What's all the fuss?

OK, When I left Mom this evening she was fine. Try harder this week, will ya?

Jim and I swung down for a quick visit today, since we'll be out of town next week at Parent's Weekend at Pitt. Stopped at Levelle's for some courage first. Got the word that Quinn had visited earlier in the day to find out that Mom was out and no one knew where she was, because she hadn't signed out correctly. Seeing Julie's name in the book, she was worried that Mom and Julie were at Yarmouth. So we went there first. Good news, no one on the front porch or sleeping in Paul's car.

Got to BG and found mom in good spirits. Here's what she did today:
1. went to Mass at the Mother House
2. had a visit from Julie
3. had a visit from Mrs. Siefert
4. went for a walk with Uncle Jim
5. Went on a field trip with others from BG for a "ride in the country"

All this before we arrived at 3PM. We stayed for dinner and ran into Billy McAvoy who just moved his parents in on Friday. Billy and Mary Kay will be around often (Billy comes to give his wheelchair-bound father a shower 3 times a week, and takes him to St Ursula's every Sunday), so there's another point of contact for Mom. He invited her to go along to Mass any time she wants. Billy's parents seemed very nice and "with it". Mary Kay will be happy to check in on Mom each time she visits.

Mom didn't want to go up to her room when we were leaving because she wanted to play Bingo later. She was having a good day. There were times I couldn't understand what she was trying to say. But, on the other hand, she told us a long, detailed and accurate story about how much fun she had on her walk with Stuart last Sunday.

She walked us out to the car and met up with someone who she stopped to chat with. Jim and I snuck around the block to go visit Aunt Melmarie and could still see Mom chatting in the parking lot as we went into the Mother House.

Let's just pray she stays out of the ER this week!

Take care folks,
Lel

Anybody have any Enfamil coupons Mom could use?!?

Just kidding. I checked in on Mom this morning and she was shaky and a little forgetful, but no longer the mother of newborns! Whew! She had several visitors while I was there so I left. I will check back in on her tomorrow morning (my regular Friday morning visit)

JTYWTK (good luck with that one!)

Love to all - Levelle

It's a New Day

OMG! I was there and your blogs are still depressing me. I only have a few minutes, but I thought a happy update is in order. This morning when Levelle and I got there (together, because neither of us was brave enough to go it alone!) Mom was sitting up eating breakfast and she gave us a big smile when she saw us. She was as clear and chipper as I have seen her in recent weeks. One of the first things she did was apologize for being mean to me and um her daughter-in-law (?I guess that would be Megan;-) I was really surprised that she even remembered yesterday. I repeat, she was very clear and coherent today.... here are a few of her funny moments:

• First, she was talking about her children and how relatively good we were, however she had to go that extra step to point out that Leland was her "Princess" blah!
• She redeemed herself when we were talking about Aunt Melmarie and how annoying she is to mom. I said "I guess that's why you got so mad at me, because I remind you of her"- some of the things Mom called me yesterday were Miss Bossy and Miss Know-it-all. Levelle chuckled at that because she frequently tells me I'm most like A.M. Mom, however shook her head and slowly pointed to Levelle and said "You're the one that's always reminded me of Aunt Melmarie. tee-hee Levelle didn't find that as funny as I did.
• This one was probably a had-to-be-there, but I'll try to recap (for posterity, you know) There was only one old plastic recliner in the room, so Levelle and I kept taking turns in it while Mom laid in bed. You know the kind of chair- it makes a fart sound when you sit and leaves a big indent when you get up. Well, Mom hadn't really noticed when she was lying down. They brought her lunch tray in, Mom sat up on the side of the bed and Levelle got out of the chair to help her. Mom then noticed the big indent in the chair and behind Levelle's back made this priceless "Oh my gosh!" look and whispers to me " Did you see what she did to that chair!" Levelle did not think that was all that funny either. Sometimes I just don't understand Levelle.
• I think they were particularly funny because at the start of our visit Levelle and I commented on how good Mom looked. Levelle proceeded to point out that Mom is always good when she's around! Maybe she was right. Mom really was on today =)

TTFN, LTA, Q

Worn out AND sore eyes...

After being weaned, there are just some things that are tough on the eyes of a son.

Anyway, I think that only the results of the MRI are left to be read and interpreted. Earlier tests indicate that physically & neurologically, Mom seems to check out o.k. for her age. The blood pressure drops causing the 'black-outs' may just be related to her current medications or normal aging. I witnessed a blood pressure on Mom late in the afternoon. In the reclined and sitting positions, it was a normal 120 over 80. In standing position, it dropped to something like 87 over 63.

Dr. Kim Solberg, GBMC's chief psychiatrist, came in to speak with Mom early in the evening. Mom did not answer most of the doc's questions correctly (e.g. where are you? how old are you? what year is it? when were you married?). She counseled Mom with tips to lessen the occurrences of blood pressure drops which we should reinforce (e.g. moving legs about before standing to get more oxygenated blood to the brain). Afterward, the doc pulled me outside for a discussion. We were in agreement that these trips to the hospital only serve to further confuse and antagonize Mom. The doc suggests that we refrain from bringing her into the E.R. every time she has a fainting spell. I told her that we would confer with BG on that subject since they are the party sending Mom to the E.R.

