Update...it has been a long time since I have updated, so I thought I would post one this morning.
Mom did another 8 days in the hospital because she was retaining fluid and she needed to be monitored while she got it out of her body.
She was moved back to our Rehab facility on the 10th of March and did fine....she has lost so much weight and strength that seems to be our problem now. Wish I knew of a quick way to gain strength and energy!!
Friday the 27th we moved her to a nursing home for her to gain more strength and get more Rehab as well. The food we hope is better too because mom does not have much of an appeitite, so she is not eating that much.
I am hoping things go well here. We have found out that mom only will have 20 days paid for by Medicare and then another 10 by her 2nd Ins. I am hoping that will get her far enough to go home or she may have to come and live here w/ us for a time too. Time will tell.
I do have a question for anyone that may have answers. Mom was wearing TED hose while in Rehab and Hospital, but now that she is in the Nursing Home she is not wearing them and I am concerned that she maybe should be wearing them. I know she is up and about more now but is still not doing much walking....so in my opinion they should be worn? any thoughts
Your Mom MUST Eat and Walk if she ever hopes to get her energy back. It will NOT come back by laying around in bed 'waiting and hoping' she will feel better.
She also needs to force herself to do the Breathing Exercises to expand her lungs and force out any fluid retention in the lungs. My Physician's Assistant told me to use the Incentive Spirometer for 10 minutes every 2 hours I was awake. I would literally push until I felt the fluid being squeezed out of my chest cavity. Fluid in the Lungs can lead to Pneumonia. NOT GOOD!
On Eating:
One Surgeon I know tells his post-op patients to Eat ANYTHING that appeals to them, just to get some nourishment. If that means someone running to the nearest Deli or Fast Food Joint, so be it. Worry about a Healthy Diet after recovery. It nothing is appealing, she needs to force herself to at least nibble on something throughout the day.
On Walking:
Her Muscles will atrophy if she doesn't get up and move around. "Use it or Lose it" applies here!
It takes time, LOTS OF TIME, to regain one's energy but it begins with a few small steps, repeated as often as possible. Whenever she feels the least bit of energy, she needs to get up and move about as much as she can, then rest when her energy is gone. A few steps several times a day will show Slow but Steady Improvement. Every day she should be able to take a few more steps than the day before (with some setbacks). Ideally, she should see some progress on a Week by Week basis.
SHE needs to play an Active Part in her Recovery.
If she expects to get better only from the Therapy and Nursing Care, she may Never Get There. She may need encouragement to build her Will-Power. A Positive Attitude and Desire to get better is probably the single most important part of a Successful Recovery.
Hoping for the Best,
'AL Capshaw'
