Texas Joe....as my wise grandma would say, carry your cross...don't drag it. Just think, if you had a heart attack, then your dw would be your caregiver.....and then you would be in worse shape....more meds, more things you cannot do...more doctor visits...and today's heart attacks don't put you out of your misery...they only add to it.... I am emailing you a cyber backrub for your sore back.....hope that will help.
Texas Joe, you can have faith in CVS -- they are just as good as Walgreens or Walmart, etc. The State of Texas also uses them for their employee group insurance mail order pharmacy.
Hey, it feels a little better already, phranque...thanks! I was talking about the massive MI that killls you right away like my paternal grandmother...she, at 85, was helping her sister move. She was getting some boxes out of a closet and dropped dead. No caregiving to her, just goodbyes.
Been using CVS for years; mine is great, they don't have a drive-thru - but if I call ahead they will bring it out to the curb/car. Make things easier on yourself TJ - switch to one that has a drive thru, delivery service or something that will help you more. Lots of hugs to you tonight.
That's right, Mary in Montana. Thanks Vickie. It's going to be better both in the hot hot summer and the cold winter and especially in the rain. Just drive up and leave off the prescription (unless the dr. calls it in), then come back later and pick it up, all in the comfort of your car. What a concept!
TJ..how's your neck?? I bet it feels much better without the rope around it...Now one more suggestion.....Put a big huge grin on your face when you read this.....
Feel better?????
Heck, TJ things could be worse....you could be me.....
Yeah phranque, working full-time plus being responsible for 3 people's care is not for me. I just didn't know my retirement years would involve all this. Tain't fair. Speaking of care, I've got to go get some grub ready to eat, such as it is. Oh, and I still have the rope around my neck but loose....I'm hoping it will catch on something and tighten up.
I am going to throw you off the side of the cruise ship, and hope we can troll for more sharks to put into the shark pool......how long can you thread water??
Tjoe i use CVS to and changed to a drivethru a bit farther away but for the very reason of not having to get out of the car with DH in tow. its worth it so i would recommend you find the drive thru one. they work like every other pharmacy and take all insurance. plus be sure and get the little red savings card for free everytime you spend there you get feebies and i always get 5dol off here or something extra. it adds up. be sure to give her the pedialyte too and maybe stock up a few bottles in this heat. if its too sweet you can water it down some and offer all day to be sure shes hydrating -this heat is killer. divvi
Texas Joe-- Do what needs doing tonight--NO MORE. Take your med. You've stalled long enough. It will help get you through. Also, call the Dr. even if it is the after hours, weekend number and when the Dr. calls back, tell him since they sent her home immediately after losing her lunch, in the 103 heat, and with written prescriptions to be filled (not called in), and only you to do all her care, get the prescriptions, and reestablish her routine with changes required by this latest hospitalization, you need some help. Tell him you don't want her going back in already because she's dehydrating or delayed in getting her new meds. I believe there is some follow up care available, covered by Medicare,after hospitalizations, when needed. The heat/dehydration issue might be a hook to get that help, even if only for a few days. If it was me I'd also call the hospital Ombudsperson/Customer Care Rep. Monday and report what happened with her discharge. From your description, it doesn't sound like it was done very responsibly. This may not change anything, but then again, they need to know the ball was dropped. It's been a long, hot, tiring day for you today. Keep an eye on her, but otherwise kick back and take it easy. The ropes and knots are strong and we have you.
Joe...I agree with the last few comments.....I get all KINDS of help here at home with John after his discharge. Why didn't they send someone to track you all? Yeah, I'd make a lot of noise. And, DO, change to CVS. That's all I use. I've known the pharmacist there for years and they have a call-in service, too, for when you need refills....just call in the Rx number and tell tlhem when you wish to pick it up.
((Joe)) How did the night go for you and your DW? I agree with the others about the discharge, put in a call and seek some additional help to get you through. ((hugs)) Nikki
It is done...we are now part of the CVS family. When we got home and I got her out of the car, I saw a 2-inch wide brown spot on the disp. pad. Holy crap! am I glad I keep a pad on her seat all the time! So then I spent the next 20-30 min. changing her and cleaning her up. What fun! And she also has a 'diaper rash' all over the private area that wasn't there when I took care of her. That is one reason I hate the thought of a NH...what are you supposed to do, inspect your LO every day to see that they are doing the right thing?
