[font=Comic Sans MS] Well QM is living up to her name now. I have not been able to get more than five feet from her before she starts wanting something.

We still do not have all of the hospice things in place but did have a CNA for a bed bath and linnen change Tuesday. The hospice director will be back today so things should start falling into place now. QM sat up in her geri chair for about 3 hours after the CNA left. Our housekeeper came by to help me put her back into bed. This is when QM decided that she wanted to try doing her #2 business in the bathroom. She could not assist in the transfer from chair to pot though so we ended up putting her back in bed. At least with her in bed I can do all of the care by myself. QM is so afraid of falling or hurting my back that she will not let me do any of the transfers by myself.

My niece from Florida will be arriving this afternoon for about ten days. I am hoping that during that time we will be able to build up QM's strength and confidence in the transfers so she does not become too bed bound. I am also looking forward to hearing all about her trip to China and lots of "girl talk".

QM is feeling much better than when she was in the hospital. She is hungary ALL of the time now. She also is staying awake most of the day and part of the night. The only thing that I am seeing is more is a little confusion about where she is at and the constant need to have me right with her. For the most part things are going well.

I will try to update soon. [/font]

Vicki,

What do you think about using a hoyer lift to transfer QM. It has been a back saver for me. Bill has no problem with me using it. I guess sometimes they can be afraid of it, but they are confined pretty good when you lift them so they feel snug.
They even have a special sling that goes with it that you can pick them up from the bed and sit them on the bed side comode. If you bathroom is big enough you could move them from the bed to the toilet. It does make life a little easier. I never used that particular sling because Bill was past using the toilet by the time I got the lift. It it wasn't for having it, Bill would have to stay in bed 24/7 because there is no way I could move him without it.
If you think it could help you, mention it to the hospice people.

Enjoy your niece.

Vicki:

Glad things are going well (?) ---- good that you will have some company -- that will help until you get back on some sort of normal/schedule? if at all possible!!! Girl talk is always fun!!!! Are YOU able to get any rest while you are by yourself? You do need to remember YOU as well....

keep the updates coming---I'm sending prayers and hugs....

xxoo
karen

[font=Comic Sans MS] 2-27-09 Update

I am now counting the hours till everyone leaves Monday morning. I want my house back and a good cup of coffee! It is true what they say about Fish and Company. After three days they both need to go out.

While I love having my niece here to help withQM I feel like a tornado has moved in. Diane is great about starting things but does not finish things. Example: she will get QM up and help with the potty chair but never gives her back the bed controls, call horn, TV remote, or her darn box of tissues. She also does not put the lid back on the wipes and put them away so when QM hollars for help I end up cleaning up after Diane.

Now I have the fun of dealing with issues between SIL (not Diane's Mom)and Diane over something SIL said about BRO in front of his daughter. She has been stewing about it all week and plans on giving SIL a piece of her mind when they get her around 6AM. Like I need the two of them fueding right now.

OK now I have let that out I will update you on QM.

She is now wanting to stay in bed all of the time and is sleeping a lot during the day. I am sleeping in the chair next to her at night so about 2 AM she wakes up and wants to talk the rest of the night about how great BRO is. After all HE drives over 400 miles, each way, every weekend just to see his Momma. Mind you I do nothing for her. Never have and never will.

Her swelling is back and her arms have started leaking the clear fluid again so I am wrapping her arms up like a mummy to keep the bed dry. Even with the dressings we are going through 4 or 5 hospital gowns and at least 2 full sets of sheets and 2 or 3 more top sheet every 24 hours. Right now I am washing load number 4 of bedding/towels for the day. (Friday) Because I have been doing so much bedding the rest of the laundry is behind so I plan on staying up all night to get caught up.

The "good" hospice nurse was here Tuesday and finished QM's admission. (Lori is now the Hospice director but has been out of town) The plan was for the Hospice Doc to come with her but her barn burned down early Tuesday morning so it was just Lori. Hospice has admitted QM under ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) but not under heart failure. They are provinding her bed, gerri chair, oxygen and about 90% of her meds. For right now we will have a CNA 3 times per week and a nurse at least once per week. We still had FT's potty so we did not need another one. Lori did tell me that they now have a new SW/Volunteer Coordinator and three volunteers that I will be able to use once everything settles down.


The cleaning lady was going to stay with QM Monday while I made my appointment in town but she called Wednesday to tell me that she fell and dislocated her elbow. They are doing surgery Monday morning so she will not be able to help out. With the change in plans I spent half of the day yesterday at Wally World stocking up on TP, tissues, paper plates, trash bags etc. so I will not run out if I am unable to get away for a few weeks. I also loaded up the freezer so I will be able to get by with the stuff in the pantry and a few deliveries from friends and neighbors.

It is time to start another load of laundry so I will post this and wish you all well for now.

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Oh Vicky, please slow down. You are going to get more exhausted than you sound like you already are. As Lori would say, breath sweetie, breath. Try to get some more help in there. And get some sleep.

Jackie

Vicky! You are a trooper! If there is ever a nucluer holocost, or something awful, I want to be stuck somewhere with you! I think professionals are beetter than family sometimes, not so many issues, but that's just been my experience.

Hang-In, you are amazing!