Well, Lisa is doing better. We took her off her meds, more than the drs wanted us to, but she only takes 1 pill at night...of the med that we thought was causing havoc on her system. She seems better.
Sunday, Karen picked her up for church and then we switched and I took her. We took her to the batting cages to watch Sydney and Michele hit softballs and then to Chili's to eat. She said she has never been there and she really liked it. We then watched as a thunderstorm rolled in and got out to the car before it let loose! We JUST made it thankfully. It rained huge drops and it was coming down pretty hard. We detoured to Dad's house and visited him for about an hour. Lisa ate some watermelon and some peanut butter balls, for quality control check. I didn't like them, but everyone else did. LOL! Lisa wanted a box for the road. I got her a handful, cuz I know it won't last for a day or two. I am sure they were gone before the watermelon!
She is able to talk and to hold and initiate conversations again. She wants to be included in the party! She was sitting in a chair and we were sitting in the same room, just across the room and she wanted to be closer, thinking she was in her wheelchair, she tried to undo her brakes...she walked in and didn't have her WC so we helped her up and she walked over to where she wanted to be and we set her chair down so she could be closer. Excuse the grammar there:)
Lisa's caregiver, Lori, took Lisa to the Memorial Day parade. Lisa enjoyed it. She wants to get out more, now that it is nice. It was a year ago that she was moved to the hospital in Normal. It has been a long year for her...for us. We have a meeting soon to discuss her goals. She has been in her apt for almost 8 months now!
click here:
http://leroyjenkinsclan.blogspot.com/2010/05/itll-get-better.html
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Groggy
Lisa is not being her normal self. She is staring more, but is able to answer your questions. It seems as though she has delayed speech, has to think about her answers. She is sleepy through out the day.
Karen got a call back from the Doc. We are decreasing that one med, back to 1 pill twice a day. We are monitoring her behaviors and writing down our observations. We will see where she is in about a week and then we will proceed with whatever we see. The Doc does not want us to take her off of it, but we will observe her.
She is doing well, I know she would love a card or two. If you have even just a piece of paper and some time, jot her a note. Those always lift her spirits...
Thanks. I will keep this blog updated with the good, the bad and the pretty:)
Karen got a call back from the Doc. We are decreasing that one med, back to 1 pill twice a day. We are monitoring her behaviors and writing down our observations. We will see where she is in about a week and then we will proceed with whatever we see. The Doc does not want us to take her off of it, but we will observe her.
She is doing well, I know she would love a card or two. If you have even just a piece of paper and some time, jot her a note. Those always lift her spirits...
Thanks. I will keep this blog updated with the good, the bad and the pretty:)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
She's not being a good listener!
Lisa got home at 2:45 on Monday, she was really wobbly so we wheeled her in. She was a bit confused. It seems as though she is drugged up...she is better than she was, but not great! She is still acting different than normal, but is happy to be home.
To make a long story short, she was instructed not to attempt to go to the bathroom by herself. But she did and she told Lori, her care taker that she "fell gracefully". LOL! She was able to get up with Lori's help but is super unbalanced. We don't know why. Could be a combo of the meds and her seizures, killing brain cells.
Karen has a call into the dr and wants her off the new meds...they don't want to change anything until they see her again, but we both feel that she needs to be OFF of them...mind you, we know her the best, we have gut feelings, and the dr sees her for 15 min 2 times a year. In my opinion, we need to wean her off of them and be done with it. We will see what the Doc says. But don't be surprised if we go ahead and do it anyway. Yes, we might catch alot of flack from lots of people...but like I said, we have noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference in her behavior and her manner since she was put on this med.
We will see. Continue to pray for decisions for us and for Lisa to be able to communicate what she is feeling. She just says, "I don't know" and cries. Something is amiss.
To make a long story short, she was instructed not to attempt to go to the bathroom by herself. But she did and she told Lori, her care taker that she "fell gracefully". LOL! She was able to get up with Lori's help but is super unbalanced. We don't know why. Could be a combo of the meds and her seizures, killing brain cells.
Karen has a call into the dr and wants her off the new meds...they don't want to change anything until they see her again, but we both feel that she needs to be OFF of them...mind you, we know her the best, we have gut feelings, and the dr sees her for 15 min 2 times a year. In my opinion, we need to wean her off of them and be done with it. We will see what the Doc says. But don't be surprised if we go ahead and do it anyway. Yes, we might catch alot of flack from lots of people...but like I said, we have noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference in her behavior and her manner since she was put on this med.
