Saturday, August 31, 2013
Communications!
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Friday, August 30, 2013
The Mac Daddy
It was nice to see Alison more calm and relaxed today although she didn't say much.
Does anyone know her favorite movie? Something light and funny maybe?
Little Moves Forward by Andy Riedy
Alison was not in much pain today. While for the most part she did not verbally respond to conversations, her face showed that she understood. I did get smiles and gafaws from her when I joked with her. When I showed her a BIG bar of Toblerone chocolate, I got a loud and clear “NICE” from Alison (but I had to take it away until Alison is cleared to take food, per below). She appropriately used the word “ow” (when we massaged her arms too much). And she once said to the nurse, “it’s ok” awhile being moved.
Steps forward:
Alison’s Mercedes of a wheel chair was delivered today. It will be a great step forward to getting her out of bed and allowing her to get used to sitting up again. Amy and I did not see her take her first spin, but hopefully PT will have her in the chair daily. They say that Alison is more cognitive when she is vertical. And the chair will avoid pressure sores. They will take it slowly to avoid any chance of a repeat seizure so we will have to wait to take Alison out onto the grounds.
We asked that Alison start to be evaluated by a Speech Therapist so we can figure out if, over time, she can swallow and take food.
We cut her fingernails. Someone had already cut her toenails and we again put cream on her feet. For visitors, there are socks in her drawers – put on cream with the socks but remove the socks when you leave to keep her from getting too warm. Her hair is being cut next Tuesday.
We also massaged her feet, calves, thighs, and face, neck, shoulder, arms. She closes her eyes and you can see her relax.
We played CDs (plus sang and danced to them), looked at Postlethwaite-Riedy family photos on IPhone, and “face timed” (video call) with Jimmy Webb. Jimmy got a BIG smile from Alison. If Renee or others of you have the 4S or 5 version of IPhone, we can try to facetime with you too. Just tell us if you us want to call.
Alison has a cough and sneezes. She will her right hand to her mouth when she coughs and sometimes braces her body with her left arm to cough. It is not a big movement and her left fingers have not moved yet and she cannot do it when asked. But it is movement! When you hold her right hand, she will voluntarily squeeze your fingers with her right hand. Everyone who visits, please encourage her to move.
Alison has been taking Tylenol PRN but given that she cannot also vocalize her pain, we talked with nursing and they will talk to the doctor to see if it can be given every 6 hours to avoid any pain break through.
Andrea Postlethwaite Riedy
h. 703.533.7237
f. 703.533.7338
c. 703.201.6676
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Use Your Words
We played a word/name association game. I'd say a name and she tells me first word that comes to her head. She couldn't think of any words so then I would tell her mine and she responded to that. Here are the two that got a reaction.
Lauri: "sad" (my word) and I told Alison Lauri's step mom just died from lung cancer. This got a huge reaction. Alison pulled her hand and sheet up to her face. Her eyes welled up a little and her face contorted. I thought she might cry (she has not cried at all btw..). She started to yell and then suddenly regained her composure and calmly and clearly said "She died from lung cancer."
Wayne: "dickhead" (my word). She arched her back and started grunting. She said "my word for dickhead" and I could see in her expression that she knew she said it wrong but couldn't get the right words out. I'm assuming she was trying to say "That's my word for Wayne".
She says "Shiite Muslim" over and over. I think it might be her new sh word since I banned shut up. But at least she doesn't yell it.
I told her that she was on Prozac and hopefully that would help her. She screamed about that.
I listed a bunch of words she could use to describe how she is feeling. She said "Pain. I'm in pain." I told her that was a start and now she needs to say what hurts..your head, your shoulder, your psyche, your soul? She couldn't answer.
The skin on her feet is cracking. I rubbed lotion on them. I massaged her legs. She seemed to like that. She said it hurt when I lifted her right leg by cupping behind her knee. I laid her completely flat and tried to get my arms under her back. I could only get as far as her shoulders but she seemed to really like that..who wouldn't??
I also let her pick out some new clothes. I told her we were going shopping and made it clear that she needed to respond with yes or no. She repeated "shopping" several times. She said yes to maybe 2 items and no to about 4 (out of 8 things).
She is scheduled to get a hair cut on Tuesday. She needs her nails cut. I'm not the girl for that but I will if I have to..
