Just need to talk to my friends (200)
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Good morning all from Mom's kitchen. She and her crazy cat are still in bed which is nice. I need a massive mug of tea and some me-time to center my day.
Ron— I'm glad you're home. Has the shaking in your hands improved any?
Mom was discharged yesterday too. She was in since the 13th and completed her antibiotics there but came home with a 40-30-20-10 schedule of prednisone, nebulizer treatments and oxygen. They tweaked her meds, so I need to re-do her pill boxes in a bit. Her visiting nurse will be here around noon and I don't want to look as incompetent as I feel.
Mint— Good reminder on the pertussis. Thet do push the combined vaccine for people old enough to be grandparents and above. I got it as a booster the first time when my friend's kids started having babies. I insisted mom get it when she was traveling into the city to love on her great grandson in the NICU five days a week. DH got Tdap as his booster this month.
Lorita— you so deserve some fall weather. It must be difficult for this challenging summer to drag into the latter half of October.
David— Your wife sounds like your wife is just the right amount of protective with you. I can appreciate how missing out on your exercise would be frustrating. I agree with Judith, maybe some chair exercises would be an option. There are many on You Tube you could do at home. I have some Pilates, yoga and functional strength favorites I sometimes add to another workout.
I can appreciate the clumsiness factor with a boot. Mom had a walk shoe for some chopped bones in her foot a year or 2 back. While necessary for pain control and proper healing, I was terrified she was going to fall and break a hip. She was too and was very compliant around the walker for the duration.
Jerilynn— Your Brunswick Stew sounds like something my DH would like. When he used to travel to Louisville (his second least favorite plant location) on business, he always ordered it.
Beth— Thanks for the reminder. We have a plan in place, I take care of mom and DH (with DS as back-up) takes care of me. LOL, I've been texting him a running list of things I forgot to pack. This time I brought my hair styling tools and make up, but forgot my allergy eye drops, microwavable eye compress and prescription eye drops. Evidently I have my priorities a little skewed.
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So, mom is home. It was a bit of a dog'n'pony show to get through discharge as the nursing crew wasn't as ridiculously accommodating as previous teams have been. I did, however bust her out, by 1:15pm which may be a new record for timely discharge. We always seem to be stuck in rush hour.
The timing was critical as I'd managed to arrange a telehealth visit with her psychiatrist. Mom's psych is great and I thought a talk would do her some good so when it became clear she'd miss it otherwise, I was able to pull some strings to make it happen. We got home with 5 minutes to spare, but my laptop wouldn't allow access to the microphone and camera, so I had to pivot to my iPad which worked great. Plus, it's more like mom's phone so she's more comfortable with it.
During the appointment, I busied myself assembling a shower chair and troubleshooting her air concentrator. I watched a YouTube video to make sure had it set properly. I'd planned to do that earlier and be good to go when we hit the front door but at the last minute it occurred to me that with DS's car in the shop we were down to 1 car for 2 households. Gah. I picked a rental for a couple days. They gave me a minivan which takes some getting used to.
I got mom to take nap after we did the first breathing treatment and ran out to the store to forage for dinner. When I got back, the cat was out of hiding and hanging with her mom. The cat is weird. Because most of us who visit are either allergic or not fans, mom keeps the upstairs guest room off limits to the cat these days. Alas, this is that cat's favorite place in the house and until about a year ago she considered it her domain. The cleaner left the door open last time and the cat has reclaimed it as hers. When I brought my bag up last evening, the cat got weirdly territorial about the bed— sprawling on it and staring malevolently at me.
Between the dander and threat of feline vengeance, I capitulated and slept of the couch. For whatever reason, after I settled mom for the night and turned in, the cat decided to play with my head. She jumped up on the arm of the sofa and started lapping my face and hands. Saliva being where the allergens are, I swatted her away and finally ended up burrowing under the covers to get away from her. Undeterred, she climbed on the couch and slept me for at least the first half of the night. This must've been a terrific two-fer for her— punishing mom for being away and annoying me at the same time.
Visiting nurse today. I hope this one isn't a dud. She seemed great on the phone. I shared a concern about mom's medications which were tweaked during her stay. She has Mucinex 1200mg ER 2x daily ordered by her pulmo, the hospital held that and gave their 2-600mg guaifenesin 2x daily. Midweek, they were giving both and discharged her that way. She's said that was a lot, but maybe intentional and she would confirm with pulmo.
