9/18/2021 Tough days for Linda

 (Marilyn)

For the past week or so, Linda has been having unrelenting digestive problems (no need to go into detail for that...) and it has depressed the heck out of her.  Tricia and I have been a thorn in the side of the medical personnel at NHC.  It is very hard to get an audience with any of them, no answer to emails, etc.  We've been trying to get a resolution of the problems so that she can be relieved of some of the ugliness.

Anyway a few days ago it all came to a head and the doctor finally took some samples for testing and last night we finally got some initial results -- she has a C diff infection so she is now on antibiotics.  Also, everyone who goes into her room needs to be "gowned up," gloves and all.  They are still running more tests, but we hope that C Diff is it.  We think it takes about 14 days to clear this infection so we are again going backwards.

We have been trying for days to get them to put her on some probiotics and they have refused, saying it is a waste of money, etc., so imagine our frame of mind when we were told that along with the antibiotics they were going to give her probiotics. AARGH!

Linda doesn't fully understand what the infection is, but she is clearly not happy.

This morning when I got there she said, "I just got back from a track meet so I apologize if I'm late."

Her sugar levels have been all over the place and they are trying very hard to figure out why.

Tricia has been working her butt off working on a diet plan and also spending every evening with Linda and also running to NHC at the drop of a hat when they call to tell her that Linda is refusing to do her physical therapy. She is Superwoman.  Whatever progress is made is fully attributed to Tricia's perseverance. Whenever she takes a minute or two to breathe, she will update her blog.   

Oh, one more thing:  Linda continues to ask where Mother is and when she forces the issue we have to remind her that Mother died 20 years ago and she goes through the grief all over again.  We try to change the subject but most times she insists on knowing where Mother is and we have to tell her.

Well, this morning the housekeeping lady (who looks like Linda's friend Sue) came into the room and out of the blue, when Linda saw her, she burst into sobbing and said, "Sue, Sue, I just learned that my mother died!"  And then Linda cried for about 10 minutes.  Stacy was wonderful and allowed Linda to think she was Sue.

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