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September 29, 2006
Jerrall-
Is it possible two have in a row? Except today started at 3 am at first
Debbie was throwing everything in the floor, blankets, pillows and
even her pulse/ox sensor. Debbie was flipping out she did not know
where she was and who I was. Debbie’s vital signs are great but
cognitively she has no ideal what is happening. I went and got Amber
and wanted her to see Debbie because for the first time Debbie was
scaring me. Also this is the first time Debbie has pushed me away, hit
me just at the right time and pulled the suction wand from my had.
The more I talked to Debbie the madder she became. For sure
Ambian is not a sleeping pill for Debbie instead a wake up med. I got
in bed with Debbie and rolled her on her side and after an hour of
talking Deb began to relax and trust me. Every thing was ok until
some thing clicked again and Debbie started kicking and hitting
again. It was like she had no idea all who I was or what was going on.
I hurried and got Deb dressed and up in her wheel chair with Debbie
kicking and fighting all the way to the living room. Debbie was still mad
but seam to calm down once I started a movie for her. By now it is 5
am so I got Deb’s meds and formula and eat breakfast. The only extra
med I gave Deb was 2 mg diazepam to help relax. Now at 6:30 am
Debbie will hold my hand so she does not stay mad for long thank
goodness. It will take a few more days for me to find out to use this
need med to Debbie’s advantage. No more ambian at night again two
nights in a row I have taught me some thing. NOTE when Debbie is
under ambian her arms pull out with no tone. Debbie can even can
move or turn her neck like normal.
I talked to the rehab doctor Monday and she said Debbie was not
locked in or prescient state it just takes years to evolve from a coma I
just need patients and that we are doing every thing possible it just
takes time.
This morning was really scary all wives get mad but I have never seen
Deb like this. Grandma says what is best for Deb may not best what
we want for Debbie. I wonder what to do. With the ambian we know
the connection is there but how to balance it. Debbie has taught me
patients if nothing else.
Debbie finally went to sleep this morning for most of the day. Over the
next week time will tell. If Deb can not get over the fear of life now thing
could get worst fast. When Deb was in a coma is was easy to take
care of her but know it is a three person job.
Also today I have learned the as Debbie wakes up there is a lot of
changes that will take place.
Amber-
Mom was awake at 1 am and I was talking with her. I asked her to talk
a deep breath and she did. She did everything I asked her to do. I
asked her to take a breath through her nose and she closed her
mouth and flared her nose as she took in a breath. I have never seen
her do this. wow
Mom was so alert and wild all night. She slept from 8 am to 2 pm, she
was so worn out. When she woke up we began working on things. I
held up a picture of dad, Krystal, and myself. Each time she clearly
mouthed our names. When I held up her picture, I asked her “who is
this?” she pointed at herself. How cleaver is that? I love it.
Later on I asked mom to blow on a party favor. The favor did not blow
out but she puckered her lips around the pipe and took a deep breath
to blow. I could hear how hard she was blowing air out of her lungs.
She did this 5 times in a row with out taking her lips off the pipe. This
is a first also, I have never seen her blow out this hard and this many
times.
September 28, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie woke up at 4 am today vary alert, so it is so close to breakfast
time I thought why not eat and even try 5 mg of ambient maybe it
would help Deb to go back to sleep. Debbie has never had ambient
before and instead of helping her rest Deb was on like I have never
seen her before. I am so tired I laid on a mat and with Debbie in her
chair right beside of me I could hold her right arm and take cat naps
and still know if Deb moves. By 8 am we are watching a DVD what
women want and Debbie is watching it like it is her first time. If I get in
front of her Deb pushes me away and then shakes her thumb at me.
Even I get the message. At 9 am Velma gets here and I get a chance
to lie down and Velma gets to see Debbie like never before. During
therapy for the first time ever Debbie tries to eat the rocks.
Debbie never got tired all day and when Ruth the nurse came by to
discharge Debbie and Deb shook her hand good by.
Amber-
I was told that mom was so on and did all her therapies. When she
was to put small rocks into the bowl she put them in her mouth. She
was trying to eat them.
September 27, 2006
Amber-
Mom had a good day she communicated with me well. In speech class
mom focused well on the pictures of the family. She also did the
standing frame for 15 minutes. I had a great day with you today mom.
