Pre-Thanksving Visit

Wednesday (before Thanksgiving, sorry)

It was a busy am for Alison. She had a bath and was in the chair. While not as awake as last visit, she greeted me with joy. They have started to give her all her meds, including the ones that cannot be crushed.

While she was somewhat awake, she was anxious and a bit confused. While I was there, I talked both with a woman from palliative care and with the speech therapist who had done another evaluation that am. It turns out the barium test shows that Alison is not always aware when liquid goes into her lungs. They do not know if it is the medications or something else. Alison can manage thicker foods like pudding but not things like honey or water. So they have her on IV fluids with simple nutrition. They are in touch with Reenie about whether to go back to a stomach peg, use a temporary nostril feeding tube that has the risk of being pulled out, or stick with thickened foods. Or they can use some combination.

Alison does not want a stomach peg as I think she sees it as permanent and keeps her from eating anything. She really wants to start eating again as it is part of her joy with life. She talked to me about all the foods she wants – also hard as she knows that tomorrow is Thanksgiving! Reenie will address the followeing questions when she talks to the hospital: Is there a mix of nutritional solutions eg limited foods and feeding assistance? What is causing this as she was eating prior to the recent medication? Is the condition temporary? I have not yet heard the decision…..

Also, just for your enjoyment, I nearly threw Alison on the floor. She was in her chair and asked to sit up. In moving the chair, Alison nearly slipped off onto the floor. She yelled HELP while I held her in the chair until we got her chair reclined with the help of a nurse. Oh my.