Goodness, it's over a week since I last updated this blog. In general it has been fairly quiet. Margaret was still upset because I was going out on Wednesday afternoon to my computer club. We also were visiting her GP on Wednesday morning so I had to get her up and ready to go at 10.30 am. Initially she grumbled when I told her before I walked Louis that she should get up at about 10.00 am. We were ready on time but her GP was running late as usual. By the time we got into see him Margaret was in a really bad mood.
Margaret had also been complaining about a sore spot on the knee which she had bruised in her last fall. I looked like she had been bitten by some bug in two places and a deep infection had set in. The GP prescribed antibiotics as, if untreated, infections run riot in Margaret's run down body. He decided to give her a rest from blood tests as her renal function has plateaued out at 25%. Next time she will have a fasting test to also check he cholesterol levels.
We got home in time for Blue Care carer to take over looking after Margaret while I escaped for four hours. When I got home Margaret grumbled that Louis had spent most of the time with the carer - so much for locking him away!.
On Thursday I re-instated our weekly outing for lunch. The Tewantin RSL Club has just been upgraded and they have a new Chef so we went and tried it out. It was a great success and we will go again.
Apart from this we have had a quiet time. On Saturday I took Margaret and Louis for a walk around Noosa Parklands where we live. Pushing Margaret in her wheelchair and holding Louis lead is a bit awkward so Margaret held his lead. She got a bit tired and looped it around her wrist and when he pulled back it slid up her arm and left an enormous bruise.
On Sunday I decided that we should "Flea Bomb" the house as Louis has been picking up fleas from somewhere and we don't want an infestation in the house. This required us to go out for two hours so I took Margaret and Louis to the Noosa River. We had a lunch of "take away" fish and chips from the Boat House Restaurant and sat by the river looking at the boats and tourists enjoying a warm, 23C, day out. Afterwards Louis got to meet lots of other dogs being walked by their owners and had a great time as we strolled in the sunshine. It was a lovely break for everybody.
Margaret sat in the garden when we got home while I aired the house out and later went back to bed for a rest.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Margaret gets upset.
On Friday I took Margaret to see her cardiologist. The appointment was scheduled for 11.30 am and I told Margaret to be ready to leave at 10.30 am. When I got home from taking Louis on his early morning walk she was dressed, make up on and ready to go! I managed to persuade her to lie down for a while but we were on our way at 10.00 am. We had morning tea at the hospital before seeing Dr. J.
He carried out an ECG on Margaret and gave her a good physical examination. He was not too pleased that Margaret was back on 120 mg of Frusimide a day but as she still had fluid swellings around her ankles and wrists said that it was a necessary evil. He gave me a more detailed explanation of Margaret's heart attack and present condition. While the attack was mild it had caused significant damage to the left ventricle. The stress test showed that the present blood supply to the heart is reasonably good and providing she stays on the medication he has prescribed she is in no immediate danger. She must have regular cholesterol tests from now on and her medication modified as necessary. Whatever happens she is not likely to be well enough for invasive treatment due to the high incidence of "comorbidity" conditions. So the heart condition joins the kidneys, adrenal glands and bowels as too hard to treat!
Over the weekend Margaret has become more and more upset. I think that she is missing our daughter, Helen, my sister Sue and her friend K. Fortunately Helen phoned on Saturday to see how the cardiologist's visit went and talked to Margaret for a long time. Margaret has been getting upset if I leave her for any time over about 15 minutes. I normally walk Louis while she is sleeping but shopping has to be done and she gets worried.
Last night she asked when she was seeing A., her GP. Unthinkingly I said it was on Wednesday, the same day I get my monthly four hour respite break to attend my computer club. She got very upset. She was back to "that lady" who makes her lock up Louis and she wasn't having it. She was going out and not coming back! Finally the killer, she could come with me to the club! She doesn't see that I need some respite. It took a couple of hours for her to calm down and I finally got her to bet at 11.00 pm
Today she is calm for which I am truly thankful.
Note, none of Margaret's carers who look after her during my respite breaks have ever ask for Louis to be locked away. Normally I put him on his lead when they arrive as he gets very exited but he is released in a few minute when he settles down. The last couple of times it has been T looking after Margaret and she has four dogs ranging from a Bull Mastiff to a Pug so Louis is OK.