September 26, 2006
Amber-
Tonight after mom’s shower, she lifted her head off of the pillow like
old times. She does this so I can dry under her hair. I love it. I then
put face moisturizer on and she rubbed it in on each spot that I was.
Fantastic.
September 25, 2006
Amber-
This morning mom seemed to tire easy from exercise. We did the
standing from for 11 minutes and she did well. Tonight mom was very
on. She was lying down and I asked for a hug and she put her arm
around me. I asked her if she was ok, she shook her head yes. We
communicated for awhile. She is calm and good
September 24, 2006
Amber-
Mom is counting to 5 on her right hand 2 times. We started doing
kitchen flashcards, she did great. Mom and I watched a movie and
held hands.
September 22, 2006
Jerrall-
Last night Debbie sleet from 12:30 am until 8 am. Still Debbie
coughed a few times but Debbie’s oxygen level never went below 97%
which is great. This morning I changed Deb’s depends at 3:30 am
and it was 4:30 am when I finished get all of Debs braces back on and
Deb never woke up the whole time. When it was 6 am this morning I
over slept instead of feeding Deb. Yesterday was once in a while Deb
got to eat at 6 am on time. Amber was only home Wednesday this
whole week and I have not slept in 5 days. Some thing is going to
have to change.
This morning Deb was not as stiff as the past few mornings. But her
whole left side was wet from sweating. We know Deb is going though
thru the change of life for the last 2 years but I wonder if this was hot
flashes. Any way Deb’s hair was wet also. So Debbie got new dry
cloths and we started are day. No extra med at breakfast but after an
hour of jumping and Deb’s feet drawn into a c. I check blood pressure
it was 135/99 with a pulse 115. So I gave Deb 10 mg Propranolol, 2
mg diazepam, ½ klonopin and 25 mg Dantrium. I knew after these
meds Deb will be in a coma in her chair for several hours. Thankfully
Deb had no therapy today. Some time extra meds are needed to
brake a cycle. It took an hour but finally Deb’s pulse and pressure
started coming down. Still at 3 pm Deb is clam in her chair. As I look
over at Deb she is pulling on her lips so I need to check it out.
September 21, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie slept from midnight until 9 am this morning. And with the extra
sleep I got during the Day yesterday this morning I had the strength to
fed Deb at 6am. Debbie did require 6 to 7 times of oral suction but it
was from going to the dentist. After I got Deb up the day flew by.
After dressing, oral care, and eating early it was time for OT Anna
Marie to come. The session was just ok Deb is still weak from the UTI.
Mainly setting balance was what they worked on. Deb was on today
but vary tired.
This afternoon Deb and Myself worded on teeth, and washing Deb’s
face well. Yesterday Deb had no extra meds and even today no extra
meds but today I see withdrawal issues and it will 2 or 3 weeks to get
over the meds changes.
Amber-
Today mom went to her friend’s house. She have her a facial. Mom
seems to be having saliva issues the past few nights.
September 20, 2006
Amber-
We had a great day. In speech class mom put her glasses back in
place after the therapist put them half on and half off. Mom
concentrated on the family pictures well she said. Mom did sit to stand
with me great today. Mom was mouthing words today, how great to
see her do this again.
September 18, 2006
Jerrall-
What a day this has been. The best news is Debbie’s lung x-ray
looked good and the Doctor or lung specialist said considering the
damage to Deb left rib cage and she doesn’t move around on her own
it looks like Deb is back to her baseline since 4/4/03. He said Deb did
not need to come back unless her oxygen stats drop which sounds
great to me. Also today Deb got her picc line removed which is a
dream come true. To keep Debbie from holding her right arm so tight
I have been putting 10 lb leg weights on her wrist to let gravity do it
job. The nurse Ruth said Deb’s test was so clear that Deb did not
have any host or colony inside.
Last night we did not get Deb to bed until 1 am since we did a shower
so late. Deb went to sleep but a ½ hour later she wet her depends
which cause her pulse to jump to 105 to 115. Needless to say Debbie
did not go back to sleep until 4 am. But the good thing was Debbie
got to sleep in until 11 am. But I had to wake her up get dressed and
to Deb’s appointment in only 1 hour. I know this does not make Deb
happy to rush her and she has not talked or had anything to do with
the rest of the day. No extra meds today but the withdrawal has made
Deb’s tremors worst the last few days.
