April 9, 2003

I was able to get a doctor’s appointment for Mom yesterday. I was shocked when the nurse pulled up Mom’s sleeve and exposed a big honkin’ bruise. I have never seen such a deep purple bruise on Mom before. Upon examination we saw a bruise from a thumb, with the place where the fingers dug in causing the worse bruising.

I was showing some of the aides at the facility today and they pulled out the charts. It seems that on the night of April 4th, Mom was up all night and combative. Day shift of April 5th noted that she had severe bruising on the underside of her arm. Some coincidence.

I showed the director (this is the second time I have shown him restraining bruises that I felt were overkill). The first time he said that I didn’t know what caused the bruising. This time he didn’t try to deny it was obviously done by a hand, but he suggested another resident may have done it. I would be more likely to go for that if the bruising didn’t appear after a night of her being combative with the aides.

He offered to call Adult Protective Services and have them investigate and I accepted. We’ll see what happens. I know they won’t be able to find out who did it, but I am hoping that whoever is manhandling my mother will get scared and stop.

Anyway, back to the doctor. He wrote a RX for a mild diuretic to try to take care of the swelling in her foot and ankle. He was hesitant about it because she will need even more fluids to combat her UTI, which lingers still. He gave her some cream for her allergic reaction to the diapers. He also is trying one more round of antibiotics for the UTI. He said if this one didn’t work, we would have to stop treating it until it causes fever and other symptoms. He took blood and is running a ton of tests, since we don’t know when she’ll cooperate to get blood drawn again.

Meanwhile, Mom continues her, “My feet. My feet. Ow. Ow. My feet.” while I visit. I don’t feel very optimistic about the diuretic helping her feet. Nor do I hold much hope that the podiatrist will be able to ease her suffering. If only she would sit and put her feet up for a few hours a day, she would probably be fine. Unfortunately, she is unable to understand.

On to job news.... It feels very strange to be working til 3A.M. Stranger still to be driving home in the middle of the night. I am enjoying the work, although this shift does go by more slowly than day shift. I have been able to fall asleep pretty quickly after arriving home, which is great. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to sleep long enough (waking up after 5 hours). I’m sure it will be easier after a couple of weeks. Oh yeah, that sleeping spray.... Sleep Solutions.... *ahem* ummm.... don’t waste your money.

Psalm 116:1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.