Went to see mum at the hospital. She's on the top floor in Ward D3 - really difficult to get to. If you go up in the main lift it only goes to the third floor and you have to trail around finding how to get to the next floor with the D wards. Found the way up in the end. There is a lift to the fourth floor but hidden away and not signposted a long way down a corridor away from the main lifts. I should have remembered it as my father was on floor D when he died three years ago. Maybe they think that putting the elderly on the fourth floor means they're nearer to God.
She does seem a lot brighter. In A&E she was very quiet and slept all the time so I was fearing the worst. When I got to the ward she was talking again and had managed to pull out the drip they had her on so she's getting back to her ususal self.
Had to miss the hospital today because of exhaustion. One of the nurses told me to take a rest while she's in there although I feel guilty missing a visit. Will go and see her tomorrow. If she continues to make good progress she should be able to come home soon.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Saturday am
Eventful week. Mum was getting weaker and weaker - it was very difficult even getting her from the bed to the commode. Called the doctor on Wednesday and he called back and said it sounded as if she might have a urinary infection. Managed to get a sample - with a lot of difficulty as she really wasn't at all well - and took it to the surgery. Stood at the desk and told them it can't wait as she is very unwell. He's a good doctor thank heavens and he did a test there in the surgery and prescribed antibiotics. He also asked one of the district nurses to call to take a blood test as a matter or urgency.
The district nurse called early afternoon. She was really good - she said my mum needed to be in hospital. She called the surgery and had huge problems getting through the receptionist who said the doctor woudn't speak to her as he was running a surgery. The nurse asked if he could call her back between patients. The receptionist said no. Anywho common sense prevailed and he did call back.
The nurse called for an ambulance which arrived a couple of hours later. Had a lot of trouble getting mum downstairs as she is so weak. Managed it eventually. Took a blanket into A&E - I've had to go there a couple of times with my father and mum and it can get cold. Managed to make her comfortable there - she slept most of the time. She is very dehydrated. They did admit her and she seemed to come around a little once she was on the drip and getting some liquid into her.
Was at the hospital until late. Maybe this time we can get a reasonable care package in place. Her new GP is very good but she does need regular visits and nowadays that doesn't happen.
The district nurse called early afternoon. She was really good - she said my mum needed to be in hospital. She called the surgery and had huge problems getting through the receptionist who said the doctor woudn't speak to her as he was running a surgery. The nurse asked if he could call her back between patients. The receptionist said no. Anywho common sense prevailed and he did call back.
The nurse called for an ambulance which arrived a couple of hours later. Had a lot of trouble getting mum downstairs as she is so weak. Managed it eventually. Took a blanket into A&E - I've had to go there a couple of times with my father and mum and it can get cold. Managed to make her comfortable there - she slept most of the time. She is very dehydrated. They did admit her and she seemed to come around a little once she was on the drip and getting some liquid into her.
Was at the hospital until late. Maybe this time we can get a reasonable care package in place. Her new GP is very good but she does need regular visits and nowadays that doesn't happen.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Sunday pm
Managed to get quite a bit of milk supplement down mum today. She's still not eating. Will need to call out the doctor again if it goes on much longer. There's no point in sending her to hospital - they probably wouldn't admit her anyway and the care can be a bit patchy. Might try to get her back into that really good home for a few weeks. They managed to get her to eat before. If I could send her for a few weeks it might work wonders. Will try Social Services tomorrow.
Saturday, 22 September 2012
Saturday pm
Big bed wetting session yesterday and today mum didn't wake up until about 6.30 pm when I was able to change her. She isn't eating. I'll call in the doctor on Monday. She can't go on if she doesn't eat and she's sleeping more and more.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Thursday am
Nothing unusual over the last few days. Mum isn't eating much. Wet bed the last couple of mornings so everything had to be changed. She says she's very ill and wants to go into hospital which is the same as always. She doesn't seem any worse than usual. It seems incredible that anyone would want to go into hospital but she doesn't really understand what she's saying. She doesn't really know where she is and doesn't understand most of the time that she's in her own home.
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Sunday am
Not a great deal happening during the last week. Just the usual changing, grumbling etc. Mum is in a "I want to go to hospital" mode which means we get "I'm very very very very ill" all day and demands for doctors, hospitals etc. The problem is that one day she's going to mean it and it's hard to work out if she's really ill or just looking for attention.
The dog is doing well after having the lump removed from her back. The vet sent it away for analysis and the receptionist left a message on the answerphone to call them. When I called back they told me the vet would have to speak to me so I was really worried. Anyhow I needn't have as the same receptionist called back later to say the test had shown nothing abnormal so the old dog will continue for a while yet.
Another great day has begun - taking out the dog and shovelling up after it, emptying the cats' trays - nobody has thrown up this morning thank goodness - and emptying my mother's commode (nothing worse there either - a dry bed and underwear - so a relatively easy start to the day).
The dog is doing well after having the lump removed from her back. The vet sent it away for analysis and the receptionist left a message on the answerphone to call them. When I called back they told me the vet would have to speak to me so I was really worried. Anyhow I needn't have as the same receptionist called back later to say the test had shown nothing abnormal so the old dog will continue for a while yet.
Another great day has begun - taking out the dog and shovelling up after it, emptying the cats' trays - nobody has thrown up this morning thank goodness - and emptying my mother's commode (nothing worse there either - a dry bed and underwear - so a relatively easy start to the day).
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Sunday pm
Another day gone with nothing too drastic happening. Mum was very quiet for most of the day. We had a bit of a crisis in the afternoon - she had taken off the vlesi pants which she often does and I won't describe the state of the bed. Everything needed to be changed and I had to clean her up. If Michael wasn't here to change the bed it would be next to impossible. No rows thank heavens. Managed to clean mum up and change her nightdress. I forgot to brush her hair so there will be complaints tomorrow when I brush it - I'm not going to wake her up to do it.
It's a bit scarey to think maybe that will be me in 20 odd years. We're starting our retirement and instead of a quiet life growing old doing the things we've always wanted to do - reading mainly - we have to devote our lives to looking after my elderly mum who hasn't much of an idea where she is or what she's doing. We don't have any children so if we get like that we'll have to go into a home - hope it's a better one than the one I took my mother out of which was dreadful. I told Michael we really do have to think about the future and make whatever arrangements we can.
Anyhow all is quiet again - oh she's just asked for a cup of tea so she's awake. I'll just rush up and brush her hair so it doesn't tangle up overnight.
It's a bit scarey to think maybe that will be me in 20 odd years. We're starting our retirement and instead of a quiet life growing old doing the things we've always wanted to do - reading mainly - we have to devote our lives to looking after my elderly mum who hasn't much of an idea where she is or what she's doing. We don't have any children so if we get like that we'll have to go into a home - hope it's a better one than the one I took my mother out of which was dreadful. I told Michael we really do have to think about the future and make whatever arrangements we can.
Anyhow all is quiet again - oh she's just asked for a cup of tea so she's awake. I'll just rush up and brush her hair so it doesn't tangle up overnight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)