Update: 03/12/06—03/19/06
A Note about This Update:
First of all, THANK YOU for the kind words posted to the mirror blog at aboutdying.blogspot.com. I really appreciate your support.
Now, a bit about why I have been so late with posting the blogs.
A few days ago, Joann went into a state of hypoxia, where she doesn’t get enough oxygen in her bloodstream, even with her oxygen on. At least that’s what I thought it was. Her state lasted for a couple days, but on the first day of seeing her disoriented and hallucinating, I went to my boss and tried to get a couple of extra days off which were denied. Long story short, there was a blow-up and the suspension of my services. Maybe I was wrong in asking for the additional time off, or not, however I could have handled the situation a little more diplomatically. Especially at this time in Joann’s life. At present, I am hoping to resolve our differences and get back to work.
More on all of this in the next blog. The missing updates follow.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Medications:
How Joann’s Day Went:
Joann seemed to be out-of-it this morning. She’s having a hard time breathing again and seemed quite confused. Her mouth continues to hurt and her gums are sore. She seems to be a little better by this evening.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Medications:
How Joann’s Day Went:
Today was my day off and hypoxia seemed to be the theme of the day. Joann was breathing so badly this evening that she was getting delusional. Luckily, it was my day off and I could spend all my time with her. Although she only took 40 mg. of breakthrough morphine, she was fighting for breath almost constantly. However, by bedtime she seemed to be in better control once I got her to use her inhalers. This whole thing is a new feature.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Medications:
How Joann’s Day Went:
VNA nurse Ruth stopped by today for Joann’s checkup. Most signs of Joann’s low oxygen state seemed to be gone, although they did return in force by the evening. Ruth took Joann of the prednisone, feeling that it may be the cause of her facial and mouth problems. She also ordered salve for Joann’s face to contain her rashes. By evening though, Joann couldn’t remember events along a timeline, couldn’t focus on which day it was or what she had done or hadn’t done. This is a new feature, or an enhanced older one. This is was the evening I had words with my boss about taking time off to take care for Joann because of her heightened disoriented state.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Medications:
How Joann’s Day Went:
Joann appeared to be a little more on her planet today, although she is experiencing some of yesterday evening’s disorientation. It might be because she is under more stress after my conflict with my boss. Joann’s voice seems to be breathier than usual and she is tired all the time. On a brighter note, she seems to take less of the breakthrough morphine than when I’m not here. Right now, she’s averaging about 40 mg. versus her 80-100 mg. she was taking when I worked all the time. Looks like I’ll be able to spend much more time with her now that I’m in job hiatus.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Medications:
How Joann’s Day Went:
Joann had a better day today not so disoriented. The job thing still weighs on her, but that’s to be expected. She keeps telling me "everything will be alright." That’s sweet of her, meanwhile; I’m a bag of roiling nerves trying to figure out what to do next. I know there are programs out there that will pay me to stay at home with her as her caregiver. Having never been here before though, I don’t know where to start. Otherwise, her hypoxia seems to be under control now.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Medications:
How Joann’s Day Went:
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Well, at least I still have a sense of humor. Nurse Ruth came by today and we discussed out housing situation and how to make things right with my boss. The heat of battle having faded a bit, I agreed to grovel. After all, it’s not about me it’s about Joann. In the afternoon, Joann called my boss and opened the door for negotiations. We both feel better now believing that this situation may be repairable. I’m game, so long as the owners (bosses) are. Joann took more breakthrough morphine than she has in the past few days but no Lorazepam. She’s still slightly disoriented, very tired, and sleeps a lot.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Medications:
How Joann’s Day Went:
Joann slept a lot today but looks a lot better for it. She’s getting some of her color back and isn’t quite so sallow. She’s not displaying any hypoxia features, ate dinner with gusto (for her), played cards with Bill and I, and went to bed by 12:000 AM. She used only one dose of breakthrough morphine today, though that might be accounted for by sleeping almost 16 hours today.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Medications:
How Joann’s Day Went:
Joann slept until 7:30 AM, took a shower, came back to bed and slept until 1:00 PM. When she awoke, she said she wasn’t having trouble breathing, but she was very tired. I noticed that she was more disoriented than usual as well. She also took a three-hour nap in the evening and appeared to be in better control. I’m learning that there are "good" days and "bad" days for her. I guess I always knew that, but it’s a different thing dealing with a loved one actually going through it.
posted by WriterByTheSea | 3:43 PM
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