Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Gramma's in the hospital again

For those of you who don't know, I live with my 93 year old grandmother and take care of her. Saturday night I had to call the ambulance because she was having trouble breathing. She didn't want me to call, but I was really worried about her. After the paramedics came she finally agreed to go to the hospital. It was a good thing she went, because it turns out she has bronchitis (again). Last spring she spent 2 weeks in the hospital after bronchitis turned into pneumonia. She really hasn't been the same since she came back from the last hospital stay. She was lot weaker and was starting to forget things and get confused. It's not easy being her sole caregiver. Unfortunately my mother lives in another state, but we've been on the phone together nearly every day. She's coming to visit next month, which I'm really looking forward to. Not only will we be able to take care of some of Gramma's affairs while Mother's here, but it will be nice to have someone else help shoulder the load for a bit. Plus it will be nice to see my mother again and spend some time together.
When I talked to the nurse at the hospital today, she said Gramma was doing a little better than yesterday, although they need to get her blood sugar stabilized (she's diabetic). She doesn't seem to be coughing quite as much as she was, and they had her sitting in the chair for a few hours. She's still on oxygen, but her appetite seems to be returning a bit. They want to send her to a nursing home (one we're quite familiar with) to do her rehabilitation after she gets out of the hospital. Her doctor works there too, so she'll be comfortable with him there. I'm doing all I can to keep her spirits up, and trying to avoid upsetting her in any way. I didn't mention that the heating element in the oven died yesterday. If I told her, she'd just get all worried and upset. Hopefully I can just replace the element, and we'll have a working oven again. Unfortunately I can't bake any polymer clay until we get it fixed (not to mention dinner- LOL). I'm paying all her bills now, as well, so she doesn't have to worry about that either.
I hate seeing her weak and confused, because that's just not Gramma. It's hard to believe she'll be 94 in April. I can only hope that it's a healthy and happy 94. If anyone deserves to be healthy and happy, it's Gramma.
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

2 comments:

  1. Awww I hope she will be ok soon! Sorry to hear about that. :(

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  2. Hi Michelle, Boy do I know how you feel! I was in a similar situation, although I wasn't alone. It's hard when they just aren't themselves. I just know that she is grateful and feels blessed to have you, her granddaughter caring for her. You're doing a wonderful thing!! Funny how much we all have in common. I love this handmade community!
    Blessings to you and your Gramma! And of course your furry kids too!
    ~Julie

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