Mom Hasn't Been Well

[Janet]

For the last couple of weeks, Mom hasn't been feeling well. She is still very wobbley and gets so out of breath that she has to stop whatever she's doing and rest after a few minutes.

I got a call about 10:30 from Mom's Dr. in town. She said Mom needed to go to the hospital in Lafayette (20-25 minute drive) and wasn't doing well, but refused an ambulance. I had Ricky drive me in...Mom was so white. Got her to the car and to Lafayette Clarion ER.

They did an EKG and took vials of blood. Found that Mom has a urine infection. Her hemoglobin should be around 11 or 12 and hers is 8.6 which means she's losing blood again. Same symptoms of being weak, out of breath, etc. Her right hip has arthritis in it and is hurting her more often and more severe. The Dr. also said that whatever test they ran for her congestive heart failure was 1200 and should be around 100 or less? They just were not sure what Mom's should be along with the kidney dialysis and all the fluid that goes through her.

While waiting on the test results...I went home to get the bus and run the bus route and when I was done with that.....drove back to the hospital.

The Dr. called in a prescription for antibiotic...a Zpac and Apap codiene for her hip pain. I get Mom home and run to Wal Mart to pick up her prescriptions. I went straight in and straight out..didn't have to wait. I guess they started calling my name over the intercom and my husband was there so they saw him and called him aside saying the Dr. called in the wrong meds for Mom. Well she already took them for the evening. The Dr. doesn't want her to take the Zpac, but to take something called Levoquin or something like that. It's suppose to be stronger for a urine infection whereas the Zpac wouldn't do as much good.

So on Monday, I need to take her back to Lafayette to see her kidney dr. and hopefully they'll be able to tell us more. We'll also be able to see if Mom's hemoglobin has gone down anymore. She's going to have to wait till then and be miserable because they won't give her blood until it's at 7.

To top it all off.....we're suppose to have snow tomorrow. Can I move to a warmer climate yet?

[gja1000]

Janet, I'm so sorry all this is going on with you and your mom. It is so hard when our parents get older and have health problems. You must be exhausted with all that running.

The heart test is called BNP and it is to test for heart failure. 1200 is really high, but she may run high due to her kidney problems (probably not that high though).

Look on the bright side, this may keep her home for the winter!

[lynne b]

Janet, I'm sorry to hear your mom is not feeling well, I hope the Dr can get all of her levels figured out and get her back on track. Also hope the meds help for the UTI and arthritis.

My mom is on her 2nd antibiotic for a UTI also, so i know what you are going through.

You be careful if you have to go out in the snow, will talk with you soon.

[Janet]

Called Mom this morning and she said she is no better...still really shaky. I tried to get her to come out here, but she said no. Said she needed her dialysis at night....I told her I knew that, but I could bring everything out to my house for a few nights...it's no trouble at all. She said no. So wanna guess who won??? LOL. She'll be the boss till she's gone I guess. Her way..or no way.

It is really hard when our parents health starts failing and there are a few of us on here going through just that. I know I can speak for all of us that we appreciate Gayle's help so much. Gayle your help in getting us to understand better what the Drs tell us is priceless...in my case, I don't know what I would do without you.

[DianaB]

Janet, I'm sorry that you're going through all of this with your Mom. Maybe this will be a sign to her that she doesn't have any business going to Florida. I hope she gets well soon. Hugs!!!

[judy]

I am so sorry to hear that Mom is not doing well Janet! It is so hard on you too!
I always have you both in my heart and prayers.

You are so right about Gayle. Gayle, you really are a blessing to all of us!

[Janet]

I was really ready to get my house cleaned up so tomorrow I could bathe the dogs. The house is a mess. So I got a couple rooms done and then Mom called. She didn't sound good and said she was feeling weaker than yesterday and getting more out of breath, that yesterday she could walk through her house as long as she held onto something...today she couldn't even stand without her cane.

I called her Dr. and was told to get her back to the hospital. Took her back to the ER and some of the same nurses were there which made Mom more comfortable. Her hemoglobin was 8 somthing yesterday when we were at the ER and today it was down to 7. One of the Drs. did a rectal exam and it was bloody, so she was admitted and when I left...on her first unit of blood. They are going to give her 2 units. She's upset because she can't have anything to eat. She will harp on that to everyone who will come into her room. They will check the hemoglobin again tomorrow and if it's still low, they will do a scope.

When I left, my brother Jerry and his wife were there and were going to stay until they move her up to her room.

