Fighting the Dark Cloud of pudge!!

Just wanted to update you all on Mom.  She is in an isolation room, on oxygen.  Her dx is pneumonia exacerbated by her COPD.  She is very chipper and the added oxygen has given her the fuel necessary to point out shortcomings in our health system to any staff who dare venture into her room!  In all honesty, her complaints are justified.  On the brighter note, a recent study showed less people died in this hospital than any other downtown hospital!

She is getting stronger each day. I doubt she will be out before Xmas, but then again, it is not a big deal around here. I had bought a turkey (which I left in the car in the cold garage as I have no fridge/freezer space for it).  So, if we actually celebrate a day or two later is it such a big deal?  It is only the two of us this year anyway.

I am pressing for her to see a lung physiotherapist.  This time last year Dad was in the hospital and it was the swallowing therapist who gave the greatest insights.  Hospitals are full of resident doctors, which mean trainees under the watchful eye of an exhausted seasoned Dr.  Many residents are not experienced enough to understand complex cases.  But the therapists have been in the system long enough to know what is what.  Mom has promised to try to quit smoking. With all of her depression and missing Dad I think she really believed she wanted to die up until it somewhat hit her in the face.  She is not ready to go yet and wants to hang on somewhat - from what I can tell.  Sometimes it takes something drastic to make you realize what you truly want. It is my hope that the addition of a physiotherapist to her team will provide a more holistic approach to her care.  I do not want them to simply treat the symptoms and send her home.  Instead, I want some exercises for her to do at home coupled with some help for her.  When my hubby eventually gets his immigration papes and moves here, she will need someone to do some of the things I did for her.

For those of you who have never gone through this with an aging parent….PRINT THIS PAGE!!  This is all uncharted territory with no guidelines until you go through it or know someone who has gone through it.  AND, sadly, it is inevitable.  No two cases are the same, but at least if you have some awareness of what is out there, you can ask. It seems few offer up  this advice unless you know enough to ask.

OK, I am off my rant.  Yes, I still succumb to the call of the chocolate, but my goal is to really aim for clean eating in 2008.

Now, I am off to veg on the couch and watch some CSI.  Nothing like a great gorey murder before bed!!!

Cheers

Shayna