Mom Hasn't Been Well

[Janet]

For the last couple of weeks, Mom hasn't been feeling well. She is still very wobbley and gets so out of breath that she has to stop whatever she's doing and rest after a few minutes.

I got a call about 10:30 from Mom's Dr. in town. She said Mom needed to go to the hospital in Lafayette (20-25 minute drive) and wasn't doing well, but refused an ambulance. I had Ricky drive me in...Mom was so white. Got her to the car and to Lafayette Clarion ER.

They did an EKG and took vials of blood. Found that Mom has a urine infection. Her hemoglobin should be around 11 or 12 and hers is 8.6 which means she's losing blood again. Same symptoms of being weak, out of breath, etc. Her right hip has arthritis in it and is hurting her more often and more severe. The Dr. also said that whatever test they ran for her congestive heart failure was 1200 and should be around 100 or less? They just were not sure what Mom's should be along with the kidney dialysis and all the fluid that goes through her.

While waiting on the test results...I went home to get the bus and run the bus route and when I was done with that.....drove back to the hospital.

The Dr. called in a prescription for antibiotic...a Zpac and Apap codiene for her hip pain. I get Mom home and run to Wal Mart to pick up her prescriptions. I went straight in and straight out..didn't have to wait. I guess they started calling my name over the intercom and my husband was there so they saw him and called him aside saying the Dr. called in the wrong meds for Mom. Well she already took them for the evening. The Dr. doesn't want her to take the Zpac, but to take something called Levoquin or something like that. It's suppose to be stronger for a urine infection whereas the Zpac wouldn't do as much good.

So on Monday, I need to take her back to Lafayette to see her kidney dr. and hopefully they'll be able to tell us more. We'll also be able to see if Mom's hemoglobin has gone down anymore. She's going to have to wait till then and be miserable because they won't give her blood until it's at 7.

To top it all off.....we're suppose to have snow tomorrow. Can I move to a warmer climate yet?

[gja1000]

Janet, I'm so sorry all this is going on with you and your mom. It is so hard when our parents get older and have health problems. You must be exhausted with all that running.

The heart test is called BNP and it is to test for heart failure. 1200 is really high, but she may run high due to her kidney problems (probably not that high though).

Look on the bright side, this may keep her home for the winter!

[lynne b]

Janet, I'm sorry to hear your mom is not feeling well, I hope the Dr can get all of her levels figured out and get her back on track. Also hope the meds help for the UTI and arthritis.

My mom is on her 2nd antibiotic for a UTI also, so i know what you are going through.

You be careful if you have to go out in the snow, will talk with you soon.

[Janet]

Called Mom this morning and she said she is no better...still really shaky. I tried to get her to come out here, but she said no. Said she needed her dialysis at night....I told her I knew that, but I could bring everything out to my house for a few nights...it's no trouble at all. She said no. So wanna guess who won??? LOL. She'll be the boss till she's gone I guess. Her way..or no way.

It is really hard when our parents health starts failing and there are a few of us on here going through just that. I know I can speak for all of us that we appreciate Gayle's help so much. Gayle your help in getting us to understand better what the Drs tell us is priceless...in my case, I don't know what I would do without you.

[DianaB]

Janet, I'm sorry that you're going through all of this with your Mom. Maybe this will be a sign to her that she doesn't have any business going to Florida. I hope she gets well soon. Hugs!!!

[judy]

I am so sorry to hear that Mom is not doing well Janet! It is so hard on you too!
I always have you both in my heart and prayers.

You are so right about Gayle. Gayle, you really are a blessing to all of us!