Coast Regional Council would be disappointed that their multi million dollar upgrade was not appreciated.
Cooroy is a pretty little hinterland town just over the range from Tewantin so having dropped the car off I wheeled Margaret up and down the main street to look at the local shops. No Mall here, just small shops in old wooden buildings with a super market hidden down a side street. The walk took about 30 minutes as Margaret looked in all the shop windows before we dropped into the RSL Club for tea, coffee and cakes. This killed an hour before we went to see if the car was ready. We waited about 15 minutes in their waiting area before they delivered it to the front door. The salesman who sold us the car helped Margaret from the wheelchair into the car but in spite of having been driven by him in a demonstration car 20 months ago Margaret didn't recognise him.
We got back home at 3.45 pm and Margaret went for a nap on her bed while I walked Louis. She had enjoyed her little outing.
Last night she was particularly confused as I think she was very tired but she had to stay up and watch the “documentary” (crap) about Charles's Other Mistress and went to bed at 9.45 pm.
Today we will go out for lunch where she wants Sizzling Garlic Prawns yet again.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A Busy Day Ahead
Yesterday morning the Blue Care RN came to visit Margaret. The main purpose of these fortnightly visits is provide Margaret's GP and me with an independent overview of Margaret's physical and mental status. The RN checked the dressing on Margaret's leg where Louis had caused the skin tears and passed them as OK to left uncovered. We are to let the steri-strips fall off on their own. She was concerned a bit by Margaret's appearance and thought she looked a bit jaundiced. We will keep and eye on her to see if it gets any worse.
Throughout the RN's visit Margaret was very confused. She is included in the discussion but she was off on completely different topics and at times the RN had to apologise to Margaret for laughing out loud. She explained that at least Margaret could see that she was nor being nasty. The RN thought that Margaret's mental state had deteriorated over the last few weeks.
A good point of the visit is that the RN now thinks that Louis could remain in the room next time provided he is on a lead and kept under control. As it was another hot day I had locked him in Margaret's air conditioned bed room and he barked continuously throughout the visit.
During the morning I had contacted Margaret's ophthalmologist's office and managed to make an appointment for Margaret to have she state of her eyes checked this Friday the 4th. I also managed to book our car in for a service later today. The means that we have a busy day.
Last night I had another of those moments when Margaret upset me by her continuous chatter during a TV show which I was particularly interest in. Fortunately I kept myself under control and asked her if I could just watch the programme for thirty minutes without interruption. Margaret replied that she was watching it too and she wasn't interrupting it. Oh well I shall have to use our Hard Disk Video Recorder to provide time shift so that I can pause the programme to respond to Margaret and start again where it left off. I use this facility a lot when Margaret goes to bed early and I have to check her several times before she finally drops off. She went to bed at 8.30 pm
This morning I have to visit my GP for my three monthly check up for Type Two Diabetes and renew my one prescription. These visits are usual followed up by blood and urine tests. Te n this afternoon I have to drop the car off for a service. As the garage is 15 km away in Cooroy and it will take about 90 minutes I shall have to take Margaret with me. After dropping off the car we can go to the local RSL Club – for the non Aussies RSL equals Returned Services League and most are open to non – service members. The Cooroy RSL has a nice cafe area where we can get tea and coffee while we wait.
Monday, November 30, 2009
A Hot Wekend
Sunday continued with Margaret in a quiet mood. She was pretty confused all day and decided to go to bed at 8.30 pm as she didn't like the TV programme I was watching and there was nothing else she wanted to watch. Up until a few weeks ago she was reading quite regularly even if a little slowly. She had her last library book for nine weeks but never finished it. I got a short large pring period novel which she used to like but apart from looking at the cover has shown no signs of reading it. She does have a cataract in one eye which needs fixing so I will make an appointment with her ophthalmologist to see if he thinks it worth while at this time.
Today the Blue Care RN is paying us an assessment visit later this morning so I suppose I should try and get Margaret up but she is not feeling too great and it is going to be another hot day. Yesterday was 34C/94F and quite humid so we had the air conditioners on from about mid day. It wont be long before we will need them today.
We haven't had the results from the Urine Tests Margaret had last Tuesday so I assume that she doesn't have a UTI and her deepening confusion and dementia is caused by something else such as increased Vascular Dementia caused by the small strokes she is susceptible too. If so the condition is permanent. She woke up confused this morning – normally she is quite bright early and slips away throughout the day until at night time she is really not with us.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Back to What Passes as Normal
After Margaret's bad start on Friday morning, in the afternoon she was back to her normal placid self and the rest of the day passed peacefully.
Saturday was also very quiet. Margaret was still good natured and easy to manage. I wonder if Friday's bad start was due to her having a brief moment or two of reality and rebelling against her normal confused self. Looking after Margaret is normally like looking after a toddler where a firm loving attitude works very well. On Friday she was like a rebellious teenager and I have plenty of experience with that. I heard a great quote on the radio yesterday:
“God gave us marriage so that we would have someone we know to fight with!”
I don't even get the fights these days and our conversations are all very unusual. Yesterday after one rambling utterance from Margaret I told her that I didn't understand what she was trying to say. To my amazement she replied, “No I have noticed that you don't understand much these days!”
Today Sunday has started very quietly and I intend to rest up and read.
Friday, November 27, 2009
A Bad Start
There is not a lot to be said about yesterday. Margaret is still in a world quite divorced from reality and I am beginning to believe that this is her lot from now on.
This morning has started badly. Margaret woke while I was showering and I intercepted her going to the kitchen and told her I would bring her a cup of tea ASAP. After giving her her tea I started getting my breakfast – two slices of fruit toast and just as things were getting near to completion, orange juice poured, tea bag infusing and toast about to pop up Margaret reappeared. She said she was in pain. I dropped every thing and went and found two Osteo grade Paracetamol and poured a glass of water. Margaret had disappeared into the lounge so I called her back to take the tablets. She got annoyed with me, stalked back behind her wheely walker and grabbed my single tablet and started to take it. She got even more annoyed when I stopped her and she said it was hers. In time I got my tablet back, she took hers and stormed back to the bed room saying I was nasty.