TJ-- as I suggested before--call the Dr. With the heat you don't need dehydration issues getting worse because of diarhea. And tell the Dr. that returns your call about the BAD RELEASE. Be clear that you need some help with this, since THEY messed up. Then--other than whatever is NECESSARY to this day, kick back and take some down time for yourself. You can catch up later. AND TAKE YOUR MED. NO MORE STALLING. When you start feeling better, you'll be able to handle all this better and your DW will be getting better care from you because you won't be so frazzled. I'm sure she picks up on your frusatration. Neither of you need this, but you can handle it. As per your last message that someone cares because we're bugging you to take your med, WE ALL CARE. Just can't figure out how to overcome stubbornness to get you to comply.
Will it take a cast iron frypan, upside your head?
Just trying to get your attention, of course.<grin>
TJ - YOU WILL NOT GET ZONKED OUT BY YOUR MEDS. They may not take effect immediately, and after a week or so you might notice a rash, but you also will not feel any relief from your anxiety right away either, which is why you need to start letting them build up a little in your system. The longer you wait the longer it will take.
Amazing how the big chain drugstores no longer give personal service. When Rite Aide bought out Payless Drugs there was a mass exodus of customers. Here in Wilsonville, the store would deliver Rx to the AL and even to people that lived nearby. When Rite Aide (vomit) bought them, they put an end to that. They even told their cashiers not to speak with customers - get them thru the lines quickly. All the pharmacist quit and went to other stores - would not work in an assembly line atmosphere. The customers followed. I am really surprised they are still in business.
We don't have CVS around here but I know Walgreens have drive-thru pharmacies.
Joe, I agree with all the others. Start your medicine now! You will be surprised at how much it helps. But as others said, it takes a little time to kick in.
TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS, AS PRESCSRIBED, T-JOE, AND DO IT NOW. There. MY two cents. It WILL NOT inhibit your performance of any of the tasks you have to do!!!!!
TJ, I just found & read this thread for the 1st time. Have been so busy with my move. Wow, have you been through it, sorry to hear about your wife. The only reason I am posting is that I was thinking what you think is a "diaper rash" could be a yeast infection caused by the antibiotics. I've had that happen to me twice, with strong antibiotics. You didn't specify the private area, but if that's the case, it won't go away without treatment. You used to have to get a RX for it, but now they sell medication over the counter, yes at CVS. I've never used any place except for CVS & I've been really pleased.
Others please chime in. I don't know what a yeast infection looks like, I never looked. But it itches/stings like crazy.
And now I find that divvi is not only a "lawyer" but a "doctor" as well. haha
TJ when i had my DH in the hospital a time back, they had him cathered for 3 days. they discharged him before he got to urinate on his own! big mistake. he was blocked and i got home with him and soon noticed he wasnt going. i waited and pushed fluids for 4hrs. still nothing. took him back into ER they recathered him and then kept him until the next moring and made SURE he went before releasing him. they knew they screwed up and i never got a bill for that stay! you should have started your meds while at the hospital with DW if you are ansy! i hope they work for you soon. i am still concerned for DW though, sounds like you still need to be vigilant with her.. the rash may well be from all the antibiotics they gave, DH gets that sometimes and diarhea from days of them too. some are hard on the body. divvi
TJ - glad you finally gor DW home from the hospital. What an ordeal! I would also try the Monistat, it won't hurt if it's not a yeast infection. You are so loving and caring and devoted, your DW is lucky to have you. As a matter of fact, WE are all blessed to have you!
You know, it is NOT a rash, but all red and swollen a little....MUST be the yeast thing. I will go get the Monistat tomorrow.. thank you, thank you. Diane, YOU are all blessed to have ME?? Oh please! I'm just a pain in the a--, but you are all a blessing to me. I couldn't make it without your support and caring. I wish I could do a better job of helping you all. Hugs all around!
