| I guess I've been putting off talking about Mom because it takes so much out of me, but for those who are following the story, or people who will learn from my "journey" with Mom's Alzheimer's and all the care-giving related issues, I should try to be more regular in my posts, I'll try, but absolutely no promises. But here's the latest to share. Methinks the last posts about Mom has to do with Mom's 2 Syncope [read: fainting] episodes with her losing consciousness. This is pretty frightening. Dr Kaur spoke to me as she was on call and we talked about her seeing a Neurologist. Later after speaking to Dr Chuck Harris, we were going to lower the dose of the Zyprexa and start Leptopril, an anti-seizure med. But something interesting happened during all this...I received a phone call from Brian, her Social Worker, telling me that Mom would be going to be transferred to E-6 where the patients were very very ill. This is a temporary move until they can find a place for her outside of WSH, as the new CEO and the Medicare budget loss has determined Mom, and ward E-6 are de-certified, i.e. not eligible for Medicare since she will not "get better". She will still be taking her "classes" at E-8 during the week, but will spend the majority of her time will be at E-6. Dr Kaur, who was on call, is also now her new Physician, so there can be some continuity during this transition. I also spoke to her new Psychiatrist, Dr Olsen, and she is very open and amiable. She has been observing Mom, which is goodness, and was open to the information about her background I shared during our 30+/- conversation. She even listened to my concern about her recent outbursts at other residents of late, and her slurry speech. We talked and decided to back up, for re-observation first hand, taking her off the Leptopril, and slowly increasing her Zyprexa dosage again, to see what happens with her mood and her Syncope. I've been trying to phone and ask about Mom to acclimate the staff to me and put Mom's name in front of them. I also need to get to know the people who work with her too, so it's a slow but forward process. So, we did visit Mom twice already, and our next visit is on Friday. The first time there was a distinct "odor" as we entered, which was off-putting, but we had a nice time in the room eating. Mom was very emotional when she saw us, so she must have been feeling confused and lonely and lost and afraid of being "forgotten"..so it was great to see her, and soon she was smiling and enjoying her meal with us. The people are definitely more impaired. There is one "eater" who tries to come in our room, looking in at us in the "fishbowl" and shaking the door etc. There was also a man on the floor sprawled out, but not driven by a fall. There are folx there who need to be fed, and cared for in the extreme. There were a few familiar faces from E-8 now in E-6 as well. We got there early enough on that Saturday to have a con-call with the IA Gillmans, and it was so lovely to hear Jim and Mom exchange "I love you"s and also to have Mom laugh and twinkle, while eating, when Jim teased her. It's been tough of late to get Mom onto the phone, with her knees hurting, she doesn't like to get up and walk, it's nothing personal when she says "no, I don't want to " when it's the only words she can put together, she can't speak "It hurts to walk", but she can reply to the specific question, but that's not asked, she's only asked if she'd like to speak to "x" on the phone [which means she has to get up and walk there...]. The 2nd visit, Mom was animated, so very animated, and I can't help as if I was failing her some because of my inability to communicate with her, understand her, but that's "my guilts" and feelings of inadequacy, as she loved our visit and our food but mostly our visit. Both times the people I spoke with thought Mom very charming and amiable, although the last week she had started that "acting out" which prompted my chat with Dr Olsen. I love my Mom, and I sure wish I could see her more often, that she could be here on the Island, but one thing at a time. I did notice that they are more quick to change Mom if she has an "accident", and the 2nd visit, unannounced, she was freshly showered that day, so they may be more on top of these types of activities since they deal with less able people. She looked so pretty and so animated and so sweet and loving and twinkly. It is still a new thing, and we have to keep vigilant, both here by phone, and when we visit her. As I said she was speaking with a "slur" which doesn't bode well, and continually she thinks there is something in her right hand. As always, send prayers, healing vibes and light, and love her way. Thank you!
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