"Holding the Line"

The somewhat militaristic quote is from Margaret's GP, A.  Since Wednesday Margaret has been much the same.  Her legs and arms are not as swollen but her body is and she still has pulmonary oedema requiring her to supplement her normal breathing with oxygen,  I visit everyday and sit with her for a couple of hours.  She doesn't speak much so I normally find an old movie on TV and watch it with her.  Does anybody remember the magnificent dancing in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers?

One day Margaret actually had a good grin on her face following a little incident in the ward where her room is.  It is a dementia ward and there are some harmless people who just wander up and down.  Some say hello but others wander in silence.  Like Margaret they are all washed and dressed every morning and can watch TV, stay in their rooms or just wander.  On Friday we heard from outside in the corridor, "No John (not his real name)  don't take your clothes off!"  Followed a little later by the concerned carer, "Go back to your room and we will put some clothes on you."  Margaret was intrigued and asked what was going on so in my usual silly way I replied, "John has just heard about the hot young thing in Room 6,"  Margaret asked, "Whose room is that?" and when I said, "Yours!" she broke into a huge silly grin.  Somewhere in her head humour still remains in spite of all her suffering.  John was dressed in track pants when I left.

On Friday I caught up with Margaret's GP when he made the quotation in the title.  With the huge dose of Frusimide she is having her pulmonary oedema is staying constant although fluid has come off her legs and arms.  She will remain on the frusimide at the same level until she can get by without oxygen support.  He will then gradually reduce the dose until he can find a level where the oedema is just held in check.

Yesterday I took Louis in to visit Margaret and found her in bed.  She has now developed severe constipation and is having enemas to try and get things moving.  I shall visit later today.