becky1

So glad it wasn't a stroke...my heart skipped a beat...Take good care, Becky

My question is that when the hall cleared, were they expecting you or the CNA to go off?I'm surprised that the nursing Sup didn't rush over to see what was going on. Make a formal complaint to the nursing home. I wonder what would have happened if the woman had heard the aid? Maybe said aid needs to get a job that's more entertaining, so that she won't have to make up her own. Becky

Sandy, In that pic you posted of Bob, Icouldn't help but notice that he looks so happy-like a kid on Christmas morning. I think that you gave him a very special Christmas present. Becky

Sometimes, it's the "little things" that mean the most....Becky

The picture of the smile on your face brought a smile to my face, and tears to my eyes. You're right, you've been thru enough with your wrist and hand. May your rehab be easy and quick.    Becky

Katrina, I don't always read blogs, but the title of yours piqued my curiosity, so I read it, and then the one before it, and I kept reading until I understood your surgery. YOU HAVE 1- A NEW JOB, 2- NEW APT. 3- NEW LOVE INTEREST 4- NEW SEIZURE MEDS 5- AND HAVE HAD SURGERY ON YOUR HAND! All in a span of what, 2 mos. or so? WOW, GIRL! Rock on! It does my heart good to see you happy! Ibet that hand heals to the point where you can do things with it that you couldn't do before. So happy for you!   Becky

May the Peace of God be with you all. And may those good memories which bring you tears right now, be able to bring a smile to your heart once again... Becky

Sarah, I'm so sorry that you have to go through this pain. I was the chapter leader for a support group for bereaved parents, called "The Compassionate Friends". I know you're not interested now, but, when you are, check them out. They're a lot like Strokenet- have no religious affiliation, composed of other parents who have lost children.- who know best what you're going thru..They have chapters throughout US, and abroad, too,think  I honestly don't think I would've survived losing my daughter iit weren't for them.PM me any time about this or anything else.Again, my condoleces, and prayers.   Becky.  

Like Fred, I am drawing a blank on suggestions,but hope the surgery goes well, and you have a speedy recovery. Becky

LOL! Absolutely delightful, Bruce. You tell 'em! Glad you guys are doing well! Miss you 2, but glad to hear Bruce still has his sense of humor! Becky

Pam, you know as I, that sometimes you have to choose your battles, and I do not see how you can win the dining room battle with no witnesses. But the cable box issue does not need a witness. How do they decide who gets a box, and who doesn't?   Becky

Fred, We're going thru the opposite: After doing his 5 yrs., and getting out of prison, my step-son is getting ready to go back in. This time, for about 10 yrs. We knew it was going to be hard on him, getting out of prison, finding a job, etc. We did all we could to help him. Gave him a place to live, helped him find a job, etc. And, he did better than we expected.We even dared to  hope that he had finally learned his lesson, and was going to be O.K. But, in the end, he chose the drugs again. So, don't stress, Fred. Because you can't control your daughter's actions.  If you find a place for them to live, and, they don't like it, they can find another place themselves. You can only do what you can do, and the rest is up to them. Rest easy.   Becky 

Pam, The thing about incompetent people is that they rarely know that they are incompetent; and if they do know, they don't care. So, it's necessary for others to watch them, and, report their incompetency to their superiors in order to make them aware of the incompetent ones actions before that person does some real harm to someone. You had no choice but to report her. And, now, the responsibility for doing anything about her incompetence is right where it needs to be- on the shoulders of her boss.    Becky  

Pam, I am not a fan of nursing homes, but realise that they are sometimes needed. I have dealt with 3, been in one as a patient, and sued 1.  According to both State and Federal regs, all NH should have prominently displayed in their facility 2 ph nos: 1 for the Omsbudsman, and one for the State. The Oms. is sort of a mediator, and brings NH complaints to the Directer of the facility in the hope of resolution. But, they have no legal authority over the NH. The State will investigate the complaint about the NH to see if there is any merit to it. They do have legal authority, and can sanction them (charge them a fine), or call in the Feds, who can shut 'em down.  To complain about billing errors, contact your billing source. To make a complaint about a staff member, you can also talk to the DON- Director of Nursing. To make a complaint of neglect or abuse of a pt, you can also call Adult Protective Services, a part of your local Social Services. They don't have any authoity to do anything, but they will investigate the complaint, and notify the State if they find anything. Hope you never need any of this.   Becky 