After drinking my orange juice and taking my Celabrex for arthritis, spreading my, now cold, toast, putting milk in my stewed tea and having my breakfast I took Louis for his walk to cool down.
After my walk I gave Margaret her breakfast remembering to give her toast and peanut butter in lieu of the apricot jam which she has had for years and gave her her medications. Friday is a special medication day as she has a once a week tablet today. It has to be taken half a hour before or after food so I put it separate and told her to take it after 8.00am. Just now 7.30 am she wheeled in and asked when she was to take the tablet and I repeated that she was to take it after 8.00 am. She then said that was what she thought I had said but she had just taken it anyway. Note all her other tablets were in a a dispenser next to her breakfast plate and ready to take. The once a week one was on her chest of drawers and still in side its blister pack so she had to get out of bed and break open the blister pack to take the tablet. Oh well let's hope there in no reaction.
I just reminded her that S was going to take her to the shops sometime this morning so she should get ready and dressed by 10.00 am. She could have her morning tea while waiting and I could start sorting out her room, cleaning her en suite and changing her bed linen. She could go to the Mall with S and continue the search for trousers and have a light meal while out. She has just told me she is not going and I told her that she is, so at present she is very hostile towards me. she is back to saying tha she doesn't want me as a carer any more.
More later.
Later this morning Margaret settled down and by 9.45 am was getting ready to go out. She had some problems getting dressed and I had to help her get her bra on. As she finished S the Blue Care carer arrived and helped Margaret put on her trousers. As she did so Margaret told her that I had said that S wasn't coming today but she knew she was. Margaret appeared a little unsteady so S elected to take her to the mall where she could borrow a wheelchair. Supposedly Margaret was going to look for trousers.
While they were away I changed Margaret's bed linen and vacuumed her room and en suite. While cleaning up the bedroom I found the once a week tablet still in it's blister pack where I had put it. It hadn't been taken at all!!.
When they returned S said that Margaret had been very aggressive when shown trousers and bought herself two more tops instead. It appears that Margaret looked quite offensive and was clutching her fists at S. This is a new disturbing thing. Margaret now has four new tops this month but she still needs trousers. I showed Margaret the tablet and she popped it out of it's pack and ate it.
Now she is resting.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
A Fishy Tale
Fortunately Margaret soon forgot about my little outburst yesterday morning and we went out to lunch to the Noosa Bowls Club where Margaret had, her present favourite food, Sizzling Garlic Prawns. I think we got a different chef as they looked and, so Margaret said, tasted superb. She had a fresh green salad and some chips and demolished the lot. I had baked oven dory, a local fish, which was also great. The only thing about the lunch was Margaret's state of mind. She prattled on between mouthfuls about anything and everything but none of it making much sense. She informed me that people leave their wills here, that she was going to visit the man with the ring (one of her specialists, I think), she wanted to see the man in bare feet (a local jeweller who walks his dog most mornings with no shoes on and Margaret see him from her bedroom window) and, out of the blue, that she had to get home to feed the fish in her bedroom. I normally respond to Margaret's chatter with things like, “I didn't know that!, “You don't have an appointment with Dr. H today.” “C walked a bit earlier today.” but the fish flummoxed me.
After lunch she had a rest and I snoozed and then took Louis for his walk. During a light snack for our evening meal our daughter H phoned to see how we we getting on. I told her that Mum was rambling a bit and warned her about the fish. H decided to ask Margaret about it and was told not to be silly as we didn't have any fish. Their conversation went on for several minutes when Margaret decided to terminate it by telling H that she had to feed the fish in her bedroom! Helen asked what sort of fish it was was and was told it was black and tasted delicious. When I said good bye to H she asked if I was supplementing Margaret's diet by breeding Black Mollies and feeding them to her.. She also said that she had difficulty following Margaret's conversation and would phone back early today to see if she was more coherent.
Margaret watched TV for a while before going to bed at 9.00 pm and after the usual routine of settling her down she slept all night.
This morning I went shopping early and H phone while I was out so I don't know if Margaret is any more understandable today.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
UTI Revisited
After asking many times when she was to get up to go to the Doctor's at about 8.45 am she told me she was too tired to get up and dressed. She also thought that she didn't have any reason to see her GP as she was OK. Finally I convinced her that she required more prescriptions to keep her medication up to date and we managed to get out by 9.15 am. Her appointment was not until 10.00 am but I managed to get the practice nurse to look at Margaret's leg. Two of the skin tears were healing quite nicely, one had the skin flap tucked under so it will probably die off and leave a scar the last one was a bit wet so it was redressed and the leg bandaged up again. I shall keep an eye on it for that next few days but at least it is not infected.
Margaret's GP was still concerned with Margaret's continued confusion and odd behaviour. He suspects that she still has complex UTI so I took another sample to pathology collection centre later in the day and we will await results later in the week.
After her visit to the GP I took her to a local cafe for morning tea. She was adamant that she only wanted tea and definitely nothing to eat. I ordered a black tea for her and a white coffee and scone for me. When they arrived she took the scone and started to eat it. The lady who served us had heard the conversation before I ordered and was a little taken aback. I just ordered another scone. It could have been a scene out of Little Britain.
While writing this I have been very stupid. Margaret barged in and wanted to know what I was doing and instead of just telling her I was writing an email or something I told her to mind her own business and leave me alone. Needless to say this upset her and I will now have to calm her down. I think we may go out to lunch today which she normally enjoys.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Keeping Louis Thin
This funny title is quite true. Louis is inclined to getting a bit tubby, dare I say fat, around his waist. These days it it is not helped by Margaret who seems to think that he is being starved. When I took Margaret out on Sunday to the Mall for Tea and Dough Nuts she spent most of the time worrying that Louis was starving at home. This had started at breakfast when Louis shares Margaret's toast and vegemite. Margaret asked for her bread and peanut butter which she "always" shares with Louis. It took some effort to convince Margaret that he never has peanut butter and if he eats anymore he get very fat.
