Extra Meds, Extra Sleep

Mom was having a bit more pain in her sore shoulder, but also in the rest of her body due, in large part, to her becoming more inactive. She only leaves her bed to be moved to her beside toilet and some days we don’t even do that if she is tired or uncomfortable. So we have upped her Tylenol based pain medicine to help offset the increase in discomfort. That increase in medicines seems to be contributing to her sleepiness and, perhaps, indirectly, to some other issues which we are seeing, such as fewer bowel movements.

Mom’s fluid intake has picked up some, however. I don’t know if that is medicine related or if it is influenced by the extra warmth and sunshine that we have been experiencing. Either way, we will take it! We have even gotten her out on the deck in the warmth once or twice. She has truly enjoyed it and managed to indicate repeatedly how beautiful the view was as well as pointing out all of the flowers that we have planted in the boxes. We moved several of the potted plants down the deck and outside of her bedroom window to add more color to her view. Anything that stimulates her brain is fair game. We keep flowers in her room all the time, as she enjoyed them so much in the past and they still seem to elicit a response from her these days.

We had the 6 month visit with a Doctor from the Hospice program. We are at a point where they have to decide if we are renewed on the Hospice program for another two months or if they feel that Mom is not declining enough to remain on Hospice. I’ll update you when I know the outcome of the visit, but, if they remove us from the program, we will figure out how maintain the equipment that is making a difference for Mom and just carry on as best we can until we qualify once again for the program.  

Mom is still happy and comfortable and she smiles when I wake her in the morning for her medicines. She has mentioned off and on today that she is seeing something above her, that I am not seeing, but she falls back asleep before she can find words to tell me what it is. However, it makes her smile, so I’m good with it being there and won’t try to chase it away!