I sent out a family email to everyone, hoping they all will agree with Mom and I to do nothing. Moving Dad, putting him in the hospital for this procedure, having to sedate him, will be far too traumatic for him. Even the doctor agreed with me when I emailed him about my concerns regarding what happened to my Mother in Law when she was sedated.
Dad's doctor emailed me back and told me he put Dad on Plavix to prevent future clotting. He is willing not to do any further treatment if all of us agree. He agreed it would better to do nothing as Dad would not understand and would get combative.
I am awaiting everyone's votes...
Friday, March 5, 2010
Dad has clots in both his legs...
Dad's doctor called Mom telling her the most recent Doppler exam of Dads legs showed blood clots in both of them. He saw Dad Friday and didn't think his legs were that swollen, and was surprised at the report. The usual treatment is a blood thinner, but with Dad's history of falls, he is concerned and would prefer not to do that. Dad had fought the staff treating him, when he cut his eyebrow a couple of weeks ago. The doctor said if Dad fell while on blood thinners, he could bleed out pretty fast or the profuse bleeding could cause a stroke, and he wasn't comfortable chancing it.
An alternative is putting a sieve in the main body vein (vena something) to prevent any clots from reaching Dad's lungs. It would be done by a radiologist and the doctor assumed they'd have to sedate Dad since he gets combative when he is afraid or doesn't want something done. Dad would have to be completely still for this procedure, and with Alzheimer's patients, that is not possible. It would necessitate a hospital visit and short stay. It is a complicated procedure. Mom told the doctor she wanted to talk to all of us before making a decision.
I called the doctors office, and hopefully he will call me back. Mom included the doctor's email, so I will also email him. I am NOT IN FAVOR of sedating Dad. I have read this can make Alzheimer's worse and I have seen the results when my Mother in Law was sedated to have an MRI. She had Alzheimer's and after the MRI, she was never the same. She did not even know who we were. Her personality was gone. She was like a zombie. Shortly after, she began to keep her eyes closed and would not talk, then she stopped eating. It was the end of her.
I would rather see Dad go quick from a thrown clot to his lungs or heart than to turn into a zombie....
I need advice from my Angels... Would my nurse friends please give me some feedback?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
I feel like I am on a merry-go-round and can't get off....
I talked with the Realtor, we plan on hiring to sell our house, today. She told me, starting April 1, Bank of America will release 500-600 foreclosures each month. They have an inventory in Nevada of over 6,000 homes. She suggested we put the house up NOW, to use this month to possibly get the house in contract....
RIGHT. I am not through with my "de-cluttering" and we have not found another house...I am so weak from this miserable flu or whatever it is I have been fighting this past week...
She said if the market gets flooded again, it will drive the prices down.. The banks will list the foreclosures low, allowing the house to get into a bidding war, which will drive up the price of the house. Often, that ends up with the property going back into foreclosure AGAIN!!.
No doubt there are other banks who have inventory too, and will follow suit. I don't even want to think about the amount of foreclosures flooding the market here in Nevada!!! Will they do the same in California, or have they already released their "phantom inventory"? Our Realtor in California said she knows nothing about when they will release the inventories of foreclosed homes...she is going to investigate for me and call me back...
If might help us in getting a place in California, but not here. When I told my husband, all he could say was,
"Can't we ever catch a break?"....
RIGHT. I am not through with my "de-cluttering" and we have not found another house...I am so weak from this miserable flu or whatever it is I have been fighting this past week...
She said if the market gets flooded again, it will drive the prices down.. The banks will list the foreclosures low, allowing the house to get into a bidding war, which will drive up the price of the house. Often, that ends up with the property going back into foreclosure AGAIN!!.
No doubt there are other banks who have inventory too, and will follow suit. I don't even want to think about the amount of foreclosures flooding the market here in Nevada!!! Will they do the same in California, or have they already released their "phantom inventory"? Our Realtor in California said she knows nothing about when they will release the inventories of foreclosed homes...she is going to investigate for me and call me back...
If might help us in getting a place in California, but not here. When I told my husband, all he could say was,
"Can't we ever catch a break?"....
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
A call from the nursing home...
The nursing home called me today to inform me Dad has a blister in between his nipples on his chest. He had scratched it and it bled. They cleaned it out and put sterile bandages on it...
My unanswered question to her was, HOW IN THE HECK DID HE GET A BLISTER ON HIS CHEST!?
She had no clue.
My sister in law emailed me after I sent out the email to the family about the call. She told me her Dad, who had Alzheimer's, had some auto immune disorder called Bullous Pemphigoid Blisters, which can only be diagnosed if a biopsy is done on the blister.
I called the nurse back and asked if she had checked his entire body for more blisters. She assured me they had, and will continue to keep an eye on him. If took me two hours before she finally called me back. Talk about exasperating!!!
Any of you wonderful nurses out there, following me, ever heard of that?
