Kelly and Connie

Haven't heard from you both in awhile, and wondering how everything is going with your Moms. Let us know when you have a chance.

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

Freaked me out a little opening the page and all I see is Connie and my name instead of the usual page!!

Thanks for asking Jackie. This past week I called the Dr. from the psychiatric hospital to get his take on my mom doing so well with her speech and all. He reminded me that people with AD can fool even Dr.'s but when you are with them for a length of time you see what really goes on. Amber took all the littles with her to visit Mom and my mom still thinks the children are hers, but doesn't know their names. The Dr. said if she believes that she is "very confused." When he was talking it was like a light went on and I thought about all those Sunday mornings that my dad went through 2 hrs. of grief with my mom and then she went to church and smiled, looking beautiful and acted just fine. No one had a clue what he had been through. Now, Dad is seeing mom for 2 hrs. every other day or so and therefore he is not seeing what she is truly like. It is hard though when she remembers things, she speaks very well considering what she had been like. The Dr. said like Linda did, that it is part drugs and part environment. He reminded me that things that are NOT stresses to us are stresses to those with AD.

I haven't seen Mom for over a week because of my own very first UTI, but the girls have been several times and so has my dad. Amber actually took her out in the car yesterday to get her a perm which she has been asking for for weeks, that went well. Mom asked if the wedding took place, Amber told her yes, a while back, and that was that.

I did get a call this morning from the facility saying that Mom has been refusing her meds in the morning for about 5 days as well as several other days last week. The nurse called the Dr. to ask to have some meds reduced in dosage because she says she is listing to the left, but it is not apparent to anyone else, but she must feel that way. She has also complained of a headache to my dad. Seems that when she went back on the Premarin she complained of a headache, so I don't know if it is that. She is on Aricept, Namenda, Seroquel, Depakote, and Premarin, very low dose of Premarin. Any thoughts on what could be giving her the list or headache?

I was a bit frustrated because I had asked about the facilities policy concerning med. changes, or health issues and they asked me my preference. I said I would like to be the first one called before the Dr. The Dr. has already been faxed and called and I was the last to know all this. The med aid said she didn't know why the nurse didn't call me because there is a big note on the chart saying to call Kelly first. Hmmmm?

The med aid said she and another aid have tried everything to get Mom to take her meds in the morning to no avail, but she is taking the 2pm and 8 pm meds. The med aid has not noticed any changes in behavior with her being off the morning meds. After talking it over with her, I finally said, "Well, don't sweat it, try to get her to take them, if she won't don't worry about it." What else can we do? She seems to be holding her own with a lower dose, so I guess we will just see how it goes.

My dad feared this would happen, concerned that she will get violent with them and they will kick her out, but I think with the environment suiting her she will be okay for now. I trust so.

Okay, Connie, now your turn to give us an update.

~Kelly~

Kelly,

Well I do have to agree with the doctor about AD patients fooling people. When I take Mom to the doctor, you would never think anything is wrong with her. I think the people in the waiting room must think I'm a nut the way I answer Mom. And thank God her doctor knows better, as Mom puts on a real good show in front of her.

And when my husband and I are having a conversation about something we read in the paper, or saw on the news, she acts like she read and saw the same thing. Mind you, she never reads the paper or watches the news! If I ask her when seeing her walk if she'd like some tylenol, as it seems her knee's are bothering her, all of a sudden she walks like she's going to a race.

They really are so very clever. I could go on and on, but I think you know exactly what I mean.

Ouch, a UTI! Aren't they awful? Cranberry juice, alot of cranberry juice which I'm sure you've already been told.

I know what you mean about charts. When my Mom was in the hospital, I had them put on the front of her chart that she had AD, and any medical questions were not to be directed to her. Well sure enough, a nurse or someone would come in and start asking her this or that, or telling her about a test she was to have. And I'd have to ask to talk to them outside the room and tell them she had AD. "Oh,we didn't know that" they'd say. Keep after them on calling you first, they have to get the hint sooner or later and get tired of hearing from you.

Is there a possibility that your Mom doesn't like the nurse that gives her her morning meds? Maybe she doesn't have the patience with your Mom to insist, or to bribe or fool her into taking them. If she does have to go back on them, maybe one morning you could be there to see how your Mom reacts to that particular nurse. If my Mom refuses to take her morning meds, if I get impatient with her, she just down and out refuses. But if I joke with her, or try to make it her idea, she's more receptive to taking them.

As far as the headaches, I don't know about any of those meds, so its hard to comment on that. But I have heard people say that Premarin can give headaches. I would imagine once her body gets used to it, they will probably stop. Are they at least giving her tylenol for the headaches?

I can see your Dads concern about her being kicked out if your mom gets violent. But I would think before they could do that, they would try to adjust her medications again. Geez, this has to be so difficult on him.

It sounds like so far, everything is going pretty well. I was hoping that would happen, as I know your heart is breaking not having your Mom with you. Keep in touch and let us know what we can do.

Good hearing from you.

jackie

OK Jackie and Kelly!

Thanks for the reminder Jackie! I'm SO sorry I haven't been on this board much to post! You must all thnk I'm horrible! . . .So thank you for keepin my mother in your thoughts!

Mom is doing MUCH - MUCH better! Her foot is starting to HEAL!! YAY! Thanks to Aitan and his suggestions regarding the Hyperberic Chamber! Mom is not being treated at the Hyperberic wound care clinic and they are GREAT! I can't tell you how happy this makes me! It just shows that you REALLY need to explore all your options. All doctors are not the same in treatment or thought as far as new techniques! It is worth it! Believe me!

I've posted what happened in a seperate posting!

Kelly . . .I hope all works out with your mother. I'm so happy that you have a lot of family members there to help you. I'm alone here and it's starting to get to me. . .the physical and emotional stress. I love my mother SO much and SO happy that I am fortunate to have here with me ALIVE today! But each time I take her to the doctors, I am exhausted when I get home. . . .and break down crying sometime. Oh well. . .just the nature of the beast, I guess!

Jackie. . .you're the BEST! Hugs to you!


. . . . .Back to you, Kelly! lol!

Connie

Dear Connie,

How thrilling that your mother is healing, that is just wonderful!!!!!! Just thought I would mention that we know a local MD who mostly treats with alternative therapies and he uses the hyperberic chamber for lots of things including Parkinson's. A good friend of ours was in a wheelchair when he went to him and now works outside most of the day on his own 2 feet!!! He has a slight limp but works like a 25 yr. old! This MD has also helped my dad with some incredible results like stopping pre-diabetes with diet and some supplements. Yippee!

3 cheers for Aitan for the information for Connie's mom!!!!

Good to hear from you Connie and thanks Jackie for being so caring, you're a dear,

~Kelly~