Thursday, February 26, 2009
Feb 25, 2009
Mom went to see Dr. Iatredes today because she wasn't getting over her cold and she was short of breath. He measured her lung capacity and took an X-ray. Her capacity was fine, and her Oxygen saturation was fine. Looking at the X-ray the right lung was fine. There was a little bit of scaring from the pneumonia in the lower right side but nothing to be concerned with. On the left side there was a little bit of blurryness on the lower left side where is should have had a clear line of demarkation but the area was small. He determined that this was bronchitis and has put Mom on an antibiotic (Amox) for the next 7 days. We return on March 4th for a follow up. In the meantime, I will check her coumadin levels tomorrow before Dr. Cohen leaves his office as antibiotics impact the thinness of the blood.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Feb 17, 2009
Mom started the two Toporol at night following our visit with Dr. Cohen last week. It is too soon to tell how this is working re: her fatigue level as she caught a cold over the weekend and feels terrible. She's doing fluids, chicken soup and Zicam....and prayer.
Her shoulder's seem to be improved with the more focused physical therapy.
Her shoulder's seem to be improved with the more focused physical therapy.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
February 11, 2009
Yesterday was a flurry... We went to Dr. Cohen in the morning and her EKG and Pacemaker are doing fine. He said the pacemaker would need replacement in 7 years - that would be at its present utilization of 30% of the time. Her heart chart (beats/min) was lovely according to Cohen - between 70bpm and 90bpm with a small blip in the 100's.
Because of Mom's fatigue we are going to try taking her 2 Toporol as a "group". She will take then at night and see if her fatigue level improves after two weeks. If this doesn't work she'll reverse the dosage and take two in the morning. Re: changing the medication, this wasn't advised. Dr. Cohen says that Toporol is one of the best for controlling the rate at which her heart beats and that it would be a matter of test this, adjust that, and lots of office calls if we were to change her meds.
RE: her swollen feet, he suggested that she wear surgical stockings, particularly as it is erratic rather than a continual problem. Also, she should not drink lots of water/liquids as this would contribute to the problem. Moderation is the by-word.
Mom's physical therapy routine has shifted to focusing on her shoulders rather than her legs. She has done well and needs to develop more strength in her limbs to offset the fatigue/weakness she experiences. She is to use 2 pound weights on her legs (she has these at home) for her leg lifts and 4 pound weights for her arms.
Coumadin levels have remained within range since Dec. 2.4 - 2.7.
Because of Mom's fatigue we are going to try taking her 2 Toporol as a "group". She will take then at night and see if her fatigue level improves after two weeks. If this doesn't work she'll reverse the dosage and take two in the morning. Re: changing the medication, this wasn't advised. Dr. Cohen says that Toporol is one of the best for controlling the rate at which her heart beats and that it would be a matter of test this, adjust that, and lots of office calls if we were to change her meds.
RE: her swollen feet, he suggested that she wear surgical stockings, particularly as it is erratic rather than a continual problem. Also, she should not drink lots of water/liquids as this would contribute to the problem. Moderation is the by-word.
Mom's physical therapy routine has shifted to focusing on her shoulders rather than her legs. She has done well and needs to develop more strength in her limbs to offset the fatigue/weakness she experiences. She is to use 2 pound weights on her legs (she has these at home) for her leg lifts and 4 pound weights for her arms.
Coumadin levels have remained within range since Dec. 2.4 - 2.7.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
February 5, 2009
Well, I am almost home. Mom has progressed beautifully and now is a good time for her to fly under her own power. Yesterday I left for the afternoon and had Mom make dinner. Today, I left for the afternoon - will arrive for dinner -- and will come to my own house for sleeping. Tomorrow I work and Mom will be on her own except for cat medications. Saturday we will go shopping together and then she's on her own again.
I have left ample food in the house with lists of meats/fish and vegetables so Mom won't be wondering what's available. This is because I have been doing the shopping and it is always hard to pick up in "some-elses kitchen". I expect that she should make balanced meals however, if that isn't the case "the team" will undertake meal prep's. Inge and I had talked about cooking for 3 and delivering to Mom. Karen and Karley have also volunteered so I am sure this won't be a problem. Mom's appetite is good
.
Mom's INR (coumadin levels) have been staying right in place these days (2.4-2.7) I will take them on Monday, call them in to Cohen's office and probably get a new schedule for 3 weeks out assuming they stay within bounds. Blood pressure is good as well 118/64 with pulse between 70-85.
Her pill requirements these days are as follows: Morning: Toporol and a diuretic. Evening: Toporol, Neuronton, Advil and Coumadin (4mg. on M,W,F; 2mg on T,TH,S,S) In addition, Mom has her regular vitamin regimine.
Mom continues to go to physical therapy twice a week and has driven there herself. Inge and I have independently tested her driving skills and they appear to be perfectly fine.
The Physical Therapist thinks she is good to go. And, Monday of this week the Social Worker came and also thinks that Mom is ready to go. This makes me feel confident in my own thought that she is ready to be independent again. In fact, I think without the additional help she will get stronger from the extra effort required. Too, she can get back into her social groove and be the vibrant Mom we all know and love.
I have left ample food in the house with lists of meats/fish and vegetables so Mom won't be wondering what's available. This is because I have been doing the shopping and it is always hard to pick up in "some-elses kitchen". I expect that she should make balanced meals however, if that isn't the case "the team" will undertake meal prep's. Inge and I had talked about cooking for 3 and delivering to Mom. Karen and Karley have also volunteered so I am sure this won't be a problem. Mom's appetite is good
.
Mom's INR (coumadin levels) have been staying right in place these days (2.4-2.7) I will take them on Monday, call them in to Cohen's office and probably get a new schedule for 3 weeks out assuming they stay within bounds. Blood pressure is good as well 118/64 with pulse between 70-85.
Her pill requirements these days are as follows: Morning: Toporol and a diuretic. Evening: Toporol, Neuronton, Advil and Coumadin (4mg. on M,W,F; 2mg on T,TH,S,S) In addition, Mom has her regular vitamin regimine.
Mom continues to go to physical therapy twice a week and has driven there herself. Inge and I have independently tested her driving skills and they appear to be perfectly fine.
The Physical Therapist thinks she is good to go. And, Monday of this week the Social Worker came and also thinks that Mom is ready to go. This makes me feel confident in my own thought that she is ready to be independent again. In fact, I think without the additional help she will get stronger from the extra effort required. Too, she can get back into her social groove and be the vibrant Mom we all know and love.
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