Wednesday, May 23, 2018

I did some googling on hiccups. You probably already saw these or similar, but in case they are helpful:

https://cancerforum.org.au/forum/2011/november/palliative-ca re-of-people-with-oesophageal-cancer/

https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/side-effect-management/ intractable-hiccups-advanced-cancer-palliative-care/article/ 695506/

Greetings Wednesday Wonders

You are all a bunch of wondrous people here. Liz, Paula, Ann, Carbon all struggling with one of the major events of life. I am in awe of you all and wishing you all the love and support possible.

I just go a beautiful email from friend who scattered the ashes of my mom's friend Crazy Pat. It was lovely to think that she has some peace after all her crankiness at the end of life. Her ashes were scattered in the Grand Canyon as she wished (DH just reminded me she is in a better place than our kitchen pantry where she sat for awhile). Lordy, I am bad.

Cecily, hoping you can get some relief soon. Fergie needs a mommy. Is she back with you yet? You need a therapy dog like Diane O has.

Paula regarding the hiccups, I know you are a health care professional but I thought I would share that my mother had panicky breathing from time to time and she had oral lorazepam which helped her. I was often able to get her to relax with yoga breathing but the oral lorazepam was a good thing. While my mother's disease was parkinson's, she did have very serious dementia as a part of it and struggled with memory and sleep issues in addition to being unable to walk. We had all the hospice equipment you describe and it was indeed a godsend when needed.

Liz there are indeed things that can be done to insure that you are not impoverished by your DH care. It varies from state to state. And I hope your DH has signed a power of attorney for you already or will do so soon. So sad about the woman whose husband drained their finances. Ann is right that sometimes a care home is the kindest thing that can be done. My mother did best when I moved her to her own unit away from Pat and she had a peaceful routine with excellent caregivers and not the stress of her previous cir****tances.

Oh yeah, 148.5 here. Gotta make a run to the clay store as I am running low on my favorite.

Well DH is having fun applying for rebates on the electric car. I stopped by my accountant's office yesterday and parked right outside the window. I said "hey everybody, look out there at my tax credit!" Big chuckle.

Dogs and DH are out for a walk. The sun is peeking in and out and it should be another lovely day here. Wish I could share it with you all.

Peace and joy. Diane S

Fergus comes home Friday. I miss him so much! He's not much of a snuggle bunny, but might do a fly by to be petted every once in a while. I'll take it.

Though I really enjoy our new lovebug Justice, I have always found just the presence of our dogs to be great company and very calming.

Me too! I'm a total dog person. Another furry heartbeat in the house is a wonderful feeling...

Unconditional and nonjudgmental love

I do have a POA and also have full control of all accounts. This is more the longer term protection for when DH needs to go into care so I don't end up destitute. Since there is a 5 year lookback at assets, it behooves us to do that now.

Appointment update. I'm not mad anymore and we can call back all orders for pox or other calamities...

So my appointment went really well. The doctor apologized and explained that his surgery yesterday was supposed to end at 1:30 and it didn't end until 7:30. He said I wouldn't have wanted him working on me at the end of that day. I think that's a fair statement.

He said I have wound dehiscence rather than an infection. Dehiscence is where the tissues separates and dies along the incision line. It's fairly common with a medial thigh lift and was not helped by my early incontinence and accompanying bacteria.

He cleaned out all the dead tissue (not at all painful as the tissue was dead). Everything that I could see that was yellow/gray was not pus, but was dead tissue, hence the smell. After cutting away all the dead tissue, he showed me how to pack the rather alarmingly large holes that he said not to be concerned about with gauze soaked in Dakin's solution (has bleach in it, but doesn't hurt either) - they will heal and fill in from the bottom up and sides in. He said there won't be any need for a skin graft or surgical repair even though it looks a bit alarming now.

He also removed all my lipo stitches and took out 2 more drains (still 2 to go). He showed me how to massage my lipo'ed chin to break up the scar tissue and smooth it out.

I explained how easily I become upset and he gave the same explanation we all hear before WLS - fat holds hormones and when it's disturbed through surgery and lipo, many of his patients become very emotional, eespecially the lipo patients. I had a lot.

Bottomline, I understand what happened and why he couldn't see me. It's just really unfortunate that I'm coming from very far away on LA freeways. The scheduler made me an appointment for next week and said she'd work on her end so I would come in midday rather than morning or afternoon to avoid traffic. I felt like she was trying to be very accommodating after yesterday. I feel better and feel really happy to have my wounds addressed and a plan to get them back on track.

Oh good Cecily, glad you got to the doctor and accept the explanation. Stuff happens. Resolving fears is a big part of healing. Glad you are on the mend. DS

I'm so glad the appointment went well and your doctor had a good reason for the appointment snafu. I think I've read about the issue you are having with your groin incisions. Seems like a fair number of people with your surgery have it happen but also with brachioplasty sometimes?