Doctor visit

We met with Dr. Thompson yesterday. Mom was coughing quite a bit and he was concerned. We talked about antibiotics and his feeling is that overusing them will be more harmful than helpful. He won't prescribe any until she is feverish and/or coughing up green phlegm. He was very honest about the state of her lungs. They are the issue affecting her ability to get better. He suggested a visit with her pulmonologist but also said that he feels that everything to be done is already being done. The question of upping her prednizone was brought up and again he passed that decision off to Dr. Mosleth, the pulmonologist. The extra prednizone helps her breathe but takes a real toll on her other organs which are already weakening. Mom was very clear that she was not ready to give up and so Dr. Thompson said that he would continue to treat her as long as she wants him to.

So we are no further ahead but at least things are on the table for all of us. By the way, Dr. Thompson talked with Mom about her poor appetite and he told her that as far as he was concerned she should be eating whatever tastes good to her (as long as there isn't too much salt). He feels that root beer floats are the perfect food. Mom was all for that!

She still struggles to breathe and says she doesn't feel good but I guess we will try our best to keep her as active as we can.

Happy Easter to all!

Hope that Easter was a wonderful season for everyone. The Roches are riding the roller coaster again. Mom had a wonderful visit with her new great grandaughter (only 5 days old) on that beautifully warm Sunday a couple of Sundays ago. Chris, Andrea, Sydney and Ryley came to St. Anne's for a visit. Peggy, John and Aunt Kate were there too so we all got to hold a newborn and sit in the sun.

We were all very hopeful that we would be bringing Mom home for the day on Easter and all plans were made. Colleen stopped to pick her up but she wasn't dressed, felt horrible and had just had a "diabetic episode" as they call it. They have taken her off of the sliding scale for her insulin and now give her a regular dosage. Unfortunately, Mom has not been eating much and no food and too much insulin is a bad combination. I just happened to call to say we were on the way when the nurse was with her. Needless to say, she was not at her best.

We moved the party to St. Anne's and did our best to cheer her up. Truth be told, her moods have been very good. The nurses are looking at her like she is ready to go and she keeps telling them that she is getting better. We have an appointment with her cardiologist tomorrow and we will see what direction he takes us. Nursing home care can be very frustrating because they don't really have a doctor available. She is there by phone but we don't deal with her directly and her visits with mom are monthly and for minutes. It isn't very satisfying and difficult to get answers. Dr. Thompson (the cardiologist) has been great and so we lean on him for the straight story. I'll write more when I know more.

PS I'm having trouble converting the baby pictures to put them up, but I will soon.