Another great thing happened when we were in the waiting room a
man 74 years old came over and talked to Deb and said he had a
motorcycle accident 50 years ago and talk about Deb keep trying it
took him 10 years to get back to work. He had to learn to walk again,
shallow and a new way to thing. He was an interesting man to listen
to. If it did not give Debbie new hope it made me think in a different
way. We got home by 2:30 pm and speech came before I could give
Debbie her lunch. Then as speech left the RN came to remove the
picc line. Deb got lunch at 5:30 pm. Then restpertory came during
lunch was over to drop off some equipment. Debbie blood pressure is
better now the picc line has been removed. I pray Deb sleeps
tonight
September 17, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie did not sleep at all last night and no suction needed and Deb
did not give me any problem Deb just laid there looked at the ceiling.
Krystal and I got Deb to bed by midnight and with extra meds but Deb
would not go to sleep. Debbie’s oxygen level was 98 % all night but
her pulse was 95 to 105 that picc line that did not get removed this
weekend and is causing a lot of pain or anxiety. Any way Deb won’t
sleep with her pulse this high and no meds make a difference.
Hopefully to morrow the picc line will be in Debbie’s past. I got to sleep
a little but it was in Deb’s bed bend up like a pretzel.
All day today Debbie has not needed any extra meds and still does
not appear tired. Krystal came home this weekend from college and
after breakfast we took Debbie to home depot. Debbie appeared to
really be looking a round and enjoyed getting out. Deb’s pulse has
still been high all day telling me she has some pain some where.
Soon we need to be able to communicate so Deb can have a better
quality of life. I am a good guesser by now but I never get it on the
first try. We were looking for things for Krystal’s dorm room. All the
other girls have their rooms finished but with Debbie I have only be
there twice since school started. I wanted to get her a refrigerator
because Krystal eat a lot of fruit and healthily Debbie took great care
of the girls and even had me eating no dairy, little bread and meat was
a bad word. No fast food and this like style keep all of use extra
healthy. Also I wanted Krystal to get her pictures up on the walls.
Tonight since Deb did not sleep last night she is still weaker from
being sick and is having trouble holding her head up so we stayed
home to night and Amber went with Krystal to help move everything
around. They did not get finished so I will have to find time in the next
couples of day to help Krystal finish.
It is interesting to see Krystal wanted to come home and help Debbie
this weekend instead of being like most collage kids. Debbie raised
two young women that any parent would be proud of. But they both
need to be young as much as they can instead of being 40 years all
the time. We do not talk about it much but by there actions they miss
there mom so much and it hurts me knowing I can change thing no
matter what I do. THANKS GIRLS I wish I did not need so much help.
Today at home depot Debbie grabbed a cart and pulled it ten feet
before I could get it out of her hands. To night Deb is whispering
name, hers, the girls and even mine.
Debbie is more cognitive now than last week but not like 2 months
ago. Also Deb gets tired after only 10 to 15 minutes of an activity. It
is the best feeling as Deb is making progress but this is the first to be
sick and go back to the hospital and it is worst feeling than when
Debbie had her accident. Tonight was shower night and it is 1 am and
Debbie is still a sleep. But pulse is down to78.
September 14, 2006
Amber-
I came home tonight from school and mom was doing great. I said
hello and she looked right at me. I smiled and so did she. I asked if
she had a good day and she shook her head yes.
Jerrall-
Last night Deb slept well with no extra meds and no oral suction
needed at all. Every time I would check Deb’s pulse it was getting
higher and higher from 78 which is normal to the upper 90’s which tell
me Deb is having pain as her bed time meds are wearing off. But Deb
remained a sleep even when I changed her depends. But at 8 am I
had my hand on Deb bed and I felt it moving like never before. At this
point I have learned to sleep to where if Deb moves I know it. Deb was
not having a seizure but some thing was wrong the faster I could get
her out of that bed the better for Debbie it would be. It did not take a
minute to get Deb up no pants or any thing. The pain could be from
the picc line or from the three chips off her tail bone that have not
been removed any way once in the chair the jumping got better. First
thing I checked Deb’s blood pressure and it was high at 145/98 with a
pulse of 105. For the past week Deb started with a low pulse in the
mornings and got higher as the day pasted then I gave her 10 mg
Propranolol like last night. But this morning we started with Propranolol
and in 1 hour Deb’s pressure was 110/75 and pulse of 87. The rest of
the day no extra meds were needed and Debbie was calm the rest of
the day. Nothing is never the same and the need for meds change
hour from hour. If I am not there 24/7 where would Deb be in a drug
induced coma.
