Tuesday, September 23, 2008
She survived...but will I?
So...She just started moaning and I asked what was wrong....I can't remember what she said. I asked if I could do anything for her and she said, "Stop bugging me!" So, I gave her a pain pill and I'm hoping she'll sleep thru the night. I don't know how I'm suppose to change her. She's supposed to not bend her left arm or lay on that side. I guess I'll be calling home health in the morning to see if they can come out and teach me some great trick on how to care for her when she can't do much to help me. I'm very frustrated. I hate insurance companies that turn everything into out patient surgery. She should be in the hospital with some professional taking care of her!!!! Sorry....I'm feeling kinda grumpy myself tonight!
Monday, September 22, 2008
More fun!
Tomorrow Mom is going to dialysis at 4:45 a.m. I figure she'll get home around 8:30 a.m. and then transport will pick her up again and deliver her to the hospital at 11:30 p.m. for her procedure at 2:30 p.m. They are going to fuse a plastic tube to her artery to be her new fistula. So...we'll find out more tomorrow...we hope!!! So...that's the latest! I'll try and remember to update this tomorrow after the adventure!!!!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Update!
Dr. Shin is on vacation! Gma has an appointment with her on Monday at 1:30p.m. We will know more then.
The physical therapist came to the house today and had mom stand up today. Right now she's having terrible cramps in her right foot. I don't know if I'm supposed to give her asprin or tylenol or ibprofen? She said she'd ask tomorrow. I hope somebody does! I hope she falls asleep. She's moaning rather loudly because of the pain. I'll write again after Monday's Dr. visit!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Not-so-fun Adventure!
They also sent us home without any instructions for pain!
The only thing it says on the paper they sent us home with is ...resume all medication.
Any questions call: and they gave a number. When she was uncomfortable last night, I called that number to get some instruction for pain killers. The phone number is for the hospital lab! They idiot who answered the phone didn't have a clue what I was talking about and wanted to send me to social services. I hung up on him. I called Dr. Shin's number and got a recording saying that everyone at the Doctor's answering service was busy and if it was an emergency to call 911 otherwise hangup and try again later.
I dug up a bottle of pain killers Dr. Shin had prescribed several "procedures" ago. Mom decided she didn't want any. She made it through the night. Her neck is really bothering her right now. We've asked if she wants pain meds and she says no. She also doesn't want to eat this time.
That's the update!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Here we go again....
So, today at 10:30 a.m. Transport is coming to take her away to the hospital for another Fistulogram/Angioplasty. I should be keeping track of how many times we've done this. The worst part of it is the waiting. For both of us. Hopefully they'll be on schedule today. yesterday they were running about 5 hours behind! Dr. Shin's schedule is booked today, so someone else is doing it. Maybe a fresh pair of eyes, will find something new.
Of course this brought up a few questions for me. Obviously her fistula is a by pass of some sort. Because she's still alive. It hasn't stopped the blood from circulating. I always thought that they way they figured out it was clogged was because they stuck the needles in and nothing happened. Well, usually her fistula vibrates because of the blood rushing through it. You can actually see it and it feels gross. Yesterday...there was nothing going on with it. I mean nothings rushing through it at all.
My other question....how is it that the fistula gets clogged, but the clots don't go anywhere else in her body and kill her. Granted, I'm grateful for it, but it's just very curious. I suppose I'll google it and I'll learn all about it!
Have a lovely day!