One Journey After Diabetic Coma

(Marilyn) We've had quite a bit of cold weather lately -- a reprieve from the 100 degrees we've been having.   I haven't been over to see Linda a lot.  She is doing remarkably well but still has cognitive issues and also can't walk.  This morning she wanted to call me because she said I was supposed to be over there to pick her up to go to the zoo and wanted to know why I was late.  LOL. And, of course, she constantly wants to know why Mother isn't there.   But she has been relatively busy with physical therapy and occupational therapy and nurses coming and going.   I finally started taking the Parkinson's drug (levodopa) a few weeks ago, and am having a few side effects: extra tremors. massive headache, insomnia, and aches and pains that I haven't had before.  But so far all in all I think the medication is helping me walk better.  Time will tell.

(Tricia) I am still incredulous that six months ago, Linda was placed in hospice and given just two months to live, and today, she is out of hospice, receiving physical and occupational therapy, and making incremental but consistent progress. We did not think we'd have another holiday season with her. If all things continue as they are, and we all have another Thanksgiving and Christmas, it will be amazing. At the same time, I am well aware that Linda's health is still fragile. A bad outcome is always just one episode of C.diff or one infection away--or, as she becomes more mobile, one fall away. We are always on the alert--today, for instance, she is lethargic again and can barely open her eyes. Normally, we would have gotten her up in the wheelchair by now, but she has been in bed all day. All of her vitals are fine, and there are no signs of any underlying illness. She says that she feels fine, but that she's just really tired. So, we can just hope that it's nothing ...

(Tricia) I just wanted to post an update about how things have gone since Linda was discharged from hospice last week. We took Linda in to see Dr. Kevorkian on Saturday, and he decided he wanted to wait to remove the drain in her right side until she was at home and lying down. So, he's actually going to make a home visit this Thursday for the drain removal. He also has now established the start of insurance-covered PT -- they will be coming in to evaluate Linda on Friday. This is bittersweet, because we really like the private pay therapist who has been working with Linda to this point. She has helped Linda improve considerably, and she seemed genuinely sad today when I told her about the switch.  But I am having her come at least one more time (on Thursday). From there, we'll see how St. Luke's Home Health's PT services work for Linda.  Today was a PT day as well, and it went very well. Linda sat up on the side of the bed with some assistance for 10 minutes--a record!...

 (Marilyn) I haven't checked in for a while because I really don't have much to say.  Against all odds, Tricia and Ed have managed to get Linda to a much better position.  They are very special. In the meantime I am still dealing with my own issues.  So I go over there for lunch several times a week. Linda still has cognitive issues and lives in a fantasy world that can be pretty funny.  Like wanting her motorcycles so she could go riding.  LOL. Anyway, kudos to Linda and Ed!!