We will see. Continue to pray for decisions for us and for Lisa to be able to communicate what she is feeling. She just says, "I don't know" and cries. Something is amiss.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Lots Better Today
I am happy to report that Lisa is doing lots better today. Thanks to prayer I am sure.
She is happy, would be happier to be out of the hospital, and she is being sweet and appreciative to the techs who come in to do vitals, and help her to the bathroom and give her water.
She told one girl, Sarah how sweet she is and that ,"I like you" to which Sarah smiled and told Lisa that she likes her too. Then Lisa asked her to come over to the bed so she could give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Sarah obliged and I think, it made her day.
I am waiting for the dr to come in, it looks like she is being released from his care, wants her see her in 2 weeks. She is looking lots better and starts conversations with me now. Yesterday she just stared off into space, not really aware that I was there most of the afternoon. Today, she is asking me when I am leaving...LOL! I asked her if she wanted me to leave and she is more worried about what I have to do today rather than me sitting here with her. Sweet.
I have told her that lots of people are concerned about her she just told me..."that's fine" So, I just wanted those of you who follow, that Lisa is aware of you all and that it makes a difference. I just gave her my card that I made her, she looked at it and comments, " I like this card, I can read it, it says....Get Well Soon, Lisa Ann! We love you. Karla, Joe, Sydney, Chase and Michele." It is hard to know which way she is looking...her eyes are not going the same way.
She is messing with something that is attached to her, I look over and ask her what she is doing, she says, "Nothing, what are YOU doin'?" Funny. We are watching Kathie Lee and Hoda, she is getting a kick about the products they are trying out.
Well, guess what? The dr just came in and told Lisa that after lunch she can go home. Lisa told him she hasn't been home. She will be taking the Keppra and will take away the other seizure med that apparently did not work...at all. Trial and Error. I just never want her to have another seizure like I saw the other night. It was vicious!
She has perked up quite a bit, and things, although not totally normal, will get that way, in a few weeks.
Thank you for the thoughts and prayers coming our way. It has been a long road...tomorrow it will be our 1 year anniversary....bitter sweet.
She is happy, would be happier to be out of the hospital, and she is being sweet and appreciative to the techs who come in to do vitals, and help her to the bathroom and give her water.
She told one girl, Sarah how sweet she is and that ,"I like you" to which Sarah smiled and told Lisa that she likes her too. Then Lisa asked her to come over to the bed so she could give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Sarah obliged and I think, it made her day.
I am waiting for the dr to come in, it looks like she is being released from his care, wants her see her in 2 weeks. She is looking lots better and starts conversations with me now. Yesterday she just stared off into space, not really aware that I was there most of the afternoon. Today, she is asking me when I am leaving...LOL! I asked her if she wanted me to leave and she is more worried about what I have to do today rather than me sitting here with her. Sweet.
I have told her that lots of people are concerned about her she just told me..."that's fine" So, I just wanted those of you who follow, that Lisa is aware of you all and that it makes a difference. I just gave her my card that I made her, she looked at it and comments, " I like this card, I can read it, it says....Get Well Soon, Lisa Ann! We love you. Karla, Joe, Sydney, Chase and Michele." It is hard to know which way she is looking...her eyes are not going the same way.
She is messing with something that is attached to her, I look over and ask her what she is doing, she says, "Nothing, what are YOU doin'?" Funny. We are watching Kathie Lee and Hoda, she is getting a kick about the products they are trying out.
Well, guess what? The dr just came in and told Lisa that after lunch she can go home. Lisa told him she hasn't been home. She will be taking the Keppra and will take away the other seizure med that apparently did not work...at all. Trial and Error. I just never want her to have another seizure like I saw the other night. It was vicious!
She has perked up quite a bit, and things, although not totally normal, will get that way, in a few weeks.
Thank you for the thoughts and prayers coming our way. It has been a long road...tomorrow it will be our 1 year anniversary....bitter sweet.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
It was a Doozy!
It was a rainy and cold day here on Saturday. The cold front came in and wow, the hot humid weather we had on Wed and Thursday is a faint memory! Joe and I and the kids came to see Lisa, after sitting in a fog like mist soccer game. Chase had some really good passes, but his team lost. It was a really good game though. I called Lisa and asked her if we could come over and we told me to "go ahead!"