I'm out of my depth on so much of this gear. I'm making a list of questions for the nurse. Where can I get nasal cannulas? The ones on the concentrator and O2 tank are both at least 5 years old— they're harder and discolored. Is the nebulizer tubing supposed to get warm? How long should tanked O2 last? Do I need to carry a spare? How do I switch the thingie at the top of the tank to a new tank? Does the thingie have a name in case I have to ask someone else about it? Would she be a candidate for an Inogen instead or as well? And how do I get my paws on one?
I have pulmo follow up scheduled and am waiting to see if cardio and PCP also want to check in. I reached out to the cardio about the hospital holding her BP meds and not including them on her discharge. Her BNP is worse than it was in July— could it be worsening CHF or a function of high dose steroids or both? She's supposed to see him in a month anyway.
Enough blathering. HB1 -
I know that she is looking out for me. I will try to look on U-tube to see if there's anything that I might like.
Im going to the dr today to see what he will do for my ankle and will let you know what he says.
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HB I would call her home care company to see how you can get a new cannula. Yes past time for new one.
What are you running the nebulizer off of? If it is a little compressor I never used them much but I never noticed the tubing being hot, not sure about warm. A question for home care company.
The thing on top is called a regulator. On some oxygen tanks you change the regulator to the new tank when original one runs out. Just before i retired we were getting tanks with a permanent regulator on if I remember right.
How long the tank will last depends on the size of the tank and what liter flow their oxygen is at . There is a formula for figuring it out. You need to call the home care company and they should be able to tell you how long a full tank will last for her tank size. On the regulator there is usually a pressure gauge where you can read the psi. For a full tank it is 2200 psi. We would usually change tank out when it was down to around 200 psi. Again ask the home care company what they reccomend. The lower flow they are on longer tank will last, larger tank is longer it will last but as tank size increases weight increases. You would need to take another tank if you weren't sure how long you would be out and if your tank would last that long. Are the tanks just for outside of home? Do you use a concentrator at home?
The Inogen is a portable concentrator. I never did home care. So I don't know if the patient uses that at home also as well as when going out. Cant remember for sure if portable concentrators were available yet when I retired. Saw patients with them though when i was volunteering. Family was frequently needing to get them plugged in quickly. Not sure if back up battery life an issue or not. There are probably rules about how to qualify for one which again home care company should know the rules.Write all your questions down, call the home care company and ask for someone to educate you on all if this. Some home care companies are much better than others. Hopefully they will have someone to answer your questions.
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Goodness gracious, my porch family has got a lot going on.
The virus (which is what I've named it) Iris, Ron and HB's mom have / had sounds just awful. It has me thinking about going back to our masks.
DH has a gastro appointment, I'll be back later. In the mean time, let's be safe.
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awake…
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Hi, Ron, glad you're home and able to eat good things. Food without salt or sugar would be pretty bland. Just be sure to take it easy.
HB, glad your mother is home. Hope things go well. Good information from Mint. You certainly have your plate full.
Going to be hot again today and tomorrow. Had heat on day before yesterday and air conditioners yesterday and today.
Well, best laid plans. Yesterday I called and made some changes in bank accounts and was told they would send the paperwork. This morning I had a call and now I have to go in and sign the papers. Haven't gotten my ballot yet but will take it in to be notarized and go to a bank branch and sign the papers but still 25 miles one way.
My groceries were delivered at 8:30 this morning. Seems like all the drivers are women. This one told me she makes about 20 deliveries each day so people are taking advantage of the service.
Sheena seems to be having trouble getting up. Probably arthritis. She will be eleven next year. I give both of them Glucosamine and I try to remember to take mine, too. Watch what you eat at McDonalds.
One of the guys fed the girls this morning. Can' t figure out what he was doing besides feeding. Fed heifers, then did something for 15 minutes, then drove all the way to the west pastures with c ok as following, then came back with them following to feed mine. Had a heck of a time getting through the gate. Beats me.
Eagle, I never stopped wearing my mask. Remember what light flu seasons we had when almost everyone wore masks? Tells us something, I think.
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Lorita…how about moving your account to your Credit Unions? Tell them to mail the papers to have notorized closer to home or use docusign.
David I use a rollator too and love the deat to carry stuff. You can get an attachment for drinks too. My daughter used a knee roller and lover it.
I have my AC on today but set at 74.
Iris…update please
HB…from you too please
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Hello everyone, I just came back from the orthopedic dr an no surgery, then boot for 6 to 8 weeks then physical therapy.
