Sunday, March 16, 2014

Busy this week

I won't be on the air for a bit.  Hopefully very short.  Mom needs oral surgery and we are jumping through hoops right now just to get her fit for it.  She is 89 and ANY kind of surgery at this stage has more risks than, say, 20 years ago.

She needs to have an infected tooth removed.  Sounds simple?  Oh no, my friends.  Now dentists won't do anything to a tooth without the sign off of a medical doctor.  The medical doctor looks at blood work, sees something iffy (Mom's platelets are a tad below the range) and refers you to a hematologist.  Everyone has to have a look.  Meanwhile, Mom has an infected tooth and the associated pain forgodsake!!

Fortunately the antibiotics are helping, but this has dragged on for almost 2 weeks now!  Mom is confused.  It should be simple.  I'm angry.  It should be simple.  Bottom line, I want Mom to be in the best health possible so there is less risk of complications (like bleeding).

Finally, Friday, the medical doctor signed off.  When I went to call the oral surgeon on Friday .... gee ... they close early on Friday so no one was there.  *#(*@#!   I'll call first thing tomorrow to sched Mom's surgery.  And I'm trying VERY HARD to convince Mom to come stay with me for the 1st 48 hours after surgery.  I need to make sure that the gum socket clots and that it doesn't go dry.  And there will most likely be pain and swelling and she would ignore not believing it could be something important.  *sigh*

Anyway, all I can do right now is make sure she eats better than she does.  Here's a typical lunch she gets here.  Lots of deep leafy greens (for bone marrow to make platelets), and a grilled turkey meatloaf sandwich on whole grain bread.  Brightly colored fruit and vegetables (preferably raw) will help.  And - hey! - it's delicious!

Back soon.  Wish us luck.

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10 comments:

  1. Hope all goes well for your mom!

    And I think it's atrocious--the way everyone has to have their hand in the pot. Of course, I realize it's probably because of all the lawsuits nowadays. Perhaps we should hope for mass extinction--of lawyers!

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    1. No one wanted to 'take the blame' should something go wrong. Used to be a dentist had sway over those issues. Now they pass the buck. Thanks for the good wishes!

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  2. Aww - that's nasty. Hope that all goes according to plan and well.

    I suggest that once she has had the surgery and she is home / with you that her diet should be very mushy - scrambed eggs and soft bread (no crusts), thick pureed soups, mince and mash - anything that cannot accidentally "pierce" the wound and start bleeding.

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    1. Thanks, Dani. Fingers crossed. Yes, lots of yummy soft foods and no big exertions for now.

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  3. It does look like a very tasty and healthy lunch.

    Good luck with the surgery. The new medical routine leaves me very angry! DH just got reminded that he was behind on his pneumonia shots and some other test; none that he every does as routine anyway!

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    1. I don't know. For all the nosiness of current 'reminders', there seems to be less feelings of true 'care', just by-the-numbers and cover-our-asses mentality. And all these shots they want you to take (shingles, pneumonia, etc) are not all covered. Shingles shots, after PartD would have cost almost $180! I think it the drug companies doing it.

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  4. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your mum. Keeping to healthy eating is important at any age, but if mum stays with you I`m sure she will make a much better recovery whilst well looked after by you.

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    1. Thanks, Sarina. Yeah Mom has agreed to spend a couple of recovery days here with me. I'll have hot/cold compresses on hand, good food, games, DVDs , her books etc. at the ready.

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  5. Good luck with it all! I hope the surgery is a success and she heals well. :o)

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    1. Thanks, Tammy. We're hoping everything is easy-peasy.

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