While out at the Mall drinking her tea she wanted to buy "poor Louis" at home something to eat and drink. She was not convinced that a raw chicken wing and a plate of roast chicken, our left overs from Saturday night, was enough. As I walked her through the Mall she wanted to buy everything that she saw and was not the least interested in looking at trousers with stretch waists which she really needs. I managed to limit her to a bunch of flowers, some grapes and a packet of swiss rolls and avoided the brightly coloured beach ware which fills the stores.
Sunday passed without any real dramas and Monday was much the same except that now Margaret wanted to share our wine with Louis. I realize that he now appears to have taken the place of a real member of the household and not just a lovely loving pet. I had a discussion with Louis and he said that he was a rum and coke guy and unless there was some available he would stick to water. This appeared to satisfy Margaret.
Monday dinner was Cottage Pie as recommended by Margaret's Blue Care carer S2. I modified it a little to make a slow crock pot type dish which I prepare in the morning and leave to cook slowly all day on a bench outside on the patio. In the evening I just cook and mash the potatoes and pop the complete pie in the oven to brown up. Served with thick brown gravy and green peas it was a great success. There is also some left over for Louis today. (Actually he licked the plates and crock pot clean last night as well - so much for a diet!)
It is interesting that when I started this blog I was more worried about Margaret's physical condition but as time goes on her mental capabilities have declined noticeably. Apart from the pain her physical condition gives her and the regular visits to her doctor's she is keeping quite well. Her leg is healing nicely and we will have it looked at by the Practice Nurse at the doctor's this morning. I shall also have bring up her increased confusion with her doctor.
Today, Tuesday, she complained at breakfast that I had forgotten Louis peanut butter sandwich! She is also worried about when to get up and go to the doctor's and I have told her at least six times that she can lie in until 9.00 am. She is also asking when that woman (Blue Care RN) is coming and she has been told it will be a week Thursday every day since last Thursday.
While out at the Mall drinking her tea she wanted to buy "poor Louis" at home something to eat and drink. She was not convinced that a raw chicken wing and a plate of roast chicken, our left overs from Saturday night, was enough. As I walked her through the Mall she wanted to buy everything that she saw and was not the least interested in looking at trousers with stretch waists which she really needs. I managed to limit her to a bunch of flowers, some grapes and a packet of swiss rolls and avoided the brightly coloured beach ware which fills the stores.
Sunday passed without any real dramas and Monday was much the same except that now Margaret wanted to share our wine with Louis. I realize that he now appears to have taken the place of a real member of the household and not just a lovely loving pet. I had a discussion with Louis and he said that he was a rum and coke guy and unless there was some available he would stick to water. This appeared to satisfy Margaret.
Monday dinner was Cottage Pie as recommended by Margaret's Blue Care carer S2. I modified it a little to make a slow crock pot type dish which I prepare in the morning and leave to cook slowly all day on a bench outside on the patio. In the evening I just cook and mash the potatoes and pop the complete pie in the oven to brown up. Served with thick brown gravy and green peas it was a great success. There is also some left over for Louis today. (Actually he licked the plates and crock pot clean last night as well - so much for a diet!)
It is interesting that when I started this blog I was more worried about Margaret's physical condition but as time goes on her mental capabilities have declined noticeably. Apart from the pain her physical condition gives her and the regular visits to her doctor's she is keeping quite well. Her leg is healing nicely and we will have it looked at by the Practice Nurse at the doctor's this morning. I shall also have bring up her increased confusion with her doctor.
Today, Tuesday, she complained at breakfast that I had forgotten Louis peanut butter sandwich! She is also worried about when to get up and go to the doctor's and I have told her at least six times that she can lie in until 9.00 am. She is also asking when that woman (Blue Care RN) is coming and she has been told it will be a week Thursday every day since last Thursday.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
A Little Excitement
On Friday I managed to get my bed linen changed and the dirty sheets etc. washed before lunch. After lunch I had a rest and read a book while Margaret also rested between wandering around the house with her wheely walker. She didn't want to go out as it was pretty warm 29C/84F but was worried that she should be going somewhere.
For weeks now Margaret has wanted fish and chips for Friday evening's dinner. I get this from the Noosa Marina fish shop where they have great smooth dory. Suddenly she doesn't want fish and chips and I wasn't prepared to cook anything else at short notice. I had an idea. During the week I had picked up a pack of frozen uncooked prawns marinated garlic and spices. I quickly defrosted these and warmed up some frozen chips in my little toaster oven. The prawns only took three minutes to cook in a hot fry pan. Margaret had Garlic Prawns and fresh fruit salad and I had Garlic Prawns and chips. As the packet was 500 gm we each had a fair number of prawns which were very tasty.
After dinner Margaret was sitting in her chair with her feet up with Louis lying beside her having a few treats when something took his attention and he jumped down using her right shin as a launching pad. He weighs 15 kg and all this weight was transferred through his right front paw to the shin where it made four neat skin tears. With normal skin there may have been some minor marks but with Margaret's steroid affected skin these were triangular tears about 2 cm on each side. Margaret screamed,was in shock and beginning to bleed. Louis fled and hid. These skin tears are a common occurrence so it was out with the medical kid and I applied a 10 cm square non adhesive dressing over the tears and secured it with a bandage. The injuries needed medical attention to pull the shin back over the tears and secure them in place. I took Margaret to our local hospital to see the after hours out patients doctors. The local doctors maintain and after hours servile on a roster basis as the hospital's emergency department is normally overwhelmed by real emergencies and waits for other patients can be four or five hours. We were seen by an Asian doctor who we hadn't seen before. He asked Margaret how the tears happened and she told him that she must have had a fall. I prompted her and she finally remembered Louis was responsible. The doctor had access to Margaret's record and observed that she was very confused. He removed the dressing and cleaned up the tears and carefully stretched the skin back and secured then with steri-strips. After replacing the dressing he said we should see out local GP next Monday or Tuesday unless the wounds became infected, Louis' paws get into some pretty mucky places at times. The doctor was very gentle and caring with Margaret and complimented my dressing skills and prompt action in getting treatment.