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Judith, I have accounts st the bank and CU in the town where I worked and when I retired opened one at the CU in our town. I may need to.consolidate everything when I get my will made. Have to go to town anyway to get my ballot notarized. They won't mail the papers to me, I guess for safety's sake which I appreciate.
You know my tiny hometown had two banks in the early 1900s before a tornado demolished most of the town in the 19 teens. Anyway , the town where I need to go has a Braums where I can get Cappaccno.chunky chocolate frozen yogurt!
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Mint, I'm so glad you mentioned about PERTUSSIS! I had not thought of it at all. But I have been the sickest I've ever been with the worst cough I've ever had in my entire life! I had paroxysmal, hacking coughing coming less than every minute with thick, sticky sputum. I spent yesterday reading about pertussis in between coughing spells. I'm still not eating regular food, only soup, oatmeal and juice and tea. The heavy coughing and contagiousness can last for three weeks, maybe more, unless treated with antibiotics. I've been trying to get a phone appointment with a doctor today, I'm still waiting for a call-back from the medical group.
Interestingly, my course of illness follows exactly how it is presented, with runny nose for a few days in the beginning, then coughing beginning about a week later. I only had a low grade fever for a few days, now no more fever. I also had some vomiting. And, I had the whoop. In the time between the runny nose and the coughing, I felt fine and did enjoy my trip, although I did have one episode of vomiting.
Today is the first day that I have been able to talk because when I open my mouth to speak, I begin coughing again. Although I am better, I am still sick. Unfortunately, not many doctors are familiar with diagnosing and treating pertussis in older adults. It can be very serious snd even deadly in the frail elderly, because the coughing is so forceful and literally "takes your breath away"! A frail person could actually drown in the thick sputum.
HB, are the doctors considering pertussis for your mom?
I'll post more later.
Iris
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Well, your car's battery will appreciate the journey…lol
David…do consider a rented knee roller. my daugher loved the freedom it gave her.
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I saw a piece about whooping cough on the news at noon. Guess it's making acomeback. You know coughing like that might also cause a rib fracture in a frail person. Since my fall two years sgo , failing mostly on my left side with my fist under my ribs, I have had lots of pain in that area so it would really hurt me to cough a lot. Just got up from a wonderful hour and half nap. They are habit forming for sure.
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Iris….thank you for the update….
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Here on the porch, just a swinging!
Ron
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Morning.
Still sunny, warm in the day and DRY here. No rain predicted.
My house cleaning continues. I keep getting interrupted. But, today is closet day. I am getting rid of anything that I haven't worn in 2 years or have outgrown (deep sigh, that is a new issue for me). Also, since I don't work anymore, I've decided that dresses will go. It's hard for me to part with some of those pretty clothes. But somebody can use them, so out they are going. Just yesterday I did an armoire, two dressers and the guest room closet, I have six bags to donate and more to go.
Now that we don't have inside dogs, I bought a Roomba. Waiting for DH to set it up and hoping it will help with daily chores. Being in the country and having outdoor animals, pastures to work, chickens and a 3 acre yard/flower beds surrounded by cotton/corn/soybeans means dirt and dust.
The new stove arrives tomorrow. Probate court is over. I have the paperwork I needed to proceed with Estate matters. I'm saving my office cleaning for last - when all that work is done and I can pack up all the paper into one file box and off the 3 tables I have been working from. I'm going to treat myself to a new desk and set up to make better use of the space.
Hoping everyone is feeling better today. HB's Mom, Ron, Iris, David.
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Good morning
David glad you don't have to have surgery, that is a blessing.
Nice to see you swinging on the porch Ron. I enjoyed doing that on grandpa’s porch when i was a child. Would like to have a porch swing put I don’t have a porch.
Eagle as much as I don't want to, think Im going to start masking too. I do not want pertussis and I don't want to carry it in on my mom. I have thought i was protected but possibility I am not. Does look like CDC recommends it every 10 years. I had my last tetanus in 2017. It may have just been TD though not TDAP. I didn't mark where I got it at so probably should assume just TD as no way to find out. I took care of a patient once with lockjaw so I have kept up with my tetanus shot. Lockjaw not pretty either. He survived but his airway had to be protected at beginning, scarey.
Iris hope you feel a little better today. Pertussis kills the frail and the newborns. You are helping us to know why.
JeriLynn give us an update on the Roomba, how you like it. Caro_Lynne thinking of you this morning.0 -
Hot and dry here in SW MO too, dust everywhere. Waist high corn stalks, hay bales a thousand yards apart, burn bans because we have wind but no moisture. Temperatures are setting new records every few days, running 15 degrees F above "normal."
