Mom Update

Mom is still hanging in there. I knew it was not her time. Of course if I had sent her to the Hospice Home I am sure she would of went ahead and died now or in the near future. They are wonderful people but that is there job . Make the patient comfortable but let nature take it's course.
She is eating better and not choking as much. I have to give her morphine which opens up her lungs. She did have fluid on her lungs and still does but the nurse gave her a pill to help get rid of that. Morphine is good for pain and helping her breathe. It really works . The blisters and sores are still popping up. She has two new ones. I hate that because I love getting her out of bed but I hate having to take it easy not to tear her skin. I can't get her in her easy chair by myself with out rubbing all her sores so need someone help me. The nurse has them wrapped up good but I still hate it. Just a week ago I could get her in a out of bed, wheelchair and easy chair without worrying at all. Now I have to take it so easy. She eats if I get her out of bed. Not as much as a week ago. She went from 4 cups of hot cereal or more a day to 2 cups if we are lucky. Fruit and yogurt are still her food of choice . Drinks has to be thick like puree.
Her bones are sticking out a lot. Looks like the one on her shoulder wants to pop out of her skin. It is such a major change. I feel like she is getting close to the end. But I am not giving up on her . As long as she opens her mouth for a bite I feel she is ok. Papa told me to tell her I love her and I did and she said I love you too. So she is still in there somewhere. I don't want to just send her away and let her starve to death. If she is going to die I think I will let it happen here. But next week may be a different story. Thanks for the comments and prayers. Last week I was going a bit crazy but now I'm back to normal. Almost.

Skin Tear

Mom has here first skin tear. I looked in the dictionary to spell Tear. It says a fluid secreted by the eye .Well that is the wrong word but it also said Tear is a rip or torn place.That is the word I want. It is a noun and verb. We all have a new brain wrinkle today. My son told me every time you learn something new you get a brain wrinkle. But you guys most likely already know they were spelled the same. So maybe I am the only one with a new brain wrinkle .
Anyway . Mom also had two blister's that had to be covered so they would not turn into a skin tear and a new blister came up last night so it will have to be covered today.
All these just popped up overnight . It feels like that anyway.
She is also is having trouble breathing,swallowing and weight loss. I mean I think she lost 20 lbs this week. Crazy right. How many people would pay a mint to lost 20lbs in a week. Well it sucks. I can tell you that.
Can you all guess what the Hospice nurse's and doc's say about all this?
They think it might be the end. And if I want I can put her in the hospice home till the end or let her stay here. But I am not really sure it is the end. I think she is just dehydrated again. And if I can get her to drink she will come out of it. She has so many times before.
Or should I just give up and say OK take her let her die.
I am going to wait a week and see if I can get her to drink. The swallowing is a problem she is getting choked a lot. The danger of fluid in her lungs is really high. Actually I think the nurse said she does have fluid in her lungs already. I can't remember . To much stuff to process right now. But I am not giving up on her right this min. I will let you know what happens in a week. If I don't explode before than. Prayers everyone please.

Blisters

Blisters form as a result of heat, moisture and friction. Blisters can also form as a result of fungal infections of the skin, allergic reactions or burns. If a patient has diabetes, they should be evaluated by a doctor in a timely fashion. Generally, a person will recognize a burn by association with a specific painful event. People with diabetes may not be able recognize the painful event due to a condition called neuropathy. A doctor should attend to burns. Blisters are due to fungal infection of the skin or to allergic reactions, which will generally occur in clusters and be smaller than blisters caused by friction. They will also often occur in areas of the foot, which are free from friction forces. NOTE: Moms nurse said not to bust the blisters. She covered moms and said if they don't tear the liquid will absorb back into skin. That way there is a less chance of infection.

The area should be protected with a non-stick bandage with mild compression. Ice to "hot spots" can be soothing and reduce the thermal damage to the surrounding area. "Double socking" can prevent blisters associated with athletics. Wearing two pair of socks allows the friction to be absorbed between the socks reducing friction to the skin. A sock has been developed that helps to reduce friction and blistering called the Thro-lo sock. It is useful for athletics and for diabetic patients. They are widely available in athletic shoe and apparel stores. Skin protectant sprays and adhesive gel pads are also available.