We got home about 8.30 pm and Margaret wanted to have an ice cream and go to bed early. I gave her two Panadol in addition to her normal medications. I told her that they would help her sleep. After tucking her in and settling her down she was soon off to sleep.
On Saturday she was back to normal and not in any pain from the tears. I looked out for any signs of infection during the day but she was OK. Her only concern was that “that woman”, the Blue Care RN was coming round and would take Louis away. I have tried to explain that it was her skin condition which had caused the problem not the normal behaviour of an exuberant little dog. Most of the day she rested and after dinner went to bed early – actually I suppose that 8.30 to 9.00 pm has become normal for her and she slept all night.
Today, Sunday, she wants to go out so I may take her to the local air-conditioned shopping mall for a look around and morning tea. It is going to be 33C/92F today and much too hot to push Margaret by the river.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Lunch Out
Yesterday the Blue Care RN called me to talk about her visit with Margaret earlier in the day. She said Margaret was OK but appeared very concerned about her continence underwear. Blue Care are arranging some financial support from the Commonwealth Government to cover their cost. Margaret told the RN that she needed fourteen a day! I explained that the figure fourteen was her latest favourite number and she actually uses between two and three a day.
We went out to the Noosa Bowls Club for lunch and Margaret had her favourite meal. During the meal she talked almost incessantly with no relationship to any thing in particular. At one stage she harped back to last week when she thought that children had been drowned at the Bowls Club. She understood that this was not so and asked me, “How how did they kill the children?” It took a little while to explain that no children had been killed at the Bowls Club. Anybody eavesdropping on our conversation would wonder what the hell is going on.
Afterwards Margaret wanted to go shopping but I was very tired and it was a warm day so I took her home where she barely made it to bed without falling over and slept for three hours until after I had walked Louis.
She went to bed early and slept all night.
This morning she is still on about needing fourteen continence pants so I told her she already had them -I actually counted three loose and a packet of ten so it was only a little lie.
This morning I will do a little washing and cleaning up and have a restful day.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Respite
At 12.30 pm yesterday the Blue Care Carer arrived to look after Margaret while I took time off to attend my local computer club meeting. She wasn't S but another lady with a name beginning with S so she is now referred to S2. I had Louis on the lead but immediately after his usual enthusiastic greeting he made friends with S2 and was sitting beside her on our settee. She is a dog owner and lover and soon had Louis eating out of her hand. This, of course, went down well with Margaret who takes to anybody who loves her dog.
I was able to leave at 12.45 pm and after a thirty minute drive arrived in time for the meeting in Yandina which is a small hinterland town. The meeting is held in the RSL hall which is a seventy year old timber building but in lovely condition. The club has a wireless broadband internet connection coupled to a wireless router so we can take our laptops and download and try out software from the club's server. It was interesting just being a normal member as for the last three years I have been giving short talks at the, now defunct, Noosa meetings. Until Margaret's future is more settled I shall not be giving any talks but will make myself available to give advice to other members when I can attend. As the carer was due to leave at 4.30 pm I left the meeting ten minutes early to get home b 4.20 pm.
At home all was well S2 had had a good chat with Margaret and given her a recipe for Cottage Pie for me to cook. She said that Margaret had been happy but her conversation was pretty difficult to follow. I now know that I can take an afternoon a month respite from caring for Margaret. As S2 left I asked Margaret what she wanted for dinner and she pointed a S2's recipe. S2 explained to her that I had to buy the ingredients and we would probably have it another day.
Margaret was very tired and went to bed at 9.00 pm and after being tucked in etc. was soon asleep.
This morning she is quite bright and when I was out doing our shopping, including the ingredients for cottage pie, the Blue Care RN called and missed me. The interesting thing was that Louis sat with Margaret during the visit and was no problem.
We will be going out for lunch and Margaret is looking forward to Sizzling Garlic Prawns.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Margaret's Confusion Continues
The day continued with Margaret being very confused and I cant remember a coherent sentence of more the five words. She responds to questions about her welfare and if she wants a cup of tea etc. but doesn't really converse.
I have been trying to prepare her for the fact that I am going out this afternoon for four hours to attend a monthly computer group meeting. This meeting used to be held a few minutes away in Noosa and before her last illness I could leave Margaret for a few hours confident that she would contact me on my mobile phone in an emergency and I would be home in 10 minutes. Since the the meeting has moved to Yandina about 30 km away and Margaret has forgotten how to use her mobile phone in emergencies. She has only to press two until it begins to dial me but in spite of instruction taped to her phone she still doesn't seem capable of doing it.
In order to attend the meeting I have arranged for Blue Care to provide a carer to sit with her for four hours this afternoon. Margaret doesn't want to be “baby sat” but we have no alternative if I am to get any respite time. I hope that the carer is S who takes Margaret shopping or at least someone who likes Louis. He will be on the lead when they arrive because of his enthusiastic welcomes but usually settles in a couple of minutes.