OT Anna Marie came today and worked with Deb at the dinning room
table. She appeared to be happy to see all she had to work with. Deb
held her head up by her self and practiced writing or at least was
holding the crayon and making marks. At one point Deb used to write
are names but the right hand tremor makes it harder now. Deb put all
the rings on the tree it was hard and great at the same time to watch
Debbie even though Deb had a hard time Deb and Anna Marie never
gave up. Debbie’s will and the patents of the therapist have Got
Debbie this far. I see Debbie fight with every thing she does and it is
hard not to step in and help her. I still can not help carry Debbie when
she needs to transfer on her own. Today was not the best session
but better than the last one. One small step at a time but do we really
under stand what that means?
PT Brain came today also and Debbie did so much better and did not
get tired as fast. Still Brain is talking about out patent because they
have a Lite Gate which would help Debbie to stand or even walk if at
all possible. I told Brian Deb used this equipment Last month in rehab
but when you want to use this equipment there is a great need and
you have to take turns so Deb might only get to us it once a week. It
is a $6700 piece of equipment so I will have to find a way to get the
funding but this would give Debbie the opportunity to use the Lite
Gate several times a day every day and it is the fast way to use her
legs and maybe the only way for Deb to learn to use her legs. I have
put a lot of though into this and time will tell. Brian Thank You so
much for every thing you have made possible. When I met you I
though you was going to teach me to use a Hoyer lift and now Debbie
is doing pivot transfers.
Tonight is shower night and Amber just got home so I think Deb will
sleep great again tonight or hope so. It has been a full day and
Debbie still has the picc line in but at least the meds are done for
now. Tonight after the shower Debbie’s blood pressure was over 150
again and pulse of 101 so extra meds were required. Debbie is extra
calm and stats are great lets all pray for sweet dreams.
September 13, 2006
Jerrall-
Today I feel like a part of me died. Krystal told me the other day her
mother died when she was 15 years old and I did not know how to
respond. Going through the last three years has been the hardest
yet. It is easy to say some things but do we really understand want it
means. Being with Debbie so much I had learned what to do
depending on what some one else wants. Going from recovery to just
living thru the night and then back and for so many times in the last
three months it make me question what is fair or best for Debbie. The
last job on earth I want is to try to be god if that makes any since.
Debbie did not sleep all night last night. Deb did not give me any
problems she just laid there staring at the ceiling and holding on to my
hand. As long as Deb was not jumping or hurting I did not want to give
any extra meds. Speech said today Deb was more cognitive today
than Monday and I know meds make a difference.
I was finally able to get Deb to sleep around 6 am but only by getting
into bed with Deb. I did not push my self on her but before I knew it
Deb put her right leg over mine. It did not take long for Deb to go to
sleep. Deb’s bed is so narrow I have to lie on my side to fit in this
bed. Amber woke me up at 9 am and said I had to get Deb up and
keep day and night not turned around. But Amber I just got Deb a
sleep. Amber is all that keeps me going. Alone I do not even know
what day it is. Several times today Deb reached out and grabbed me
still to remind me she is still inside and she understands who I am.
She knows when I am sad or tired. As long as Debbie keeps trying.
Today Debbie has had less meds no more antibiotics and has been a
lot calmer. Still the picc line is in her Debs right arm but a lot of things
have been better today. The nurse came today and got samples and
every thing looked great but we all have to wait until next week to see
what the doctors say. Until then I will discontinue the meds slower so
we can have the real Debbie back. Although the day yesterday Deb’s
blood pressure keep raising so by bed time it was 148/ 98 so I gave
Deb Propranolol. Hopefully tonight Deb will not need extra meds.
A while ago while I was making so notes about today Debbie put her
chin down on her chest and I checked her pants and she was wet. We
are learning some type of communication now if we can learn before
she needed to go. That sounds like I am never satisfied, I am trying.
We are getting ready for bed so every night it takes 20 minutes to
clean Deb’s mouth so she can breathe thru the night. Still I am glad to
have this time with Deb.
Amber-
Great news mom did therapy today. She let her right arm out when I
wanted to stretch it. She did sit to stand transfers 3 times with me.
