Dory Gets A New "Do"

Today we went to Leslie's shop and Mama got herself a new "DO". It looks sooo good.



Here are the before and after shots.














She is feeling a "little" better each day and she's able to do a "little" more each day but the reality of her illness is just now starting to be realized. As with most patients that have been given a dianosis of an incurable disease, she has started to go through the process of acceptance.

Thanks to all of you that have prayed for my Mom this last month. I would love it if you would continue to keep her in your prayers because I know that she can feel every one of them.

Many blessings to you,
Tammy

Dory Updates

Ok - whew! Here are some updates from the past week...

Mama's A1C is 6.6 (diabetic scale, this test gives you a picture of your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months ) which is slightly elevated for her but still within normal range considering she is on Prednisone(which spikes blood sugar) and Metformin (diabetic "pre-insulin" measures). I was very glad to hear this because I have been working hard to offer healthy snacks, meals and treats so she doesn't have a higher blood sugar reading than normal. Her blood sugar spikes normally come between 5pm and 6:30pm - her highest reading thus far has been 266 (again from the Prednisone), so I quarter the Metformin tablet and that normally bring it down to normal range within 2 hours.

When Mama came home from the hospital I drove to the pharmacy to have her prescriptions filled...while waiting for the prescriptions to be filled, of course, I shopped. I found the most helpful and wonderful tools, that at the time...did not know were going to help us as much as they have. My first purchase was a "ReliOn Blood Pressure Monitor Designed for Women" and each time we check her blood pressure (especially before we go to the doctors office) we are within 1 point of the doctors reading - not too shabby. It also has been showing about every other reading an abnormal heartbeat so I pointed this out to the doctor and he decided to administer a EKG. It did indeed show she had an irregularity and so Dr. Murphy had her to wear a Holter heart monitor for 24 hours. They took the heart monitor off this morning, printed and read the results and it showed that she is having a skipped heart beat every couple of beats - - just like the blood pressure monitor was showing - - worth its weight in gold.

My second purchase was an "Apex: With Four Alarm Settings Alarm Clock Pill Organizer". We have set the alarm to let us know when she is due for her breathing treatments and it has worked like a charm.

Oh yea, the doctor did decrease her dosage of Prednisone *CLAPS & WHISTLES*.

Next week she goes to have another Spirometry (measuring the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs), DLCO (Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide) and Lung Volume test performed at the hospital. Her scheduled appointment for starting the tests is 8am and no inhalers can be taken 4 hours prior to appointment so she will be without her 6am breathing treatment - please say a prayer for her...specifically that her chest does not tighten up.

Overall, she is doing better. Today after going to the doctor we went to Target to get in a little walking therapy *teeheehee* and she did wonderful. She enjoyed the trip and I was happy that she was able to get in such a great amount of walking therapy.

Don't forget to say a prayer for Dory.

Blessings, Tammy

R U Down with C.O.P.D. - No Not ME

After talking with Leslie "Ruby Begonia's Daughter" we thought I should have a go with a little light hearted talk about what we are going through with my Mom and her Dad; both being diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Chronic Bronchitis / Asthmatic Bronchitis).

Not being disrespectful just poking fun at them. Who would have suspected 30 years ago that we would be trailing along together in watching our parents (and we are only children) suffer through the most mundane of tasks (showering, checking the mail, washing a load of clothes). Leslie made the comment that we were going to have to make a play date with our parents - we'll just sit them in the corner, hook them up to their Oxygen tanks and have a little visit. HaHa! Of course we told our parents this and they had a hearty "breathless" laugh.

Side Note: I thought the text color in this posting was a nice COPD phlegmy color - oh your welcome, don't mention it.

Update: Mama was hospitalized for 5 days after I went over to her apartment and SHE COULD BARELY BREATHE. I called 911 and thankfully the Paramedics showed up only minutes later - a huge thanks to them. She was admitted with having COPD w/ Hypoxia (abnormally low Oxygen levels in the blood stream). She is living with us now because there is NO WAY that she could take proper care of herself anymore (with an Oxygen depletion you tend to not think rationally). Ever since Finding Nemo came out I have called her "Dory" and now I know why she has lost a huge part of her short term memory (of course we always laugh about this too). We are in process of getting her room comfortable for her ~ we were using our spare bedroom as a much coveted "junk room" so it's paint, carpet cleaning, moving furniture in...yada, yada, yada. I want to make it comfortable and PRETTY.

P.S. If you smoke QUIT! It's not a pretty site to watch someone you love struggle to get their breath, turn ashy grey and now need oxygen 24/7.

Blessings,Tammy