Strokes?

This morning we touched base with the rehab team to find out about the psych evaluation schedule, request a physical for Mom for the new ALF (Assisted living facility), and request the nicotine patch go back on Mom.

We also contacted the ALF person's assistant, as the main contact is out of town but her assistant is to continue the process for us this week.

Finally we obtained approval to allow Mom's hairdresser back in to the facility tomorrow to fix her hair.

This evening nephew and ANIL (Almost Niece-in-law) go by to see Mom and find her in pretty good spirits. Mom was calm, sweet and never mentioned cigarettes -- ahh the nicotine patch.

Then sister goes by and the angel roommate informs Sister that Mom had a bad morning. She said she looked over and could see Mom's eye trembling and Mom said she couldn't control it. They called the nurse or CNA and they asked Mom if she had any pain and she said No. So, they left her alone.

After a while the Therapist came by and tried to get Mom up for exercise and Mom couldn't stand because her entire left side was weak!!! So, the Therapist just puts her back to bed!!

NOTHING was done and they never even bothered to communicate this to us! AND we were sharing emails with all of them around the time this occurred!!

Sister approaches the evening nurse to inquire about what happened. Nurse looks through chart and sees some notes about tremors but nothing else and says she will watch her tonight. Sister asked -- well, what was her heart rate when this was occurring -- nurse had no idea!

Now this evening Mom is walking and can move just fine. She walks sister to the door, etc.

So email sent this evening to facility administrator, head nurse and social worker. This is just unreal!! PRAY that we get Mom into the new facility ASAP - please pray for that for us. Even if she just has a day, a week, or a month -- it will be better than she is getting now!

My sister was informed this evening by Mom’s roommate that this morning Mom had an episode of trembling – uncontrollably. They got the nurses or CNAs or someone in there and they asked Mom if had any pain and then left her.

A while later the Therapist came in to get Mom up for therapy. Mom could not stand up because her entire left side was too weak to hold her. The therapist put her back in bed and she was left for the day.

Upon learning this my sister asked the nurse on duty this evening what happened to Mom this morning. The nurse found some sparse notes about trembling but no details. My sister asked what Mom’s heart rate was when this happened and the nurse could not find any information.

Thank God for (roommate's name) and her clear mind so that we could even know this occurred!!

WHY would her heart rate not be checked and noted? WHY would we not be called when something that appears to be a stroke is occurring?

We are trying our best to keep these communications open and working for Mom’s best interest. I’m surprised that none of this was communicated to us – not at the time nor even later.

Psych eval should occur tomorrow. Hopefully we'll hear something in response to these "strokes"? And HOPEFULLY, the new facility and us can get the contractual stuff out of the way and get that transfer process moving. I'm hoping I can get Mom to accept the new facility with an attitude of

We don't know how long we have but for now, enjoy this as a vacation at a nice resort and relax for a little while.

Everyday is a challenge and a test of our fortitude and faith. My faith is getting stronger, but there are minutes and hours where strength fails me.

UPDATE on Tuesday: The head nurse called just before lunch and advised that it did NOT appear that Mom had a stroke but she did have a tremor and she has had these before and could be related to medications or the exercise. She said that they do NOT notify family unless indication is in fact a stroke -- drooping mouth, unable to talk, unconscious, etc. The Nurse Practitioner is in today and is going to check Mom over just to be sure. All Mom's vitals yesterday were fine and she is alert, moving and talking today. Oh well......another lesson.

To be continued...............