Here's hoping that Mom is discharged today, gets back into the routine at BG that will benefit her and won't be too hard on the sisters that bring her back.

BTW, did any of you girls see brother Paul yesterday?

A melancholy closing... Due to the chill in the air this morn', I put on a long sleeve dress shirt. Its sleeves were a tad long on me so I assumed that it was one that I inherited from Dad. Confirmation and a tear came when I reached into its breast pocket... out came 2 Tums. I'll catch a whiff of him throughout the day though.
Love, Danny

What?!?! Everybody too worn out from today to post or are your eyes still sore?!?

Just for posterity, I will post a few highlights from the day. These are second hand because I did not visit today. I'm not sure what Q, M and D did to her, but Mom was fine yesterday when I left her. (well actually, not fine, I could tell that she was changing her attitude. I couldn't get her to sit back in bed and relax - she wanted to sit on the side of the bed - easier to get away!)

• Mom broke the dry erase board off of the wall trying to get out of the room through the wall.
• Q had to fish dirty toilet paper out from Mom's pants
• M has learned a new trick for when you just can't find your shirt and you still want to go out.
• There is really one exit from a bathroom and the shower is not it
• Mom is super strong
• Gentle/docile - not words to describe Mom after a few days in the hospital
• Haldol does not do too much to calm Mom down
• The staff at GBMC has been wonderful especially Zach
• All tests are completed. Now the Neurologist can look at things and maybe have some news for us tomorrow.
• A sponge bath would be nice
• Mib, nib, yib, nib, mib, bib - That's Mom mimicking Quinn or the Nurses talking
• Leftover from Danny yesterday - the next person who talks to Mom, could you tell her that the hospital gown opening should be in the back!?!

Keep praying for answers and remember to keep smiling!

Love to all - Levelle

Mom Possessed

I was hoping Quinn would have filled you in on all this by now, she was with Mom all morning and early afternoon. Danny and I covered the rest of the day. Let me start with the good news(?). The neurologist, after reviewing Mom's EEG, MRI, etc., doesn't see any signs of trouble other than normal age related decline. He thinks her spells are caused by the Nemenda (and perhaps Remeral). Her current confusion and agitation (more on that later) were worse because she was in the hospital, and he suggested I take her home ASAP. (Gulp. Does he mean my home?) When I told him 'home' was Brighton Gardens, he said that he couldn't expedite discharge until BG was informed and ready for her-- but first thing tomorrow morning. Quinn and Levelle are on board for that duty, I think. But Mom should be cooperative since she wants nothing more than to get out of there.

Regarding her confusion and agitation... O.M.G! I'm not exactly sure how much to share. It may come under the category of TMI. Suffice it to say that Mom was angrier than I ever remember seeing her, but she mostly seemed to be speaking in tongues. She tried everything in her power to get passed us, to get out of the room. But we had to keep her in the room, since a topless woman wandering the hospital looking for a church would have given her the fast track to the psych ward. Ooops. TMI.

After speaking with Dr. Moses, the neurologist, I left Mom in the capable though probably underpaid hands of a sitter, Bendara, my new best friend. The thing I'm most worried about is that without the Alzheimer's meds, BG might be more likely to consider the locked ward. Matt is suggesting we consider medical marijuana, I'm agreeing. Anyone want to teach her how to do a bong hit. I wouldn't know.

One thing I don't want to leave out is how St. Danny, once again had the most calming affect on Mom. Danny stayed with Mom alone for a few hours. When he arrived, Mom was in the angry/confused mode, though the sedative was just starting to kick in. When I returned, Mom was pleasantly sitting up to the table, finishing her dinner, having almost normal conversation. Danny was even able to keep her calm and still during her MRI. I'm not sure why I let him leave when I returned. It only went down hill. Can we take a vote to see if we can have Mom return to Yarmouth with Danny as her live in caretaker. Lisa might not like this, but maybe we can pay her off.

Later, y'all.

You're off the hook, Megan!

Deja vu! Room 3435 at GBMC. She will stay atleast 1 day, maybe 2 this time. God help them! The good news is that they will be focusing on possible neurological factors this time and she will be seen by a neurologist. I thought they or Dr.Lavin should have done this the last time she was there. Anyway, if all that checks out they will consider adjusting her medications. All of these episodes have happened since she was started on Namenda (not a likely cause) and Remeron ( a possible cause). She was getting a little agitated by the time I was leaving, so I took Levelle's medical advice and told them if they were smart they would start doping her up right away.
BTW- The first thing Mom said to me when I got there was " When I get out of here I'm going to call... um... that son from North Carolina! ( I filled in Stuart before she could blame Megan again!)This is his fault. We walked all over I don't know where. I was exhausted!" ;) Sorry, Stuart. Don't worry I'm sure she'll forget before she sees you again. BTWA- Thanks again, Stuart for taking care of all the medical paperwork and problems. That is enough to make me nauseous.
Levlle you can come with me to get Mom, but I have all of her stuff so I'll have to come back in anyway. I will call GBMC in the a.m. to get an update and find out when she will be d/c'd to BG.
TIFN, I'MGTB, Q