CAREGIVING: When we last checked in I was told Kathy was “declining.” That episode was probably related to medication issues – Atropine, in particular. By the next nursing visit, her vitals were pretty good. Unfortunately, caregiving is a rollercoaster. What goes up doesn’t keep going up. Each up is lower than the last up. You are lucky if you level out for a day. Or… Read more →
Author: Peter Lehndorff
“… Declining”
CAREGIVING: I am losing track of the days. But, about a week ago Kathy’s nurse, Shannon returned for a follow-up on her blood pressure. It turned out to be the same day that Rebekah, the hospice spiritual advisor was visiting me too. I wanted her advice on some of the brain and body donation forms I had. Kathy’s blood pressure was still low and I had cut her… Read more →
Medicine for Phlemergencies: Plan B
CAREGIVING: A few weeks ago we noticed Kathy’s blood pressure was running very low. So, it seemed logical that we should cut back her blood pressure medicine (Propranolol). We were also adjusting some of her other meds. Scopolamine redo: Kathy’s coughing and lung secretions seem to be bothering her more. It is very common in late-stage Huntington’s Disease. One of her nurses suggested giving the Scopolamine Patch another… Read more →
Feeding tube: plumbing hacks
CAREGIVING: Last week Kathy’s feeding tube started acting up. Well, actually it has been a gradual thing. A few months ago I noticed the purple plug end of the tubing (coming from the feeding bag) was slipping out of her stomach port. I fixed that by lightly roughing-up the plug of each bag with a little piece of sandpaper. It is just enough to grip it… Read more →
Dodging a bullet
CAREGIVING: Sometimes it is hard to tell how things are going. I tend to write when things have levelled off rather than when there is a crisis. Things that would be a problem for someone else are things that I am used to in the ebb and flow of caregiving. The last few nights I was able to sleep in my bed… Read more →
Memorial Day
CAREGIVING: I guess it is time to get back to writing something. I have to admit I just haven’t had the energy to do much of anything extra. So, I needed a little break. Memorial Day was a true holiday for us. One obvious reason is that Hampden’s one and only parade passes a few feet from our house. The town… Read more →
All the news that isn’t
CAREGIVING: I haven’t had enough extra energy to write much lately. Too many projects and not enough time. Winter dragged on for so long that spring skipped us completely. Summer decided it couldn’t wait so every pollen producing plant in town bloomed on the same day. It is pretty though. The lilacs are out and the crab apple tree in front… Read more →