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 →
Tag: health care
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 →
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 →
Turning the other cheek-
CAREGIVING: Kathy has had some setbacks lately. Separated by a few days of normal. Followed by a false alarm. I guess I forgot to knock on wood. Keeping it Down: Last weekend it was a stomach issue. She kept regurgitating her feeding formula; or her meds and water; or both. That is dangerous because it can go back down into the lungs… Read more →
Easter weekend
CAREGIVING: It snowed for a few minutes on Easter. No one was surprised. I am usually the first person to make fun of the neighbors who leave their Christmas decorations up until Easter. But, this winter has been a good excuse for everyone. My snow blower is still sitting on the front porch. A few feet away, the daffodils are trying… Read more →
Getting recertified for hospice
CAREGIVING: Recertification is one of those things that I am glad I can worry about it. Kathy is doing well enough that she needs to be recertified to continue with hospice care. Medicare pays for hospice, but the general rule of thumb is that since it is end of life, comfort care it is restricted. In other words they want to make… Read more →
The Nurse, the Donkey and the Bereavement Counsellor
CAREGIVING: Our hospice nurse came for one of her visits on Friday. Kathy checked out fine: blood pressure; oxygen with that finger clamp thingie; and her lungs sounded clear. I told her I was starting to give her tastes of food and drink. She thought that was fine as long as I am careful. I also told her I was thinking of cutting… Read more →