Breathe, Nancy. Breathe. And consider yourself hugged!   Becky

Geez, Nancy. I hope you'll follow up with your doc, or a neuro. Glad you were in a safe place when this happened. I'm also glad to hear you both seem to be doing better.  Becky

It's so good to hear from you, and also know that things are getting better for you. If all you can do is to get through a day, then that in itself is an accomplishment. And you should pat yourself on the back for a job well-done! Thoughts and prayers, Becky

Hi, Nancy! So glad you checked in, and you and Dan are OK. I know that things are still a little rough around the edges, but please let us know how you all are doing when you have time. My prayers for you both....Becky

Debbie, Congrats on trying something new and different. Hope ya'll have a wonderful time!   Becky

Congratulations on Larry's upcoming homecoming, Julie. The hospitalization may be a blessing in disguise, because, with the feeding tube, his care may be a little easier. You won't have to worry if he's eating enough, worry about what to feed him since not much appeals to him, wonder if his fluids are enough, etc. I don't mean this in a mean way, it's just that with a feeding tube, you won't have to worry about his diet, and that's one thing less to fret over, and Larry, at the same time, will get good nutrition without struggling to eat food when he doesn't feel hungry, or eat things he no longer likes. I had one until I could re-learn eating, and I watched the nurses care for it- this seemed very straightforward, and quick.If Larry ever needs it removed, that, too, is painless, and quick. Good luck, and WELCOME HOME, LARRY!   Becky 

Good riddance! Thank-you for hanging in there, and fighting for your rights as a patient, because in doing so, you were making a statement for all of us!    Becky 

Broken- I liked all of Donna's advice, but especially liked her idea of your seeing an eldercare attorney because doing so can go a long way in reducing  your anxiety.

   2 other things: At their ages, your children don't have the ability to fully understand , so, my advice is to wait until they ask you questions, and answer only the question they pose, without volunteering any additional info, as this will only confuse them more. Ex.: Child asks,"When's Daddy coming home?" You say, "When the dr. says he can." Don't volunteer that he has an aspiration pneumonia unless they ask because they will have no clue what you're talking about, which will confuse and scare them even more. Stick to short, easy-to-understand, honest answers.

 My question to you is that if he keeps aspirating, is a peg being considered? It may be a good option. Best, Becky 

Dean, If you aren't already, just watch your diet carefully. Particularly, keep your salt intake low and watch fats, carbs, and sugar. Find a moderate exercise regime, join a gym, or take water therapy classes, anything to get regular exercise. Congrats on getting off your meds, now "help" yourself stay off of them.   Becky

Nancy, honey, I'm so sorry. Stress can do a lot, and I'm sorry everything sucks right now. Try focusing on one thing at a time-easier said than done, I know, but try so that you don't feel so overwhelmed. Prayers, Becky

Sassy, I don't always read blogs, because I either don't have time, or my eyrs are bothering me. But, I read this one, and am so glad I did, because I may have a solution to your prolem thatDOESN'T involve Mr. expletive deleted dr. Many drug stores and places like Walmart sell Compression socks, which DO NOT require a prescription. Choose your ugly as they come in white or flesh-colored, and, are ugly, but work, especially if you take blood pressure pills. My new GP prescribed a blood pressure med that has a diuretic in it. Socks + med = no swelling, or greatly reduced swelling.

Your GP can prescribe med. If you don't have a GP, why not? Once you're sent home from hospital or rehab, there's not much, if anything, a neuro can do, unless you have a specific neuro problem, like I see one for my tone, but my GP manages all my other meds. Happy hunting! Becky