They are taking great care of Alison there. It is a small staff but they are always working hard and are very kind. They did get her an air mattress in the very first days she was there. I have been meaning to mention that.
We also listened to three Mumford and Sons songs.
Lauri is going to visit tonight.
Mary Pat's Wednesday Visit
Alison is signed up to get her hair cut on Tuesday.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Spoke with Psychiatrist Dr. Nayyar
Amy's Tuesday Visit
Mary Pat's Experience Yesterday..after I left with the kids
On to Mary Pat's account...WARNING! RATED A for Alison:)
Mary Pat stayed a little longer after we left yesterday. Before getting in the car, the kids, Stella and I walked around to Alison's window and waved to them from outside. Mary Pat said Alison liked that.
And then...
A: "GOD DAMN SHIT MOTHERFUCKER!!!!"
MP: "You're really frustrated?"
A: (moving her head side to side and saying repeatedly) "Frustrated, frustrated..."
Alsion contintued hollering.
MP: "Knock it off!"
A: "You knock it off! Why is this this way?"
Later..
MP: "Are you in pain?"
A: "Yes"
MP: "Your neck?"
A: "Not exactly."
MP: "Is it your head?"
A: "Yes."
Mary Pat got her some Tylenol.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Stella's Visit
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Notes from Mary Pat's Visit
Also, while Mary Pat was there, Alison sometimes hollered out (not saying anything in particular). Mary Pat asked why she was doing that, and Alison responded "I don't know". When Mary Pat asked if something hurt, and asked Alison to point to whatever hurt, Alison said "I"m not in pain". (We know that Alison often is in pain, but at least at that moment, Alison was able to articulate that she wasn't.)
Alison's TV is broken but the maintenance guy said he would hook one up if we got her one. Maybe she would like to watch some football?? Honestly though, as of right now, I am at a total loss for what she needs/wants/what is good for her. Hope to learn more this week:)
Back tomorrow with Stella! Mary Pat will meet us there.
P.S. Please post your observations from your visits in the comments section.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Favorite Music
Friday, August 23, 2013
Our First Visit
I introduced myself to the nurse, Tonya, who at that moment was sorting through all of Alison's paperwork and medications. She told me Alison was just transferred to that wing and they are still trying to familiarize themselves with her and her case. I let them know that she had motioned that her neck was in pain. They did not say what they would do for that but that she had been "crying out". Tonya told me to bring in some clothes for her because they want to start getting her up and moving. As we were leaving, the physical therapist entered. Her name is Jennifer. She is there Monday through Friday. She showed me some ways to help Alison with movement while I am visiting...basically things that would feel good if one was lying in bed all/most of the time. Jennifer has been doing "coma stim" on her. I'm not sure of the exact details on that but she did say it was more intense (meaning painful). She said the therapy was somewhat limited because Alison is not responsive. I asked to speak with Jennifer outside. I told her the details of our visit and she was shocked. She right away said that she would order a psych evaluation. I said that Alison is most likely aware of what has happened to her and that she is probably mad and sad. Jennifer responded "Ooohhh..she's gonna get it now!!" (meaning intense therapy now that she knows she's playing possum). She encouraged me to bring Stella as much as possible to incorporate into the PT.
Also, Alison looks clean. Her mouth is cleaned out...not caked in yellow gunk and her lips look moisturized. Her hair is a little greasy though. I told her I brought her clippers to chop her hair and she laughed. We might do that soon..
I am so far really impressed with South River. They are open and kind and proactive it seems. I will try to get there this weekend with clothes and a notebook but will definitely be there Monday for lunch with Stella.
I left copies of Catcher in the Rye and Black Beauty if anyone wants to read to her. Just mark the spot where you leave off. I will leave a notebook for any observations anyone wants to leave and transcribe them to this blog for everyone to see or everyone is encouraged to post here. This will be my main platform for information so check back daily for updates. I don't mind texts and phone calls at all but I can't commit to calling people every day.
Mary Pat was there yesterday. I think she may have been in a different room. Alison is now in Room 125B. Window view. She might need a bird feeder outside her window if anyone has one:)
I will talk to Jackie in Financial when she in in on Tuesday about the Medical Assistance application.