Margaret took herself to bed before 9.30 pm last night taking her tablets with her. She hadn't taken any when I found that she had dropped one (blood pressure tablet) so I got another from the packet. Fortunately I found the missing tablet on the kitchen floor this morning and threw it away. I will now have to hide her tablet dispenser so I can monitor what she takes. She did need tucking in before she could settle for the night.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Confusion Reigns
I managed to clean the carpet while Margaret slept. She really was quite confused all day. After dinner she watched a bit of TV with me but did not really appear to take anything in and I suggested that she should go to bed at 9.30. Much to my surprise she started fiddling with the latch which activates the reclining action on her armchair and complained the it would not go down. I explained that when she had the seat in the reclining position the latch did nothing and that to put her legs down she had to sit forwards and push the leg rest down. She couldn't understand what I meant and said that latch always put the seat rest down in the past. I got up from my recliner chair and showed her how to get up. She was surprised when I just pushed the leg rest down and locked it shut. “I didn't know you had to do that!” she said. We have had these reclining armchairs for over three years.
This morning she is still confused and and asked when “that woman” is coming today several times. I have told her she, the Blue Care RN, wont come for another two weeks at least three times. Next she said she had to go to the doctors it took me two tries to get her to understand that her next appointment was in a weeks time.
She is in her forth day of antibiotics for UTI but there is no lessening of her confusion.
We will see what the rest of the day brings.
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Walk by the River
The walk by the Noosa River was a great success. Louis walks really well on the lead next to the wheelchair and was still able to check out lots of new smells and water several posts. Margaret enjoyed the scenery and got to say hello to a black standard poodle which reminded her of Louis' predecessor Pierre. We walked for about an hour. It was sunny and about 26C/79F but the breeze off the river kept us cool although Louis was happy to clamber back into the car at the end.
The rest of the day was pretty average. Margaret gets more and more confused as the day goes on so by bed time she is barely coherent. Luckily she drops off to sleep quite quickly and sleeps through the night. After breakfast today I had to go shopping and didn't get home until 9.30 am to find Margaret in a state in her en suite bathroom. I persuaded her to have a shower and wash her hair. A few minutes later she called out and when I got to her she was in tears. She had soaped herself down and shampooed her hair but now didn't know what to do next. I used her hand held shower wand to rinse her hair and she cried just like a baby. After rinsing the rest of her down I managed to calm her down and dry her off. I got her into a nightgown and she is now back in bed. Prior to lying down I massaged some conditioner into her hair and combed it out. A couple of weeks ago she had and expensive hair do to put some body into her rather thin hair. It appears to work and the leave in conditioner restores the body after a wash.
We have nothing planned for the rest of the day and I am going to clean the hall carpet where Louis snuck in and chewed up a nice messy bone over the week end!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Nice and Quiet
Saturday was a very quiet day as Margaret was not feeling too well. I think the UTI was beginning to affect her so she stayed in bed most of the day.
She stayed up after dinner watching TV with me but by 10.00 pm was very confused. I offered to put her to bed but she said she didn't know how to go to bed. My method of dealing with this is to tell her that it is really hard to explain it to her but I could show her how by taking into the bedroom and helping her.
I took some time but finally she was tucked in and off to sleep.
This morning she appears brighter and I hope to take her and Louis for a walk by the Noosa River using her wheel chair.
Shameless Plug.
We have a little Honda Jazz which actually fits in a wheelchair, wheely walker and three suitcases. We couldn't do this with our much larger Toyota Camry. If I leave the wheely walker at home I can put down half of the back seat for Louis to come too.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Pathology Results Arrive
We finally managed to get some results from Margaret's pathology via the receptionist at Margaret's GP's office. He had marked them as “no action”. I therefore persuaded Margaret to get up and dressed by 10.00 am to go out with the Blue Care carer for a shopping trip. Unfortunately nobody turned up and at 10.45 am I phoned the Blue Care office to be told that no definite time had been arranged but S would be there by about 11.15 am. It had taken some effort and sweet talking to get Margaret ready by 10.00 am and to have her just sitting around waiting was a bit of pain and she kept telling me that they weren't coming.
Anyway S turned up a 11.30 am and Margaret was in her car and off like a shot. I must hasten to add that S has no control over her schedule and had several other home visits to make to care for and shower other elderly clients. While they were away I finished off cleaning up Margaret's bedroom and bathroom before putting my feet up to watch Tiger Woods play in the Australian Masters Golf Championship.
Margaret and S returned at 1.45 pm and S told me that Margaret had been very confused while out. They had visited the pet shop and tried to buy Margaret some new pants at Noosa Village but there was nothing suitable. Margaret had had lunch out so I packed her off to bed as she was very tired.
After a light dinner we had settled down to watch TV, more Midsomer Murders, when the phone rang. It was Margaret's GP. The long term culture of Margaret's urine had turned up a nasty bug which required antibiotics asap. I searched through Margaret's old medication and found she had 9 Keflex tablets. The GP said give her one immediately then four a day on Saturday and Sunday. He would leave a prescription at his surgery for more on Monday. Margaret was to rest up as much as possible and keep her fluids up.
I got a very confused Margaret to bed, actually she is just like a little child who has to be tucked in and settled before I go to bed.
This morning she is quite bright and I am looking forward to a quiet day.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Still Waiting for Pathology Reports
Well we didn't get a phone call from Margaret's GP on Wednesday. On the plus side Margaret did take a shower before she got dressed and S came to take her out at 12.00 noon. Unfortunately noon came and went and no S. I phoned up Blue Care and was told that the shopping trip was scheduled for 10.00am on Friday and they were sure that they had phoned me about it on the 28 th October. As that was before the first shopping visit on a Wednesday two weeks ago they admitted that this was not so.
Margaret was dressed and ready so I took her to the shops instead and we had a light lunch out.
After lunch Margaret rested while I waited for the GP's phone call which as I stated above never came.
Margaret's confusion continued to be very high and I managed to get her to bed early and finish off my book before going to sleep myself.
On Thursday I phoned the GP's surgery and was told that the pathology results weren't back and they would phone when they were. Well they didn't and Margaret continues to be extra confused. It is several days since she has been able to have a rational conversation. She is quite happy and relatively easy to manage. The hope is that the extra confusion is caused by a UTI – if not it may be increased vascular dementia which could be permanent.