We went to the pharmacy just before sundown to pick up my prescriptions and got malts at the dairy store on the way home. Drank them in the car and watched the sun set, listened to the oldies station. Didn't feel much like October but it wasn't bad.
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Greetings from mom's kitchen. It's still early here and the patient and the overnight caregiver (cat) are sleeping. Precious me-time for me. LOL, I do this at home with my own family.
Iris, they did not swab for pertussis. Her last jab for that was about 5 years ago when her great-grandson was born. That said, her cough is the deep gunky one associated with a history of smoking. She quit 45 years ago after she nearly missed my first wedding because of a nasty bout of pneumonia. I wish I'd missed it instead.
She did receive that Tdap vaccine in 2019.
Mint, part of the problem is that I don't know who sent her home with any of this equipment as most of it predates my involvement. I can date the home concentrator to pre-2016. It was one of a pair they had in FL when I moved them. Her bi-pap is newer; it was a replacement after the Phillips recall. The bi-pap is through Lincare— they managed it in FL and transferred here. The one prior was a replacement for one she accidently left in an elevator in Orlando which got blown up as suspicious. The tanks are from a previous COPD exacerbation in January 2020. She was more independent then, so all I recall is picking her up from the hospital and them loading them into my car. The tank has a sticker on it but neither nurse we've seen is familiar with the company which is/was local.
We had the visiting nurse come yesterday. She's a coordinator and we've had her before. There was an issue with the entrance gate— operator error I suspect, but we'll double check that later. I had to drive down to the visitor's gate and swipe the nurse in with my pass. Since it'll be different people coming it's not like I can just give them an extra I have on hand.
The nurse seemed to think the tank O2 less than ideal and thinks mom should travel on a portable concentrator especially if the needed for O2 is ongoing. She didn't like the looks of the in-home concentrator and thinks it might need updating. All the tubing is nasty— old and probably dirty from being stored in the garage. Mom has no new tubing on hand for either of those. Part of the problem is that the hospital discharge planner worked with mom rather than me and mom assured them that she "has everything at home". I have one tank that's almost out.
The pulmo office had given a "first available" post-hospitalization appointment for 11-11. I drove to the office and explained my concerns and have an appointment for new gear at 11am. This is why I am not keen to swap pulmos. His bedside manner is reassuring for mom, and the team is unfailingly helpful.
(In the midst of this draft, my niece texted me that my mom sent niece $3000 to cover her half of their August vacation. I wrote the check, because of the hand tremor, and mom signed it. It was supposed to be $2000. Ugh. Niece may stop by today or tomorrow I can swap it out for a new check then.)
The prednisone continues to agitate her. Yesterday afternoon I was treated to a rant about how she wants take a pill and be knocked out and just stop breathing. LOL, I told her she wasn't dying and that no hospice would take her. The I put on Netflix and parked her with a breathing treatment and her O2 improved quite a bit.
I hope today goes better.
HB1 -
Thinking of all of you, especially Iris, HB and Ron. Sorry for what you all are going through.
Welcome to the porch, Carl. If you're so inclined, tell us about yourself. I came to this site when I was caregiver for my mom. She passed in 2017 and I stayed on the porch. I live in Iowa and love gardening and travel. I have 2 kids and 8 grandkids and a mini Schnauzer.
We are getting settled from the move but still busy. Salvation Army comes today to make our 4th (!) pick up, 3 from before the move and 1 after. We also had a load of junk taken to the landfill prior to moving. We have had workers come to install our internet, to landscape (removed rock and landscape fabric & replaced with cedar mulch), to mount a tv, hang a picture, work on outdoor lighting, work on slider latch that wasn't working well, hang mounts for ladder and garden tools in the garage, build shelving for the basement, attach bookcases to wall to prevent them falling on a child and probably a few other things I can't recall off the top of my head right now. Landscapers brought a load of dirt for the garden and I bought and spread compost and worm castings also for the garden. Lawn guy came and winterized the irrigation system. I think we are mainly "done" with hiring out. We'll see. We also got a new coffee table, king sized bed and 2 bedside tables, bookcases and barstools for the island. I cleaned up the basement - finally, most is on shelving units and it looks so much neater. I moved books into the bookcases and have some room to spare.
I'm meeting a friend from high school for lunch today. Looking forward to seeing her.
