As we nurses know, never jinx yourself. We were having a great, "issue-less" day at work yesterday, when one of us uttered those words aloud. Two minutes later, one of our night nurses called out sick. Two minutes after that, my cell phone started ringing.....
Nana was complaining of chest pain. Not unusual, except this time she was also very shaky and weak, and she felt warm to the touch. The ambulance had been called and she was on her way to Milford Hospital. Thanks to my fabulous coworkers, I was out the door in 15 minutes and on my way.
Thanks to a good report from Nana's caregivers, everyone at the emergency room was aware of her strengths (a wonderful attitude) and her weaknesses (a terrible memory at baseline and chronic leukemia.) I was relieved to know that Nana was flirting with the EMT's when they put her on the stretcher...
As always, Nana was very happy to see me, announcing to the medical staff, "This is my daughter Nancy. Aren't I lucky to have her?" She smiled broadly, but her eyes were tired and she looked very weak. Her temp was 103, her heart rate was a little high for her, but she continued to entertain all of those around her. Chest xray negative, urine test negative, blood cultures negative. She sipped some ginger ale and held my hand.
The doctor came in and talked to us about her condition. "She seems to be doing ok now. Temp is down, and all the tests that we have done so far have come back negative. We could keep her overnite and order a few more tests that would be a little more invasive, or we could send her home and watch and wait from there." Since one of the worst things that one can do is take an Alzheimer's patient out of her familiar environment, we voted to watch and wait. We headed happily back to Compass, where Mom was greeted with hugs and squeezes.
I went back to check on her this morning. She slept through the nite, and she had no fever. I told her about our adventures the day before. " I was sick? I went to the HOSPITAL?"
All is well that ends well. And this ended well-- I got an extra hug as I walked out the door :)
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
A nice surprise
It has been a busy few weeks, and I haven't been in as often to see Nana. In fact, I needed to drop off some supplies and refill meds for the morning, so I needed to go over after work, at 8:30pm.
Nighttime is not a fun time to visit an Alzheimer's unit. People are especially confused at nite, and people tend to be more agitated. One time I went, and my mother wanted me to break up a fight between two gentlemen. Another time, Mom was so confused it made me cry. So I avoid going over after dark whenever I can.
I left work and prayed that Nana would be fast asleep when I arrived. I opened the door to the unit, and I saw that most residents were awake. Two were having a snack in the dining room. One woman was dressed in her raincoat, and she told me that she was just waiting for her ride. I said to one of the workers, "Is my Mom asleep?"
"Oh no," he answered, "She is down with the group in the sunroom." I braced myself for the sight.
She was sitting in a chair, in the group. I walked over and rubbed her head. She turned, smiled and said, "That feels good. Oh-- I knew that would be you!!!"
She mentioned that she hadn't seen me in awhile. "I knew you would be stopping by. I just said today- 'I wonder when I will see Nancy, and here you are!"
She knew my name! Even after 8pm! I was so excited.
She told me that she missed me. I told her where I had been-- at work, with my sister Anne and family at the beach, with a friend at the doctors. She said that she was happy that I was having fun with Anne, and said that she would be praying for my friend. I told her that I would be back on Monday to spend more time with her and she said that would be wonderful-- "But if something comes up, I understand-- you have a very busy life, and I don't want to be a burden."
I told her that I was leaving, but if she needed me there was always one place she could find me. I tapped her heart, then tapped mine.
"Oh honey, I know that you are always there. That must be why I smile so much."
Me too, Mom. Me too.
Nighttime is not a fun time to visit an Alzheimer's unit. People are especially confused at nite, and people tend to be more agitated. One time I went, and my mother wanted me to break up a fight between two gentlemen. Another time, Mom was so confused it made me cry. So I avoid going over after dark whenever I can.
I left work and prayed that Nana would be fast asleep when I arrived. I opened the door to the unit, and I saw that most residents were awake. Two were having a snack in the dining room. One woman was dressed in her raincoat, and she told me that she was just waiting for her ride. I said to one of the workers, "Is my Mom asleep?"
