2-25-2022 Linda fell again

 (Marilyn)

I still haven't gone to see Linda in over a week now.  It's too frustrating to try to keep up with her combative personality and work on myself too.  Also, the weather has kept me housebound!  However, I plan to go see her on Sunday.

Tricia has kept up her vigilance, God bless her.

Tricia got a phone call at 5AM yesterday morning that Linda had fallen while trying to get out of bed, because she swears she can walk even though she can't.  Anyway, it was what the nurse called a sliding fall so she did nut hurt herself.  They also gave her intravenous fluids because she is dehydrated.  And the NHC doctor wats to give her some medication because of very low blood pressure.  She is getting SOOOO many drugs you have to wonder what kind of side effects are coming with those medications.

Last Saturday at my weekly Parkinsons session, a guest speaker (Sharon, from Transitions for Seniors) talked about nursing homes and how to get one that meets your needs.  One thing that hit home was we should consider palliative care.  We always associate palliative care with hospice but she said that does not necessarily have to be the case.  She stressed that along with medical care, we need to consider the surroundings of the patient, such as looking out the window and seeing trees instead of parking lot; or having your own furniture and knick-knacks around, or no lady screaming across the hall night and day,  or physical therapists that are gentle instead of a bit on the rough side, etc.

So even though we don't like the connotation of "palliative," we are coming to the realization that it's time to try that.  So the lady that was our Parkinson's speaker is going to visit Linda and assess her and get back to us with advice. We look forward to that.  Clearly, NHC is making Linda crazy and it is not helping.

And even if "palliative" turns into "hospice," (which will only occur after every therapy effort has failed) Linda will have stopped the incessant crying and deep depression and may enjoy little things instead of focusing on what she calls being a prisoner.  We would be able to visit her and maybe watch movies or read or look at family albums or just chit-chat.  It is absolutely heart wrenching to know that she will never see her house again.

Tricia and I haven''r talked all this through yet and we want to wait for Sharon's advice, so we'll see what happens.

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