We get to her apt and she is sitting in her recliner. She looks a bit puffy in the face and could not find her remote control for her TV. She said she just had it. Karen and her 2 boys come over and Karen does her meds. She asks Lisa her social security number and Lisa says the first three numbers, but can't remember the rest....she keeps saying the first 3 in hopes the last 6 will come to her. I ask her what her birthday is and she is able to say it, but it was a struggle. Weird!! She rattles those off like she does her name, usually.
I take her temp and she is running a slight temp. I give her some Tylenol and stay for for a little bit. We changed the TV to gymnastics, Lisa's favorite and we watch that with her for about 45 minutes.
I look over at her and reminisce about just how 52 weeks ago, this very weekend, Amy, Karen, Lisa and I were meeting at Dad's house to meet with our pastor to pray before we headed over to Peoria for Lisa's brain surgery. We stayed in a hotel, just the sisters, and ordered Pizza and did our nails and toe's and had a party!
Karen called Joe's cell and asked him if I talked to Lori, Lisa's caretaker...Joe hands me the phone and I told her no. She told me that Lori thinks Lisa might be having a stroke!!! Instant tears. I drop my spoon, I was eating, and tell Karen that I will be right there. I left my house at 6:30 and didn't return till 12:30.
I beat Lisa to the ER and when I saw her, she was the way she was earlier. Out of it and just not able to answer simple questions. She didn't remember that any of us were at her apt and that she walked, totally unassisted with me in the hallway and the common area. She answered questions with Yes and No inappropriately. She is not herself.
Then, about 9, I saw the most horrible seizure that I have ever seen. Lisa was going into a grand mal and I called the nurse, who needed to tell the ER Dr so they could witness it. It lasted a good 2-3 minutes, but seemed like it was forever. I told the Dr that in my entire life, I have never seen her this bad. She turned blue in her face and she was just pitiful. The Dr told me that her seizures will be different now, because they are coming from a different part of her brain. She twitched for about 1 1/2 hours after that. It was hard, to say the least. I never want her to have another one like that...EVER!!! She must've had one like it before she came to ER. She had no idea where she was at, or what happened to her.
Because she had it in the ER, they admitted her and today, she is tired, grouchy, and emotional. Me too.
Amy, and Karen were both here today and I came later. Lisa is resting and sleeping off and on. She does not want to stay here. She wants to go home and will gladly tell you that:) We don't know though. Karen talked to the nurse, who told her that they did a CT scan, no water on the brain--Whew!!! but her calcium is up and her white blood cell count is up...and...her heart stops beating for about 2 seconds.
If someone could tell us what this means, please call. She is a mess, emotionally. She will stay another night but we are not sure if she will be allowed to go home. Please pray for her and for guidance for us.
I am so glad that she was able to totally walk unassisted, she only used her hemy walker! She hugged each one of us before we left yesterday and told us she loved us...She is still Lisa, just not the same one lately. We hope that the new meds that she was put on a couple of weeks ago are the culprit and we will stop them and put her back on the ones she was on before. Pray that this is all it is.
I will try to keep this updated when I find out something...signing off, for now:)
We get to her apt and she is sitting in her recliner. She looks a bit puffy in the face and could not find her remote control for her TV. She said she just had it. Karen and her 2 boys come over and Karen does her meds. She asks Lisa her social security number and Lisa says the first three numbers, but can't remember the rest....she keeps saying the first 3 in hopes the last 6 will come to her. I ask her what her birthday is and she is able to say it, but it was a struggle. Weird!! She rattles those off like she does her name, usually.
I take her temp and she is running a slight temp. I give her some Tylenol and stay for for a little bit. We changed the TV to gymnastics, Lisa's favorite and we watch that with her for about 45 minutes.
I look over at her and reminisce about just how 52 weeks ago, this very weekend, Amy, Karen, Lisa and I were meeting at Dad's house to meet with our pastor to pray before we headed over to Peoria for Lisa's brain surgery. We stayed in a hotel, just the sisters, and ordered Pizza and did our nails and toe's and had a party!
Karen called Joe's cell and asked him if I talked to Lori, Lisa's caretaker...Joe hands me the phone and I told her no. She told me that Lori thinks Lisa might be having a stroke!!! Instant tears. I drop my spoon, I was eating, and tell Karen that I will be right there. I left my house at 6:30 and didn't return till 12:30.
