Break Time

Earlier this month.  He was in desperate need of a haircut!

     I know it's been too long since I've posted.  Somehow life seems to have a way of interfering with my best laid plans.
     Boo was hospitalized for a few days after one of his BP medications was omitted.  He's taking it again and his BP has responded.  We are taking a break from trying to reduce his BP meds right now.  He began losing some kidney function according to blood tests.  So, one of his diabetic medications was discontinued and a different one begun.  His BP and glucose levels are great!  I can't monitor his kidney function as well at home.  At his next doctor's appointment, his kidney function test will be repeated. 
     Boo's appetite has returned!  He is on a 2,000 calorie low salt, carb conscious, diabetic diet.  I use a spreadsheet to keep track of his sodium, carbohydrate and calorie intake daily.  It's become second nature now, though at first it seemed very regimented.  I keep a tray of raw veggies in the fridge with dip that he can eat anytime.  Fresh fruits I hide.  He'll eat every one in the house in one sitting if not monitored---and that plays havoc with his blood sugar.
     We have been attending Sacred Heart regularly.  At Boo's doctor's suggestion, Boo and I sit on the front row.  Being closer to the front helps him to focus and keeps him from seeing all the people present.  Father John comes over to give Boo communion before the other communicants and comes to bless him at the end.  Boo seems to be very comfortable with that routine.  Yesterday he actually talked to some of the parishioners as we were leaving!  He's never done that willing before and I haven't pushed him.  Sacred Heart is such a loving, welcoming community that I'm glad he's responding positively.  He definitely enjoys going to Mass.
     I probably won't be posting as regularly for three to four weeks.  I have a few health issues and I need to work out a treatment plan AND ease Boo into a new, hopefully brief, routine.  I will try to post when I can.

Another Power Outage

     For the second time in five days we've lost all power for several hours.  This first time was in the daytime and, while it did get hot, Boo managed the disruption quite well.  Because Boo is listed as disabled with the electric company, someone from the company calls with regular updates on the outage, someone comes to the house if the outage is more than an hour and a half to make physical contact and offer appropriate services (use of a generator, an ice chest with water and transportation to the emergency room or an air conditioned shelter).  I was impressed with their diligence.
      Last night the power went out again.  Once again, the electric company made repeated contact and offered services.  I thought everything was going well.  Boo had eaten dinner, bathed, was dressed for bed and very calm.  He went to bed with no problem and slept---at least I thought he was sleeping.  I stepped out on the back stoop to give one of our elderly neighbors batteries for their flashlight.  Boo got out of bed and walked out the front door with his rolling walker.  (How did he manage to open the front door?  It isn't easy.  How did he manage to get out the door so quietly?)  However he did it, he was out alone in the dark and I panicked!  Boo was safely found four doors from our house sitting on his rolling walker beside the Methodist church---by a utility worker who stayed with him until I got there.  Boo was on his way to Mom's house because he thought she had power.  We were given a ride to Mom's house where  Boo was checked by EMTs.  He was fine.  (That made one of us, I was a basketcase.)  Boo ate a snack and went to sleep in a recliner.  I have had enough power outages to last the rest of the summer. 
     Today Boo is calm, alert and happy.  He doesn't have clear memories of last night.  Some days and nights are more interesting than others.  I'm voting for less interesting days and nights for a while!

Difficult Wednesday

     Wednesday was one of Boo's more difficult days.  I woke Boo, went through our usual morning routine and made sure he was ready for a routine visit to his primary care doctor.  He complained that his legs felt weak, but seemed to walk normally---albeit more slowly than usual.  By the time Boo saw the doctor, he was obviously walking very slowly and complaining that his knees and legs felt weak.  His doctor eliminated another medication and examined him.  (OK, not in that order.)  Because Boo didn't want to be admitted to the hospital for observation, we went home with orders to report to the hospital immediately if his leg weakness worsened or if it had not improved this morning.  Boo slept Wednesday afternoon, woke for supper and a western, slept again until time for his bedtime medication, talked to Boudreaux for a little while and slept all night. 
     This morning Boo woke and did some gentle stretching exercises, ate breakfast and took his medication.  Then he announced that he was taking a walk before it got too hot.  I called one of my cousins to ensure that she'd be able to bring us back home if Boo overestimated his abilities.  Boo walked four blocks with no problems.  He did walk more slowly than usual.  Just what was going on yesterday?  I really don't know.  All I know for sure is that things seem to be back to normal.

Visit to Primary Care Doctor

     Yesterday Boo had a rough day.  After several weeks of few, if any, mobility problems, Boo had major issues standing and walking.  He kept telling me that his knees and legs felt weak.  He had a regularly scheduled visit to his primary care doctor yesterday

Dentist Visit

     Well, the good news is that nothing appears to be wrong with Boo's dentures and he's quit taking them in and out several times daily.  The bad news is that the dentist was definitely a BAD experience.  The dentist was impatient and yelled at Boo.  Naturally, we will never return there.  I wish there was a way that we as patients could rate medical professionals---ability to communicate with patient and family, time spent waiting in office for scheduled appoiintment, professionalism of office staff, knowledge of community resources and follow up with test results or patient questions.  I am more than willing to work with many less than ideal situations.  Knowing patient identified strengths and weakness of different doctors, medical practices and hospitals would help me be aware of what I need to follow up on myself.  For example, if there tends to be a long wait time in the doctor's office, I can schedule appointments first thing in the morning.  If follow up on test results is an issue, I know to ask how long it usually takes to get the results and then call myself.  Some things are not negotiable.  I expect a professional to behave in a professional manner.  I expect the doctor or nurse to be able to clearly communicate with Boo and with me.  I expect an effort to communicate with Boo.  Some days he can communicate better than others, but he needs to be acknowledged.  I expect to know what new medications are, hopefully, going to do and possible side effects (major ones).  I also expect either the doctor or the nurse to ask if there are any other issues or any questions.  End of complaints!  ***Most of Boo's doctors have been great.  There have only been a few really bad experiences.

A Long Night for Boo

     Last night was difficult for Boo.  He was restless and uneasy.  Even with medication to help him rest, he woke frequently and wanted assurance that everything was alright.  His blood pressure and glucose readings were both within normal limits.  He wasn't particularly hungry or thirsty---although he did finally agree to eat some yogurt and three peanut butter crackers about 3:00am.  He had no pain anywhere.  Who knows?
     This morning Boo took his dentures out four times.  There are no visible sores or blisters in his mouth and he says his dentures aren't bothering him.  Because  Boo can't always tell me what's bothering him, I try to pay attention to what he does.  I made an appointment for him to see a dentist.  It took three different dentists before I found one willing to examine Boo and take his disabilities into consideration.  Having learned the hard way that many medical professionals are (sadly) not very considerate of patients with disabilities, I question new doctors BEFORE they see Boo.  It's easier to avoid an unnecessary bad experience than to deal with the aftermath.  Tomorrow Boo will see the dentist.

Evening Walk

Starting his evening walk

Still smiling for the camera

     This evening Boo finally relented and let me take a couple of pictures.  It had cooled off a little and he was anxious to take a walk.  Tonight he was fascinated by Mom's sweet gum bush.  I think he just realized it smells good. 
     One of the neighborhood children demonstrated his bike riding skills.  The child had just learned to pop a wheelie---and Boo encouraged him!  I do hope his mother doesn't get upset about that.  Boo talked to the young Evil Knievel about fifteen minutes---which is a major accomplishment for Boo.  He's aware of the pauses in conversations when he searches for words and seldom initiates conversations with anyone he doesn't know for that reason.  An accomplishment a day for two days in a row!