Stories from the Chronic Life

One of the most frustration things about having a loved one in the hospital is conveying all the information that needs to be conveyed to the hospital staff and making sure that it’s followed.  Things can get confused and mistakes can happen.  Doctors and nurses aren’t always on the same page.

I made a complete list of all my Dad’s medication and his allergies, which was given to the medical staff when my Dad was admitted.  Later, I found out through a relative who went to visit my Dad, that the nursing staff was unclear about the dosages.  Even though I wrote everything, they were still confused.

I called the head nurse and we went over everything.  She was very clear about his medications.  I made sure she understood he was allergic to Spiriva and he was not to be given it at all cost.  It makes his breathing worse for whatever reason.

Imagine my anger when my oldest sister called me the next evening.  She was sitting with my Dad when one of the nurse’s came in with my Dad’s medication.  My sister listed to her rattle off the names of the drugs and she heard “Spiriva”.  She stopped her before she gave my Dad the one thing he is allergic to.

I called the hospital and made it very clear that under no circumstances was he to be given this medication.  It turns out his pulmonary specialist had visited that day.  He prescribed the Spiriva even though we had it noted everywhere that it was a no no.

I learned a few things rom this experience.  First, don’t expect the patient to be able to convey important information to the medical staff.  My Dad heard Spiriva but in his loopy state had no idea what the nurse was talking about.  Second, make sure that everyone really, really, really understands the patients allergies and intolerances.  Third, the pharmacy is supposed to be given a list of all the medications a patient can’t have.  Make sure when the person is admitted that everything has been relayed to the right people.  It’s an extra hassle, but will save headaches and heartache later.  If my Dad had been given Spiriva, his lungs would have seize up on him.  He would have been back at square one.

It’s difficult to feel like you are in the best hands when mistakes like this happen.  You must be your loved one’s advocate.  Don’t assume that because you relayed information, it’s being followed.  You have to be sure that everything is perfectly clear to avoid mishaps.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had to experience some things I’ve never gone through before.  I’m going to blog about them in hopes that it might helps someone else.

My Dad contracted a respiratory infection in November.  He was put on antibiotics and things were improving by the end of November.  But, after Christmas, this got progressively worse.  His emphysema was driving him crazy and his lungs didn’t seem right.

The second weekend in January his breathing got bad.  Sunday morning, he could not sit up without losing his breath.  I called a family member who was going to take him to the hospital.  I took the 15-20 minutes to write down all my Dad’s medications, his allergies, and the names of his doctors, so my sister could take it with her.

When my sister arrived, we decided against my Dad’s wishes to call an ambulance.  It was scary hearing the sirens stop in front of my house.  The paramedics were great, but it sure is a helpless feeling watching them cart your loved one off.  It was a bit surreal.

I must apologize to all my readers for the lack of blog entries since December.  I’d like to say that I’ve been off on some wild world tour.  Instead, a family member was ill and it ate up all my time.  Things are starting to get back to normal and I hope that my blogging will as well.

Hope you’ve all been in good health!

Wishing the visitors to this blog a very happy holiday season!

Merry Christmas to all!

I tried to get all my chores done by December 21st.  I left the last 3 days to recuperate.

Things didn’t quite work out that way.  I had to make a trip to make a trip to Target and pick up a couple little things we need for Christmas morning.

I was going to mop the floor again (I did it last Saturday).  However, it’s going to rain all week.  What sense is there to do it again when everyone is going to make it dirty in the next couple of days.  The cookies never got baked.  My sister baked cookies so we’re covered.  She’s also making the rice dish for Christmas dinner, so I don’t need to bring anything to dinner.  Yeah!

The only thing left is to enjoy my celebrations.  I approach the holidays in this way:  I do what I can.  The important part to participate in what I can.  Since Christmas morning is at my house, I can’t avoid that.  I’ll try to make Christmas Eve.  If I don’t make it to Christmas dinner, I’ll be okay with it.  As long as I get to enjoy my time with the entire family Christmas morning, I’m happy.

I’ve learned to let it be.  I’ll enjoy what I can and try not to feel guilty for the rest.

Merry Christmas to all!  Enjoy your celebration…even if you can only participate in some of them.