He carried out an ECG on Margaret and gave her a good physical examination. He was not too pleased that Margaret was back on 120 mg of Frusimide a day but as she still had fluid swellings around her ankles and wrists said that it was a necessary evil. He gave me a more detailed explanation of Margaret's heart attack and present condition. While the attack was mild it had caused significant damage to the left ventricle. The stress test showed that the present blood supply to the heart is reasonably good and providing she stays on the medication he has prescribed she is in no immediate danger. She must have regular cholesterol tests from now on and her medication modified as necessary. Whatever happens she is not likely to be well enough for invasive treatment due to the high incidence of "comorbidity" conditions. So the heart condition joins the kidneys, adrenal glands and bowels as too hard to treat!
Over the weekend Margaret has become more and more upset. I think that she is missing our daughter, Helen, my sister Sue and her friend K. Fortunately Helen phoned on Saturday to see how the cardiologist's visit went and talked to Margaret for a long time. Margaret has been getting upset if I leave her for any time over about 15 minutes. I normally walk Louis while she is sleeping but shopping has to be done and she gets worried.
Last night she asked when she was seeing A., her GP. Unthinkingly I said it was on Wednesday, the same day I get my monthly four hour respite break to attend my computer club. She got very upset. She was back to "that lady" who makes her lock up Louis and she wasn't having it. She was going out and not coming back! Finally the killer, she could come with me to the club! She doesn't see that I need some respite. It took a couple of hours for her to calm down and I finally got her to bet at 11.00 pm
Today she is calm for which I am truly thankful.
Note, none of Margaret's carers who look after her during my respite breaks have ever ask for Louis to be locked away. Normally I put him on his lead when they arrive as he gets very exited but he is released in a few minute when he settles down. The last couple of times it has been T looking after Margaret and she has four dogs ranging from a Bull Mastiff to a Pug so Louis is OK.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Things are back to normal.
My sister Sue and her friend K have returned to the UK after a brief visit. I left you on Sunday with them off to a visit to the Noosa Everglades. They really enjoyed it and even went swimming in the Noosa River. They had lunch at Harry's Hut and K was a little intimidated by the three big Goannas which came to try and steal lunch off them. They are lizards over a metre long.
We spent the day taking it easy before I cooked a meal in the evening for us all. Margaret has been getting very tired which makes her irritable. She has also had a return of the incontinence problems which have resulted in several near misses over the last few days. I think having visitors has an upside that she doesn't dwell on her problems as much but the downside is that she is not getting as much rest. She is still having problems with swollen ankles in spite of taking 120 mg of Frusimide a day which will probably upset her Cardiologist when we see him tomorrow (14 May).
On Monday I had a brief few moments alone with Sue having a coffee at the local shopping mall. It had been fifteen years since we had seen each other. Sues son, Max, has grown from a toddler to a teenager and we had a lot to catch up with. We share the same Mother and Sue has three half brothers, myself and older brother, Alan from the same Mother and Conrad who fits between Alan and I in age and shares Sue's Father. Sue is eighteen years younger than me.
Later the Girls went touring but I just cant remember where. I took Margaret to have her hair restyled and coloured and it was a great success. In the evening we all went out for an Indian meal at Margaret's favourite restaurant, (for the present). We all enjoyed the food and, as K drove home, I could enjoy a good South Australian Red wine with it.
On Tuesday the girls went shopping for a farewell dinner that night and spent that afternoon at Caloundra where they swam in the Salt Water Pool at Kings Beach. As it is late Autumn here they were the only people swimming (too bloody cold!).
K cooked dinner and we had a final night talking together.
On Wednesday K returned their hire car and I picked her up from the garage. They spent the rest of the morning packing and talking to Margaret. After lunch the Airport Shuttle picked them up a 3.00 pm to begin their long trip back to the UK.
Today we are on our own once more. Margaret is not too good as the constant diarrhoea she has been having has resulted in a very sore bottom and some local bleeding. She has has a quiet morning with Louis lying on her bed.
Tomorrow we go to see her Cardiologist .
We spent the day taking it easy before I cooked a meal in the evening for us all. Margaret has been getting very tired which makes her irritable. She has also had a return of the incontinence problems which have resulted in several near misses over the last few days. I think having visitors has an upside that she doesn't dwell on her problems as much but the downside is that she is not getting as much rest. She is still having problems with swollen ankles in spite of taking 120 mg of Frusimide a day which will probably upset her Cardiologist when we see him tomorrow (14 May).
