CAREGIVING: I am starting this late Sunday night. Kathy had a less than perfect weekend. There were enough coughing spells and suctioning episodes, that I didn’t feel comfortable being too far away. I also assumed that the leaves aren’t going anywhere. They can wait. On Saturday, Kathy was actually coughing hard enough for some blood to come up. The first time… Read more →
Tag: PEG
Some Updates
CAREGIVING: Today was “Columbus Day” here. Even though I am half Italian I don’t think Columbus warrants his own day for getting here after everybody else. I didn’t get the day off. Updates: Kathy seems to be doing pretty well – stable is the term. On Sunday, Pat washed her hair and I gave her a haircut. I clean her teeth twice… Read more →
Update: Club meds
CAREGIVING: Sorry I’ve been scarce lately. Some friends have contacted me worried – expecting the worst – because I haven’t been blogging lately. Actually things with Kathy have been OK. There are some rough moments for sure, but overall she seems stable and content. I’ve been adjusting the timing of her meds, so she isn’t quite as sleepy during the day. One of her meds, a… Read more →
Feeding Tube: opposing views
CAREGIVING: Kathy and I didn’t want a feeding tube (or PEG tube) … until we changed our minds. I guess sometimes you improvise or play by ear. And that is what we did. Kathy was choking and dying in the hospital with pneumonia. The situation helped change our minds. But like I said in a previous post, feeding tubes are one of those things that a… Read more →
The Feeding Tube
CAREGIVING: I’ve wanted to do a post about stomach tube feeding for quite a while. It is one of those topics that some of us have strong opinions about: pro and con. Most studies say that tube feeding does not prolong life or eliminate the possibility of aspiration pneumonia. And eating food is one of those activities that we all enjoy. So this post… Read more →
Getting back to normal (sort off)
CAREGIVING: Yesterday Christina from Baystate VNA came for her weekly check on Kathy and to discharge her. Basically that means that Kathy’s condition after the hospital stay has stabilized. Her blood pressure and Oxygen levels are as good as new. I’m managing her feeding tube OK and keeping her throat free of mucus. Her diaper rash is getting better. And we have help… Read more →
A Benefit Concert for Kathy and the Huntington’s Clinic at UConn
MUSIC: I am humbled and grateful. Some of my musical friends are giving a concert to benefit Kathy and the Huntington’s Disease Program at UConn Health Center. That is where Kathy gets treated for HD (and I get support). The concert will be Sunday, July 27th at the Nacul Center, 592 Main Street, in Amherst, MA. Bruce King is a wonderful singer and guitarist. He holds the distinction… Read more →