Update on Mom

Had a long talk with our doctor about Mom. She told me that the doctor had told her the gout had crystallized in her joints and caused arthritis…nope, he didn’t say that. Then she told me that the doctor told her she had broken vertebrae…nope, he didn’t say that. Later in the conversation, she told me it wasn’t the doctor but one of the nurses who told her she had cracked vertebrae right before she left the hospital…nope again! Never said anything like that and there is nothing like that in her records!
 
Bottom line? The doctor told her the pain she’s experiencing in her neck and shoulders (that originally had her calling for an ambulance) was probably due to her favoring one side of her body as she was walking and sleeping, while trying to protect her gouty toe. So she had a stiff neck…she focused on the pain which caused it to feel worse which caused her to focus on the pain…vicious circle…the more she focused on the pain and felt there was something more wrong, the worse she felt. After she coded, she was laying in bed and of course, not working on those muscles so they continued to be knotted.
 
Mom is still insisting something is wrong and wanting to know why she is in so much pain. *sigh*
 
The doctor thinks she can’t tolerate the idea that all of the suffering she’s gone through might be due to nothing more than a very bad stiff neck. 
 
Now, in rehab, she is focusing on her pain pills…claims that she calls for a pain pill when it’s due and they keep her waiting for 1 to 1 ½ hours so her pain always gets ahead of her and that even when she gets the pills on time, that the pain is just knocked down to tolerable but not knocked out. And because she can’t get the pain knocked out, she can’t work harder in therapy…doesn’t understand why they don’t just give her the pain pills every 4 hours as they are supposed to! *humpf*
 
I tried to tell her that the pain pills are only to be given when she is in pain and can be given 4 hours after the last pill but they are not to be automatically given every 4 hours. She informs me I am wrong, the doctor said they were to be given every 4 hours since she is in so much pain.
 
Yesterday, after I spent quite a bit of the day paying her bills, checking on her apartment, picking up things for her and running her errands, she got very angry at me because I had not started her car and let it run while I was at her apartment. She keeps fussing about how she’s going to drive and is her car even going to start! I told her not to worry about the darn car…until she can get herself in/out of bed, dressed and walk to the bathroom, she isn’t going anywhere. I know, I shouldn’t have but lord love a duck, I had just had all I could handle…she got so angry at me…told me she had to rest and I needed to leave...refused to speak with me or even say goodbye.
 
Didn’t call me all day today when normally she phones at least 3-4 times but finally called this evening…informed me that she forgave me for being unreasonable yesterday and that after I finish meeting with the rehab therapists tomorrow evening for the evaluation of my arm/shoulder (either torn muscles or rotator cup), I can go to her apartment and let her car run for at least 15 minutes…preferably 30.  *sigh*   My youngest son said to tell her I did it…once she gets out of rehab, if her car doesn’t start, we can call AAA to jump it. Think he has the right idea!  LOL
 
As far as my stomach issues and fatigue, the doctor thinks that's me not taking enough ‘me’ time and stressing myself which I have been doing even prior to the problems with Mom. 
 
Doc has told me to breathe, try to stay calm and take time for myself but it’s hard when mom’s calling every day and wanting this and that. If I don’t answer, she will leave a message and if I haven’t returned her call within 10 minutes, she either calls my cell phone or calls my youngest son and asks him to text me to make sure I’m ok.  Doesn’t matter that I could be on the phone with work or a friend! *sigh*  

I know, lots of sighing going on around here. 

Added to all this is a huge project at work which, thanks to the developers, is behind by two weeks…so our testing time is being cut down in order to make up time…testing is not cut back…just testing time!
 
A HUGE THANK YOU to all you lovely people who have emailed, texted, phoned and left uplifting comments. The many prayers, positive and healing energy, and good wishes are so very much appreciated.  I promise to try and get everyone answered this week!
 
I have been able to read some of your blog posts and really enjoyed them…just haven’t had time for commenting. Of course, if you want my *cough* “wise” *snort* comment on something you have written, just email me with which post it is, I will try to get over at leave words of wisdom. ROFLMBO

BTW...one of these days, I will get caught on up replying to the comments here...of course, at the rate I'm going, it could be next year. LOL


 

For ALL of you wonderful ladies and gentlemen in blog land!

 

Huge HUGS and Blessings to all of you!