My unanswered question to her was, HOW IN THE HECK DID HE GET A BLISTER ON HIS CHEST!?
She had no clue.
My sister in law emailed me after I sent out the email to the family about the call. She told me her Dad, who had Alzheimer's, had some auto immune disorder called Bullous Pemphigoid Blisters, which can only be diagnosed if a biopsy is done on the blister.
I called the nurse back and asked if she had checked his entire body for more blisters. She assured me they had, and will continue to keep an eye on him. If took me two hours before she finally called me back. Talk about exasperating!!!
Any of you wonderful nurses out there, following me, ever heard of that?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A little of this, a little of that...
Well, I am happy to report Izzy did not bark at my husband when he came home last night...and she was out of her crate. He was playing with her and petting her, so we are actually getting excited here...we just may have turned the corner! My husband says "the jury is still out", he does not want to jinx it....
I got my antibiotics, only the doctor faxed the prescription to the wrong pharmacy. I finally picked it up today, I did not have the heart to have my husband drive back down the hill after the rough day he had yesterday...Izzy was in her crate from 11am to 5pm,today, because I had my hair done and had a long list of errands to run.
I HAVE to get new eye glasses. I keep putting it off and if I don't do it soon, my prescription will expire. My husband needs new glasses too, because HIS prescription did expire! We were playing cards the other night with our friends, and he kept thinking Clubs were Spades, and visa-versa.
I took Izzy for a walk this morning and it was very windy. I have been sneezing my head off all day.
Went to the nursery to check out plants. I am so anxious to dig in the dirt and get some of these dead plants replaced....
Did anyone watch the Bachelor last night? I had a feeling he would pick Vienna...that jump off the bridge was pretty powerful, about as much as their sexual chemistry! Their first kiss was hanging upside down from that bridge...WHOA, Baby!! I think he started thinking of Tenley as a sister. I wish they would have had Tenley for the Bachelorette instead of Ali.....just my opinion...
Anyone into American Idol? I AM!!!
I got my antibiotics, only the doctor faxed the prescription to the wrong pharmacy. I finally picked it up today, I did not have the heart to have my husband drive back down the hill after the rough day he had yesterday...Izzy was in her crate from 11am to 5pm,today, because I had my hair done and had a long list of errands to run.
I HAVE to get new eye glasses. I keep putting it off and if I don't do it soon, my prescription will expire. My husband needs new glasses too, because HIS prescription did expire! We were playing cards the other night with our friends, and he kept thinking Clubs were Spades, and visa-versa.
I took Izzy for a walk this morning and it was very windy. I have been sneezing my head off all day.
Went to the nursery to check out plants. I am so anxious to dig in the dirt and get some of these dead plants replaced....
Did anyone watch the Bachelor last night? I had a feeling he would pick Vienna...that jump off the bridge was pretty powerful, about as much as their sexual chemistry! Their first kiss was hanging upside down from that bridge...WHOA, Baby!! I think he started thinking of Tenley as a sister. I wish they would have had Tenley for the Bachelorette instead of Ali.....just my opinion...
Anyone into American Idol? I AM!!!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Hyaciths and York peppermint mints...
Mom visited Dad today. She found him in the lunch room, just finishing up his lunch. Afterward, she took him out on the patio to enjoy the day. There was a slight breeze, so the short sleeve shirt , he had on with his jeans, did not keep him that warm. Mom removed her cape and put it over his shoulders. She brought him some Hyaciths and York peppermint mints...
He loved the scent of the flowers, but was afraid someone might be allergic, telling her to take them home. He gagged on the mints, telling her it was choking him. Dad LOVES York mints...so he must have had a contrary day...
Dad was worried about everything being dangerous...so Mom kept the topics of conversation varied to side track him. He told her he was running for Vice President and he had to report to the Marine Corps for duty. Mom went along, but reminded him he had already served four years, but he ignored her and kept on talking.
Dad's left eye looks irritated and Dad's Angel told Mom they were keeping an eye on it. Mom noticed the afghan she made him, and the pictures from his wall of love were missing. The Aide found them in his closet. Mom put his cards in her purse to take home, along with one of his pajama tops with two buttons missing.
When Dad's Angel and one his favorite male attendants commented on how nice the flowers were, Dad decided he would keep them after all. Dad told Mom he was walking now, and could even run...(maybe in his dreams...) and Mom cautioned him from running too fast...
Dad went on to tell Mom their daughter was making a movie and how he had tried to call her several times, but there was no answer. He told her how he enjoyed watching football on the Olympics, and Mom just told him she prefered the hockey. She is pretty quick on the uptake, but some times, Dad comes up with some comments, where Mom can only smile and nod her head. He told her he would never do anything that his Angel told him not to do. Dad repeated that several times.
He reminded Mom, as she kissed him goodbye, to call him when she got home, because it was so dangerous out there...she promised she would and left the room as Dad was showing off his beautiful Hyaciths...
