Mom

[Carebear]

Lighthouse,

So how are things working out with the nurse?

[lighthouse33]

I was awakened at 2:30 A.M. by my mom.  She told me dad had fallen getting out of bed and was in terrible pain.  I called 911.  He's been at the hospital almost two hours and we haven't heard anything yet.  He was complaining of his back hurting so they had to stabilize him on a board first.

Mom has a low white blood count so she can't go to the hospital but she can't drive with her back anyway.  I don't drive.  We are going to call the nurse who was going to come this morning anyway to have her come earlier to take mom to radiation and to put on an ostomy bag.  Then her and I can go to the hospital.

Hope this is nothing serious but it sure sounds like a fracture of some kind to me.  Can you believe it! 

[engy]

No I can't! I'm so sorry you are constantly dealing with stress!

Hope your dad is ok, let us know & I hope the nurse is working out too.

Carie

[Carolina]

Oh, lighthouse!

Unfortunately I CAN believe it.

Life is a one way street and it gets really busy at the end for many.

I have a friend who cared for her parents in their 90's, she frail and declining, he with diabetes and needing repeated amputations!

TWO hospital beds, home health aids, major complicated trips just to see the doctor.....

And she worked out of the house full time, as did her husband.

You just have to put your head down and get through this, I guess.

I don't see how you do it.   

Perhaps when things are calmer, you can 'pep things up' by taking driving lessons!

Set yourself free.

Sigh

Well, please keep us posted.

It's always something.

Hugs

Elaine 

Breathe in:  I am
Breathe out:  calm

Thanks again Joe!

[Narablueeyes]

I was awakened at 2:30 A.M. by my mom.  She told me dad had fallen getting out of bed and was in terrible pain.  I called 911.  He's been at the hospital almost two hours and we haven't heard anything yet.  He was complaining of his back hurting so they had to stabilize him on a board first.

Mom has a low white blood count so she can't go to the hospital but she can't drive with her back anyway.  I don't drive.  We are going to call the nurse who was going to come this morning anyway to have her come earlier to take mom to radiation and to put on an ostomy bag.  Then her and I can go to the hospital.

Hope this is nothing serious but it sure sounds like a fracture of some kind to me.  Can you believe it!

Bless your heart!  Like your plate isn't already overfilled.  You will be in my thoughts and meditations.  You and yours...

[lighthouse33]

My dad is still in the hospital.  They are still doing tests to determine what caused the fall.  Last night he was to have some sort of special CAT Scan on his subclavian and carotid artery.  Have not heard from him this morning.  Have not called his room because he will ask about mom and I don't know what to tell him.

She fell getting out of bed this morning and how has a new injury.  Her ribs and underneath them are hurting when she breathes.  I called the nurse and she will be here to do an exam at noon.  I put mom's pain patch on her back this moring and she took a morphine pill.  She said if Dad calls, she doesn't want to talk to him. 

A couple of things of concern, if she has cracked or broken a rib will she need to go to the hospital?  With her low platlet count I don't think the doctor will like her being there.  Second, she is scheduled to have her epidural for her back fracture on Monday, wonder if that will have to be put on hold.

[Carebear]

Dearest Lighthouse,

I'm so sorry to hear about your parents' newest health concerns.  It's hard to see our loved ones in such pain.

I am not a medical person, but I doubt that hospitalizing mom would be called for if her rib(s) are broken. Rest, time and pain management are about all that can be done.  Given her osteoporosis, this is likely to continue to happen to her.  I know.  It's very difficult isn't it?  My dad was exactly the same.

I don't see any reason to postpone the epidural either.  But you will know more once the nurse sees her this afternoon. 

Have you seen your rheumotologist yet?  I know the appointment was in late October. 

As always, you are in my thoughts.  Please keep us posted on everyone's condition.

[Carolina]

OMG.

It's a pile up of disasters, coming faster and faster.

Just cannot believe how much you are dealing with.

Hugs and kisses and calming thoughts sent your way.

Elaine

[lighthouse33]

I saw my rhuemy this week.  She thinks I'm doing well and that I just have to deal with the stress.  It's the not so fun part of being in a family.  She said to get out and take walks.  Said this time of year I could be out more than ten minutes.  Mentioned an SPF Aveeno Sunblock.  So, I guess I'll order the Earthing Shoes I've been wanting and try to get out.  Right now I can't leave mom at all.  Rhuemy ordered the usual blood work so we'll see if anything new pops up.

We did discuss a problem I'm having with my hands being clenched all the time.  She said to discuss that with the neurologist, it's a brain / command center / central nervous system disorder.  I guess babies have clenched fists but not adults.  Will see the neuro tomorrow.

The nurse is working out good.  Mom still is unhappy about having anyone in the home.

[Katybarstool]

Lightouse

Just catching up with your posts. I can't believe that both your parents have had falls. Has the nurse seen your mum yet?

Wishing you all the very best for your appointment tomorrow.

Hugs
Kathyx

[lighthouse33]

The nurse is here basically full time.  She is great.  We get along well and have laughed a lot.

Dad will need to have surgery on both of his carotid arteries.  They will do one and then the other two weeks later.

Mom was checked out by a doctor and he just asked her if she could do anything more to hurt herself.  She had the epidural and it didn't help the pain.  In fact it was worse.  She has fallen two more times.

She was admitted to the hospital yesterday morning.  The lympheodema she has in her leg was worse than usual.  Fluid was pouring out of both her legs and her face.  They will treat it there and she will probably come home tomorrow.  She is on oxygen and is doing better with it.  I hope they send her home with it. 

[lighthouse33]

The neurologist said that the way I am clenching my hands is due to the tremors.  It's more comfortable for me but that I could practice stretching them out on a table.  She said what babies do is clench their hands with their thumbs tucked in and I am not doing that.  She said that people with tremors also sit with one of their hands underneath their leg to stop the tremors.  I do that too.  The tremors are due to the Sjogren's.

I am still very tired, helping out a lot but it is such a relief to have the nurse here.  Mom was reluctant at first but now that dad has his health concerns, she is happy that she is here.

[Carolina]

Dearest Lighthouse,

So glad you have some help.

You need a month at a five star hotel, SOON.

I'm sorry about the tremors.  Do you have other neurological conditions related to your Sjogren's?

You deserve medals and stars in your crown, angel.

You are going above and beyond, and have my respect and admiration.

Hugs

Elaine

[Still in the hunt]

I hope whatever higher powwer that might be out there sends you some help ,, its almost impossible to keep up this pace

[lighthouse33]

The neurological conditions I have due to Sjogren's are:

peripheral neuropathy - small fiber neuropathy mostly sensory with a little bit of motor. large fiber neuropathy

tremors

ataxia

body jerking - different parts with twitches and jerks

muscle spams due to the neuropathy

carpal tunnel syndrome in both arms

white matter lesions in the brain

The onset of all this came shortly after the Sjogren's diagnosis three years ago.