Have a nice day all. Beth
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The jungle is being cut back. Three huge Crepe Myrtles pulled out. They were bought as dwarf…lol
Next a bunch of small trees…compliments of the squirrels. I think it best to wait until leaves have fallen.
OK cooks. Made fudge sauce last night as a gift. the corn syrup seized up into a ball of gunk. Yes, I followed the recipe.
thttps://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/hot-fudge-sauce-recipe-201137
Opinions please
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Lots of tree work for you. I'm going to wait until next spring to do something with the crepe myrtles, just in case they come back. Will get rid of three or four altheas that seemed to collapse.
Supposed to be 92 today which is 20 degrees above normal. Tomorrow will be cooler.
Welcome to the front porch, Carl. I live in east central Oklahoma on a small ranch. Sold my cattle to our vet but most of them are still here. We raised all of them from babies. Very dry here and windy today with burn bans and fire danger. Ranchers are already feeding in places here. We did have a good hay crop which will be needed during the next five to six months. Again, welcome.
Need to fill out my ballot this afternoon so I can drop it off at the county election board or mail it tomorrow. Back later
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I was able to sleep through the night for six hours. The coughing is less in frequency and in intensity, but still productive. I have noticed that, since I have been in bed or resting for an entire week, my back pain is almost gone. And my ears are clogged and my hearing is diminished. Being in bed for a week has made me weak. I have a tele-appointment with a nurse practitioner this afternoon for some antibiotics to make me not contagious. Then I can go out among people again. B
Iris
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MINT. I am also glad that I don’t need surgery. Thank you fir you concern.
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Lorita…..notary???
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Something went well today.
Mom’s pulmonary specialist’s office got us fixed up. He’s ordered her a portable oxygen concentrator to replace the tank oxygen. The person who did our check-out not only gave me fresh new tubing for her in-home concentrator and tanks, she taught me how to exchange the regulator at home. I had brought a fresh tank from home, so she switched it on the spot. When I was getting the new tank out of the garage, I found a tag with the phone number and name of the agency which has since merged with other companies under a new name. When I called to ask about new tanks, they arranged delivery for tomorrow and expedited the delivery of the POC for Monday. So yay!
In other news, the pulmo “shamed me” for failing to give mom her daily inhaler. I’m on top of all her oral stuff but inhalers aren’t on my radar. He was trying to be gently funny, because we always laugh when there, but I just burst into tears. I’m not generally one to cry— I didn’t cry at either my sister’s or dad’s funerals— so my mom felt terrible. I guess it’s the stress and sheer exhaustion. I feel like a fool now.
I need to run to the store and pick up something for dinner. I should probably eat something. I haven’t been doing so great in that department.
HB1 -
For my absentee ballot, Judith. You complete the ballot and seal it in the ballot envelope, then that one goes inside the envelope the.notary signs which is sealed. That one goes inside the envelope you send in.
Iris,glad you're doing some better. Take good care of yourself. Doesn't take long to lose strength. Same goes for you, Ron.
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Lorita…hope I can remember all of that
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David so sorry to read about your ankle. Did they put a cast on? A few years ago I was out in my patio watering the plants and I tripped and knocked down a cement planter that was on a stand; it fell on my big toe and the pain was so bad I jumped in the pool thinking that would help LOL. Podiatrist said I had shattered whatever bones are in the big toe and there is really nothing they can do about it. Wore a bootie for months before it healed enough that I could wear shoes. Its never been the same since.
HB I so admire they way you take care of your mom, I hope she recovers soon. My mom is everything to me. She lives in Miami about an hour away from me; don't see her as often as I'd like to particularly when LO needed me 24/7.
Ron I hope you are taking good care of yourself. Are you feeling better? Iris I hope you too are getting over whatever nasty virus took up temporary residence in you and get back to doing what you love - your day trips and travel. Beth sounds like you are enjoying your new home and nice that you get to connect with a childhood friend. Lorita how is Todd doing? I mailed my ballot in last week - I want my vote to count!
Mint, Jerilynn, Judith, Eagle, new rocker Carl, and anyone I missed - I hope you are well.
I am having a difficult time getting used to my new normal. Getting better but still more bad moments than good; I know in time this will change. Feel fortunate to have this space to vent and even when I do not post, reading everyone's happenings helps me feel connected to kind and caring people. xo
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Caro Lynne, I am glad No cast or no surgery just a boot to 6-8 weeks then physical therapy.
I went to the dr and he took me off Donepezil and put me on Gabapentin and it seems to be Working
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David…I use Gabapentin for Neuropathy. Do you have that???
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Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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