He loved the scent of the flowers, but was afraid someone might be allergic, telling her to take them home. He gagged on the mints, telling her it was choking him. Dad LOVES York mints...so he must have had a contrary day...
Dad was worried about everything being dangerous...so Mom kept the topics of conversation varied to side track him. He told her he was running for Vice President and he had to report to the Marine Corps for duty. Mom went along, but reminded him he had already served four years, but he ignored her and kept on talking.
Dad's left eye looks irritated and Dad's Angel told Mom they were keeping an eye on it. Mom noticed the afghan she made him, and the pictures from his wall of love were missing. The Aide found them in his closet. Mom put his cards in her purse to take home, along with one of his pajama tops with two buttons missing.
When Dad's Angel and one his favorite male attendants commented on how nice the flowers were, Dad decided he would keep them after all. Dad told Mom he was walking now, and could even run...(maybe in his dreams...) and Mom cautioned him from running too fast...
Dad went on to tell Mom their daughter was making a movie and how he had tried to call her several times, but there was no answer. He told her how he enjoyed watching football on the Olympics, and Mom just told him she prefered the hockey. She is pretty quick on the uptake, but some times, Dad comes up with some comments, where Mom can only smile and nod her head. He told her he would never do anything that his Angel told him not to do. Dad repeated that several times.
He reminded Mom, as she kissed him goodbye, to call him when she got home, because it was so dangerous out there...she promised she would and left the room as Dad was showing off his beautiful Hyaciths...
Oh hurry Spring...
I am on my second day of a sore throat. I called my doctor to call something in to knock this bug out of me. I got some of those Sudafed Cold and Cough pills, and I slept good last night...Sleeping is near impossible when I feel like I am swallowing a golf ball, each time I swallow!
Who knows how I got it...probably running outside in bare feet on windy, cold, rainy nights, chasing Izzy with a water bottle, trying to get her to STOP BARKING at everything that moves AT NIGHT!!!
I long for Spring. I removed all the burlap off my plants and made an inventory of all the plants I have to replace in our front and back yard. I have to get something BIG and FAST GROWING to place beside the street side of our house. We need the privacy...(or whomever buys our house) and maybe it will hinder Izzy from barking if we cut off her view.
Yesterday, I awoke from a wonderful, couch nap, to the snarls and high pitched barking of a wild dog fight!! Disoriented, drugged from the cold medicine, I stagger into the back patio, to find Izzy, nose to nose, through our fence, with TWO BOXERS!! The owner was straining and yelling at her dogs to stop, attempting to pull them away from our fence. I thought for sure, as I pulled Izzy away, I would find her bloody and missing an eye or her nose!!! Thankfully, all were fine, but this little dog has got either a Napolean complex or is fearless, taking on two boxers for Pete's Sake! A few months ago, she took on a Doberman Pincher in Pet Smart!
I love Spring, but my allergies don't. Maybe this sore throat is part of it. I have so much work to do and so many phone calls to make, and no energy to do it. As soon as I get back my equilibrium, I will not even hit the floor running...
My husband left early this morning, as he left, I got up, let Izzy out of her crate and she ran outside, around to the side of the house. My husband always walks over to the side of the house and Izzy is standing at the gate looking at him. He waves to her and tells her he will see her tonight...we will see how she does...
Who knows how I got it...probably running outside in bare feet on windy, cold, rainy nights, chasing Izzy with a water bottle, trying to get her to STOP BARKING at everything that moves AT NIGHT!!!
I long for Spring. I removed all the burlap off my plants and made an inventory of all the plants I have to replace in our front and back yard. I have to get something BIG and FAST GROWING to place beside the street side of our house. We need the privacy...(or whomever buys our house) and maybe it will hinder Izzy from barking if we cut off her view.
Yesterday, I awoke from a wonderful, couch nap, to the snarls and high pitched barking of a wild dog fight!! Disoriented, drugged from the cold medicine, I stagger into the back patio, to find Izzy, nose to nose, through our fence, with TWO BOXERS!! The owner was straining and yelling at her dogs to stop, attempting to pull them away from our fence. I thought for sure, as I pulled Izzy away, I would find her bloody and missing an eye or her nose!!! Thankfully, all were fine, but this little dog has got either a Napolean complex or is fearless, taking on two boxers for Pete's Sake! A few months ago, she took on a Doberman Pincher in Pet Smart!
I love Spring, but my allergies don't. Maybe this sore throat is part of it. I have so much work to do and so many phone calls to make, and no energy to do it. As soon as I get back my equilibrium, I will not even hit the floor running...
My husband left early this morning, as he left, I got up, let Izzy out of her crate and she ran outside, around to the side of the house. My husband always walks over to the side of the house and Izzy is standing at the gate looking at him. He waves to her and tells her he will see her tonight...we will see how she does...
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