We went out to our usual weekly lunch at Margaret's favourite restaurant (for the time being) and she had her present favourite meal, sizzling garlic prawns. During the meal she kept asking if this was where the child had drowned. I think that she has been dreaming about the two little kids who have had accidents in home swimming pools over the last couple of weeks. I assured her that Bowling Clubs without swimming pools rarely have drownings but she repeated that question time and time again. Towards the end of lunch she began to get cramps in her hands and legs. She finished her meal and I got her home to rest up.
The rest of Thursday was fairly quiet and I tucked Margaret up in bed by 9.30pm with her Teddies and doll. She complained that she had lost her fish which after some gentle questioning turned out to be the elephant which I retrieved from under her bed.
This morning she is still not with it. While I dole out her medications she normally takes it without any trouble. Today she was choking and I discovered that she was trying to swallow all 10 tablets without drinking any water because “that was the way she was supposed to”! She also has one additional tablet to take on Fridays 30 minutes before or after food. I told her to take it after 8.00 am, left the room for a minute and when I returned it was gone just 10 minutes after breakfast. I shall now have to monitor every tablet she takes.
I shall phone her GP in a little while to see why we haven't had Margaret's pathology results yet.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Awaiting Pathology Results
Yesterday afternoon I took Margaret to see her GP. The good news is that her pain is under control with the patch and her legs are now back to near normal.. Her Frusimide has been reduced to 40 mg/day from 80 and her Prenisolone from 20 mg/day to 15. The bad news is her increased confusion which could be due to a Urinary Track Infection. I have to get her to provide a urine sample so that I can drop it in to the pathology Collection Centre this morning.
This morning she is not performing and I am not sure if the miserable little sample she has produced is adequate. Normally she is incontinent and too much is the norm! Her bout of kidney failure in October was triggered by a UTI so if has occurred again prompt treatment with antibiotics will be necessary.
Margaret is also trying to remove her Norspan patch which has to stay on until Friday. This is a controlled drug and we cant replace patches at less that one week intervals.
I phoned the collection centre and they said about 10mm in the sample jar was enough so I dropped off the sample.
Back home Margaret is still worried about “that woman” and Louis. “When is she coming?” I have told her, yet again, that she isn't coming today but a Blue Care carer is coming to take her out for a couple of hours. If it is S from last time there will be no problems with Louis. I want Margaret to buy a pair of trousers as she has been wearing the same pair day in day out since she came home. Last week I managed to pinch them and put them in the wash.
On the hygiene matter Margaret has been refusing to have a shower and it is several days since she had one. I hope she has one before S comes at 12 noon to take her out. Margaret wants a bath but when she last used our deep bath over two years ago I had to help her out as she couldn't manage it by herself. Now I have been advised not to try and lift Margaret in any circumstances and various Occupational Therapists have told us that she is at risk in the bath.
I expect a phone call from Margaret's GP later this afternoon if she has a UTI telling me to pick up a script for antibiotics.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
A Poor Start
Last night Margaret was very confused. We watched TV after dinner. There was no real conversation. Margaret brought up a couple of things full of “what's its” and “what's his names” but when I tried to find out what she was talking about she just said it was nothing and wouldn't interest me. She is good with the here and now but useless in relating things from just a few days ago.
She went to bed after Four Corners (an ABC current affairs show) but doesn't appear to really understood it. She was quite difficult to settle as she still cant work out how to get into bed and arrange her Teddies etc.
Today has started with her usual claim that she has to be early and was up and about at 6.00 am before I took Louis for his morning walk. I told her that her appointment with her GP was at 2.30 pm so she could settle back down. At present, 7.40 am she has had her breakfast and is taking her medications. She is sitting on her bed watching TV. In the last five minutes she has called out several times causing Louis to bark and come and get me from my bedroom where I am typing this. The first couple of times she denied making any noise. The next time she was getting up to get ready to go to the doctors and finally she was choking on one of her tablets. I told her to drink some water and the problem was fixed.
It looks like being a long day.
Monday, November 9, 2009
A Confused Weekend
A little example of a conversation with Margaret which I had on Friday while watching TV after dinner.
Margaret “Do you remember what's his name.?”
Me, “ Who do you mean by what's his name ?”
Margaret, “ You know they used to go to Yeppoon.”
Me, “Sorry Darling I don't know who you are talking about.”
Margaret, “ Of course you do their son used to live there before he died years ago.”
Me after a glimmer of hope, “You mean Ted and Betty? Their son worked up there in the eighties and Ted had died.”
Margaret, “No I mean - you know what's his name!”
Me, “Sorry Darling I can't remember his name.”
Margaret, “Nor can I.”
End of conversation. I stayed quiet and calm through this knowing that it would just peter out. Theisdid, at least, let me know something, i.e. what's his name had something to do with Yeppoon.
Saturday morning saw Margaret waking up early and making herself a cup of tea while I showered but by the time I had walked Louis she had become very withdrawn. Actually if I look back on the last three or four days she had been very quiet and not asking to go out all the time.
Before I went shopping she wanted to get back under the bed clothes but again said that she didn't know how to so I tucked her in. When I came home she had got out of bed and back on top again. She had her slippers on and was covered by one of her snuggies. She told me that she was worried about the “woman” coming. It turned out that she was worrying about the Blue Care RN who didn't like dogs. Apparently Louis had jumped off her bed, where he sleeps when I am out, and woken her up.
Saturday afternoon Margaret woke me up from my afternoon nap to say that she had to go out. I asked her where she wanted to go and she said that she had to go out as she had an appointment. I told her that her next appointment was not till next Tuesday. After a little while he settled down. I offered to take her out but as she had no appointments she didn't want to go anywhere. She really gets worked up about these “appointments”.
Sunday lunch time Margaret was sitting in front of her computer trying to log in. She has used the same password for at least 8 years but today she told me that she had never used one. I logged on for her and she is now trying to read her mail. Latr she was back at th log in screen and I logged her in again.
