Upshot #2
Visited my Mother-in-law again today, and talked to her nurse about having her followed by both an endocrinologist and a dietitian once she’s sent home. Apparently, there’s no guarantee that she’s going to get either of those, however one thing he was able to arrange was a visiting nurse.
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t have a dietitian working with her after her discharge … even without being bullied into it by family … ? Her blood sugar was over 500 again today … so they’re having quite a bit of difficulty bringing it under control. So much informational literature I’ve seen has stressed that CRF and HTN patients should have dietitians working with them … now I know I’ve never been offered one, but she has both of those plus out-of-control diabetes! Is the offer of a dietitian wishful “ideal world” thinking by medical websites and informational pamphlets, or are our local groups dropping the ball?
The primary care group that she’s been seeing all of these years hasn’t quite broken up shop yet, and they’re one of the only two in the entire area that are not owned by the hospital … so, she’s being seen by one of the physicians in his group - although not by him. All three of the physicians in the group are elderly. This is one of the very rare times that I would prefer having someone seen by a hospitalist. We’re going to find her a new primary care, so “continuity” is not an issue. Also, the fellow seeing her is a very elderly internist with an emphasis on cardiology … and as of last word, she still hasn’t been been by an endocrinologist … with numbers up around 500 still … *sigh*
Anyway … I’m going to try to go back there tomorrow with a few DVDs … she’s got a TV with a DVD/CD player, and a VCR … we can bring her a load of movies to watch. The days are very long for her there.
I also have news about my daughter.
Today, she was told that they had taken her off all foods and liquids. She’s not even allowed ice chips, and is having to use a sponge to moisten her mouth. She’s going to be fed intravenously … and they were not able to tell her how long this was going to be continued. The physician did tell her, however, that she probably would not be attending a meeting she’s supposed to be present at on July 17 … so this is long term. He also told her that they can’t do surgery at this time, because her intestines are so inflamed that they’re as delicate as “wet paper,” and are oozing like a sponge.
I honestly can’t even imagine what she’s going through. They have her pretty numbed up, and she’s very difficult to talk to over Skype; even with my headphones on, I can barely hear her, and follow what she’s saying.
I’m going to have to find a way to get myself down to southern Connecticut, where she is. It’s going to make for a really rough round trip, but that’s what it’s going to have to be. My vacation is officially over at 2:00 AM this morning, when the Week 1 session of my next course becomes available … and the course begins with a bang: multiple chapters, 3 labs to complete and pass in, and a minimum of 6 “value added,” carefully researched, classroom postings.
And so … that’s where we are now. I’ll be calling my daughter in a few minutes … and reading her the comments from the last post. That sort of thing really cheers her up. Thank you, all of you, for your prayers and concern.
July 8th, 2007 at 2:14 am
Thanks for updating us Moof. Isn’t this typical? You think everything will be taken care of at last. They all promise this and that but when it comes to the crunch, the follow through leaves a lot to be desired. I know it’s boring for MIL in hospital but I’d leave her there so that they can try to get her blood sugar under control. When she gets home it will be much more difficult.
I’m sorry the news is bad with your daughter. I guess she’s going on to Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) so that her gut has a chance to rest and hopefully heal. But hopefully with rest it will heal quickly. It must be very difficult when you are so far away.
By the way do you know about Skype Out? I use this to phone all around the world. I have a Skype phone, although you can do it with headphones and a mike, but when you sign up for it you can phone a person’s telephone so they don’t have to be near the computer. You do, but you can call any telephone number. I paid $14.95 to phone anyone in Canada or the US for a year, and I can call overseas very cheaply too. It’s like VOIP. Sorry if you already know about it and I’m repeating this to you.
Do you feel like the squeezed generation, between your MIL and your daughter? And with dicky health yourself!
I do hope both are better soon, sending good thoughts your way.
Take care
jmb
July 8th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Moof, I’m sorry to hear of your daughter’s struggles. Do you think she and your MIL would perhaps like cards from all of us? Cards they could hold in her hands? Just a thought, maybe that would all be too much. I just know how much cards can mean when your just laying their feeling lousy.
Skype sounds like quite a thing to have. I learned about it through a seminar I attended. Good information.
Love to you,
Chrysalisangel
July 10th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Hi Moof,
As you know, Ken has had diabetes for 20 years. His is still not under control but it never goes as high as 400 let alone 500. He would go into a diabetic coma if it was that high. Once, he went very low, 40, and had a seizure so it is important for your mother-in-law to keep her sugars around 100. When she exercises (walks, etc.) she should realize that her sugar will go down as her metabolism is revved up.
I have said prayers for both your MIL and your daughter. I hope you were able to go and see her even though Connecticut is a long way to go.
If your MIL can’t get to a nutritionist, she should get a copy of the food served in the hospital. The hospitals now put how many carbohydrates in each dish. She is allowed so many carbohydrates per meal and per day. I can bring you a copy of Ken’s menus if you would like.
I see an endocrinologist in Dover and Ken sees one in Portsmouth if you would be interested in their names.
Take care of yourself and don’t worry too much (worry makes people ill). Think positive thoughts and remember to laugh at least once a day.
Hugs,
Barbara
July 10th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
JMB, yes, it’s typical. My mother-in-law was just discharged today, and she’s not being followed by an endocrinologist after all. It appears that what she got out of this hospital stay was a promise of visiting nurses dropping in a few times.
I told her that she should call the endocrinologist who saw her at the hospital, and ask for a follow up visit … just get to herself onto his regular patient roster, since they not accepting new patients (although they’re the only ones in the area,) but they would probably still see her as a follow up.
Re Skype Out … yes! I use it all the time! I just called Dr. Engel on Skype, to see how he’s doing, and I’ve been calling my daughter almost daily. I love Skype! If you have a Skype account, we should exchange information! :o)
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Angel, thank you. My mom-in-law is home now, but I’m sure that my daughter would love to get cards from people. When someone sends her wishes, I always pass it on to her, and it really cheers her up. I’ll get her address, and post it in the comments! Thank you for thinking of that … you’re a sweet heart!
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Barbara … how good to hear from you! I hope you, Ken and your sons are all doing OK! I miss seeing you, now that I’ve turned into more of a homebody. I’m afraid, at this point, if I went to St. George that I’d get mobbed because I’ve been gone for so long.
About the Endocrinologists, I think that the one my mother in law saw in the hospital is the one in Dover - with an oriental name. If there’s also one in Portsmouth, I’d really like to know who they are, just in case. Thank you!
Hugs to both you and Ken! {{{ HUGS! }}}
July 13th, 2007 at 2:03 am
If they aren’t doing anything for your mother-in-law, I’d suggest you try to get ahold of literature on the glycemic index (Google that term) and do what you can for her. It isn’t as good as you might hope for, but it does seem to work, and might help her a bit.
As for your daughter, I’ll pray for her (and you!) - I’d go utterly out of my mind if I couldn’t even drink. I hope she has something to take her mind off things - that is the one thing I find that helps, is to read, write, watch TV, whatever you enjoy and can manage that will keep you thinking of other things.
And please, pass on my best wishes to your daughter. If she enjoys reading, and you think she’d like any of them, feel free to print out any of the stories on my blog for her. I don’t know if this comment is legal in terms of copyright permission, but I’m the owner, and it’s good enough for me… In fact, if you drop me an e-mail or comment, I could put them together, with perhaps a few others, into a PDF file or something else more convenient, and shoot that over to you for her. I won’t bother unless you think it would help, though.