Dear Family
Medical
John (Day Charge Nurse) advised me tonight that Dr. Dentler had ordered some changes in Mom’s medication. Effective today they have discontinued using the fentanol patch (for pain) as he thought it too sedating. They will give her a 2.5 mg of methadone daily for pain. They will also stop using Haldol in seven days as they have begun giving her 2.5 mg. of zyprexia for 4 days and then 2.5 mg b.i.d. p.o. ( 2x daily by mouth.) The zyprexia is a psychotropic drug that may help her with dementia /agitation /moods (sadness). They use zyprexia for agitation with psychosis, etc. They will also give her 20 mg b.i.d. p.o.(2x daily by mouth) of omeprazole (Prilosec) for acid reflux.
Social
Mom has had a good three days. Monday, when I got there, she was wearing a plastic apron as they had carved a dozen jack-o-lanterns. I am not sure what she did, but she had pumpkin seeds and pulp on her hands. Yesterday she was at bingo when I got there, but was basically just watching; however, I was there she did put a couple of chips on correct numbers all on her own. Both days she seemed generally happy-especially when Barb, Belle and Claire arrived. Today they had their monthly candlelight & wine dinner so I volunteered to stay for the prime rib. They had tablecloths, electric candles and linen napkins. I tried to coax mom to feed herself again and she did manage three bites but really showed no interest in eating. She ate another 3-4 bites that I fed her but essentially ate very little. I carried on a running conversation with Pietra (resident) and the staff and at least 6 times mom commented. When I spoke directly to her she mostly just smiled and nodded. The recreational therapist said she walked 15 feet today, which is the first time in over a week that she walked at all. Read her a letter from Frank yesterday and she tried to say something about his letter but I could not understand.
She really loves to have her back scratched, almost coos, so when you visit I would recommend that be the first and last thing you do when you're there.
Tomorrow I am joining Lyn in Peoria for 6 days. I think Spokane is going on week three of grey, drippy days. I don’t think I am going to miss that...
Love to all - Pat
Update From Pat...
Posted by
Fairway Springs
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While some days mom is sad and on others confused, I think her life at Riverview is generally good. The staff continue to be caring and attentive. Residents are encouraged to join in activities and excursions. A few weeks mom went to the Spokane County fair. Barb was there to meet her and escort her around to the fair grounds. Mom told Lyn and I that she had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the trip. However, when we asked her what she like the most she struggled to share specifics, but she did respond to some cues.
Mom has been given Haldol a couple times a month these last two months. While Mom is more sedated / reticent on Haldol, at times the staff will use it if she does not respond to other intervention protocols when she is weepy. The PA asked whether we would like to consider counseling for her. I doubt such sessions would have any lasting benefit, but I don't really know.
They are watching her anemia, as she has been seemingly more tired of late. I told them about her Procrit. While she does receive an Iron supplement this may not be sufficient. They indicated a blood transfusion might be beneficial.
We have been taking her to Mass on Sundays. She enjoy getting out especially having a chocolate milk shake afterwards. We have taken her out to eat a few times, and most Sundays we try and bring her to our house after Mass. Last Sunday I think she slept 2 of the 3 hours she was there even though Michaelyn, Kirsten, Lyn and I were talking all around her. On Wednesdays at 3:00 mom attends a Catholic communion service downstairs in the chapel.
Mom may not remember who she visited/talked with from one day to the next. Sometimes she struggles understanding the 'future' - I will tell her that on the weekend we will go to Mass and before I leave she wants to know why I am not taking her to Mass now. At the care conference the RV staff suggested that instead of always trying to bring mom into our reality at times it may be easier to respond to hers. For example a while back she asked me "What Saint is that a picture of?" I had no idea what she was referring too, as I searched for what she was talking about. I said "What picture? I don't see any picture" I could just have said, "I don't know". "When will Dad get here?" "When he can, people are busy in heaven".
They are still providing restorative therapy 4-5 times a week. This involves mom practice standing up and holding on to a bar while she marches in place, walking with a walker and various arm exercises. She seems proud of what she can do - which isn't a lot, but we need to continue to encourage her to use what she has left. When I help her use the restroom or get into the car she can shuffle some to assist with the transfer, but she needs to be encouraged to 'stand up straight' & 'move your feet' or as I say 'dance with me mom'.
I have started taking her to visit other residents. While I do most of the talking, the resident seems to appreciate that we are 'visiting' and I think it keeps mom from being - feeling alone.
One week when at Bingo the other Ann, also a Catholic, was basically covering mom's cards I took over and put chips in her hand and told her when she had a number on a card. I only had to point out the card, not the number, and she was able to place the chip on the correct number albeit very slowly. One day she was making apple turnovers with six other residents but wasn't making much progress with the dough. They were all covered with flour and trying to share cooking-baking stories, but no one was very coherent. I put too much filling in mine so they became apple pizzas.
At the suggestion of Matt -dietician - I purchased a message phone for mom's room. For it to work, we had to set it to record after 4 rings. So, while you may not get mom when you call you can leave her a message. 509-482-8693 When you leave a message remember that she probably is there and can hear you. We will try to teach her how to access the replay by herself, but we can monitor the system and make sure she hears the messages and delete them as needed for space. We also thought it might be good for us to help her place calls to family so you can 'talk' to her directly. You very well may have to carry the conversations, but you may get a gem of mom to treasure.
Yesterday when visited her she was napping when I got there and when she awoke she slurred her speech a little. She asked me twice when would Dad be coming, but before I answered she said, "Oh he's gone".
If you send me an e-mail for her I will print it out in a larger font to make it easier for her to read.