After dinner Margaret went to bed at 8.30 pm and I sat to try and remember a coherent conversation today but could not.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Things Have Been Real Quiet
Yesterday morning the Blue Care Registered Nurse made a visit to check on Margaret's condition. Pysically Margaret is looking good but her dementia looks like staying around. The only problem with this RN is that she doesn't like dogs so Louis is locked away during her visit. She actually stated that carers they provide to give me respite must also be protected from the dog for health and safety reasons. This will present a problem when I want to escape to my computer club meeting once month. This requires me to leave Margaret for about four hours and the meeting place is about a half hour's drive away. I know that Margaret would not lock up her lovely Louis for four hours so if Blue Care insist that dogs really are a "no-no" I shall have to make other arrangements.
We had a great lunch at the Bowls Club and Margaret didn't was to come out with Louis as she was too tired. After a light tea she went to bed at 9.30 pm following the normal ritual of getting her under the covers and settling her down with her Teddy.
Today has started well and unless anything important happens will be back on Monday.
We had a great lunch at the Bowls Club and Margaret didn't was to come out with Louis as she was too tired. After a light tea she went to bed at 9.30 pm following the normal ritual of getting her under the covers and settling her down with her Teddy.
Today has started well and unless anything important happens will be back on Monday.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
A Good Day
A link between the park and forest.
Yesterday went on as it started with no real dramas or problems. Mid day I took Margaret for a walk with Louis round the park and a short walk through remnant of the rain forest which surrounds it. it was quite warm 29C/86F and I got a good work out pushing the wheelchair.After dinner Margaret wanted to go to bed early but told me that she didn't know how to get under the clothes or where to put Big Teddy. I assisted her to bed and she was soon settled cuddling big Teddy.
Earlier I checked Margaret's computer and somehow or other she has sent blank emails to several people we don't know and had over 20 draft blank emails waiting to sent. These were to an old friend of ours but I didn't know she had his address. I will now delete all addresses from her address book except for close friends and family who I will let them know to ignore any blank emails from Margaret.
Today we will have lunch out.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Some Good News - Well almost
We visited Margaret's GP yesterday. The news was good. The blood tests showed that her Glomeruler Filtration Rate (GFR) had risen from 14.7 to 27 ml/min. This takes her from the edge of kidney failure stage 5 which requires dialysis or transplant to stage 4 which is merely "severe kidney damage". I have found a good website which provides information for both patients/carers and health professionals. What this means is that Margaret will require continuing monitoring of her kidney function from now on.
Her GP tested Margaret's cognition and confusion which showed that there was no real improvement in this area. One test is to write a brief sentence which Margaret can still do quite well but with some amusing results. Today she wrote, "Danielle Steele has six children. I wonder who has the last bath?" Her GP was confused until I explained that Margaret and I had grown up during WW2 in the UK where hot bathwater was restricted to 5 inches per week and to get a good bath the family took it in turns to use the same bath water. Margaret was fourth after her mother, brother and sister. On the web I found the following account of growing up in Scotland during WW2.
"Another hardship was the fact that we were only allowed 5 inches of bathwater to bath in once a week. A black line had to be painted round the bath to show where the limit of 5 inches was which we were not allowed to exceed. (Showers had not yet hit the scene.) Soon more posters sprang up, this time exhorting us to ‘Bath with a Friend’! At Home House we had a strict rota for bath night, followed by our own schedule where, in addition to our own ration, we allocated ourselves a night each when we would jump into the bath after a friend! The rest of the time we had to just wash ourselves with water from the basin which, if we were lucky, might be lukewarm."
URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/67/a5231567.shtml
The rest of yesterday was pretty normal but Margaret was too tired to come out with me to walk Louis and was in bed by 9.30 pm.
This morning things have been nice and quiet so I think I'll change my bed linen and do some washing and maybe even some gardening.
Her GP tested Margaret's cognition and confusion which showed that there was no real improvement in this area. One test is to write a brief sentence which Margaret can still do quite well but with some amusing results. Today she wrote, "Danielle Steele has six children. I wonder who has the last bath?" Her GP was confused until I explained that Margaret and I had grown up during WW2 in the UK where hot bathwater was restricted to 5 inches per week and to get a good bath the family took it in turns to use the same bath water. Margaret was fourth after her mother, brother and sister. On the web I found the following account of growing up in Scotland during WW2.
"Another hardship was the fact that we were only allowed 5 inches of bathwater to bath in once a week. A black line had to be painted round the bath to show where the limit of 5 inches was which we were not allowed to exceed. (Showers had not yet hit the scene.) Soon more posters sprang up, this time exhorting us to ‘Bath with a Friend’! At Home House we had a strict rota for bath night, followed by our own schedule where, in addition to our own ration, we allocated ourselves a night each when we would jump into the bath after a friend! The rest of the time we had to just wash ourselves with water from the basin which, if we were lucky, might be lukewarm."
URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/67/a5231567.shtml
The rest of yesterday was pretty normal but Margaret was too tired to come out with me to walk Louis and was in bed by 9.30 pm.
This morning things have been nice and quiet so I think I'll change my bed linen and do some washing and maybe even some gardening.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
My Birthday
Before I get to my birthday I should finish off Sunday evening.
After dinner Margaret wanted to watch Wuthering Heights on TV but soon after it started she got up and wheeled herself into her bedroom. After quite some time she returned all dressed with hat and sunglasses. She demanded to be taken to the shops and got very upset when I pointed out that it was nearly 9.00 pm, the shops were shut and we had been to the shops earlier that day. It took some time to settle her down and even then she was like a Jack in the Box getting up and wheeling herself around the house. Finally about 10.30 pm I got her to go to bed and to take her medication which includes Valium which seemed to settle her down and I was able to switch off her light and get myself off to bed about 11.30 pm.