"Oh no," he answered, "She is down with the group in the sunroom." I braced myself for the sight.
She was sitting in a chair, in the group. I walked over and rubbed her head. She turned, smiled and said, "That feels good. Oh-- I knew that would be you!!!"
She mentioned that she hadn't seen me in awhile. "I knew you would be stopping by. I just said today- 'I wonder when I will see Nancy, and here you are!"
She knew my name! Even after 8pm! I was so excited.
She told me that she missed me. I told her where I had been-- at work, with my sister Anne and family at the beach, with a friend at the doctors. She said that she was happy that I was having fun with Anne, and said that she would be praying for my friend. I told her that I would be back on Monday to spend more time with her and she said that would be wonderful-- "But if something comes up, I understand-- you have a very busy life, and I don't want to be a burden."
I told her that I was leaving, but if she needed me there was always one place she could find me. I tapped her heart, then tapped mine.
"Oh honey, I know that you are always there. That must be why I smile so much."
Me too, Mom. Me too.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Quote of the Day
I got this doozy from Michelle, the Activities Director at Nana's home.
Michelle was having a discussion about God and spirituality with the residents. In order to solicit responses, Michelle asked, "If you could be God, what is the first thing you would do?"
Nana was the first to pipe up with a response.
"I'd resign!!!"
heeheehee
Michelle was having a discussion about God and spirituality with the residents. In order to solicit responses, Michelle asked, "If you could be God, what is the first thing you would do?"
Nana was the first to pipe up with a response.
"I'd resign!!!"
heeheehee
Monday, June 11, 2012
Church with Nana
Anyone who knows my Mom well knows that she is a devout Catholic. Not a holy roller, you're going to Hell and I 'm not because I'm Catholic kind of devout, but a never miss a Sunday Mass you know I'm a Christian by my Love kind of devout... She believes deeply in God and trusts that He will help her through whatever he has planned for her.
Alzheimers is an interesting disease. When one has worsening Alzheimer's, one tends to lose a timeline-- so she could go to Mass every day and never remember, or she could go once a month and think that she has gone every day. Taking her outside her "comfort zone", i.e. her home at Compass, is often quite confusing for her. So my philosophy was that if she asked to go to Mass, I would find a Catholic church closeby and I would take her to Mass. Last week, she told the CNA's that she missed Mass. So this past week, I investigated the local parish and found a daily 9am Mass.
We entered the chapel Friday morning, about 10 minutes prior to Mass. The priest, a quiet young man, was making copies at the copy machine outside the chapel. I walked over with Nana, quickly introduced myself and then introduced Nana. He seemed rather disinterested, looking at me fleetingly, shaking our hands and then grunting while walking away. Okaaayyyy.... I feel welcomed. Sigh.
We walked into the chapel and sat down in one of the pews. Others shuffled in and sat down in various pews around the altar. One woman walked in carrying a glass of water and a notebook, and proceeded to study the contents within while sipping from her cup in the front row. (Really, I thought, if you are going to multi-task and pay only half-attention, perhaps you should sit in the back row?)
The priest finished setting up the altar, put on his vestments and stood to the side of the altar. Everyone stood and read the entrance antiphon as he moved towards the pulpit. Once he had everyones attention, he started Mass. With the musical lifting of his hands and his quick gestures and expressions, I realized that the priest was deaf and the Mass would be in sign language. The woman in the front row? She was the interpreter, and she was reciting the Mass for those of us who couldn't understand sign language-- she had a cold, the priest explained, which was why she was sipping the water. I am a bad, bad person for making such quick judgments, in church of all places! Ha!
After Mass, I asked Nana if she noticed anything different about the priest.
"Oh, he seems very nice. And he is very expressive!"
"Did you notice that he was deaf, and the woman in the front row was interpreting for him?"
