Mom pulled through again!! - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

polina · 03-09-2009, 07:06 PM

Hi Everyone,
What a wild and crazy week it has been! Mom was right on Death's door a week ago. She was on a Ventialator, Kidney failure, heart failure, Liver problems and a upper Gi bleed. Well the bleeding stopped. They did a couple of procedures got that under control. She has been having daiylsis for the Kidneys and to get the fluid off the heart. They took the ventilator off of her on Saturday afternoon. She is breathing on her own and doing real well. Tonight they are going to more her a step down out of the Critical Care Unit. She is very confused. The nurses have had to call us at night to talk to her and calm her down. She gets very confused and anxious at night time. So if we talk to her it calms her. It is the sundowning.
I just cannot believe once again she has pulled through another life and death situation. There is something in her that is just not ready to go yet. Sometimes I think she just wants to make sure she out lives dad. Which she just may end up doing. Poor dad being her #1 caregiver at home and now going through all this hospital stuff is going to do him in. She will definately being going to Rehab and this may also be the the cross in the road Dad will have to give serious thought and make a decision to have her placed in a long term facility. I cannot see how she can recover from this and come back home. I really don't think it is doable this time. The thing is we cannot tell until she comes home and see how she beahves in the home environement. By then its to late because they need to go from hospital to facility you can't go from home to facility? She definately is going to rehab we do know that. Then I guess we will see how she does there.
It's still a day to day thing with her medically. I am just trying to plan ahead as well. I know dad has alot going on in his mind as well. I think he knows he may have to face the inevitable this time and place her in a long term facility.
I was thinking of everyone just haven't been able to post with running into the hospital and working. I just wanted to let you all know she has turned the corner again!!

Love Pauline

DrewsG · 03-10-2009, 07:30 AM

Dear Pauline,

She is certainly a fighter isn't she? I'm so glad that you have more time with your Mom. Now if your Dad will only realise that she needs more care than either of you can provide your life can be easier and you can spend quality time with her in a long term facility. I know its easier said than done. I've been thinking of you all and wondering how your Mom was doing and how you were coping.

I know how exhausting these hospital stays can be on the family. It just wears me out completely. Keep us updated Pauline and again I'm so happy for you and your Dad.

Love,Chris

ibake&pray · 03-10-2009, 07:59 AM

Pauline,

I'm so glad that Mom is doing better. She is one tough cookie! Perhaps your father will see that it is time for your Mom to be somewhere where she will get round the clock care now. He certainly can't expect to do it all by himself now, or does he expect you to move in and help? This would be the perfect transition point for her to move into a care facility.

I hope that she continues to improve and make progress...hugs to you and your mom.....

polina · 03-10-2009, 11:23 AM

Thank you for your hugs and wishes Ibake and Chris.
Chris,
I know you know exactly how these hospital admissions can be on all. You have certainly had your share of them as well.

Ibake,
I actually moved into their home 4 years ago to help out and have still been there helping. That is why it is now to the point of a facility.
With Dad and I doing all the caregiving (him more then me) as I still have maintained my full time job it was getting VERY difficult. In a couple of days now that mom is out of the woods I am going to sit down with dad and discuss the long range plan. This is the window of opportunity to make the right decision.

Love Pauline

debbie g · 03-10-2009, 02:56 PM

you do have more time to spend with your mother and i think thats great. my mother is a fighter, also and i am so glad.