CAREGIVING: A quick update and thank you for all the support I have received. It means a lot. I received some lovely comments on Facebook. I realize this is therapeutic for me, but it makes other people sad. It hits close to home. Kathy has rebounded (a little) from last week. I’m not kidding myself about the future or anything. There seems to… Read more →
Tag: Caregiving
Second thoughts; and third ones too
CAREGIVING: This week was another wild ride emotionally. The big debate was whether Kathy should be taken to the hospital. I was having second thoughts and third thoughts and more. I mean, it isn’t like it is life or death… Oh, wait it is. These are tough decisions, and probably some of the toughest ones you and I have to… Read more →
Using the Hoyer lift
CAREGIVING: I wanted to show the process for getting Kathy into her wheelchair and back into bed. It is always easier when one of the aides helps out, but here are a few photos of the procedure. I used to use the Hoyer lift to go straight-ahead into the chair. But a physical therapist showed me how to lift her over… Read more →
Declining? (Part 2)
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 →
“… 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 →