Abrasions

Abrasions to the skin are a result of excessive friction resulting in the partial loss of the epidermis. The area should be cleaned with an antibacterial soap and dressed with a non-stick bandage and a topical antibiotic ointment. It may take several weeks for the area to completely heal. During this period, the area should be protected from shearing forces. Deep abrasions can result in scaring. Any sign of infection should prompt a visit to the doctor.

Skin Tears

Skin Tears result from a rapid, forceful shear to the skin. Skin tears are most commonly self inflicted by improperly removing adhesive dressings and tape. Careful counter pressure should be applied to the skin near the adhesive dressing as the dressing or tape is slowly removed. A common misconception is that paper tape will not damage the skin. To the contrary this tape can really stick to the skin and will tear the skin if removed improperly.







BEDSORE :Bedsores, more accurately called pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are areas of damaged skin and tissue that develop when sustained pressure cuts off circulation to vulnerable parts of your body, especially the skin on your buttocks, hips and heels. Without adequate blood flow, the affected tissue dies.

Although people living with paralysis are especially at risk, anyone who is bedridden, uses a wheelchair or is unable to change positions without help can develop bedsores.

Bedsores can develop quickly, progress rapidly and are often difficult to heal. Yet health experts say many of these wounds don't have to occur. Key preventive measures can maintain the skin's integrity and encourage healing of bedsores

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is a very important tool in my line of work. We go through many jars a month to keep mom from getting diaper rash. At Wal-mart I found out that if you buy the store brand petroleum jelly in the large container in the pharmacy dept. It is cheaper than the same brand that is in the baby needs section of the Health and Beauty Aids dept. The lids are a different color but they are still the store brand and same size jar.I can't remember how much cheaper. I keep forgetting to write it down so I can tell everyone. Around 5 cents I think. And don't go to the baby department they just have little jars. Seems like having Petroleum jelly in 3 differant places is a bit much. I guess that is the way they make there money. It is the same with baby wipes or handy wipes. They have them all over the place. I have not checked to see which is cheaper. The health and beauty aids dept. have lots more to pick from and in bigger packages. So my bet is on the health and beauty aids dept. being cheaper than the others. And baby wipes are cheaper than the adult wipes. Bad thing is the sheets are so much smaller but they still work.
Did I mention that it is 6 a.m. I should be in bed. Could not sleep. Everyone else is a sleep except the birds. They are singing so I think this is going to be a nice spring day.
If you don't see your comments I have been accidently deleteing before they got published or something sorry. I be dumb.

Why?

I wonder why my mom has to live like this? Not really living just existing. Last night my best friends dad died.He was a wonderful man and he could always make me smile. He has been sick a long time with diabetes. But he was still living. He could go to Wal-mart or to visit his kids on Christmas. Lately he has had lots of surgeries on his feet caused by the diabetes. I think after his last surgery he would of been almost back to normal but than he had a heart attack or stroke that left him with no brain activity and than he died.Of course we will never know. But He did not go on for years like people with Alz's. He was taken soon and that is a blessing for him and his family.
Has you might remember one of my friends died this last winter from a fall on the ice. She was young and had many years left to live yet my mom just sits in her chair no life ahead of her. Just existing.
And 20 yrs ago my dad died in a farming accident. He loved cattle and he died working cattle. But he died way to soon. He was strong and healthy and had a great mind. But here sits my mom no life just existing. I wonder why? God only knows. And I trust in his judgement. It is all I have.

Happy Easter

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter Sunday. Easter is one of my favorite days.Almost 20 years ago my son was born on Easter Sunday so that makes it very special to me. But he was also born on tax day April 15Th. I still don't care for tax day much. :)
It is going to be a pretty day . High 70's. Mom is still in bed . She is not asleep. In fact she has been awake all night. Talking her little head off. At least she does not try to run away anymore. It has been years since she has even tried to get out of bed. I do wish she could walk again but don't miss having to keep an eye on her 24/7.
My son stayed with friends last night which makes for a lonely Easter so far.
I love Easter service and did not get to go to one this year. I made it last year but not this one. I think it is my favorite service. Christmas is a close second.
I am excited about my son's birthday. I want to take him to supper and to a movie. Not sure when I will get to. He is busy and I have to get a sitter for mom. Of course it is still a few days away so I am sure we will find the time some where in the next two weeks.
Everyone have a Blessed Easter Sunday!!!