Her doc came in today. Bert was there. Doc said Mom was loosing blood, and he's trying to find out where from. She already needs 2 units. She got 2 units 2 days before her fall, so it shouldn't be that low now.

She hasn't had a bm yet, so that will be the first place they look, when it happens.

Her blood wasn't this low when she left there last Thursday.

So she ain't going anywhere for a while. When she does, with this problem we might get her into where we really want her for the reahb.

Please keep her in your prayers.

I had my blood work today. They upped my thinner cause it isn't where they want it yet. Sent me to the WRONG hospital for the doppler, and I had to go to the right one (an hour late). No change, clot is still there, hasn't moved. Blood pressure is probably up from being so mad about them sending me across town to the wrong hospital.

Just talked to Bert. Mom's still not doing any better. He's doing morning shift.

My doc appt is at 2:15. I'm guessing he'll do an INR, and possibly a doppler on my leg. They have all the equipment on the first floor for doppler. There are 5 floors on Diagnostic and Medical Clinic (Mom's doc works there). Many specialists on other floors.

My Ortho doc is next door, and my psychiatrist is right across the street, and Mobile Infirmary hospital is one block behind them. All really convenient.

After my doc appt, I will go on to the hospital and stay with Mom. Hopefully she'll have some company later, and they'll give me a ride home. If not, Pam can take me, or I call my big sister(couldn't get her last night).

Keep Mom in your prayers, or light candle for her. That woman has been so special to me all my life. I do keep prn meds with me now at all times. Last night my eyes were leaking again. I took prn, and was better.

Bren, I know you want to be with her. This ankle thing seems like such lousy timing, but you and she have confidence in Pam. That is such ablessing and maybe for the best. I am also sorry that your mom isn't bouncing back right now. {{{HUGS}}} and I really mean it. You are stronger than me if you aren't a little scared at what tomorrow holds. I am a little scared for me and my Mom with far less reason.

You are doing great and taking time to take care of you is right.

She still wasn't better today. She's been in pain all day, even after darvocet. So doc put her back on morphine.

Breathing is the same. When they take the oxygen mask off, her level drops to 80. This is the 2ond time they've tried to get her off that, and just use the oxygen tubes.

Ate about 1/2 her breakfast, no lunch, and no dinner. Couldn't even get the ensure down her.

Pam is back in town, and is staying there tonight with her. Thank God! She won't be alone tonight.

Sorry your Mom's not bouncing back well, Brenda. Hang in there! I hope she feels better in the morning.

Tonight, Mom didn't want me to leave. So of course the eye leakage started again.

She was asleep most of the day. Come to find out, its because she was up most of the night.

Didn't touch much of lunch or dinner. Didn't even drink her ensure.

Breathing has got worse again. Even the breathing treatment guy said it was worse tonight, than last night.

At least they have help tonight, not like last night. So I didn't have to dial 2020!

She wouldn't let go of my hand, and I couldn't position that stupid recliner thing to hold it. So I sat on her 4 wheeled walker, and put my foot in the recliner with my pillows under it.

She sure wasn't looking good tonight. I think she'll be back in ccu by tomorrow.

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You don't always have to just suck it up!!

LOL, I think I just might have to put that one up in the famous quotes, or in the tips for caregivers. Great words for everybody to remember.

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Everyone of us needs a swift boot in the behind once in a while (gently of course) I might be overdue for one

Awwww, BC - give yourself a break! You ain't gonna get a size 8 in the seat from me! This is tough stuff and caring for someone so dear for such an extended period is bound to wear even the toughest caregiver down... Just because one has been doing for a long time does NOT make it easier... in fact, I think some parts get harder as time goes by... The main thing to remember is to reach out when you feel unsteady. You don't always have to just suck it up!!

Btw, with the cronic eye leakage, I been Ok, since Friday. Just Thurs, I thought that was it, and she'd never come back home.

Shocker, this morning, before neice and bf left, he got out and cut my back yard. And they did fold towels yesterday, so they could get to the table.

