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.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Dec 24
mom did her physical therapy this morning. She did the pool manually as the treadmill was broken and then she did the land-based treadmill. Legs still hurt.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Dec. 22
This morning we went to see Dr. Iatris. He x-rayed Mom's lungs and proclaimed her in great shape. She still has a little fluid on the left lung but nothing to be concerned with. He also said she has made a magnificant recovery considering what she has been through. Mom told him about her cough and runny nose so he has prescribed a round of Flonase (a steroid inhaler) for the next month. We will get that prescription filled momentarily.
Went to the water therapist this afternoon and did about an hour in the water. Actually, other than being a bit warmer, it was the same exercises that Mom and I have been doing at LA Fitness. Nevertheless, the PT has a leg up on where to massage Mom's thighs etc. and it made her feel better the last time so we shall continue with Wed. and Friday appt.s. After she massaged Mom she put an icepack on her back and let her lie there for awhile. I forgot to check how long but it was probably about 15 or 20 minutes. Mom says her back now hurts when she walks but we haven't been home for more than 2.5 hours and often you feel worse immediately after therapy before the good sets in. At least that is what we are told.
Went to the water therapist this afternoon and did about an hour in the water. Actually, other than being a bit warmer, it was the same exercises that Mom and I have been doing at LA Fitness. Nevertheless, the PT has a leg up on where to massage Mom's thighs etc. and it made her feel better the last time so we shall continue with Wed. and Friday appt.s. After she massaged Mom she put an icepack on her back and let her lie there for awhile. I forgot to check how long but it was probably about 15 or 20 minutes. Mom says her back now hurts when she walks but we haven't been home for more than 2.5 hours and often you feel worse immediately after therapy before the good sets in. At least that is what we are told.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
December 18
Today we went to the water therapist in the morning. We were very impressed. She asked Mom all kinds of questions relating to symptoms and her legs and pain levels etc. Then she tested her legs for strength and mobility and pain points. She did the same with her back. She said Mom probably has a bone spur on her spine, showed me where the curvature is, tested the musculature around the curvature and determined that she could help Mom with massage, onland exercise and water therapy. She massaged muscle notes in her hips and in her spine and Mom was painfree while walking for quite a while. Mom felt she had a great improvement in just one session. We will see the therapist again next Monday and Wednesday.
We then went to see Dr. Ryan Cantwell regarding Mom's feet. They are swollen like sausages. Last Thursday she began to take the diuretic that Dr. Cohen prescribed a week or two after her pacemaker when Mom felt so horribley fatigued and breathless. After the pneumonia went away she wasn't breathless anymore so we all agreed that Mom might not need the diuretic. Anyhow, I advised Cohen that Mom was taking the diuretic and that her feet were swollen and he said the Cantwell could do an equally good job on this subject and we didn't need him. Naturally, when we got there today the swelling was 50% down which could be a result of the diuretic, the massage and relief in the back and hips. He said it could be the daily Advil that causes this but is still waiting for the reports from the neurologist and the spine man. We filled out new forms requesting this data to be sent which they faxed. Otherwise, he is recommending nothing until he gets the reports.
Mom also had low bloodpressure which might account for her lack of pizzaz. We forgot to ask Cantwell what you do about this but left him a message in this regard. It was 92 over something.
We then went to see Dr. Ryan Cantwell regarding Mom's feet. They are swollen like sausages. Last Thursday she began to take the diuretic that Dr. Cohen prescribed a week or two after her pacemaker when Mom felt so horribley fatigued and breathless. After the pneumonia went away she wasn't breathless anymore so we all agreed that Mom might not need the diuretic. Anyhow, I advised Cohen that Mom was taking the diuretic and that her feet were swollen and he said the Cantwell could do an equally good job on this subject and we didn't need him. Naturally, when we got there today the swelling was 50% down which could be a result of the diuretic, the massage and relief in the back and hips. He said it could be the daily Advil that causes this but is still waiting for the reports from the neurologist and the spine man. We filled out new forms requesting this data to be sent which they faxed. Otherwise, he is recommending nothing until he gets the reports.
Mom also had low bloodpressure which might account for her lack of pizzaz. We forgot to ask Cantwell what you do about this but left him a message in this regard. It was 92 over something.
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