She sat on the edge of the mat for a few minutes with me. She shook
her head yes and no to me and the speech therapist. Mom
communicated well with the speech therapist today great, she has not
since the picc line was put in. This is all great news. Even if mom has
some hard times today, it is her best therapy day since the insertion of
the picc. I must study for 2 test in the morning or other wise I would go
on and on about her good times.
September 12, 2006
Jerrall-
Last night Deb got good sleep stats stayed 98% and 78 pulse vary
little suction needed. When Deb went to sleep her blood pressure
was 152/ 94 so I gave her 10 mg Propranolol and this is why she slept
so well. But at the same time Deb was not with us today. Deb did not
wake up until 10 am which is different. At 9 am with Deb in bed and a
sleep I gave her the last dose of IV antibiotics but when I went it was
done and I flushed it with Heparin and Deb woke up it was like it
burned or something.
Tomorrow the nurse is coming to take blood and urine samples and
then it will take three days to know if the infection is gone. I pray the
test are on time and negative or positive does not matter it is the
unknown that worries me.
Since Deb woke up she has been jumping and holding her right arm
close to her chest as if it hurts very much. When Brian PT came this
afternoon Debbie was going crazy neither one of us could get Deb’s
right shoe on. Deb did sitting balance for 10 minutes with Brian then
collapsed on Brian shoulder. Deb is weaker from this UTI than when
she was in the hospital last month. Monday I will take Deb to the lung
doctor for x-rays and reexamine. Can not wait hope time goes fast for
Deb and me also? I have heard of TBI set backs but Deb has not
every been sick in 3 ½ years. This infection has taken years of work
away but I know Deb is strong and will regain her loses in a shorter
time than this. With this picc line Deb can not use her right arm at all
and this is her only limb that Deb can normally control. Again living on
faith our glass is half full. Today I started decreasing meds but to get
back to where Deb was will take 3 or 4 weeks if all tests come back
clear. Still would not trade this time for any thing hope Deb feels the
same way.
Today was in the 70’s and we spent so time on the screen porch but
Deb had trouble holding her self up in her wheel chair so I reclined her
back and did a lot of massage. At one point Deb grabbed my finger
just to let me know she was inside and this was her only to
communicate.
Deb is getting better we are all just tired but this is better than being in
the hospital. Thanks for every ones support it does make a
difference.
September 11, 2006
Amber-
Mom practiced the hand bike and did 4 rounds. Then she gave and
took golf balls to dad. She rather put them in his hand instead of the
bowl.
September 10, 2006
Jerrall-
Another Sunday but Sundays are getting easier if you stay busy.
Sunday is the day to clean teeth and mouth. Do finger nails, wash
face and do treatment. Restock every where for next week. Give Deb
a little special time together set outside or go to the mall. Sunday is a
day for Debbie to get out and do some different with no therapy.
Last night I got Deb to bed around midnight but it was 2 am when I
finished meds, formula, braces, and breathing treatment. Amber
always says how slow I have gotten. Before you can put braces on
some times you have to rub or stretch Deb’s muscles until they will fit.
With out the braces Deb would have contractions and not able to use
her limbs.
Debbie went right to sleep with extra meds that Deb needs to
recovery. Always unless there is a problem when Deb is a sleep the
oxygen level is 98% on Deb’s own and her pulse is 78. To have this
type of equipment is such a blessing and I can sleep better. At 4:30
am Debbie quit breathing and her pulse went to the high 90’s. I
checked and Debbie had went #1 again and after I took off all the
braces and got Deb cleaned up and braces back on Deb was a sleep
again with reading 98% / 78. With this urine infection every 4 hours
Deb has to go potty and she acts like it burns. Tuesday will be the
last day for the antibiotics. Debbie got up at 9 am so only little sleep
at a time. With the extra meds Debbie has been calmer today but will
not try to talk to me.
With Krystal off to school we do not us the dining room any more so
today I laid out all of Deb therapy things for OT. Over three and a half
years it is over whelming to me. Debbie at one time or another has
used these things but with the tremor in her right hand some things will
have to learn to use in a different way.
Wooden puzzles, magnetic letters, numbers and a cookie sheet. Play
money and coins, blow out party favors, candles, flash cards and a
communication board. Deb touches a picture and it says the word out
loud in Krystal’s voice. A big Mac switch, tongue depressor, tongue
nook frozen lemon swabs, a bell and a big key keyboard for the
computer. Paper, finger paint, crayons, markers, pen on a base plate.