I beat Lisa to the ER and when I saw her, she was the way she was earlier. Out of it and just not able to answer simple questions. She didn't remember that any of us were at her apt and that she walked, totally unassisted with me in the hallway and the common area. She answered questions with Yes and No inappropriately. She is not herself.
Then, about 9, I saw the most horrible seizure that I have ever seen. Lisa was going into a grand mal and I called the nurse, who needed to tell the ER Dr so they could witness it. It lasted a good 2-3 minutes, but seemed like it was forever. I told the Dr that in my entire life, I have never seen her this bad. She turned blue in her face and she was just pitiful. The Dr told me that her seizures will be different now, because they are coming from a different part of her brain. She twitched for about 1 1/2 hours after that. It was hard, to say the least. I never want her to have another one like that...EVER!!! She must've had one like it before she came to ER. She had no idea where she was at, or what happened to her.
Because she had it in the ER, they admitted her and today, she is tired, grouchy, and emotional. Me too.
Amy, and Karen were both here today and I came later. Lisa is resting and sleeping off and on. She does not want to stay here. She wants to go home and will gladly tell you that:) We don't know though. Karen talked to the nurse, who told her that they did a CT scan, no water on the brain--Whew!!! but her calcium is up and her white blood cell count is up...and...her heart stops beating for about 2 seconds.
If someone could tell us what this means, please call. She is a mess, emotionally. She will stay another night but we are not sure if she will be allowed to go home. Please pray for her and for guidance for us.
I am so glad that she was able to totally walk unassisted, she only used her hemy walker! She hugged each one of us before we left yesterday and told us she loved us...She is still Lisa, just not the same one lately. We hope that the new meds that she was put on a couple of weeks ago are the culprit and we will stop them and put her back on the ones she was on before. Pray that this is all it is.
I will try to keep this updated when I find out something...signing off, for now:)
Friday, May 06, 2011
Dr visit
Karen took Lisa to go see her neurologist Dr in Peoria on Wed. She told him about her grand mal a couple of weeks ago and asked him about upping her meds for her tone. She is extremely tight and is not able to move her right side freely because of her stroke, which is hindering her progress with therapies...or so we would like to think. She asked him about the seizure meds that she is currently on. One of the side affects is weight gain...although she has been on this for quite sometime, she was able to walk it off and get some exercise. Being in the wheelchair is just making her gain more and more.
The Doc went ahead and switched her meds to one that she had been on before that made her lose weight. Hopefully it will work. We need prayers for that. She has gained 50 pounds since last May. She does not like to be this big. When we told her a few months ago what she weighed, she wanted to "get that down", instead, she gained another 10. How frustrating...I mean, for real!!!! Can you imagine yourself in her shoes?
She is a bit depressed, not doing anything. It is finally getting nice around here and she just wants to get out and enjoy her neighborhood, or go for a car ride. When the kids get out of school and my schedule is not so crazy with my work, I need to set up a day or two that she can just get out and do something.
But, other than all of that...she had a good Easter. I went to get her and took her to church. She left her wheelchair at home. We then went to Dad's for dinner and hung out with the family. She was ready to go home about 2 or 3. She got teary eyed when she was leaving. Karen took her to Mom's grave. I think she just needed that. Karen said she just wants to get out more than she does, and she should!
That's all for now!
The Doc went ahead and switched her meds to one that she had been on before that made her lose weight. Hopefully it will work. We need prayers for that. She has gained 50 pounds since last May. She does not like to be this big. When we told her a few months ago what she weighed, she wanted to "get that down", instead, she gained another 10. How frustrating...I mean, for real!!!! Can you imagine yourself in her shoes?
She is a bit depressed, not doing anything. It is finally getting nice around here and she just wants to get out and enjoy her neighborhood, or go for a car ride. When the kids get out of school and my schedule is not so crazy with my work, I need to set up a day or two that she can just get out and do something.
But, other than all of that...she had a good Easter. I went to get her and took her to church. She left her wheelchair at home. We then went to Dad's for dinner and hung out with the family. She was ready to go home about 2 or 3. She got teary eyed when she was leaving. Karen took her to Mom's grave. I think she just needed that. Karen said she just wants to get out more than she does, and she should!
That's all for now!
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