"No! Really?" She was silent for a moment, then continued, "I guess it is getting harder to find good priests nowadays." Oy... :)
And if you ever get the chance to go to a Mass for the deaf, please go. I have to say it was probably one of the best Masses that I have gone to in awhile....
Alzheimers is an interesting disease. When one has worsening Alzheimer's, one tends to lose a timeline-- so she could go to Mass every day and never remember, or she could go once a month and think that she has gone every day. Taking her outside her "comfort zone", i.e. her home at Compass, is often quite confusing for her. So my philosophy was that if she asked to go to Mass, I would find a Catholic church closeby and I would take her to Mass. Last week, she told the CNA's that she missed Mass. So this past week, I investigated the local parish and found a daily 9am Mass.
We entered the chapel Friday morning, about 10 minutes prior to Mass. The priest, a quiet young man, was making copies at the copy machine outside the chapel. I walked over with Nana, quickly introduced myself and then introduced Nana. He seemed rather disinterested, looking at me fleetingly, shaking our hands and then grunting while walking away. Okaaayyyy.... I feel welcomed. Sigh.
We walked into the chapel and sat down in one of the pews. Others shuffled in and sat down in various pews around the altar. One woman walked in carrying a glass of water and a notebook, and proceeded to study the contents within while sipping from her cup in the front row. (Really, I thought, if you are going to multi-task and pay only half-attention, perhaps you should sit in the back row?)
The priest finished setting up the altar, put on his vestments and stood to the side of the altar. Everyone stood and read the entrance antiphon as he moved towards the pulpit. Once he had everyones attention, he started Mass. With the musical lifting of his hands and his quick gestures and expressions, I realized that the priest was deaf and the Mass would be in sign language. The woman in the front row? She was the interpreter, and she was reciting the Mass for those of us who couldn't understand sign language-- she had a cold, the priest explained, which was why she was sipping the water. I am a bad, bad person for making such quick judgments, in church of all places! Ha!
After Mass, I asked Nana if she noticed anything different about the priest.
"Oh, he seems very nice. And he is very expressive!"
"Did you notice that he was deaf, and the woman in the front row was interpreting for him?"
"No! Really?" She was silent for a moment, then continued, "I guess it is getting harder to find good priests nowadays." Oy... :)
And if you ever get the chance to go to a Mass for the deaf, please go. I have to say it was probably one of the best Masses that I have gone to in awhile....
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Banging your head against a wall
Nana had a check up last week. Becky and I headed to Compass to pick her up, and Nana was very excited to go. We packed her up into the car, and we headed to Worcester.
"I miss my car. I've been thinking of picking up another one, just so I can run an errand or two."
Uhoh.
"Oh Mom, I don't mind picking up stuff for you. And if you want to go somewhere, just let me know."
"I hate to be a bother. And it might be nice just to get out once in awhile. Although when I think about getting a car, I start thinking about the cost of gas, the taxes, renewing my license..." (not knowing where you are going, I think to myself...)
"True! I don't think it would be worth it." I laugh. "I think it would be better if you just got yourself a driver. That way, you won't get lost and you won't have to worry about all those taxes."
"A driver? Oh no. I am not in the market to get another husband!" Hmmm.
We arrived at the doctor's, and Nana greeted everyone with a smile and a laugh. She was brought into the office and weighed-- she has lost 12 pounds since moving to Compass. (This may have a lot to do with the fact that she no longer forgets that she has already eaten... And she is no longer eating pancakes with sugared strawberries and whipped cream every morning.. but I will keep my eye on this.)
She greeted the doctor and said that she is feeling great. As always, her vital signs were perfect-- heartrate 60, bp 110/64, afebrile. She showed the doctor a few spots on her skin ("I think my Alzheimers is showing") and spoke of how happy she is in her new home.
The doctor looked at Becky and I and said, "Her laughter is back." I looked at her, a little puzzled.
