Is there any way some one can make enough meat for lets say two weeks. I don't remember what there called but you wrapped the food in plastic and then the machine sucks the air out. You can freeze the meat and when she wants meat she just boils the bag. Her nurse can boil it for her and it taste great.

Thanks.....when/if she gets to come home...I'll definitely try that.

Janet, how's your mom today? How are the plans to go to rehab going?

Gayle....Mom is feeling better and with better spirits. Her speech is improving some if she continues to take her time to talk. I proud that she is trying so hard to use her right hand and it too is showing improvement. She's ready to get out of the hospital and on to rehab. The case worker came in yesterday and we gave her our choices for rehab...two right in our town and one just a few miles away and all three have excellent programs. I was hoping to be there when she came back in yesterday, but I had to leave. So I should know more today. They did move Mom out of PCU last night and has soon as we can get her to a rehab fac. she'll be released. Sure hope there is good news today.

I do want to tell you Gayle that I appreciate and love you so much. Your knowledge, caring and encouragement has meant everything to me. Even though we have not met in person....I have this inner peace in your suggestions and recommendations for me to do. Everything you've sent my way and I in turn speak with the Drs. about, is always right on. I just want you to know I'm so happy you are in my life...even if it is at a distance.

I'm glad to hear that your Mom is improving. That's such good news!!! Rehab will help with getting a lot of her movements and speech back! Soon she'll be back to her ol' ornery self!!!!.............and wanting to go to Florida!!!!! LOL

Janet, you are so sweet! Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad that I can help out from far away - and don't worry, we will meet someday!

I hope your mom gets to go to your first choice of rehab facilities!!!

This is good news Janet! I am very happy for you that she is doing better.

So glad that your Mom is doing better Janet.

YAY!!!! So happy to hear the good news.

Mom is at the Mulberry Retirement Community in the rehab area. She had her first occupational, physical and speech therapy sessions yesterday and did really good. Mom is trying so hard. We had to be careful when she ate because of her swallowing, but she is doing good there too. Mom didn't cough/choke at all during her speech therapy.

I did spend the first night with her and we did not get sleep....new bed....new place and Mom...well...she couldn't sleep so guess who didn't get to either??? LOL

I am not going over quite as early today...need to mail her bills, pay mine and throw a load or two of laundry in, then I'll head over.

Mom is doing better and as long as there are no setbacks all the therapists think she'll only be there a few weeks. That makes Mom work harder.

I'm so happy to hear this positive update! YAY for MOM! I knew she had a lot of rehab potential, given her symptoms right after the stroke.

You take care of yourself, Janet. I know she wants you there with her A LOT, but she will be fine and you don't need to wear yourself out running back and forth. Wean her off a little bit day by day. It wouldn't be terrible if you skipped a day or two now and then.

I hope things continue to go smoothly! They really work them HARD at rehab and this is as it should be. She may complain a bit about the rigor of rehab once they get going. It will be OK though!

I am so glad to hear that your Mom is in rehab! And happy that things are going well for her there. I hope she continues to improve Janet.:)

Mom's day didn't start off as well as she wanted yesterday. Still didn't sleep well and then the dialysis machine had a cliche at the end, but all was fine. Just made her nervous. So yesterday I went and got her a foam egg carton thingy for her bed. Last night I gave her a good bath and washed her hair hoping that having the foam thingy and being fresh and clean would help her sleep. I will head over right after the bus route. I had a phone installed for her yesterday, but it's not working right so need to call the phone co. Once that gets hooked up and working correctly I need to rest. I'm so tired and I have so much to do to get caught up, plus....I just want to sleep.

Her 2nd day of therapy went great except for the fact they made me do them too....lol...but I really need the exercise. Even though this has been a horrible ordeal.....Mom and I have had a lot of laughs (and tears) but we're doing good. Thank you all for all the thoughts and prayers....I truly believe they are working.

YES! You need to get some rest and reduce your stress too!!!

Lol, why did they make you exercise? :p

So glad she's doing good, hope everything gets better from here.

Janet, glad too hear things are going better for your mom, hope she's able to get more rest tonight. I know mom hates her bed also, i have offered to take her own bed there but she says no.

Hope things settle down for you a little so you can get some rest now.

Still in my prayers!!

Janet, I agree with Gayle....you need to take care of yourself and get some good rest.

I think getting some good sleep just might happen tonight. I asked Rick if he'd sleep in another room so I wouldn't hear anything and I'll draw the shades so it will stay dark later. I'm so looking forward to it. Gonna check out a few more threads and then I'm heading to bed.

Hi Janet.. So happy to hear that mom is all settled in the rehab place and is doing well. I know that with each passing day she will get much better and in no time be home. I hope that you have a restfull night tonight and sleep like a baby for you deserve it.. You and mom are in my prayers...

Well...that good sleep didn't last....I was called at 4:30 am with news that Mom was bleeding in her bowels again and her blood pressure was really low. Got her to the ER and we're back in the hospital again. Here it is Sunday (got her here Sat. morning) and she is still bleeding. Needed two units of blood and they gave her a new IV med to try and stop the bleeding. They just don't know where for sure it's coming from but are still thinking the diverticulitis. I wish they could get this figured out. Not sure how much longer Mom can take this cycle of losing blood...receiving blood...etc.

Oh no! Prayers for you and Mom, Janet.

