Chapter 91 - Until Today
Since my last post matters have been so ordinary and regular that I have often forgotten to enter daily details in my little spiral notebooks. Until today.
Last Tuesday we kept the appointment with a local hospital physio who evaluated her standing sitting and walking. Even a rough & ready version of the "stand, walk, turn, walk & sit" timed test so loved by the institution down south. The physio gave her tips on how to stand from a seated position - feet back, hands on knees, head forward over knees, the usual things, but she seems unable to easily place her centre of gravity forward enough to make the procedure work. She was placed into their regular "falls" group that meets on Thursday mornings. So her first opportunity was going to be missed because I had planned to be in the Big Smoke for a reunion lunch; but I cancelled that because I have not been feeling the greatest, so she attended for an hour & a half physio session while I sat in the sun reading a good book. We expected her to some aches & pains which failed to eventuate. That evening we walked the village.
Friday she cleaned the cupboard in her bathroom and even did a little embroidery. Saturday we had a visit from a very distant cousin of hers. Sunday was church with communion. Monday she mentioned feeling rather slow. We both went to bed around midnight rather than an hour earlier now that her routine has changed with no midnight meds.
Now today things went downhill. Started well. As for quite awhile, she showered & dressed herself; I can't remember when I last had to help, not long ago I suppose but it doesn't come to mind. She attended KYB in the morning then a little shopping. When passing the landmark cafe in this town I suggested lunch. We enjoyed a cheap conventional lunch. Back home again she sat reading until a little after 2pm she said "I feel tired. I need to lay down." To bed to sleep until 3:45pm. She came over quite hot and opened the sliding door next to her favourite chair. While she had been asleep a friend rang to ask us to come around to see his latest "toys". Normally she enjoys visiting these friends but not this afternoon when I suggested going. She was too shaky. Today she has been very stooped yet without pain; ages since she used the TENS machine. Anyway, when I returned half an hour later she said her tremors were subsiding. After we were glued to the TV set watching the budget broadcast & the following interviews she was unable to rise from her chair. Even when trying hard to follow the physio's instructions. Her tremors were bad. "I can't concentrate and shake at the same time." I held out my hands to help her up. She just stood there; frozen but shaking. "I can't find my feet." Some few seconds later she shuffled forward, off to check emails. Several times today I have been needed to adjust her clothing after a toilet trip. In trying to accomplish this herself her right thumb has become very painful once more.
Maybe during the past week we had done nothing to upset her equilibrium. During a few short shopping visits she held onto my arm. She has not used the scooter since our last visit to Hot Air City. Yesterday I placed an on-line order for $250 of alternative medicine products because her stock was running low. Do they help? Damned if I know; we can only try. I did not proceed with planning a cruise around the Long White Cloud early next year because suitable disability-friendly cabins had long since been booked. Perhaps a cruise toward the end of 2008 or later.
So what changed yesterday? My training tells me at least one parameter in her life changed to cause today's symptoms. What was it?
Last Tuesday we kept the appointment with a local hospital physio who evaluated her standing sitting and walking. Even a rough & ready version of the "stand, walk, turn, walk & sit" timed test so loved by the institution down south. The physio gave her tips on how to stand from a seated position - feet back, hands on knees, head forward over knees, the usual things, but she seems unable to easily place her centre of gravity forward enough to make the procedure work. She was placed into their regular "falls" group that meets on Thursday mornings. So her first opportunity was going to be missed because I had planned to be in the Big Smoke for a reunion lunch; but I cancelled that because I have not been feeling the greatest, so she attended for an hour & a half physio session while I sat in the sun reading a good book. We expected her to some aches & pains which failed to eventuate. That evening we walked the village.
Friday she cleaned the cupboard in her bathroom and even did a little embroidery. Saturday we had a visit from a very distant cousin of hers. Sunday was church with communion. Monday she mentioned feeling rather slow. We both went to bed around midnight rather than an hour earlier now that her routine has changed with no midnight meds.
Now today things went downhill. Started well. As for quite awhile, she showered & dressed herself; I can't remember when I last had to help, not long ago I suppose but it doesn't come to mind. She attended KYB in the morning then a little shopping. When passing the landmark cafe in this town I suggested lunch. We enjoyed a cheap conventional lunch. Back home again she sat reading until a little after 2pm she said "I feel tired. I need to lay down." To bed to sleep until 3:45pm. She came over quite hot and opened the sliding door next to her favourite chair. While she had been asleep a friend rang to ask us to come around to see his latest "toys". Normally she enjoys visiting these friends but not this afternoon when I suggested going. She was too shaky. Today she has been very stooped yet without pain; ages since she used the TENS machine. Anyway, when I returned half an hour later she said her tremors were subsiding. After we were glued to the TV set watching the budget broadcast & the following interviews she was unable to rise from her chair. Even when trying hard to follow the physio's instructions. Her tremors were bad. "I can't concentrate and shake at the same time." I held out my hands to help her up. She just stood there; frozen but shaking. "I can't find my feet." Some few seconds later she shuffled forward, off to check emails. Several times today I have been needed to adjust her clothing after a toilet trip. In trying to accomplish this herself her right thumb has become very painful once more.
Maybe during the past week we had done nothing to upset her equilibrium. During a few short shopping visits she held onto my arm. She has not used the scooter since our last visit to Hot Air City. Yesterday I placed an on-line order for $250 of alternative medicine products because her stock was running low. Do they help? Damned if I know; we can only try. I did not proceed with planning a cruise around the Long White Cloud early next year because suitable disability-friendly cabins had long since been booked. Perhaps a cruise toward the end of 2008 or later.
So what changed yesterday? My training tells me at least one parameter in her life changed to cause today's symptoms. What was it?
posted by Kilpike | 9:16 pm
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