Thursday, July 4, 2013

"I've Never Had This Before"

Yesterday Betty had another episode of acid reflux pain.  Bob had called earlier in the late afternoon and she mentioned that she would like to think of solutions for her living arrangements.  Of course when trying to list some solutions she said that she didn't like those options and wants to remain where she is, as is.

Then, she called about two hours later and was crying and describing pain below her breasts.  I recognized this as a recurring pain that she gets when she has not eaten regularly or she is upset, in this case... both! Bob told her that she has had this   We told her not to lay down as that would make the symptoms worse.  Bob tried to ask when she had eaten but she was hearing none of it.  So, I said Betty.. I am coming over.

Bob decided to come too and off we went.  I did call her when we were actually in the car and said "we are on the way."  She seemed glad and far less anxious when she answered.  The voice changes almost immediately from whiny to normal.

When we arrived Betty was in her chair and feeling almost 100%.  She insisted that she has never had anything like that before and even with reminding that she was hospitalized over night for these same symptoms, she found it difficult to accept.  I did get her to undo her tight pants. "These are not tight!" I did give her a Tum's.  "Do I chew it?"

After a few minutes I suggested some oatmeal for dinner.  It was after 8 p.m. by the way.  I got up, made the oatmeal and she downed it pretty fast for someone who was suffering in terrible pain 30 minutes before.  We stayed for quite some time until we were sure she was ok and then headed home.  

She does not remember that she has a knee replacement.  Does not remember the stomach issues that caused her to have to take Nexium.  Clearly, people with dementia need health records at hand.  I am not sure I know all I need to know.  More to work on this coming week.


Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Long Time No Write

It has been a very long time since I have blogged about my journey with Betty.  Much of that I want to say is due to restrictions put upon my journaling about Betty by family, afraid that Betty's privacy was being infringed upon and that my journaling would somehow put her in danger.  I internalized it as criticism and stopped journaling.  Then, I lost my grandson Ethan and I used that as an excuse not to journal.  I was still living this journey, still struggling without communicating about it, keeping it all inside and just being stressed.

I have made a decision to go ahead here and journal, to open up about our daily walk.  I have no way to go back and have a visible path of the progression of this disease.  I have a fairly good memory but I tend to block out things that disturb me.  I can't go back and write about the shower struggles; the good, bad and ugly.  I have no reference point.

I can say that we are still here and are not traveling with Betty. I can say that we do not feel, at her current level of disease, it would be anything but detrimental to her health to change her environment other than the possibility of a permanent move to a memory care unit.  Betty does not do well with change.  She is ok as long as things are routine but a doctor's appointment can wreak havoc for days.

We are in the place where we MUST move forward with either full-time in home care or a placement. Betty is very unhappy in her current situation.  The change is not easy for Bob and the process is slow.  I have no idea what is feasible.  I wish this were easier.  The stress is pretty scary actually.  

I am going to journal. 

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