They went to see Mom before leaving back out for Arkansas. I'll get a ride up there after while, and let them visit with Mom.

Lol on bail fund being low. Instead of committing a felony tonight, I dialed 2020 in the hospital.

I started pushing nurses button at 8:10 to get someone to change Mom. I got an answer but nobody came (you ALWAYS get an answer immediately). Tried again at 8:20. Nobody ever came. Saw 2 nurses that said they were by themselves all night long, and they'd get to her when they could. I wasn't leaving till Mom got changed!!! At 8:40, I dialed 2020 to get this chit resolved. Nurse came, said Mom wasn't wet. I told her "of course she isn't wet, she's wearing a cathater!". Go deeper cause there is poopoo down there! She came back, started changing Mom's bed, when the floor nurse came in.

Floor nurse said they didn't have a cna tonight, and they called one to come up from another floor.

I didn't get out of there till almost 9pm, after my ride had been waiting on me 30 minutes.

I need a tee shirt that says "don't make me dial 2020"!

So no bail needed tonight MB, remind me to donate to the bail fund!

They tried putting Mom on the regular oxygen. Wasn't long her level hit 80. They put her back on the mask with the big balloon under it.

She is doing better since getting back to a room again. I was up there from noon till 9pm. And yes, I brought pillows and did have my foot up!

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Chronic eye leakage is a strong symptom of emotions getting the upper hand. In the case of longtime caregivers, it's all that emotional stuff you've swallowed through that stiff upper lip that's threatening to come back up.

Yep. It is to be expected, but if it is not the release it should be,,,if it starts to own you, let us know . Everyone of us needs a swift boot in the behind once in a while (gently of course) I might be overdue for one . But I am still ready willing and able to deliver a good one to someone else.

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It's about the crying. I really hope crying is OK, because it snags me way more often then I talk about. Almost anything can set me off these days. Seems like my eyes are leaking worse than Mom's bathroom faucet, and that gets pretty bad at times..

This is one I know a lot about. It does catch up with one during the long days... but watch this. I have found in my own life that when I wake up crying more than 3 days in a row, something has to give. Chronic eye leakage is a strong symptom of emotions getting the upper hand. In the case of longtime caregivers, it's all that emotional stuff you've swallowed through that stiff upper lip that's threatening to come back up. Give yourself EXTRA of everything good and positive that has to do with LIFE and renewal. It's "normal," but keep a close eye on it because it's a normal symptom of burnout and systems overload. Be good to yourself!!! {{{{HUGS}}}}

Bren, hang in there and pay close attention to your own issues. The crisis(es) you've been handling lately are enough one at a time to drive one screamin' nekkid down the street, let alone several difficulties all at once! Know you are in my thoughts & prayers. {{{HUGS}}}

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Nobody answering in the room # they give me last night before I left

Call the nurses' station - they will know whether your mom has arrived yet or is expected. Likewise, call the nurses' station at ICU. They'll know if she's to be moved and about when.

Try not to commit any felonies - the bail fund is low...

11:am and still no sign of niece coming back to get Mom's bags, or come here at all.

Big sis is taking me down there as soon as she can get ready. I have had all Mom's bags packed.

I KNOW I can depend on my sisters, even though Mom didn't raise them (one stayed with us 12 years, the other is my 1/2 sis, and never lived with us), they will be there for ME. They'll get me where I need to go.

Nobody answering in the room # they give me last night before I left. But then again, phone is low, and Mom's hearing aids with me.

Niece????? Help me with laundry? BAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH!!! They gone to spend the night with her friend!

Thats ok though. I took towels out of the dryer so I could put my clothes in it. I piled them on top of the dining room table. They can't sit at it and eat now, unless they fold and put the towels away.

I'm better tonight BC. I took a prn with me yesterday, and took it. Doc allows me prn with one of my meds.

Mom did have a bm. I think a number of bm's after they finally gave her the prune juice.

