Judi, Thank you for responding. Any advice on how to help my mom is welcomed.
When I first started ST, it was so exhausting, Iād sleep for hours afterwards.
Alas the person who saw my mom was a PT. I thought he was a ST. At this time the PT canāt help her due to her spasticity. What we are doing for her, moving her limits and such is all we can do for now. I looked up spasticity (thanks Dr. Google) and it seems like it could also be affecting my momās speech and ability to swallow. I am wondering if a ST could help or if we try to help her with speech. My Dad seemed very depressed with the news, but he dusted himself off and is carrying on to continue to help her.
Have they done any bloodwork recently? I know a while back you mentioned they were unable to draw it. Iām wondering if after the UTI something got depleted? Iām no doctor, so take that with a grain of salt. I just recall right after my surgery/stroke I was at least given iron and potassium (maybe more, thatās all I recall). I also got a uti after my last surgery and i think my iron levels were low because I craved beef daily and Iām mostly vegetarian. I just went with it and ate burgers, steak, and roast beef for the first time in years, and took iron for a week and then went back to normal. Again, it was just my experience and I only comfortably took the iron due to a history of anemia. Iām not actually recommending it without verification as it can do more harm than good.
Yes they were finally able to draw her blood around the time she wasnāt able to keep food down and all her levels were normal. Her vitals are good, too. It sounds like she was developing another UTI that they have nipped. They are now using some device that can help prevent them. We will see her today. I was told she was able to smile yesterday. That was good to hear.
1 Like
Today is my momās birthday. So I thought today would be a good day to give an update. I wish I could give a better update, but unfortunately my mom has not made any progress. Her vitals are good and she is stable. She caught a cold two weeks ago, and during that time she actually spoke a couple of words. She expressed that she was depressed, which I was not surprised. She is currently in a situation where she feared the most because of a similar situation her mother ended up in. She is now in a new group home and we are really pleased with it. Her room is so much bigger and so much brighter. Two of her nieces are traveling from Panama to visit her in March. I hope that brightens her day. One concern her caretakers have had is that she doesnāt have bowel moments. She went a week without one. Hospice had to double up her laxatives to finally make her go. Hospice thinks this could be a neurological deterioration. Oh finally got her to stick her tongue out after a lot of asking. That made my day. Trying to help her start talking about. Thank you for listening.
2 Likes
Oh, Iāve no idea what to say but I think I love this bit just as much as you!
Lots of love to you all,
Richard
2 Likes
Happy belated birthday to your Mom! I too laughed at her sticking out her tongue, it is something that they ask you to do and you did well keeping up with it, kudos to you Carmen! Having family visit sounds grand, a long trip for them but Iām sure she will appreciate it.
A couple years ago I had a scare on having cancer which lead to having a multitude of upper GI tests. You know the GI folks always ask about bowel movements. I told the wonderful PA that I wasnāt allowed to strain due to the coils and I tried to eat a lot of greens and beans. She suggested a probiotic. I donāt know if it will help your mom, it has helped me. Itās something you might ask about.
I just want to give an update on my mom. I have been pretty quiet because not much has been going on with my momās progression. She has had a few viral infections in her lungs that have been stunting her progress. She has had a lot of visitors. Two of her nieces came to visit her from Panama and brought along messages from my Momās sisters and brother. It was nice to see them and share stories with them about my mom. I thought my mom would perk up from their visit, but she ended up with another viral infection. Well something has happened in the past 3 weeks where my mom is starting to response, ever so slightly, but she is responding. Just this past weekend we got her to stick out her tongue twice and with no need to ask multiple times. I had her saying Ouchie a few times and I think she really is trying to move her legs on command. She even laughed, which brought tears in my eyes because it was how she was before she got sick. She may be getting out of hospice soon if she continues to be responsive and will be in palliative care, which my dad is worried about. He has a few months though before that decision is made. Any ways I just wanted to update everyone and thank you for your support.
Cheers!
Carmen
2 Likes
Sounds like all good news! Thanks for the update. It makes me wonder if family was the kickstart for her to get over this hurdle and on to the next. Why is your dad worried?