July 28

They moved Grm to ICU. She was given fluids and O2 all night. She only had 80 cc of output alll night. They have taken her off all medication except insulin to reasses what is going on, and then they will determine which meds she needs. The only reason she is still in ICU instead of a regular floor is because of her breathing. Her Oxygen levels are fine - but she is still breathing laboured. They think that because of her leaky heart valve - the oxygen is not being circulated properly. She was doing Ok breathing when I left her yesterday, but if she gets worse, they will put her on a machine (like the sleep apnea machines), and only if that doesn't work, they will put a tube down her throat - but for now - that isn't necessaary - it's just a plan they have in place if her breathing gets worse. The nursess asked her several times yesterday what her wishes were regarding Resuscitatation - and explined exactly what will happen if they have to do that. Each time Gram said she wants to be resucitated. This may or may not be what members of the family want, but Gram has her mind, and so her wishes will be observed by the medical staff. She has definately been treated much better in the hospital since going by ambulance than when going in by car. The nurse said they will probably keep her for a few days to make sure they know why she was vomiting, and to observe her when they reintroduce her medications.

July 26

Gram's sugars are up a bit.

She ate clementine, juice and cereal for breaky, glucerna for lunch.

She has diahreah.

VON was up for bath - Darla Kelly. - She told Gram she shouldn't be alone.

Chick came for a visit. Joy was over - stayed until Barb came.

Lester was over.

Lester and Barb took Grm for dr appt

Dr said to finish pills, he'll see her in 3 months

July 25

Gram actually ate a bit today and kept it down.
Breaky - clementine, juice, waffle (she did say that she didn't think she could eat it - I sid eat what you can.

Lunch - cottage cheese - 1/2 banana

Supper - about a half cup of ceaser chicken salad

Lynn was over

Barb and Logan were over

Roxanne was over

Roxanne, Logan and Afton were over

VON was out - they ordered a nursing visit 3 times a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Bath days will remain Tuesday and Friday.

Lester was down

Barb was over.

Gram had a touch of diahreah today.

July 24

Gram was up at 6:15. She ate juice, clementine and cream of wheat.
She didn't go to church. She fell asleep on the chair in bedroom.
Helen and Rose came over but Gram still asleep.
Barb and Logan were over.

Gram went back to bed

Gram had 2 bites of cottage cheese for lunch - complaining of stomach issues.
She went back to bed. I went to help Mom. When I came back the phone ws ringing - Tracy. Told her Gram ws sleeping - she said she'd call back later.

Gram got up and called Tracy back. She told Tracy she is tired of being sick. Kevin called. After the calls, Grm went back to bed. At 3:30, I hd Gram go sit in the living room for a change of scenery.
Betn came over.
Gram ate 1/2 cup of soup for supper.

Lester was in - gram asleep - I asked him to check in on her next week as I am doing Bible School

Karen and Strat were up - she told Gram to make sure she doesn't take her pills on an empty stomach - that is prolly what is making her sick. I left.

Kevin, La and Sara wer up. Barb was over

July 23

Gram did not keep her lunch down. Lethargic - tired - hard laboured breathing. Beth and I gave her options and she decided to go to hospital. She was crying. Mom came over to take us in.
We were there for 6 hours. The first doctor said tht while she is dehydrated, she is also filling up with fluid so can't give her IV fluids. She gave her a shot of Zoflan - she ate soup, juice nd strawberries and kept it down.
The second dr wanted to give her fluids - but she wanted to go home - so we asked for a prescription for anti-nausea medicine.
Ashlee dropped in to see Gram before work.
Flornie cme in and told Gram not to give up the fight. She told Mom that Karen, Lynn and Lester plan to put Gram in home and they want to know when Grams ppointments are and when she goes to the hospital.
Gram went to bed when we got home.
Kevin was out - but Gram didn't stir. Lester came over - I questionned him - first I said that Gram's appts are always on the calendar and I always call him when she goes in - and I am tired of the family shit and won't deal with it anymore. He tried to hug me - but I turned and he said ignore them. I asked if he had Gram on a list. He said no - they cn't put her on a list without talking to her first. He thinks she has given up and wants to die at home. I said with as large a family as ours and all the community supports there is no reason she can't die at home. He agreed and said everyone needs to do better including him.
Beth was over - Gram still asleep.
Gram woke at 10 - she changed into PJ's and went back to bed

July 22

Angie was the VON up today.

Gram's leg is really swollen. She isn't drinking - nor is she eating much.

Sugar was high today.

Pressure normal - but pulse was 150 - 59 - 140

She vomited her breakfast. had apple pie for lunch, 1/2 glucerna for supper.

Krista was over for a visit.

Barbara and Lester were here for a visit.

Her right eye looks droopy and left eye is twitching.

She says her right side of belly is uncomfortable until she spits up or bowel movement - thinks its gas.

Tracy called

July 21, 2011

Bonnie came over this morning - had a prayer with Gram

Faye, Lana and Fraser Boyles came for a visit this morning.

Gram went to the bank - got a bank card.

She is eating - but seems to be spitting up quite a bit. Sugars have come back down. Blood pressure came back down.

Jack and Greta were here for a visit, Kevin called.

July 20

Hi
gram is not well today - throwing up, diareah, naseus, tired, lunch sugars were 11.2 didn't want to eat. had 1 piece of toast for breaky, glucerna for lunch and 3 crackers and cheese for supper.

July 18

Gram's sugars were 4.4, 8.1, 13.2, 9.1. She had an oatmeal raison muffin shortly before the highest reading.

The VON nurse came out to assess her. Concerns were edema and possible mini stroke.

Lester was down - confirmed dr visit tomorrow

Barb was over for visit.

Jennifer and Robbie baked the muffins.

breakfast - juice, clementine, 1 eggo
lunch - 1/3 of pork plate Karen brought in yesterday
supper - cottage cheese, yogurt

Linda MacQuarrie dropped off Maddie's biscuits and ginger snaps.

Tracy called - Gram enjoys conversations with Tracy.

Week ending July 16, 2011

Well what a week. Gram is feeling unwell. She is swelling, naseaus, doesn't feel like eating and really tired. One day, she woke up early - looking for the machine. I asked what machine - she said I can do this (turn on and off radio), I( said ya, and I can do this (lift bed up and down, I said ya - but I can't find the other machine. What other machine. The one that takes the bed covers off and on. I don't think we have one of those Gram. Oh - Ok I'm going back to sleep then.

Lester came to take out the hot water heater and freezer from the porch. Mom and I cleaned the porch (Mom feel through the non existing floor), and Farron came to fix the back door.

Had Gram to the dr on Thursday - he said 2/3 of her body is not functioning the way it should and that there is nothing more he can do for her. Everything is resting on the liver. This is a natural process, don't get frustrated. We can't go back, we can only go forward. Having a dr finally say this is like having a gut punch and a weight lifted at the same time. I love my Gram, but I don't want my Gram to suffer.

Muriel MacDonald was by the house for a visit this week. Cathy Haslam stopped bhy for a visit as well - dropped off fresh strawberries, strawberry jam, biscuits, and strawberry shortcake.

On Friday I talked with Jay Marshall, VON case manager and we decided to set Gram up with a nurse once a week to do an assessment on her breathing. Also made an appointment for Lester and I to see her doctor on Tuesday to discuss paliative care.

Karen and Lynn were here on Sunday. Karen brought out a plate of food.

Phone calls - Peggy, Joy, Tracy, Colleen, mom,, rose m, kevin, bill stevens, dr. mcleod

My BP is up a bit, feeling a little stressed, started lorazepam again for a short while.