A preschool shapes box, plastic cups, rocks, practice golf balls, tennis
balls. A tree with 5 pegs and 15 rings, a push pull box on a slide,
pedals like on a bicycle except for arm exercises. A wedge to make it
easier to work on, towels, wash clothes. Hand weights, strap on leg
and arm weights. Shaving cream Deb will not clean a surface if it is not
dirty. E-Stem to keep muscles strong and rewire what they are
supposed to do. This is mainly for OT.
Amber-
Tonight we all watched home videos. We all had so much fun.
September 8, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie slept last night some but it was different. Debbie’s pulse was
92 to 105 all night. Oxygen stats good but extra secretions also. I did
2 breathing treatments during the night. At 5 am when Deb went #1
and it must have burned because it woke Deb up and with excessive
tone. I got Deb fixed up and gave Deb a breathing treatment. It was
so close to daylight I decided to give Deb her morning meds and
formula. When I came back in the room Debbie was a sleep but I went
ahead with the plan. Debbie slept until 11:30 am this morning which is
great. All night long Debbie would stop breathing for a moment and
then start back needless to say I was up often. A couple of nights ago
and tonight Deb’s oxygen level was great 98% but instead of Deb’s
pulse being 78 like always it would go 95 to 105. This tells me pain on
some thing is different. The doctor only wants me to chart every two
hours but when I chart Deb every 15 minutes I know when Deb
sneezes or yawns. I feel better able to help Debbie if I know what’s
going on. This morning after Debbie ate I sat on the screen porch
and had a cup of coffee before I went back inside. I miss so many
thing of our past life with Debbie.
Today I slept in while Amber was with Deb and OT and later nursing.
Today feels like 2 days. I now have Deb’s meds for rest instead of
rehab. It is amazing how meds affect Debbie. It will take a couple of
weeks to get all of the bad meds out of Debbie’s system. And to think
last week Debbie was trying to talk.
The past few days Deb and I have been watching old home movies. I
can NOT BELIEAVE WHAT I HAVE LOST. Also how lucky I am to have
this time with Debbie. Debbie seamed to be vary interested in our
past and no tears this time. Thank ever one for your continued
support. Debbie is trying hard as she can to over come these
issues.
September 7, 2006
Jerrall-
Today before Ambers class she stopped by Debbie’s primary care
doctor to get a first answer to some questions I have. The first thing
this is not going to kill Debbie as long as it stays in her urine and more
than that only time will tell.
Today with PT Brian during the session Debbie collapsed on Brian
chest only after 2 times of standing. Debbie is very weak and tired
session over and rest required.
With Debbie’s meds so high rest is about all she can do. Debbie is
getting better with the pic line but she can get it out the end of next
week if every thing goes right.
I have noticed more secretions today this is new.
September 6, 2006
Amber-
Mom seems to be calmer today and has not had lots of meds to take
the edge off. She has not had more than normal from 10 am to 8 pm.
This is good. Today she would let me stretch her right arm out. She
did have a few times where she was upset and uncomfortable, but the
day was much better. I did slide transfers today, one time we did a sit
to stand. She helped more than she has in a few days. I was very
excited. She was alert 3 times today. She is hanging in there and
getting better every day. I love you mom.
Jerrall-
Today I finally found out the type of infection Debbie has is Kelbsiella
pneumoniae in the urinary tract. Primary care doctor is working with
the hospital infection doctors. Together they know what is best for
Debbie. I am so thankful we can do IV treatments at home. Debbie
has no fever or symptoms this is just a precaution step.
September 5, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie is at home and doing well just not enough time for everything.
Thank you all for your support.
Amber-
Mom is having trouble being comfortable with the picc line in her right
arm. PT said to hold her therapies while it is in. We can still do range
of motion. She does not want to straighten her right arm out. She is
having trouble doing sit to stand in practice or transfers. She was not
able to hold herself up in the standing frame. When she gets feeling
better she will get her strength back. I think it is more that the picc
line bothers her. She has been through so much and always comes
out on top. She will do great as each day comes.