On Monday I had a brief few moments alone with Sue having a coffee at the local shopping mall. It had been fifteen years since we had seen each other. Sues son, Max, has grown from a toddler to a teenager and we had a lot to catch up with. We share the same Mother and Sue has three half brothers, myself and older brother, Alan from the same Mother and Conrad who fits between Alan and I in age and shares Sue's Father. Sue is eighteen years younger than me.
Later the Girls went touring but I just cant remember where. I took Margaret to have her hair restyled and coloured and it was a great success. In the evening we all went out for an Indian meal at Margaret's favourite restaurant, (for the present). We all enjoyed the food and, as K drove home, I could enjoy a good South Australian Red wine with it.
On Tuesday the girls went shopping for a farewell dinner that night and spent that afternoon at Caloundra where they swam in the Salt Water Pool at Kings Beach. As it is late Autumn here they were the only people swimming (too bloody cold!).
K cooked dinner and we had a final night talking together.
On Wednesday K returned their hire car and I picked her up from the garage. They spent the rest of the morning packing and talking to Margaret. After lunch the Airport Shuttle picked them up a 3.00 pm to begin their long trip back to the UK.
Today we are on our own once more. Margaret is not too good as the constant diarrhoea she has been having has resulted in a very sore bottom and some local bleeding. She has has a quiet morning with Louis lying on her bed.
Tomorrow we go to see her Cardiologist .
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A Busy Few Days
The last few days have been a bit of a blur. The good news is that Margaret has been perked up by having visitors. I suppose it makes a change from only talking to me.
I can't even remember what the girls did on Tuesday but they seem to have enjoyed themselves. Margaret had her, by now, usual visit by Blue care to check her arm and other bruises before giving her a shower. I think that Margaret is beginning to like the RNs and carers who look after her.
On Wednesday the girls took the train from Cooroy to Brisbane for the day. K had an appointment to meet a colleague at the Royal Brisbane Hospital Medical School in the morning while Sue explored Brisbane. They met up for lunch at the Museum and explored the Art Galleries later before getting home at 8.30pm. It had been a long day as they left home at 6.00am.
We spent most of the day just taking it easy but had a GP's visit in the morning to check Margaret's blood test results. The kidneys are still holding at 25% eGFR. Afterwards we had a light lunch before coming home to rest in the afternoon.
On Thursday we all went out for lunch by the Noosa River, or rather on it, at the floating restaurant called the Boathouse. We all had excellent meals but Margaret really wanted and Indian meal. We will take her out tomorrow, Monday, evening for an Indian meal instead. I really wanted to show Sue and K the Noosa River at its best. Afterwards we made an appointment for Margaret to have her hair done on Monday. She really likes the colour of Sue's hair so is going have her's cut and coloured the same. The only real problem with Margaret has been confusion about dates and times and she asks us several times a day when is she having he hair done.
On Friday the girls, a silly name for two middle aged professional ladies but Sue has always been my Baby Sister as she is eighteen years younger than me, went for a hinterland drive. They visited the Kondalilla Falls near Montville and took the the walk through the forest to the Rock Pool at the base of the falls. They found it a tough walk but enjoyed it. K was worried by the Forest as the signs at the entrance showed pictures of Green Tree Snakes, which are harmless. Apparently she was on the look out all the time.
Margaret had another Blue Care visit and the RN dressed her arm which is healing up beautifully. It will probably another two weeks before it can be left uncovered.
On Saturday the Girls went to the Eumundi Markets while I caught up with a few chores and washing. Margaret and I were originally going to the Markets as well in our car but Margaret didn't feel up to it so stayed at home and rested. I think that the excitement at having visitors and the late nights have exhausted her cortisone reserves. She exists on a set dose of synthetic steroids each day to cope with her failed adrenal glands. She was feeling much brighter by the evening as her daily dose took effect.
Today the girls are off on an Noosa Everglades boat trip which we always recommend to visitors to this area. We are at home taking it easy. I shall go to the library later to get some books but apart from that and writing this blog have nothing else planned.
I can't even remember what the girls did on Tuesday but they seem to have enjoyed themselves. Margaret had her, by now, usual visit by Blue care to check her arm and other bruises before giving her a shower. I think that Margaret is beginning to like the RNs and carers who look after her.
On Wednesday the girls took the train from Cooroy to Brisbane for the day. K had an appointment to meet a colleague at the Royal Brisbane Hospital Medical School in the morning while Sue explored Brisbane. They met up for lunch at the Museum and explored the Art Galleries later before getting home at 8.30pm. It had been a long day as they left home at 6.00am.
