Close Call

I called my mom's chemo center this morning because I have been concerned about her deteriorating health.  I know that with treatment, there are side effects but this just seems different some how.  I then spoke with a very kind nurse in the radiation unit.  We talked for about a half hour about mom's condition.  I told her I felt mom wasn't getting enough fluids and eating enough despite of what she tells me.  I feel as though she is holding back what she is really feeling and going through.  She just sits in her recliner...alone...in silence....doing nothing but looking like she is at death's door.  It's not sitting right with me.  And I also told the nurse how mom is always saying she wants to suffer in silence.  And that I was concerned about her emotional welfare as well.

After I spoke with the nurse, I called mom. She didn't answer.  I was worried because she didn't sound that great last night.  I left a message to call me so that I could make sure she was alright.  Half hour goes by...nothing.  I know she must be up by now.

I just had this feeling and couldn't shake it.  I called my sister to see if she could go check on mom at lunch.  She couldn't (her work sucks as far as I'm concerned).  Dan couldn't because he was at a seminar.  I called a close family friend but she was waiting for a serviceman.  I was going to leave work but decided to call mom one more time.  She answered!

I asked mom why she didn't call me back.  She sounded loopy and she's barely talking.  She tells me two different reasons that didn't make sense.  I asked her if she wanted me to go to radiation with her (frankly, I didn't think she could take herself either) and she said yes.

I picked up my mom and when I walked in the door, there she was sitting in that recliner...alone...in silence, looking worse than when I saw her the other day.  Oh my god, I don't like this AT ALL.

On the way to her treatment I asked mom what she ate today.  She said one yogurt, 1/2 Ensure and some Gatorade.  In my mind I'm thinking, that is not enough!

While we are waiting for treatment, a nurse stepped out into the waiting area.  I read her tag to see if it was the same person as the one I spoke to this morning, but it wasn't.  However, the nurse I spoke earlier this morning did say something to the effect of having someone talk to mom when she got there and make it seem like they do that with all of their patients so that it doesn't seem like we are sneaking behind her back (thank god she doesn't read this blog.) :)

She asked how mom was feeling.  I told her how much mom ate today.  And the nurse told mom that she needs more than the 200 calories she ate today and how important it was to be sure to eat and drink enough liquids.  That you don't want to end up in the hospital.  She told mom that she would like to chat with her after her treatment. Mom of course rolled her eyes because she just wants to get out of there afterward, and told the nurse what was on mom's mind..didn't care because I said that yes, would because it's important for her care.

After the treatment, mom got weighed, had her blood pressure checked and heart rate.

Mom lost a pound since yesterday and the nurse shook her head at mom about this because she told mom that she weighed her with a gown yesterday and today weighed her with clothes and shoes.  Not good.  Then it took three tries to take her blood pressure because the nurse couldn't hear anything through the stethoscope.  The nurse had mom stand up to do it.  It was low yesterday and dangerously low today (they didn't specify the stats).  They reiterated to mom more strongly how important it was for her to drink and eat more and if she doesn't, she would end up in the hospital by the end of the week!  

Because mom's throat is so sore, this is the reason why she's hardly eating or drinking and it also feels like there is a lump in her throat constantly.  She received numbing medication which seems to help so she can get food and liquids down.  She was also prescribed Percocet (oxycodone) for the pain.  She took one but said it didn't work.

We were then supposed to go get her blood work done afterward and mom asked if it could wait until tomorrow.  I was about to argue with her when the nurse said, how about if we get someone to come to you, will you do it then and mom said yes.

So they got the blood work but we won't know until this week what the results of her CBC levels are (white and red blood cell counts).

The doctor came in and told her if one of the Percocet's didn't work then she should take two.  In fact, she should take two every four hours.  She can take up to 12 per day.  (I had no idea the dosage so I was glad I was there to hear this.)

Mom will be getting fluids at the chemo center tomorrow before her radiation treatment and I will be taking her and staying with her while she does.  I also want to speak with the nurses there and make sure I don't miss any important information on her care or how she is doing tomorrow.

It was a silent ride home as I knew that it was very difficult for mom to talk.  

When we got home, I crushed two Percocet tablets and mixed them with some chocolate pudding.  I told mom to eat the whole thing (the nurse recommended this to get it down easier).  I then made her some boxed mac n' cheese.  I gave her about a cup and told her to eat the whole thing as it would contain about 1000 calories (can you believe it's 350 calories per 1/4 cup??).  She had 2 1/2 glasses of Gatorade while I was there.  I looked into the fridge, I didn't see any evidence of her eating or drinking adequately. The food and liquids I brought over last week were barely touched.  The dishes I washed last week were still in the strainer so I know she hadn't been cooking herself anything either. I told her I thought she was fibbing about eating and drinking and she better make sure she starts doing it more.  She said she honestly thought she was eating and drinking enough and clearly she wasn't and was so glad I was there or lord knows what may have happened today.

She was looking and feeling better by the time I left.  She said she was feeling a bit better too.  She had more color in her cheeks, her eyes were more open and she was more alert and talking more. All I can say is never ignore your gut instinct. Phew, close call today.