Blood Test Results and GP Visit

Sunday passed with Margaret resting up and going to bed early. I watched the one day cricket match between Australia and the West Indies which Australia won easily.

Monday morning I went shopping early but on my return Margaret told me that she had had another "accident" and had cleaned up herself. She was still in a grumpy mood especially when I told her that the Blue Care RN was visiting to check how we are going. Margaret says that she hates her but when she is there gets on OK with her especially as she has allowed Louis to stay in the room provided he is restrained. I find the visits helpful as the RN checks on how we are managing. One of the big problems with elderly carers is that they can let their own personal standards drop. While I don't think this has happened to me yet D the RN would let me know and suggest additional support as required. She is re-instating a respite period for me when I can go out for four hours to my computer club once a month. This starts next Wednesday. I had to opt out for a couple of months because of Margaret's hospital stay and subsequent specialist visits.

Tuesday was Margaret's day to visit her GP to get her blood test results. I had the usual problems getting Margaret ready but we were there on time and as usual he ran half hour late. The test results were pretty bad. Her renal function is still poor and when I ask for his opinion on the future the GP said that the only treatment was to maintain a low fluid intake coupled with a a high protein low volume diet to try and delay the rate of the kidney failure. He confirmed that Margaret would not stand dialysis or be a candidate for transplant. Normally about this time in chronic kidney failure she would be transferred to a Renal Specialist who would monitor her condition in anticipation of dialysis but in Margaret's case it has been determined that this would be a waste of time.

Margaret has had difficulty sleeping which could be the cause of her grumpy behavior so A prescribed a sedative to help her sleep but not to powerful that she became incontinent while asleep. She has also been having trouble with her feet. She has a couple of deformed toenails and they need tidying up. A referred Margaret to a Podiatrist and I shall take her for treatment ASAP.

This morning, after the first night on her sedative, Margaret appears to be a little more relaxed and said that she had a good night's rest but woke up to go to the bathroom.

Today it is not raining and I have no excuse to put off the gardening.