We spent most of the day just taking it easy but had a GP's visit in the morning to check Margaret's blood test results. The kidneys are still holding at 25% eGFR. Afterwards we had a light lunch before coming home to rest in the afternoon.
On Thursday we all went out for lunch by the Noosa River, or rather on it, at the floating restaurant called the Boathouse. We all had excellent meals but Margaret really wanted and Indian meal. We will take her out tomorrow, Monday, evening for an Indian meal instead. I really wanted to show Sue and K the Noosa River at its best. Afterwards we made an appointment for Margaret to have her hair done on Monday. She really likes the colour of Sue's hair so is going have her's cut and coloured the same. The only real problem with Margaret has been confusion about dates and times and she asks us several times a day when is she having he hair done.
On Friday the girls, a silly name for two middle aged professional ladies but Sue has always been my Baby Sister as she is eighteen years younger than me, went for a hinterland drive. They visited the Kondalilla Falls near Montville and took the the walk through the forest to the Rock Pool at the base of the falls. They found it a tough walk but enjoyed it. K was worried by the Forest as the signs at the entrance showed pictures of Green Tree Snakes, which are harmless. Apparently she was on the look out all the time.
Margaret had another Blue Care visit and the RN dressed her arm which is healing up beautifully. It will probably another two weeks before it can be left uncovered.
On Saturday the Girls went to the Eumundi Markets while I caught up with a few chores and washing. Margaret and I were originally going to the Markets as well in our car but Margaret didn't feel up to it so stayed at home and rested. I think that the excitement at having visitors and the late nights have exhausted her cortisone reserves. She exists on a set dose of synthetic steroids each day to cope with her failed adrenal glands. She was feeling much brighter by the evening as her daily dose took effect.
Today the girls are off on an Noosa Everglades boat trip which we always recommend to visitors to this area. We are at home taking it easy. I shall go to the library later to get some books but apart from that and writing this blog have nothing else planned.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
We Have Visitors
It has been a while since I last blogged because we have visitors. My sister Sue and her companion, K, finally managed to get a flight from the UK to Brisbane on Friday 30 April after their original flight was canceled due to the Volcano dust problem in Europe. This meant that I had to move Helen into the study/computer room to sleep on a temporary bed made up on a collapsible settee. We both cleaned up the house and tidied up the garden a little.
The Blue Care lady came to shower Margaret on Tuesday and was appalled when I showed her the picture of Margaret's skin tears. She has arranged for an RN to visit and dress them on Friday when Margaret had her next shower. Margaret was bearing up quite well in spite of being in pain.
Wednesday and Thursday were passed in a blur of activity as we made up the beds and generally prepared for Sue's visit. It has been fifteen years since Margaret and I have seen her and over twenty for Helen. We had rearranged Helen's flight back to South Australia until Sunday so that she could meet her Auntie Sue!
Margaret was a bit put out by all our activities as she has become used to being Helen's centre of attention and coupled with her, still painful, arm was very unhappy. She was, however, still getting exited about Sue's visit.
Friday morning, at 4.00 am I set out to Brisbane Airport to pick up Sue and K who were scheduled to arrive at 6.40 am. I arrived just after 6.00 am and had a coffee while I waited. Their flight arrived on time but got mixed up with ten other International Flights arriving about the same time and it took about ninety minutes for them to clear customs and immigration. It was nearly 8.00 am when we finally left the airport for the drive back to Noosa where we arrived back home about 9.30 am.
Sue and K were exhausted by their thirty hour trip and after the first enthusiastic welcomes and a cup of tea/coffee they went to bed for an "hour" at about 11.30 am. While they slept the Blue Care RN came to shower Margaret and dress her arm. She commented on how good the Emergency Room Nurse had closed the skin across and dressed the injury. She asked me to photograph it before reapplying the dressing.
The Streristrips will stay in place for a few days until they literally drop off.
Sue and K finally woke up about 5.30 pm after a deep six hour sleep. I cooked us all a roast chicken dinner and we sat up late catching up with things.
Margaret was quite exhausted when she went to bed and after a little time settling she fell asleep cuddling the new Teddy Bear which Sue had given her. I hope that Big Ted doesn't get jealous!
