And the weeks continue on.
I requested and received the current "care plan" for Mom from the nursing home. In it is a very brief note declaring "one on one care". And there in lies a story.
Mom now has had a personal attendant aide for going on three weeks. Surprise, surprise, no incidents reported, no conflicts reported, no issues reported at all. During this time Dad has had his first cataract surgery on one eye and he is doing just fine thank you with out any additional stress over Mother's care.
I visited Mom last week, I even took my camera and shot depressing images to add to my family history showing the changes she is going through. She did not look good at all. Her care continues at a positive high level. One on one is working, more on that in a moment. The vasculitis has continued to spread and she has under skin bleeding blotches on much of her left arm and portions of her legs. Her face is puffy and swollen and her chart refers to decreased kidney function. She is not in good shape.
When she saw me she started to cry and held my hand and repeated several times, "I want to go home" or "I just want to see Jesus". She was outside in the back patio of the facility with her dedicated nurse's aid. She was being wheeled about and she also pulls herself strongly with her feet on the ground in the directions she wants to go. She was rolled inside the dining room and what ever the moment had been outside, it was gone. She is completely unable to hold still, moving, pulling her chair, pushing backward, pushing her aide back into the nearest table. Pushing with surprising strength that seems to reflect her frustration at what ever is churning through her brain. The aide brought her back to me several times while I took some pictures and chatted with the employee. I thanked her for what she was doing in caring for Mother. She commented, "oh, is this one on one thing the final straw..." Seems the help may have heard of the meeting several weeks ago.
One of the nurses came over and gave Mom some medicine and another staff stopped by to say hi. Each and all seemed to think she has a wonderful spirit and is a joy when she is not running over toes in the hallway. I just sat and watched her. Tugging, pushing, pulling, reaching out to grab any table, chair, wall rail, anything to move herself in a direction. She was not the least interested that I was there after the first 20 seconds.
Care plan includes approval for the following drugs:
Primary medications:
Ativan, given morning and night, dose unknown.
Ativan is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines, Ativan affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Antidepressant:
Risperidone
Antipsychotic medication:
Risperidone
Pain medication:
Oxycodone
Corti-steroid:
Prednisone
Wegener's granulomatosis:
Cyclophosphamide
A nurse who I had not met before made a special detour into to the dining room to see us. She asked if I was Marjorie's son and I said yes. She commented, she talks of you and your brother Bill all the time.