Another Dr. came in and asked if she had a Living Will and of course she doesn't. So he asked her what she would want done if her heart stopped or if she wanted life saving measures taken. She told him no....she was tired of medicine, dialysis and hospitals. He looked at me and I said that it was her life...she could do what she wants.

I'll be heading back to the hospital tomorrow.

[paula1961]

Oh Janet. I am so sorry that your Mom is not doing well. I know too well what you are going through. It's so very sad to have to see them have to go thru so much when they have heart failure and kidney problems as well. Bless her heart. I will be saying lots of prayers for you and your Mom.~Hugs from me to you~

[lynne b]

I'm sorry to hear your mom is not doing better. Hopefully with her being in the hospital they will find out what is going on with her and get her back to feeling better in no time.

Call if you need anything. I will be praying for her and you as well.

[JJJ]

Janet I'm sorry your going through some hard times. Moms can be so hard headed but your right all we can do is sit back and let them run the show. Sending you lot's of hugs.

[gja1000]

I'm so glad that they got her back to the hospital. I'd be willing to bet that she knew she was bleeding rectally because if the doctor could find it with a rectal exam, then it had to be there when she had a bowel movement.

I'm just so glad that I can help you all out a little bit with medical things. I am so grateful to have this knowledge because things can be so complicated now!

I think the blood will help her to feel better - and that's the main thing, that she feels better - but unfortunately, I don't want her to feel good enough to go to FL! :(

[Janet]

Thanks Gayle....Mom is feeling better now she was given 2 units of blood. They think she might have torn something a little and made it bleed when she was struggling to "go". She may get to come home tomorrow, but she is to check and watch for blood. My brother will be able to go get her if the release her.

[gja1000]

How's your mom today?

[Janet]

Called her yesterday morning as soon as I got done with the route. She sounded so tired. Not much rest in a hospital, ya know. Called her back about 90 minutes later and she was dressed, waiting on my brother to pick her up. She still didn't sound good. Besides doing manual dialysis and being awake, she had eaten a salad for supper and during the night the reflux made her feel like she was having a heart attack....I know that feeling. The nurse was in there and I asked what they gave her and it's the same that I take.

Jerry got her home okay and she went straight to bed. I told her I wouldn't call till she called me so she could get some rest. She slept a couple of hours and then called me. Mom said she feels better, but she doesn't sound right. I have this feeling, but not sure what to think of it. She just doesn't sound right at all. I do know Mom is getting tired of all this...maybe that's what part of it is.

I'll be getting with her after the bus route. I hope she sounds better.

[gja1000]

Your gut feeling is probably on target, something isn't right. It may be something minor, or not. Keep an eye on her - but don't wear yourself out!

[Lindsey]

I just want to say I'm so sorry Janet, and I hope she starts to feel better soon. I know how stressful this is on you!

[Janet]

I stopped by Mom's today (she needed a few things from the store) and I think she looks so bad. When I ask her if she feels okay, she says yes...and I'll say are you sure??? you're just not telling me that? Because she does do that. Her eyes look so small and there is skin redness all around them. She just doesn't look right. I called my brother to see if he would go and check. I hope it's just me being crazy.

[paula1961]

Oh Janet I'm so sorry that your Mom is still not well! Bless her heart! I will pray for her. Hugs to you Janet!

[gja1000]

It's not you being crazy, she is not OK, Janet - but she may be as OK as she can be right now.

[judy]

I hope she takes a turn for the better soon Janet. This is so hard on you, and on Mom. I'll be praying.

[JJJ]

I would just try an make her happy so she wouldn't have any stress added on. Sending lot's of positive energy.

[gja1000]

Janet, how is your mom doing?

[Janet]

She seems to be doing much better. Day before yesterday she was still just a bit shaky, but not as bad today. Mom had been sleeping quite a bit during the day...something she's never done before. The codiene pain medicine for her hip was causing it. I think Mom is just going to take it before she goes to bed, her hip really hurts first thing of a morning. The arthritis in her hip has been taking a toll on her, but at her age, hip surgery isn't a good idea.

[judy]

Thank goodness she is feeling better Janet!

[gja1000]

Glad to hear that she is feeling better. Yep, Codeine would do a number on me, for sure. Taking it before bed only, is a good idea - except, it makes some people have BAD dreams! I don't think it's a good idea to take it during the day, due to it's neuorological effects (sleepiness, etc). Maybe they could give her something that doesn't have a narcotic in it for during the day.

[Marilyn]

Janet, so sorry that you and your mom are going through all of this. So good to hear that she is doing better. It's amazing how sometimes a small change can make such a huge difference either way. So hope she decides not to go to Florida. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.