If you suffer from chronic illness, chances are you are going to run out of energy before you get through your list.  Is there anyone in the family you can enlist to help you through your chores?  If you have the money, can you hire someone to clean house or run errands?

Get your husbands to grocery shop (or better yet, use an online delivery service).  Get your kids to decorate the tree.  Ask your brother to mop the floor.  When people realize you need help, they’ll be willing to get you a hand.

It’s okay to ask for help.  There is nothing wrong with admitting that you can’t do it all yourself.  Things will go alot faster when more hands are busy.

One of my dreaded tasks is writing out Christmas cards.   I have arthritis in my right hand.  Holding a pen is painful after about 5 cards.  By the 10th card, I don’t think the recipients can read what I right.

I’ve had to completely rethink how I do my cards since I really enjoy sending them out.  I’ve decided that the only way to do them is on my computer.  I create my own card with a photo of the dog or the kids.  The salutation is included so I don’t have to sign my name a hundred times.  I’m not sure if folks find that impersonal, but it’s the only way I can do it.

Then I have my addresses in Works.  It’s all set up to print on envelopes.  I have the computer do it all for me.  I buy self adhesive envelopes at the 99 cents store.  I don’t even have to lick them.

Once all the printing is done all I have to do is fold my cards, put on the stamps.  Then they’re done!

Take a look at your tasks.  Is there anything you make unduly difficult just because you insist on doing it the traditional way?  Is there anything you can use technology for so that you can get the task done without destroying your hands or your shoulder or whatever body part aches?  You don’t have to make things complicated.  It’s okay to take the easy route.

You’ve made your list of items to be done before Christmas.  You marked off what needs to be done right before Christmas and some time before Christmas.

Now take another look at that list.  Unless you are a super being there is a good chance you aren’t going to accomplish it all.  Go over each item and rate it.  Does it really have to be done or is it something you just want done?

Let’s take a sample list:

1.  Buy groceries for Christmas dinner

2.  Clean bathroom

3.  Mop floor

4.  Clean out the refrigerator

5.  Wash bedding

6.  Wrap presents

7.  Make holiday phone calls

8.  Bake cookies

9.  Write Christmas Cards

This list represents some things that might be on my list.  What on my list has to be done?  I need to buy the groceries, that’s for sure.  But I can’t do it until a day or two before Christmas.

I need to wrap presents.  I can do that now–get it out of the way.

I need to clean house, but of those tasks what really needs to be done?  I do need to clean the bathroom, but unless someone plans on taking a shower, I can leave the bathtub until after the holidays.  How about the kitchen?  The counters, stove, microwave, and outside of appliances should be clean.  I don’t really need to scrub down the refrigerator, do I?  As long as I make room for the groceries and any food others bring over, the refrigerator is fine.

The Christmas cards should get done.  I have been working on them slowly throughout the month so they’ll be done in.

Baking cookies…I’ll put this way at the bottom of my priorities.  I’d love to bake cookies, but it really takes alot of energy to do them.  If I don’t get around to it, it’s not like the holidays will be ruined.

Separate out what has to be done, the things you’d like to be done but aren’t detrimental, and the extra duties that have no business being mixed up in the holiday chores.  By prioritizing, you make the holidays alot easier on yourself and those around you.

The first place to start is the beginning…making a list.  You might have a hundred things floating around in your head.  Get them down on paper.

Make a list of everything you need to accomplish before the holidays.  Make a note next to it whether it needs to be done right before Christmas or anytime before Christmas.

Once you’ve got the list you’ll have a better idea of what you have to do.  It does help to get it down in writing.  It should feel less forbidden this way.

This can be a truly stressful time for anyone suffering from chronic illness.  How can you get things done when you can’t even walk?  How can you put up a tree when you sinuses are driving you batty?  How will you ever get the hundred and one things accomplished when you don’t even fell like getting out of bed.

This year I had to get every thing accomplished by myself.  The person who normally cleans house for me around the holidays was moving into a new house and was not available.  It was enough to put me over the edge.

In the next couple of posts, let’s talk about how do what you need to do without making yourself sick.  It’s not easy, but it can be done