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domestic goddess
6-22-12, 10:10am
My mom is back in the hospital again, and has been for about a week. At the beginning of this week, I really didn't think she would make it till the end. But here we are on Friday, and things don't look so bleak, though not all the news has been good. Still, it could be worse...I think.
One thing we did find out yesterday is that her ability to swallow is impaired. She can handle liquids, but solids are going into her lungs. It is beginning to look as though we may have to put in a feeding tube, as she is hungry and asking for food.But she can't handle it when she gets it, and she is unable to feed herself, anyway. And we sure don' t want her to have aspiration pneumonia. It isn't always easy to get old.
We have had to place her in a nursing home for her safety. She is very unsteady and was falling frequently. At first the nursing home was kind of letting her stay in bed too much, until I told them that I wanted to see her allowed the opportunity to participate in some of the groups they have there. Whether or not she really interacted with anyone, I wanted to see her out and about. They went along with me and, before this illness, she was winning at bingo.
It is so hard to be so far away and trying to at least supervise her care. I plan to go down later this summer, unless I should have go before. I have obligations here, too. I need a wife! Or a clone. Yeah, I could send my clone to work, and I could go home.
Well, I've ranted long enough, and I do feel better. Yesterday was a kind of a low point. Purple Kitty knows this, and she comes into my bedroom and sleeps on my bed with me. Kitty purrs are comforting. She doesn't usually come into my room, so it is nice to have a furry visitor. When I get down there, I am going to take my mom's 5 cats visiting. One at a time, of course. I think she will really like that.

peggy
6-22-12, 10:19am
I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you. Is there no family in the area? It is hard living far from family.

Mrs-M
6-22-12, 10:51am
Sending well-wishes and caring thoughts your way, Domestic Goddess.

Stella
6-22-12, 11:30am
Hugs and prayers for you and your mom domesticgoddess!

fidgiegirl
6-22-12, 1:43pm
What a hard thing to deal with. I am glad you have some furry comfort, and can offer some to your mom, too.

reader99
6-22-12, 2:52pm
My late husband had a feeding tube (throat cancer). It was really no problem, and with a blender I was able to feed him wholesome nutritious stuff he would have been reluctant to eat by mouth due to not caring for the taste. Later on he had a special high nutrition liquid food, like boost only prescription.

domestic goddess
6-22-12, 5:04pm
Thank you all for your concern and prayers. My brother and his daughter live in the same town as my mom, and are shouldering the responsibility. They are getting exhausted, though. I haven't been working and just started getting cases again, and don't feel I can leave until my job situation is a little more settled, as there is money needed here to pay those little things like the mortgage. I do have plans to go before the end of the summer, and will go sooner if it becomes necessary. I feel kind of helpless and useless right now.
Reader99, my dh had a feeding tube for awhile (stroke), and all my patients have one. I don't consider feeding someone to be an extraordinary measure, though I'm not sure I'd opt for a feeding tube for my mom if she weren't asking for food. She has always been opposed to that, but now we are in the position of doing what was formerly contrary to her wishes or telling her she has to starve to death. Since she is asking for food, I have to assume that we are doing what she wants now, though that is certainly subject to change. Since she will not be at home, we will be relying on a formula, but we will have to deal with that later. The bowel problems that can come with that are not something anyone is looking forward to, I'm sure.

razz
6-22-12, 6:02pm
Hugs to you and the family as you all go through this stage of life. It is very difficult.

cjones
6-23-12, 9:54am
My heart goes out to you, dg. The choices are unclear and the conditions that determine the choices can change daily, as you explain so well with the feeding tube situation. I send you good thoughts and hope for peace in the journey.