September 4, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie slept great last night with extra meds and was still able to do
therapy today. I could tell Deb was not willing to interact as usual. Deb
closed her eyes ½ way thought speech session not tired but leave me
alone it appeared. This morning I laid in bed with Deb stretching her
legs over mine for about 1.5 hours. Debbie is getting better or less
sore about pic line. No suction needed last night and oxygen stats
98% or above on her own. Pulse 78 which is normal base line. I went
back to sleep 9:30 am until 1:30 pm while Amber did therapy this was
a vary long weekend.
6 pm Debbie’s vitals were good with no extra meds.
97.4 temp under right arm
127/89 blood pressure
84 pulse
99% oxygen level on her own
Right foot small tremor
Right hand medium tremor but fist tight
Setting in chair watching TV
6 pm formula, water, and extra ½ mg Klonopin, extra 25 mg Dantrium
Debbie still at 8 pm has strong tremor in right arm where pic line is.
Amber-
Mom was feeling better today, but the pic line still bothers her. She
fell asleep before speech got here so she did not do much in that
class. When the OT came mom got to use the hand bike. Mom did 12
rounds with her right hand with help after practice. Tonight when I was
drying her hair I asked her to lift her head up so I could dry the back
side. She did lift her head, she does this from time to time it is great.
September 3, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie slept 5 hours last and got up 8:30am. No suctioned. We did IV
and breathing treatment in bed. Amber and I gave Debbie a shower
tonight. Today was a lot better day.
September 2, 2006
Jerrall-
Today is Saturday and Amber is with Debbie so I can go to Krystal’s
dorm and put her bed frame together. Krystal has been waiting two
week for me to have time and not be too tired to drive safely. Today
was a sad day at Krystal’s every time I look at Krystal she reminds me
so much of Debbie. Debbie would be so proud of the girls and I never
know the right thing to say. All three of us miss Debbie so much and
each of us deal with it differently. It is so hard to see your mom
jumping or having trouble breathing and know you can not do
anything about it.
Debbie slept all day today until 7:30 pm and I got home at 8:30 pm.
Amber was late to go to dinner but she did not complain. Debbie is so
tight and drawn and swollen on both sides. Right hand tremor the
worse and mouth the least.
9 pm Deb still tight no matter how much I work with her.
30 mg Elavil
2 mg Diazepam
¼ mg klonopin
150 cc water
We watched Mrs. Dough fire 100% oxy / 90 pulse still
jumping like crazy
11 pm 10 mg Propranolol
25 mg Dantrium still jumping
11:30pm Debbie went # 1 and I checked her bottom and it is ok
Midnight Debbie is still in her chair 97%oxy/81pulse and tremors are
getting better.
12:30am Started breathing treatment
97.4 Under right arm
99% oxygen level on her own
77 pulse
122/72 blood pressure
1am got Debbie to bed
1:20 am 100mg Trazodone and ½ klonopin
2 am Deb almost a sleep
3 am Deb a sleep I think it is safe for me to lay down for a while
Extra meds 30mg Elavil
2mgdiazepam
25mg Dantrium
10mg Propranolol
1/4mg klonopin
And breathing treatment
Lone hard day. It took 5 hours and all of these to calm Debbie down
September 1, 2006
Jerrall-
Long night and today Debbie is jumping more than ever and we can
only increase meds over days not hours. Now we have the pic line
and now we are told we will have to pay for the meds which is ok but
all of this should have been timed better. What if we did not have the
money and Debbie went through all of this and then I guess we would
have to put Debbie back in the hospital. So it was 9 pm before the
nurse got here to start the IV. Amber and I were so nerves we were
disagreeing on everything. Debbie is jumping so bad the nurse said
take Debbie back to the ER if things do not get better tonight.
Tonight I was able to increase meds again so Debbie went to sleep
around midnight. Amber and I were up with Debbie again around 3
am more meds needed. Hardest day in a long time.
Amber-
Well mom did not feel well today after having the pick line procedure
last night. Mom did not go to sleep at all last night. She was very on
today though. She whispered a lot and did great on the flash cards.
She did a lot of pointing. Last on she was laying on the mat and we
showed her a flash card with Krystal’s name on it. I said what is this
work and she pointed to the right at Krystal. Krystal was standing right
beside her. Mom pointed to me on her left when my name was
shown. I was laying beside her holding the cards in front of her. We
asked her to hold 2 fingers up and she did. Then we asked her to
give us a thumbs up, she did. Tonight was wild when mom had to get
her next dose of antibiotics. Her arm is getting used to having the line
there. She should feel better soon. Hard day but a great day.