TJ...my dw just had a uti, and the medication (cipro) gave her a yeast infection....A call to the doctor and he prescribed fluconazole, and she takes 200 mg now and 200 in a week....and there was no office visit involved...he called in in direct to our pharmacy...I believe this med is more effective than the otc monstat....and I think it works quicker....and if you don;t take your meds, send them to me and I will take them.....
Hey if I learnt anything at all, it is how to take care of the most important part of my dw.........lol TJ....do you still have the rope tied around your neck???? I have some friends (hispanic), and they are having a birthday tomorrow....so if the rope is still around your neck, could we invite you to the party...you would be a great pinata.......
Ain't that the truth, phranque! And no, the rope is just being hung on to now, thank you very much. I'm too skinny right now to be a pinata. Wait 'til I bulk up a bit, like about 20 lbs.
YES! Four minutes ago. On a full stomach. So let the party begin. Imohr, you get the first dance, since you were the last one to bug me. You want to jitterbug or waltz? Or how about a Samba to "Copacabana"?
Oh, my goodness, my hearts all aflutter. TJ. Actually I was a Square Dance Girl. It was against the law to dance in the small rural county in WV where I grew up. So, after I moved away in my 20's we square danced. I bet you can even be a "caller". Let the party begin!!!!!!!!!!!!Alaman right, Alaman Left, grab your partner......and do si do.......
Actually, Imohr, I have square danced...the problem was although it was great fun at first, the more you progressed and learned more calls, the more work it became until it was just too complicated to have fun anymore. It was work. So we quit. So we can do that if you promise to keep it simple! Otherwise I'd rather opt for the swing step to some Benny Goodman tune.
Thanks, Di, it's nice to be wanted (unless you're a criminal). Imohr, we may have to take lessons together. I haven't danced in about 30 years myself. I do remember we loved to dance, and were pretty good at it if I say so myself. (must be that pill taking effect).
TJ, how soon after the surgery & radiation did your wife start showing signs of dementia? 26 years ago, that's a long time. Meant to ask last night, but got caught up in the yeast infection thingy.
My h's radiologist told me that whole brain radiation causes the brain to age 10 - 15 years, but she never mentioned dementia. Had she told me, (& I believe she must have known, I mean I was there because I was suspecting a brain tumor!) I could have been more on the look out for the symptoms, but I had to come to this site to find out the truth, which was a relief just to know what was actually going on. I thought he had AD. I guess what I'm asking is, since you are the only one with a similar situation, and my h is highly functioning for the most part, (ADL, etc.) would you say the decline was much slower than with AD?
Kitty, first of all, she had radiation that was focused on where the tumor was excised...the stem. It affected her palate to some extent and mainly caused her to act like a drunk from then on....slurred speech, bad balance, etc. But she could still drive a car, and did the shopping while I was at work, took kids to dr., etc. She just couldn't work as a teacher anymore. That went on for about 15 years, then she fell and hit her head on the hard slab floor, and though an MRI showed no brain damage, she was wheelchair-bound from that point on. I don't want to lose this comment, so I'm going to continue on another.
Continued...Then about 5 years ago, she had a seizure that put her in the hosp. for 8 days followed by a 3 month rehab. stay in a SNH. That is when the dementia really showed up. So it looks like the seizure put her on the downward slope. At first, she could talk and be understood a little, and stand up so I could transfer her easily, but now she just mumbles and can hardly stand at all. During this time, we've had OT and PT several times, but to no avail. Oh, and of course memory loss is a big deal too...she doesn't think I am her husband. Sad. So as to whether the decline is slower than AD? I have no idea....she could hang on like this for years, or die from some other 'natural' cause (stroke, heart attack).
Thank you TJ. I was wondering. Your wife had localized radiation, not like my husband's. BTW, if you do a long post, and a message comes up that there was some type of failure, just hit the button "add your comments" again. It always goes through the 2nd time you hit. It's a way of overriding the way the system is set up. Same thing if you try to go back a page, and it says "failure, or whatever" just click on it again & it will go through. I was stubborn one day after writing a lot, and it has worked ever since.