Mum got out of the hospital on Friday the 5th. The doctor who was taking care of her wanted to put in a feeding tube either through the nose or into the stomach. I didn’t let him because I thought it was really weird putting in a tube and sending her home. What was I to do with that?
I got mum out of the hospital and the next Wednesday went to see her geriatrician. This doctor said that while mum does not have ferrous anemia and while her protein count is still ok, she doesn’t need a tube. If and when she needs one, the doctor will have it done and it will be a gastric tube. She says nasal tubes are far worse as the patient always pulls them out and they hurt more. She gave me another supplement to give mum – Calogen – which will add 300 calories a day if mum takes 30 ml.
The doctor also wants a phonoaudiologist to do an evaluation of how mum is swallowing and from there decide on what kind of food she should have. So this is something I have to set up. In addition, she says mum should not have her tooth fixed, but just pulled. This is due to the Parkinson’s. She thinks that the position in a dentist’s chair, with the head back, could cause mum to aspirate saliva. For a Parkinsonian, dental work can be dangerous. As for mum’s pain, it could be from gallstones and there is nothing to be done as mum is too old to operate. Mum is now very thin and her bones seem to stick up so more propensity for bedsores.
I’m am so sorry about what you are going through with your Mum. This caregiving thing can feel pretty lonely sometimes, can’t it? It sounds like you made the right decision with the feeding tube. Keep us informed, and know we are here for you.
I am terrribly sorry as well. my thoughts and prayers are with you while getting all of these concerns straighted out for your mom. your a very special person indeed….i share sharons sentiment that we are all here for you
Hi Dilys–Just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. And, I hope you all can enjoy moments of peace and comfort.
I understand the struggle you are having with your mom’s weight loss. Mom has been eating much less since early Dec, and has lost weight and has more bones protruding now. Most of what I am fighting with are keeping pressure sores from getting bad on her heels and ankles, although there also was one she got on her right ear from laying on that side all night, it is gone now though. You are in our thoughts, hope this will be a good day for you and your mom.
.-= Donna W´s last blog ..Disappointment the Sequel =-.