Thursday, November 13, 2008
Still Searching Out the New Plateau Level
Movement for 11/12/08:
- Mom's determination allowed her to assume, this morning, that she would be able to walk into the bathroom after awakening. She was surprised to discover that she was a little shaky on her legs, though. When she sat back down on the bed after attempting, unsuccessfully, to take a few steps, rolled the wheelchair over and we did it the streamlined way. She stood very well during groin bathing, which was extended more than usual due to a necessary cleaning after a bowel movement. Stood well after dressing, too, and we both thought there would be no problem with her walking into the dinette. By the time she'd arrived at the door to the bathroom, though, it was obvious that she was continuing to have trouble, primarily with her right knee, so we slipped the wheelchair behind her and took the fast route to the dinette.
- After her nap, once again she started out in fine fettle. I discovered she was awake, in fact, because she had arisen so quietly in her bedroom that I heard nothing unusual over the monitor receiver. She was almost completely down the hall when I heard her shuffling and came to her assist, helping her turn and head back to the bathroom. She and I were both sure that she would be able to walk from the toilet to the banister in the foyer. She also said that she thought she "should". However, once up, she was iffy, again. She was determined though, to continue trying until a slight wave of nausea overtook her and I moved the wheelchair behind her and wheeled her the rest of the way to the living room. I should mention that this nausea upon standing is the second episode she's had in the last two days. I'm not sure what's causing it. I didn't think about it the first time it happened on Monday because I knew she was working up to a cold and she had complained of a very full head and ringing and plugging in her ears, all of which could manifest in slight nausea, as well. I didn't mention it to the Hospice RN on Tuesday because, frankly, I didn't think of it. I think, though, if this continues, I'll definitely be mentioning it next week.
- Everything went fine through the evening until she had an extreme pain episode, which I'll discuss over at the main journal in a bit. It involved her back, a different area than has been affected before and a much higher level of pain than she's experienced for a long, long time. Aside from immediately giving her 500 mg of acetaminophen and calling Hospice, just in case, I also had her stand, thinking it might be a cramp from sitting in her peculiar position. She was able to stand and sit well, even though the pain was bad; and, her standing and sitting back down did not affect the pain at all. However, after addressing the pain to the point where it disappeared, on her way to bed we both opted for the wheelchair without question or discussion. She continued to transfer well throughout.
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