Hi Folks, I was paradoxa and haven't posted in a long while. My frail elderly parents moved to an Aged Care Facility last May and relatively I was having a nice holiday delivering them flowers, boiled sweets and cheese 3 times per week. However 7 weeks ago my 89yo father had a severe stroke and ups and downs of other medical problems kept him in hospital for a month. Mum came out of her shell and was managing better than we had imagined she would, unfortunately,2 weeks ago, while she was doing a gargarious jig on her walking frame she slipped fell and fractured her femur. Pin and Plate the next day and the general anaesthetic has turned her into the mad old woman from hell. They are both back at the Aged Care Facility in High Care. I have begged them to keep a special nurse with Mum until her agitation settles, my rationale being the only personal power they have left is their money they wisely saved and the legal guardians they have chosen. I so want them to be safe secure and comfortable. Two major lessons I have learned on this journey is not to take anything for granted and to always be a squeaky wheel.
There remain communication difficulties within the family, however having had formally gathered prior to now has made the process easier to bear.

Hi, oh gosh it is all so daunting. Dear Dad was awake yesterday and muttering orders, which was nice to hear , coz he's asleep most other times I've seen him,somewhat unrealistic in his requests however he was clean,safe and comfortable.
Dear Mum doesn't look well at all, drowsy tho still irritable, just not the strength to leap outta bed. She has been having a nurse specialling her while agitated.My sister has a suspicion that mum has fallen more than once which bothers me.
i have demanded they keep special on Mum at present. Really finding it tricky to maintain interest and safety without being interfering and demanding. oh deary deary dear.

Glad things seem to be closer to normal. Please use the time to catch your breath.

Little changes, Dad has been bright, alert and talking in the mornings the past few days.
Mum has stopped spitting and swearing lol, more recognision, slow acting morphine not so harsh, and not needing oxegen so much.
I;m needing some time to myself at them moment, so hoping the sibs will keep me up to date

Oh my, poor Mom and all around her. UTI's are well known for causing strange behavior and so is morphine. Antibiotics can have similar affects, but you have to deal with the pain, you have to treat the infections. Let's think positive that it will be a simple one to clear up, good chance if she hasn't had a history of them. Has she had a catheter?

I am relieved for you that your father can reassure you of his comfort and peace of mind. That is a true gift.

Your poor abused sister , you have asked so much of her She has to type out a whole paragraph and click send to the family group.
You have done well to get her involved. Keep up the good work.

Thanks everyone, I had a day off today except for 2 phonecalls re Mum, docter saw her she has temp up, possible UTI, more antibiotics. Not drinking or eating, they giving fluids in her abdomen something new I've not seen before. Not as agressive but still odd, have changed morphine to slow acting. She is still being specialled whilst unsettled.
Dad has L sided paralysis, totally dependant, mentally alert for short bursts, difficult to understand and generally dozing or asleep.
yesterday he said he was comfortable and not worried about anything, so that's good.
so yes, it's a big challenge. And so difficult to know what is happening with either of them.
My sister went to visit today, hehe I make her send an email to all the relatives. bossyboots ha ha

So often an anesthetic has the opposite effect - I believe that brain cells are lost every time someone is "put under".
Hope your Mom calms down soon. Might she still be (or think she is) in more pain than should be "normal" in a situation like this?
(Yes I know pain is not normal, but I hope the question is understood the right way.)

I am so sorry about the way things have been going for you and your folks recently. Still it is good that for almost a year, they seem to have done well.

You aren't the only one who has had to re register here, I don't know why it happens. For those readers who want to know about Paradoxa's earlier posts, click "find" in the purple bar, type Paradoxa, uncheck 'search this forum only', hit enter. OK even easier, a link to her first post.

http://eldercare.infopop.cc/ev...251/m/8051085454/p/1



How is your father doing?, any progress? Your mother's reaction to the anaesthesia is all too frequent. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place, take a chance on surgery or let them stay bedridden and in pain? I hope her anger will subside soon. Is she getting any physical therapy?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bobcat,

quote:

Two major lessons I have learned on this journey is not to take anything for granted and to always be a squeaky wheel.

First so sorry to hear of these set backs.You have learned and shared what most of us has learned.
You have to be aware and have fortitude