They have just GOT to figure this bleeding out. Your mom (and you) must be so absolutely sick of this. I just can't believe it!

I feel the same way. I can't believe they will keep discharging her without knowing what's wrong! Why not keep her and figure it out instead of sending her away and having her come back time after time... I know how stressful it is on you Janet to always be worrying about her, but at least if she stayed in the hospital she'd be monitored and in capable hands. I am praying for you and your mom.

Is it extremely serious? I know some people had to have surgery to figure out the cause. You mention diverticulitis have they done a CT scan. Normally people with diverticulitis have high blood pressure. But I am nowhere an expert. I'm guessing if they keep discharging her it's not alarming.

You should tell them to keep her until they figure out whats wrong. Atleast you will be able to rest knowing she's around professionals. More positive energy your way.

From what they are saying if it the diveticulitis....it can bleed like the dickens and then stop and they would not be able to figure out where it's coming from if it's not bleeding...I just don't know why they won't go in while she's bleeding. I'm so tired of all this crap...the ups and downs and worries. Mom being sad and crying and then today....she is being a real butt now that she has had two units of blood yesterday. Feeling better and wanting to eat, buy they have her on a full liquid diet. Hopefully the Dr. will be in soon and change that to mech. soft or normal. She was so hungry/mad that she was crying and now won't eat. If she can't have what she wants...she's not eating.

I want to go home during this storm....but if I was home....I know I would worry about her being here. Just don't know what to do......I'm beginning to get really angry myself.

Tough situation but you know that you'd want to be with your Mom. Hopefully they'll get her some food and she'll settle down. You probably need to remind her that they're only doing things for her own good. Hugs!!!

They finally let Mom have normal food again. She is being nice again and not so trying AND she apologized. Wonders never cease do they... :) The Dr. came in and said that it's just too dangerous for people with heart failure to go under and (excuse me) up the rectum. Is that true Gayle? They did the sigmoidoscopy and didn't find anything last week and went 'up'. I just don't even know what to ask anymore and it's even worse when I can't remember exactly what they tell me.

Well, I'm not sure what they propose to do since they (ahem) went "up" last week. It is true that anesthesia is not good for people with heart failure - but they've got to do something to find out how to stop the bleeding. Ask him if they can't do THAT, what CAN they do to find out what is causing the bleeding?????

I hope the doctors can find what's causing the bleeding. She surely can't go on like she has been. That's a big concern!!

My grandma was in her late 80's and they perform an endoscope procedure on her. I think if they have a good anesthisiologist, and a good gastrointestinal surgeon she should be good to go. Maybe you need a second opinion to see if they can perform the colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. They must not be to worry if they can't find a solution. Hopefully they won't plan on doing those procedures when she's too weak to handle them :mad:

So sorry your going through this, but I agree with Gayle they have to find a way to stop the bleeding.

They've already performed the colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy and didn't find anything. With all that is wrong....kidney failure and heart failure...they just don't have many more options to try I guess.

Can you get someone else to go talk to the doctor with you? It is so hard to remember what they say, or what to ask, when you're so stressed out? Maybe you can make an appointment to speak with her doctor and get more info? Make a list of questions too, if you do that.

Great idea Judy....we have a couple of follow up appts coming soon so I need to start making a list of questions.

Janet, are you home yet?

Yes...I'm so sorry. I came home on Thursday and Mom is with us. She did not want to go back to the nursing home. She was only there for 4 days, but didn't sleep a night. So...we have all her things here. She has slept both nights really well and eating better too. Mom has to use a walker because she is still weak and wobbley. She's getting better at handling it.

It's been easier for me to hook her up at night too...she can no longer do it herself until her strength is built back up. The home nurse came Friday and did a thorough visit. The physical therapist is coming next week. So far...just a couple days...it's been easier on me and I'm sleeping better. She still wants to go home and as soon as the weather is good and the sidewalks clear...I will take her home to visit her house. She misses it terribly, but knows she can't live alone. I will do my best for her and she knows it, but when it gets to be too much then she knows what will need to be done. I've made it very clear without making it a threat. I love my Mom and I've really enjoyed growing closer to her.

Janet I'm so glad your Mom is with you. I know how hard this is for her and for you as well. I think about you often and I say a little prayer for you and your Mom. I know how much you love her. I'm sure you remember the last several months that my Dad was with us, we stayed the whole time with him and Mom.
I hope that your Mom gets stronger soon and is able to at least go and visit her house. But for now, she is so much better off being there with you.:)

Janet, I just got a chance to get online to check on you. My wireless router croaked and I couldn't get to town for another one because of the weather.

I'm glad your mom is with you and you are both comfortable. I begged to bring my mom home with me after her stroke, but she needed medical care that I just couldn't supply. So I spent LOTS of time at the nursing home every day. I know it's a crazy, stressful time for you. Just hang in there! Love ya:)

Janet, I know it is so much easier with your mom at your house. I'm glad she is there. You ask for help though, when you need it. Don't try to do everything yourself!

Janet, glad to hear you are home again, i hope things are going better for your mom and you. I'm sure it is much easier on you both with her being there.

Sorry i haven't called you, just been crazy here with the weather, we'll talk soon.

This sounds like a good thing, Janet. You are both sleeping better, so it must be so much less stressful. It sounds like the perfect solution for right now. You both need to be together because love makes everything better.