A Visit to the Doctors

Yesterday, after lunch it was time to make the deferred visit to Margaret's GP. This was timed for 2.45 pm but in the true fashion of busy GPs we finally got in at 3.15 pm meaning that we were glared at by the two patients who thought they should have been next.

Margaret was in fine form prattling to the GP about any subject except her current health situation. She was particularly pleased that she could spell "world" which, during a recent cognition test, she was asked to spell backwards! She had her blood pressure checked and her GP was pleased that she looked OK apart from the hyper behaviour which was probably caused by too many steroids, 20mg of prednisone each day which he reduced to 15 mg per day.

I pointed out Margaret's ankles which are both very swollen and painful due to fluid retention. This always presents a problem as the the main solution to fluid retention is Frusimide which is also her main medication which can cause renal failure. So we have to balance the treatment for excess fluid retention, which can cause strain on the heart, against the possibility of kidney failure. Actually there is no option but to increase Margaret's Frusimide from 40 to 80 mg per day until the swellings go away. This indicates that we are beginning a cycle of events which will probaly put her back in hospital in about six weeks - let's wait and see.

After dinner which was Margaret's latest favourite, Hawian Pizza, Margaret was very tired and wanted to go to bed. She took some time as there are now three Teddy Bears, the rag doll and an elephant on the bed. It was decided that the old Teddy Bear and the latest Paddington Bear could sleep on a pillow next to the bed. Margaret finally fell asleep about 9.30 pm. I switched of her TV and light then also had and early night.

This morning I woke at 5.00 am and after my shower was getting my breakfast when Margaret rolled in with her wheely walker saying she was cold. I made her a cup of tea and helped her back to bed. I persuaded her to get under the duna to keep warm (actually the thermometer in my bedroom showed 23C/74F which is not cold).

After my breakfast I took Louis for his morning walk. I like to get about an hour to myself each morning and Loius's walk is a good excuse. Normally I walk with J and her dog but they are away for a few days. After a little while it started to pour with rain so I cut the walk short to 30 minutes.

At home Margaret had somehow managed to struggle into her snuggie while under her duna and was now too hot. I made her her normal breakfast of two slices of toast, one with apricot jam and vegemite on the other. I had sorted out her medication (13 tablets and a sachet) and followed by Louis took them into Margaret. She shares the toast and vegemite with Louis who then barks in disgust while she eats the toast with jam on her own.

I also take the opportunity to update this blog.

At 12.00 noon today Margaret is being taken on a social outing by a Bluecare carer for a couple hours. This is the first time and Margaret is showing signs of not wanting to go but I think I should be able to persuade her. It will also give me a chance to tidy up her bedroom, change her bedclothes and clean up her en suite bathroom.

Louis looking sweet - actually he is a Rat bag

It is 8.00 am and Margaret has just walked through saying that she wanted to go shopping. I told her that she was going out a 12.00 but she appears to have forgotten. Next she gave a little cry and was of to her bedroom. Margaret is normally urinary incontinent and because of the Chron's she also has other "accidents". This was one of them and being very confused she needed help. I undressed her and helped her shower. She is now dressing but wants to put on the same pair of trousers that she has been wearing for several days - oh well I'll wash them later today. Next time I am shopping I will try and find a similar pair.

In the middle of all this Margaret grabbed her library book and literally yelled, " I told you she had lots of babies!". For the last few days she had been telling me that the fat lady, who I must know, had lots of babies but couldn't show me where. In the book the author had dedicated it to her, admittedly, numerous children. I am sure that Dannielle Steele would not like being called the fat lady!