Now Monday was my 73 rd birthday and as usual I got up at 5.00 am, got Margaret a cup of tea as she was awake, had my breakfast and walked Louis with J. I got home just after 7.00 am and reminded Margaret that she had to go and have a blood test. We got to the collection centre and had quite a wait before it was Margaret's turn. The nurse could not get any blood out of Margaret's right arm and said the left arm looked worse. This looked like being a problem as Margaret's kidneys were pretty bad and her GP wanted to see how they were progressing. The nurse said that there was another collection centre about 6 km away where there was a better qualified sister. Fortunately this sister managed to locate a cooperative vein in Margaret's left arm and we will get the results today at 12.00 noon.
All this time Margaret had not mentioned my birthday. After Margaret's breakfast I went shopping and while I was out our daughter phoned to wish me happy birthday and spoke to Margaret instead. She then got me on my mobile. Margaret had been surprised by Helen's call and even then did not connect it with my birthday.
Later in the day we went out to lunch at Trios at Noosa Marina. On the way I asked Margaret if she knew why we we going out to Trios she replied it was to look at the fish in their aquarium. I mentioned my birthday and she replied," I thought that was yesterday!" I am still waiting for a Happy Birthday from her.
We had an excellent lunch, both having duckling and went home to snooze the afternoon away.
The rest of the day was quiet but I had the now, normal, problems settling down Margaret to cleep and bed about 11.00 pm
Tos the start has been normal and while Margaret is resting after breakfast I can catch up with this blog.
We go to see Margaret's GP later this morning.
After dinner Margaret wanted to watch Wuthering Heights on TV but soon after it started she got up and wheeled herself into her bedroom. After quite some time she returned all dressed with hat and sunglasses. She demanded to be taken to the shops and got very upset when I pointed out that it was nearly 9.00 pm, the shops were shut and we had been to the shops earlier that day. It took some time to settle her down and even then she was like a Jack in the Box getting up and wheeling herself around the house. Finally about 10.30 pm I got her to go to bed and to take her medication which includes Valium which seemed to settle her down and I was able to switch off her light and get myself off to bed about 11.30 pm.
Now Monday was my 73 rd birthday and as usual I got up at 5.00 am, got Margaret a cup of tea as she was awake, had my breakfast and walked Louis with J. I got home just after 7.00 am and reminded Margaret that she had to go and have a blood test. We got to the collection centre and had quite a wait before it was Margaret's turn. The nurse could not get any blood out of Margaret's right arm and said the left arm looked worse. This looked like being a problem as Margaret's kidneys were pretty bad and her GP wanted to see how they were progressing. The nurse said that there was another collection centre about 6 km away where there was a better qualified sister. Fortunately this sister managed to locate a cooperative vein in Margaret's left arm and we will get the results today at 12.00 noon.
All this time Margaret had not mentioned my birthday. After Margaret's breakfast I went shopping and while I was out our daughter phoned to wish me happy birthday and spoke to Margaret instead. She then got me on my mobile. Margaret had been surprised by Helen's call and even then did not connect it with my birthday.
Later in the day we went out to lunch at Trios at Noosa Marina. On the way I asked Margaret if she knew why we we going out to Trios she replied it was to look at the fish in their aquarium. I mentioned my birthday and she replied," I thought that was yesterday!" I am still waiting for a Happy Birthday from her.
We had an excellent lunch, both having duckling and went home to snooze the afternoon away.
The rest of the day was quiet but I had the now, normal, problems settling down Margaret to cleep and bed about 11.00 pm
Tos the start has been normal and while Margaret is resting after breakfast I can catch up with this blog.
We go to see Margaret's GP later this morning.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
A Quiet Weekend
Saturday was a quiet day. After I walked Louis in the afternoon and caught up with my other dog walking friend B I went out again with Margaret in her wheelchair to meet the group who exercise their dogs later. This was instead of taking her to the shops.
After dinner we watched TV until after 10.00 pm and then Margaret was reluctant to go to bed but I managed to get her settled and lights out about 11.30 pm.
Margaret finally asleep cuddling Big Teddy
After dinner we watched TV until after 10.00 pm and then Margaret was reluctant to go to bed but I managed to get her settled and lights out about 11.30 pm.
Margaret finally asleep cuddling Big Teddy
This morning was a little different as I walked Louis to The Cooroy Road to watch the leaders ride through on the bike leg of the Noosa Triathlon between 7.00 and 7.45 am. Before Margaret became too ill I used to marshal at the transition area but that means being away from home from 5.00 am to 12.00 noon. Our little estate is completely blocked off by road closures from 6.15 to 11.15 am while about 5000 cyclists ride by.
After Margaret's breakfast I cleaned up the main areas but as I finished at 11.00 am Margaret wheeled through saying she wanted to take me out to lunch. I persuaded her that as we are going out tomorrow for my birthday perhaps we should just go to the shopping mall and have a sandwich and coffee. So after 11.30 I took her to Civic and walked her around in her wheelchair. We shared a foot long Subway and had a coffee and black tea to drink.
When we got home about 2.00 pm Margaret stayed up trying to use her computer and is still looking for the small "e" while I snoozed in front of TV before taking Louis for his walk with B and her little Tenterfield Terrier. Now I am about to prepare dinner while Margaret had a nap and look forwards to a quiet end to the weekend,
After Margaret's breakfast I cleaned up the main areas but as I finished at 11.00 am Margaret wheeled through saying she wanted to take me out to lunch. I persuaded her that as we are going out tomorrow for my birthday perhaps we should just go to the shopping mall and have a sandwich and coffee. So after 11.30 I took her to Civic and walked her around in her wheelchair. We shared a foot long Subway and had a coffee and black tea to drink.
When we got home about 2.00 pm Margaret stayed up trying to use her computer and is still looking for the small "e" while I snoozed in front of TV before taking Louis for his walk with B and her little Tenterfield Terrier. Now I am about to prepare dinner while Margaret had a nap and look forwards to a quiet end to the weekend,
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