She went on, "It is clear that the move to a dementia care unit was the right one. Your Mom had lost a bit of her laughter and her wit at the last visit, which was worrying. But it is definitely back. Her other home was nice, but she needed more but didn't even know it. It's like when you are banging your head against a wall and you have a headache-- but you don't realize that you have a headache until you stop banging your head."
We headed back to Compass.
"This has been fun! I've enjoyed this visit with you two."
Becky and I agreed.
"I've been thinking about picking up a car, so I can run an errand or two..."
"I miss my car. I've been thinking of picking up another one, just so I can run an errand or two."
Uhoh.
"Oh Mom, I don't mind picking up stuff for you. And if you want to go somewhere, just let me know."
"I hate to be a bother. And it might be nice just to get out once in awhile. Although when I think about getting a car, I start thinking about the cost of gas, the taxes, renewing my license..." (not knowing where you are going, I think to myself...)
"True! I don't think it would be worth it." I laugh. "I think it would be better if you just got yourself a driver. That way, you won't get lost and you won't have to worry about all those taxes."
"A driver? Oh no. I am not in the market to get another husband!" Hmmm.
We arrived at the doctor's, and Nana greeted everyone with a smile and a laugh. She was brought into the office and weighed-- she has lost 12 pounds since moving to Compass. (This may have a lot to do with the fact that she no longer forgets that she has already eaten... And she is no longer eating pancakes with sugared strawberries and whipped cream every morning.. but I will keep my eye on this.)
She greeted the doctor and said that she is feeling great. As always, her vital signs were perfect-- heartrate 60, bp 110/64, afebrile. She showed the doctor a few spots on her skin ("I think my Alzheimers is showing") and spoke of how happy she is in her new home.
The doctor looked at Becky and I and said, "Her laughter is back." I looked at her, a little puzzled.
She went on, "It is clear that the move to a dementia care unit was the right one. Your Mom had lost a bit of her laughter and her wit at the last visit, which was worrying. But it is definitely back. Her other home was nice, but she needed more but didn't even know it. It's like when you are banging your head against a wall and you have a headache-- but you don't realize that you have a headache until you stop banging your head."
We headed back to Compass.
"This has been fun! I've enjoyed this visit with you two."
Becky and I agreed.
"I've been thinking about picking up a car, so I can run an errand or two..."
Friday, May 4, 2012
a Lifetime Achievement Award
I spoke to Michelle at Compass one day. She said, "Nancy, did you know that we have a family meeting every last Wednesday of the month? This month, we are going to honor your mother with a lifetime achievement award."
Hmmm... Not quite sure what this is, but it sounds like fun. I think the best way to describe this would be to say that this award gives the staff a chance to introduce different residents to the families. We learn a little about each resident's past, since the residents themselves are often unable to describe their accomplishments.
The meeting started with general announcements, and we learned of the many adventures that the residents were having. This was such a nice time-- I know that my mother is very happy-- but she is unable to really tell me what she has been doing. Near the end of the meeting, Nana Pap was ushered into the meeting room.
Nana entered like the true star that she is. The staff had given her a makeover (Mom would be so happy to know that she was introduced while wearing lipstick-- heehee!) She had on some of her jewelry, and her nails were finely manicured. She beamed at everyone in the room, even winking at a few.
Michelle introduced Nana and described many of her accomplishments. At the end, she gave Nana a framed certificate. Nana graciously took her award.
"Thank you so much!," Nana exclaimed. "You know," she continued while looking around the room, "I couldn't be who I am without the help of every one of you." (Truth be told, she had seen only about 1/4 of the people in the room before in her life...)
She continued. "I just love people. I love ALL people!!"
She was quiet for a moment. "Well," she said slyly... "Not all people. There are a few people I don't like..." Everyone laughed as she winked and looked around the room.
"Uhoh! Time to change subjects!," announced my husband with a laugh. Nana gave him a little squeeze and laughed too.
The evening ended with some snacks, and people started walking around the room. Nana worked the entire crowd, giving hugs, shaking hands and thanking everyone for coming. It was truly a special nite. Thanks again, Compass.
