94 Years...

Copyright © 2008 Judith J. Bentley

Wednesday, October 23, 2008

My sister Kate has booked her ticket to Greenville, South Carolina December 3-8 to visit Mother and brother in Simpsonville.

Brief Chronology

8.11 - Greenville EMS & Simpsonville Fire Dept EMS responded to assist in getting Mother back in bed after a blackout. She refused to go to the hospital. Brother was charged $200 for a "no service-transport." Brother is unable to lift Mother by himself.

9.21 - Mother requests her internet connection service cancelled - can't use it any more.

10.7 - EMS made 2 trips, one to the hospital for a fractured humerus and one to bring Mother back to the house.

10.16 - Brother reports Mother got her flu shot today from Connie-Jumper Blackstone, M.D.
Money is "flying out of Mother's checkbook" to pay for transportation costs to/from hospital and EMS calls for lifting assistance. Brother requests help with Medicare information. Next doctor visit is 10.30. Primary MD wants to refer Mother to a National Neuro Clinic for Rehabilitation - additional transport fees. Sister correctly questions the goal of neuro rehab at age 94 - with risk of injury during transport, etc. - a cost vs. value issue.

10.17 - I have requested Kate to send me her itinerary for the December trip.

10.17 - Brother reports that Mother has been essentially bedridden since her arm and shoulder fracture early October. Helpers from Assisting Angels, Inc. allow brother time to run errands, shopping, etc. on Saturdays. They come on other days as well. Mother still in sling with compression - wide band encircling her body and covering the sling.

Kate sends me her travel itinerary for the December trip.

10.20 - Brother has "nearly sleepless night."

Tuesday 10.21 - Brother reports a very hectic day. Nurse Joyce was with Mother this morning. He called for lifting assistance and fire dept instead called Greenville County EMS who transported her to Greenville Memorial Hospital to remain overnight. Nurse Joyce accompanied Mother to the hospital. ER doctor found imbalance in her endocrine secretions and constipation. Brother reports "not life threatening."

Wednesday 10.22 - Brother reports that Dr. Barr discussed "plan of action" with him and he agreed to have Mother transferred to the congestive heart failure unit. Apparently, her blood pressue medicine may have been responsible for her collapses. Brother reports Mother "seems to be getting good treatment."

Thursday 10.23 - I write brother and sister that I will begin plans to visit in December.