Tag: medicine

The final decline

CAREGIVING: This is really a post about the week or so before Kathy passed away. I’m writing so I can remember. I need to go a few steps backward. Then maybe I can move forward. The indications were all there.  Kathy was starting to have digestion issues again. Besides having diarrhea, she was regurgitating food. She wasn’t vomiting but when… Read more →

An Update

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 →

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 →

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 →