Hmmm... Not quite sure what this is, but it sounds like fun. I think the best way to describe this would be to say that this award gives the staff a chance to introduce different residents to the families. We learn a little about each resident's past, since the residents themselves are often unable to describe their accomplishments.
The meeting started with general announcements, and we learned of the many adventures that the residents were having. This was such a nice time-- I know that my mother is very happy-- but she is unable to really tell me what she has been doing. Near the end of the meeting, Nana Pap was ushered into the meeting room.
Nana entered like the true star that she is. The staff had given her a makeover (Mom would be so happy to know that she was introduced while wearing lipstick-- heehee!) She had on some of her jewelry, and her nails were finely manicured. She beamed at everyone in the room, even winking at a few.
Michelle introduced Nana and described many of her accomplishments. At the end, she gave Nana a framed certificate. Nana graciously took her award.
"Thank you so much!," Nana exclaimed. "You know," she continued while looking around the room, "I couldn't be who I am without the help of every one of you." (Truth be told, she had seen only about 1/4 of the people in the room before in her life...)
She continued. "I just love people. I love ALL people!!"
She was quiet for a moment. "Well," she said slyly... "Not all people. There are a few people I don't like..." Everyone laughed as she winked and looked around the room.
"Uhoh! Time to change subjects!," announced my husband with a laugh. Nana gave him a little squeeze and laughed too.
The evening ended with some snacks, and people started walking around the room. Nana worked the entire crowd, giving hugs, shaking hands and thanking everyone for coming. It was truly a special nite. Thanks again, Compass.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Puppy Love
Tom and I made the crazy decision to get a second puppy last month. Our 3-year old pup, Bea, is slowly losing her eyesight, so we decided to get her a "seeing eye puppy" to help her navigate as her vision fades. I figure, while our new pup, Buck, is helping Bea, we could also bring him to Compass to help the residents there.
As expected, Buck caused quite a stir at Compass. He happily went from chair to wheelchair to walker, greeting everyone in sight. Faces brightened as he stopped for a pat or a scratch, and many residents asked questions about him.
One of my favorite conversations:
"Do you mind if I ask how much he cost?"
"Nope. He was $600. A bit expensive, eh?"
"$600 THOUSAND DOLLARS???? WOW!"
"Oh, no-- six HUNDRED dollars."
"Ohhh.... That's reasonable." Heehee.
One thing about Buck, though. He loves everybody equally. Nana was kind of hoping for top billing. She said, "I don't think he likes me all that much."
"I'll solve that, Mom," I said, handing her a few dog treats then turning to pick up Buck. Mom promptly put the treats in her mouth.
"Mom!," I said, startling her. "Those are for the dog!" She laughed, spit them out, and quickly recovered.
"I just thought if I put them in my mouth, my breath would be more appealling to the puppy."
Now, that's quick thinking and a great recovery. The workers and I laughed with her. Never a dull moment.
As expected, Buck caused quite a stir at Compass. He happily went from chair to wheelchair to walker, greeting everyone in sight. Faces brightened as he stopped for a pat or a scratch, and many residents asked questions about him.
One of my favorite conversations:
"Do you mind if I ask how much he cost?"
"Nope. He was $600. A bit expensive, eh?"
"$600 THOUSAND DOLLARS???? WOW!"
"Oh, no-- six HUNDRED dollars."
"Ohhh.... That's reasonable." Heehee.
One thing about Buck, though. He loves everybody equally. Nana was kind of hoping for top billing. She said, "I don't think he likes me all that much."
"I'll solve that, Mom," I said, handing her a few dog treats then turning to pick up Buck. Mom promptly put the treats in her mouth.
"Mom!," I said, startling her. "Those are for the dog!" She laughed, spit them out, and quickly recovered.
"I just thought if I put them in my mouth, my breath would be more appealling to the puppy."
Now, that's quick thinking and a great recovery. The workers and I laughed with her. Never a dull moment.
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