On Saturday Sue and K wanted to hire a car so we packed all five of us in the little Honda Jazz I drive and dropped them off at the car hire garage while Helen and I took Margaret to the Pathology Collection Centre for blood test. They went on a drive around Noosa while we returned home. Margaret rested while I did our washing and Helen visited our next door neighbour who she has become very friendly with. By the time I returned from taking Louis for his afternoon walk Margaret and Helen had set up a barbecue with the neighbours and a couple of friends for that evening. Unfortunately it was left to me to get things set up especially as we had run out of gas for the barbie.
Fortunately it all turned out very well. The evening was warm and we all sat on the back patio chatting, eating and of course drinking wine. It broke up about 10.30 pm and we put a very tired Margaret to bed before we tidied up.
On Sunday Helen had to take an early flight back to Adelaide so I had arranged a for a bus to pick her up at 2.45 am to take her to Brisbane Airport. I got up to see her off and she kissed Margaret good bye for a few months. We hope to see her in September for Margaret's birthday. I slept in late before walking Louis. The girls took a picnic lunch and spent the day visiting the Sunshine Coast beaches while Margaret and I had a restful day. We stayed up very late looking at photos which I had converted into a DVD history of our lives.
Monday saw the girls visiting the local hinterland towns while we took it easy as it was a public holiday.
Today we are waiting for the Blue Care RN to check on Margaret's arm and shower her while he girls are out shopping.
The Blue Care lady came to shower Margaret on Tuesday and was appalled when I showed her the picture of Margaret's skin tears. She has arranged for an RN to visit and dress them on Friday when Margaret had her next shower. Margaret was bearing up quite well in spite of being in pain.
Wednesday and Thursday were passed in a blur of activity as we made up the beds and generally prepared for Sue's visit. It has been fifteen years since Margaret and I have seen her and over twenty for Helen. We had rearranged Helen's flight back to South Australia until Sunday so that she could meet her Auntie Sue!
Margaret was a bit put out by all our activities as she has become used to being Helen's centre of attention and coupled with her, still painful, arm was very unhappy. She was, however, still getting exited about Sue's visit.
Friday morning, at 4.00 am I set out to Brisbane Airport to pick up Sue and K who were scheduled to arrive at 6.40 am. I arrived just after 6.00 am and had a coffee while I waited. Their flight arrived on time but got mixed up with ten other International Flights arriving about the same time and it took about ninety minutes for them to clear customs and immigration. It was nearly 8.00 am when we finally left the airport for the drive back to Noosa where we arrived back home about 9.30 am.
Sue and K were exhausted by their thirty hour trip and after the first enthusiastic welcomes and a cup of tea/coffee they went to bed for an "hour" at about 11.30 am. While they slept the Blue Care RN came to shower Margaret and dress her arm. She commented on how good the Emergency Room Nurse had closed the skin across and dressed the injury. She asked me to photograph it before reapplying the dressing.
The Streristrips will stay in place for a few days until they literally drop off.
Sue and K finally woke up about 5.30 pm after a deep six hour sleep. I cooked us all a roast chicken dinner and we sat up late catching up with things.
Margaret was quite exhausted when she went to bed and after a little time settling she fell asleep cuddling the new Teddy Bear which Sue had given her. I hope that Big Ted doesn't get jealous!
On Saturday Sue and K wanted to hire a car so we packed all five of us in the little Honda Jazz I drive and dropped them off at the car hire garage while Helen and I took Margaret to the Pathology Collection Centre for blood test. They went on a drive around Noosa while we returned home. Margaret rested while I did our washing and Helen visited our next door neighbour who she has become very friendly with. By the time I returned from taking Louis for his afternoon walk Margaret and Helen had set up a barbecue with the neighbours and a couple of friends for that evening. Unfortunately it was left to me to get things set up especially as we had run out of gas for the barbie.
Fortunately it all turned out very well. The evening was warm and we all sat on the back patio chatting, eating and of course drinking wine. It broke up about 10.30 pm and we put a very tired Margaret to bed before we tidied up.
On Sunday Helen had to take an early flight back to Adelaide so I had arranged a for a bus to pick her up at 2.45 am to take her to Brisbane Airport. I got up to see her off and she kissed Margaret good bye for a few months. We hope to see her in September for Margaret's birthday. I slept in late before walking Louis. The girls took a picnic lunch and spent the day visiting the Sunshine Coast beaches while Margaret and I had a restful day. We stayed up very late looking at photos which I had converted into a DVD history of our lives.
Monday saw the girls visiting the local hinterland towns while we took it easy as it was a public holiday.
Today we are waiting for the Blue Care RN to check on Margaret's arm and shower her while he girls are out shopping.
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