Chapter 428 - Muddling to Nowhere
Our experiment turning the Duodopa pump off from the time of her shower for an hour and a half or so ceased last weekend and continued only for the time taken for her to shower and partially dress, maybe 20 minutes each day. Dyskinesias began at the following times in the past week: Monday 1600, Tuesday 1230 mild, Wednesday 1530 mild then severe, Thursday 1730, Friday 1530, Saturday 1600, Sunday not recorded. Last week's results suggest there is some delay in the commencement of her leg dyskinesias on those days when the pump was turned off for a period. I just asked her which week she thought was better; she replied this week "when the pump was not turned off". The customer (patient) is always correct.
Thursday was her glaucoma checkup at the Highland town. Her eye pressures had increased to 22 and 27, so her eye drops were changed from Latanoprost to Ganfort PF 0.3/5 which should be effective for a longer time I was told. These drops need applying each morning rather than evening.
Sunday morning we shopped not very successfully for food items that appealed to her. She talks of wanting yoghurt and fruit juice; I'm encouraging protein items. She is less interested in pies & chips, cheese & bacon on poast, kebabs & chips and any frozen dinners with vegetables or rice. Perhaps I dish up too frequently stuff she finds appetising on one occasion. I grind to powder the calcium and magnesium tablets, placing them with the Movicol in her morning fruit juice. Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Omega 3 capsules I squeeze into a spoon. All this because she is unable to swallow the tablets or capsules. She continues taking a whole appetiser pill.
Since she returned from Rehab I heartlessly refuse to assist her between the wheel chair and the loo without using the sara Stedy; my right hip is gradually improving, although this morning while retrieving a poo protector for a Sara Stedy paddle my right leg gave way and I was saved by leaning on the wall.
Each night after a Wild Dog carer has her tucked into bed, and as I set up a streamed movie for her to watch, I see her; mouth gaping, lined and crinkled face, eyes wide, head propped up on a pillow of choice, head end of the bed raised and, feeling shocked by her condition, I remember how once she looked to me when we were young, so long ago. I am depressed.
Thursday was her glaucoma checkup at the Highland town. Her eye pressures had increased to 22 and 27, so her eye drops were changed from Latanoprost to Ganfort PF 0.3/5 which should be effective for a longer time I was told. These drops need applying each morning rather than evening.
Sunday morning we shopped not very successfully for food items that appealed to her. She talks of wanting yoghurt and fruit juice; I'm encouraging protein items. She is less interested in pies & chips, cheese & bacon on poast, kebabs & chips and any frozen dinners with vegetables or rice. Perhaps I dish up too frequently stuff she finds appetising on one occasion. I grind to powder the calcium and magnesium tablets, placing them with the Movicol in her morning fruit juice. Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Omega 3 capsules I squeeze into a spoon. All this because she is unable to swallow the tablets or capsules. She continues taking a whole appetiser pill.
Since she returned from Rehab I heartlessly refuse to assist her between the wheel chair and the loo without using the sara Stedy; my right hip is gradually improving, although this morning while retrieving a poo protector for a Sara Stedy paddle my right leg gave way and I was saved by leaning on the wall.
Each night after a Wild Dog carer has her tucked into bed, and as I set up a streamed movie for her to watch, I see her; mouth gaping, lined and crinkled face, eyes wide, head propped up on a pillow of choice, head end of the bed raised and, feeling shocked by her condition, I remember how once she looked to me when we were young, so long ago. I am depressed.
posted by Kilpike | 11:08 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home