Update

Got a call from the Pines this morning. April The RN says that they need me to drive down to Kaiser to pick up meds for mom. Ok, the Physician's Assistant THINKS that the tremors are being caused by the dosage of narcotic. I will go pick up the lighter patches. April also tells me that Mom ate 90% of her breakfast. Alright, cool. Oh yeah, they are getting her up for a shower and are going to try to take her outside today. (!) Huh??? Are you talking about MY mother? Louise???

We make the journey to Folsom (an hour plus, round trip) and return with the drugs. Did you see Mom yet, she asks? Yeah, she is out in the Day Room, sitting up looking out the WINDOW. WHAT????????? April and the other RN were discussing me just before we arrived and when I found out that she had the idea that I would drive another hour plus to  go back to Kaiser for THE POTASSIUM THAT SHE WAS LACKING , I gave them the prescribed reaction. Ummmm, call your pharmacy. I'll pay to have it delivered. Oh and WHAT??? yeah, they think that her low potassium levels were making her PLAY DEAD.

I held my breath and headed into the Day Room, which is where mom would never go in a MILLION YEARS and found her dressed up in a purple, flowere muu-muu (!) with her hair combed in a jaunty side pony tail, sitting in a special padded chair LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW. This is seriously blowing my mind. She asked "how many"? when I told her that we planted roses yesterday. Oh, and who ARE you? The woman who has been dying since last Friday? I give up. I feel like someone has been beating me around the head and neck with bananas (yay, POTASSIUM).

Comments

[Kathy]

Wow. It's been quite the roller coaster ride. This sounds weird, but I had a cat years ago who I found almost lifeless on the bathroom floor one morning. He was about 17 and we rushed him to the vet. After a shot of potassium, (he wouldn't eat bananas) he was up almost immediately and lived another good 3 years. Who knew?

Lots of us have been there, take care of yourself, it really takes a lot out of you, the worrying and stress.

[Michele]

reading along and sending you good thoughts. (dtr of 82 year old mom)

[AlisonH]

Potassium helps nerves transmit their little electronic goodnesses. I was hospitalized for four days three years ago for what turned out to be two meds interacting with each other and tanking my potassium levels. Oh, and dried apricots have way more than bananas.

But wow. What a day you've had!

[Linda W]

Up and down. Up and down. Up and down. That's exactly what I remember with my mom. Sending you good vibes and hugs.

[Dawn]

Wow. That is just incredible. More strength to you.