Bruce took Mom to Dr. Dennis Genebach (her regular guy)
His office now has all hospital visit information and he is up to speed with her current condition.
I observed the following:
1. Right lung effusion still present. We should expect this to take weeks or perhaps a month or 2 to diminish. She will be monitored weekly by Genebach to watch it. Treatment for the near future is continued diuretic (Lasix) to reduce the effusion. She is breathing better. 1 week ago her oxygen level was 78%. Today it measured 90%. Oxygen still recommended at night and when walking around the house. No plans in the immediate future to drain the lung with a probe needle. She returns to the cumindin medicine for now.
2. She is having problems hearing and understanding what's going on. Deafness greatly magnifies mental confusion. I had her hearing aids cleaned and tested, replaced tubes, etc. I had the doctor check her ears for wax obstructions-all clear. She is doing the best she can with the aids, but not good enough for her to really follow whats going on. She is really tired of sticking those squealing things in her ears. I tell people to stop yelling at her (which is the normal response to communication with the deaf) to get their questions answered. I instruct them to write their questions down on a note pad and let her read what you want. She then freely gives you her answers/or shares her feelings. Joe has several note pads at home and has long since learned this is the polite and efficient way to communicate with her.
Final notes: Mother is not in pain. She is not suffering. She sleeps good, eats good and enjoys living her life and being in her home. (60 years now at 3350) She enjoys company, but also enjoys her privacy, and freedom of doing what she wants each day. She is at peace with all mankind. When she kneels down at night to pray, she includes the phrase "please bless all my family and love ones; bless them to do good things each day." Mother has spent a life time of doing good each day. It has been a privilege to spent the past few weeks with her.
His office now has all hospital visit information and he is up to speed with her current condition.
I observed the following:
1. Right lung effusion still present. We should expect this to take weeks or perhaps a month or 2 to diminish. She will be monitored weekly by Genebach to watch it. Treatment for the near future is continued diuretic (Lasix) to reduce the effusion. She is breathing better. 1 week ago her oxygen level was 78%. Today it measured 90%. Oxygen still recommended at night and when walking around the house. No plans in the immediate future to drain the lung with a probe needle. She returns to the cumindin medicine for now.
2. She is having problems hearing and understanding what's going on. Deafness greatly magnifies mental confusion. I had her hearing aids cleaned and tested, replaced tubes, etc. I had the doctor check her ears for wax obstructions-all clear. She is doing the best she can with the aids, but not good enough for her to really follow whats going on. She is really tired of sticking those squealing things in her ears. I tell people to stop yelling at her (which is the normal response to communication with the deaf) to get their questions answered. I instruct them to write their questions down on a note pad and let her read what you want. She then freely gives you her answers/or shares her feelings. Joe has several note pads at home and has long since learned this is the polite and efficient way to communicate with her.
Final notes: Mother is not in pain. She is not suffering. She sleeps good, eats good and enjoys living her life and being in her home. (60 years now at 3350) She enjoys company, but also enjoys her privacy, and freedom of doing what she wants each day. She is at peace with all mankind. When she kneels down at night to pray, she includes the phrase "please bless all my family and love ones; bless them to do good things each day." Mother has spent a life time of doing good each day. It has been a privilege to spent the past few weeks with her.
No comments:
Post a Comment