Mother has gone through several ups and downs since her hospital visit in early January.
Her “trouble spot” right now is her toes where she has severe pain due to lack of circulation. That is happening because she can no longer walk.
- The nurses and caregivers at Landis Homes are doing a fabulous job of caring for her.
- They are great at taking time to explain her condition and meds when we ask.
- Her medical team is trying to find a balance between pain meds and the extreme pain in her toes. They dress her toes a couple of times a day.
- Because of the medication, there have been days during the past week and a half when she was quite “drugged” and did not wake up or was confused when she was awake.
- You can only imagine how delighted we were to find her quite alert yesterday and today. (She was 98 in September.)
Cerwin visiting with her this morning.
Today is the best we have seen her in the past few weeks.
- She is doing much better as they adjust her meds and her body adjusts to stronger meds.
- We have not seen her out of bed for the past 3 or 4 days.
- They began pureeing her food earlier this week.
- A caregiver fed her lunch while we were there today. I understand that it was pureed fish, red beets, green beans, and sweet potatoes. Each item was separate. Mother asked what she was eating. The caregiver called the kitchen to ask. The fish looked like thin mashed potatoes. Everything was of the same texture, but a different color. When the caregiver asked her if she wanted her chocolate milk, Mother said yes. The caregiver asked if she wants to hold her cup (a sip-cup), Mother said yes, reached for it, and slowly moved it to her mouth, but the nurse had to help her tip it up so she could drink.
Talking to her Minnesota son-in-law, Bob Stauffer
Because she cannot receive phone calls, we try to call Bob and Doris in Minnesota when she is alert. Doris was not home today, but Bob was delighted to have an opportunity to visit with her.
The picture is a bit deceptive, because she looks very good, but her hand often shook and we were afraid that she would drop the phone. The mouthpiece started at her mouth and gradually went lower and lower.
Her 100-year-old brother John is concerned about her, so we stopped at his apartment (also on the Landis Homes campus) to update him on her health. He was relieved to know that she is doing a bit better.
Thank you for praying for her and her caregivers.
I’m glad she is a little bit better, and they are getting her meds adjusted. Also glad she’s getting good care. My mother is 98 too. I visited her this afternoon. She still walks with her walker, and is alert and “with it” most of the time. However we’ve noticed she’s getting a little forgetful. She hears very little so it’s hard to talk to her.
Mother is easy to visit when she is alert. She doesn’t have great hearing, but we either talk loud, or repeat our words. 🙂
I’m glad to read an update here on your blog as I’ve also seen some of your posts on FB. I hope the pain in her toes goes away soon. Thankful for the care and love she is receiving!
We are thinking the pain in her toes will have to be managed as long as she lives.
I’m so sorry to learn of the toe pain — but it sounds as if the meds are helping. She is fortunate to have good caregivers and nurses, as well as your frequent visits — I’m sure that your visits help keep the spirits up, too. My love to you both through this difficult time.
Thank you.
I’m sure she feels so blessed to have you caring for her like you both do.
She tells us quite often that she is blessed by her family. 🙂
I have found the nursing homes staff with very caring workers—very patient.
She is getting the best of care which is great.
She is in my prayers.
Frank
Thanks.