Mom has been given Haldol a couple times a month these last two months. While Mom is more sedated / reticent on Haldol, at times the staff will use it if she does not respond to other intervention protocols when she is weepy. The PA asked whether we would like to consider counseling for her. I doubt such sessions would have any lasting benefit, but I don't really know.
They are watching her anemia, as she has been seemingly more tired of late. I told them about her Procrit. While she does receive an Iron supplement this may not be sufficient. They indicated a blood transfusion might be beneficial.
We have been taking her to Mass on Sundays. She enjoy getting out especially having a chocolate milk shake afterwards. We have taken her out to eat a few times, and most Sundays we try and bring her to our house after Mass. Last Sunday I think she slept 2 of the 3 hours she was there even though Michaelyn, Kirsten, Lyn and I were talking all around her. On Wednesdays at 3:00 mom attends a Catholic communion service downstairs in the chapel.
Mom may not remember who she visited/talked with from one day to the next. Sometimes she struggles understanding the 'future' - I will tell her that on the weekend we will go to Mass and before I leave she wants to know why I am not taking her to Mass now. At the care conference the RV staff suggested that instead of always trying to bring mom into our reality at times it may be easier to respond to hers. For example a while back she asked me "What Saint is that a picture of?" I had no idea what she was referring too, as I searched for what she was talking about. I said "What picture? I don't see any picture" I could just have said, "I don't know". "When will Dad get here?" "When he can, people are busy in heaven".
They are still providing restorative therapy 4-5 times a week. This involves mom practice standing up and holding on to a bar while she marches in place, walking with a walker and various arm exercises. She seems proud of what she can do - which isn't a lot, but we need to continue to encourage her to use what she has left. When I help her use the restroom or get into the car she can shuffle some to assist with the transfer, but she needs to be encouraged to 'stand up straight' & 'move your feet' or as I say 'dance with me mom'.
I have started taking her to visit other residents. While I do most of the talking, the resident seems to appreciate that we are 'visiting' and I think it keeps mom from being - feeling alone.
One week when at Bingo the other Ann, also a Catholic, was basically covering mom's cards I took over and put chips in her hand and told her when she had a number on a card. I only had to point out the card, not the number, and she was able to place the chip on the correct number albeit very slowly. One day she was making apple turnovers with six other residents but wasn't making much progress with the dough. They were all covered with flour and trying to share cooking-baking stories, but no one was very coherent. I put too much filling in mine so they became apple pizzas.
At the suggestion of Matt -dietician - I purchased a message phone for mom's room. For it to work, we had to set it to record after 4 rings. So, while you may not get mom when you call you can leave her a message. 509-482-8693 When you leave a message remember that she probably is there and can hear you. We will try to teach her how to access the replay by herself, but we can monitor the system and make sure she hears the messages and delete them as needed for space. We also thought it might be good for us to help her place calls to family so you can 'talk' to her directly. You very well may have to carry the conversations, but you may get a gem of mom to treasure.
Yesterday when visited her she was napping when I got there and when she awoke she slurred her speech a little. She asked me twice when would Dad be coming, but before I answered she said, "Oh he's gone".
If you send me an e-mail for her I will print it out in a larger font to make it easier for her to read.
Early October 2010
Posted by
Fairway Springs
comments (1)
I only have pics of the Spokane Erickson's but many people have visited Grandma in the last month... Bill, Jennie and Ali, Dick and Family, the Cerrillos. Hazel Rettkowski and her daughter Susan stopped by one day. Too bad it wasn't a great day for Mom... Michaelyn and I visited a Farmer's Market one Saturday and picked up a bouqet of humungou dahlias. They were absolutely stunning and we brought them to Mom's place. We put some in a vase for her room and took one down to the nurses station for them to enjoy. The trip down was so cool for Mom as EVERYONE ooohhhhed and aaahhhhed over it and she was enjoying every single second. I don't have a pic of Mom and the flowers but here is Michaelyn with one...
September/October 2010 Beautiful Garden time...
Posted by
Fairway Springs
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Pat and Mom resting on a walk in the garden on a warm September afternoon. The grounds there are kept up beautifully. We were all captivated by the manicured pink flowering bush in the foreground.
Mary, Mom and soccer games...
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Fairway Springs
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Mary trekked over the mountains to spend a couple days with Mom and was also able to watch the Simmons Super Star Soccer Players. The video below is Mary greeting Mom...(you will quickly see I am not a stellar video taker...but it is nice to hear Mom. When Mary walked into the room, Mom literally 'lit up.' Wish I could have captured that...
The pic to the left is Mom, Mary and Claire in Kirsten's classroom. Mary, Barb, Mom, myself and the girls had a picnic lunch in Kirsten's classroom on Saturday and we all stayed and helped her prepare. Great time!
Tailgating...or wheelchairgating at the WSU/SMU Game!
Posted by
Fairway Springs
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What a great Saturday Game Day for Mom. Too bad the Cougars couldn't have won! Bill picked up Mom on his way up... Mom joined four of her sons and one grandchild to cheer on WSU. Well, actually she slept through much of the game waking only at times when the guys would yell. While I initially berated Pat for startling her awake...she was quick to say that she LIKED the goings on, and I truly believe she did enjoy hearing the familiar noise of family watching football. GO COUGS! (Ignore camera dates on pics...)
September 2010
Posted by
Fairway Springs
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This month included many visits by Barb and the girls... If I may quote Claire, who shared during one visit why she really loves coming to see Grandma: "It's because every room has a cuddly stuffed animal on wheels...and I love to hug them." One day Barb and the girls entertained Grandma by dancing outside the window....
Late August 2010
Posted by
Fairway Springs
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This was a good month for Grandma...especially when Kirsten Pat and I took Mom shopping at the Mall.... She had no trouble picking out tops that she liked... She may be missing a little short term memory at time but the shopping memory muscles are STILL INTACT!
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