Mom tried going downstairs
by herself tonight. My BF Dean caught her right at the edge of the top step. He put a chair in her doorway so we’d hear any potential escape attempt, which proved woefully inadequate. We added a stand fan and big vacuum cleaner to the mix, so that should help. Her room has no seating arrangements, so we can’t hang out w/her. He picked up a commode Thursday morning, b/c she collapsed in the bathroom. He had to wake me up so I could help get her up & back to bed - she just can’t get around well, even with our help.
I’ve been staying up all night, sitting downstairs w/an ear tuned to any sound from upstairs. That’s not working well enough anymore.
We took her to see Dr Jamie again on Thursday afternoon, and he signed her up for hospice care. He said we’ll be able to more easily & quickly get her all needed pain meds - she’s still hurting a lot despite the oxycodone. The initial consultation will be Monday afternoon. She’s gotta have a hospital bed in the living room, so she’ll be less bored, b/c TV is in there & all of us can easily be together.
She turned off her oxygen machine the other night. I’ve also found her oxygen line on the floor a couple times - she’d taken it off for no reason, despite her constant need for it.
We won’t have much nursing support, but even a few hours a day 3X/week will be helpful.
She was one of, if not the first female computer techs, and it’s really sad that she’s losing it. She’d studied ballet for many years, and was an excellent rider who could handle even the rudest horses, which also makes her physical deterioration depressing AF.
I’ve made this a public post so my friends here will know why my posting may be sporadic. I also have a dear friend w/o email who will be able to see this. Ppl also need to know what living w/an ageing parent can be like.
Originally posted 7 Aug 2020; edited 10 Aug
Dean has since set up a computer desk & chair in mom's room.
Some of the electrics in her room suddenly quit working, so he had to hurriedly run a heavy duty extension cord from a back bedroom into hers, plugged in a heavy duty, gig-worthy plug box, and put her oxygen machine and all the needful on that.