Seems all docs are agreeing it was diverticulitis.

They will be moving her tonight to a room. I wish I could go back and stay with her. Niece didn't even offer to go stay with her. She's headed to her gf's to spend the night and party.

I about went off on the auntaurage niece brought with her earlier today. One hasn't even seen Mom since her birthday last year! Mom didn't know who she was. Another Mom isn't fond of at all. Another only shows up when niece is in town, and comes to see Mom on holidays. Always promises to come more often, but never does. Us family and frequent visitors of Mom's here wanted to visit with her. I thought I was going to have to stick this big boot up where the sun don't shine on one! I told her ccu only allows 2 visitors (I said it very nicely too). She said "well, at 10 this morning, we had 4 in here". I told her "thats probably why the nurse was po'd, and wanted to give Mom something to sleep, 5 minutes into our visiting 1/2 hour!

I stayed till the 8pm visiting hour. the one before that was 5-5:30. Had dinner downstairs, came back to waiting room, put my foot up, and pulled out a puzzle book.

I will be so glad for Mom's gp to take over with me too, Tuesday. I like him. I love how the office is ran. They have all sorts of specialist in his buiding, and they all work together. Its called Diagnostic and Medical. Instead of just treating symptoms, they try to find the cause of them.

Mom is so lost without the hearing aids. But they told me not to leave them, as they kept falling out, and they were afraid someone would loose them. I feel so helpless helping Mom when she's up there. I don't feel she's ready for a room by herself yet. They say they've stabilized her, and she's going to one sometime tonight, even gave me the room number. Pam will be out of town till Tuesday, and I'm not supposed to drive. I'm so tempted to get her stuff, and some of mine, and drive up there. But I know with nurses going in and out all night long, giving baths at 4am, no way I can sleep, and thats not good for my bipolar. I need to keep that in check as well as take care of this dang foot.

Bren, there is something else I want to say here. It's about the crying. I really hope crying is OK, because it snags me way more often then I talk about. Almost anything can set me off these days. Seems like my eyes are leaking worse than Mom's bathroom faucet, and that gets pretty bad at times..

I believe it is a good release, and it is a normal response to these trying times,,, but if you can't stop,,, please get help. You are worth it.

I hope the different doc can give you better help , Bren. Please keep us updated. Rest when you can. Glad you have that foot up. Maybe your niece can get the laundry and the bf can fetch take out for a few days.

(((more hugs)))

I know you usually stay in close touch with your doc about the bi-polar stuff, but this is just a reminder. Other meds and all the extra stress can have an effect as I understand it. I feel shy about pointing at another doc, but don't skip any bases, OK. Take care.

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

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They put her on Morphine.

I'm assuming they are taking into account the constipating effect that opiates have on the bowels... Might wanna ask 'em about that. Also - have they given her an enema or calcium citrate or anything to promote a BM?

I got my blood work done, and an appointment with Mom's doc as a new patient for Tuesday. I'll let Mom's doc take over. They do dopplers on the first floor.

This has been the 2ond time my doc office really ticked me off. First time was with Mom before we found her old doc from a few years back.

My blood was where they wanted it, and they told me to come back in a week to recheck. Kinda wondering if they really should back me back down to original dosage, they started me on, since it's finally where they want it. But I'm sure Mom's doc will check it Tuesday when I go for first visit. So taking care of me, and foot is up right now.

Thanks BC. They went to the 10am visiting hour. Will come back here, pick me up, and take me for blood work, then to hospital.

I googled diverticulitis. The complications sound just what the doc had described. Nurse is the one that gave me that name to google.

Meantime, we got the bill for the sitting service. I called and told them about that one girl that worked on her car out front for 3 hours. Gave Pam great reference though. They don't know we stole her.

Pam will be out of town till Tuesday. Dunno how long neice will be here. She's dependable till she starts drinking. I aint' getting in the car with her after that, as I'm usually HER designated driver! She brought bf again this time, he's not much of a drinker.