Prayers for Grandma

[zahncrelnik]

My 'Grandma' is in the hospital. The nursing home sent her last Tuesday (3/22).
She was having trouble breathing. It is not constant, she has the most trouble when she eats. She has Alzheimer's and has been having trouble eating for a year and a half. She puts food in her mouth and then just sits there -forgets to swallow. So, now they think she is aspirating food (inhaling it). I was with her, at the hospital, over the weekend and I could see that they are right. She has
to be reminded to eat slowly and swallow the food before putting more food in her mouth.
It is a sad situation. They are doing more tests to find out if there is some other cause, but she really has the most trouble while eating. She starts to
cough and then her breathing becomes more and more labored. Many times
she barely gets to eat more than a few bites and then cannot eat because of
the breathing trouble.
Please think good thoughts for Grandma Lillian.

[MotorWerk]

Thoughts and Prayers for Grandma Lillian are on their way, and what a lovely name she has - is she originally from Norway by chance?

[Nicola]

:hug:

So sorry to hear about this. Take care of yourself Zahncrelnik - I am sending many good thoughts. :meditate:

[JadedLegend3]

:hugz: Prayers and good thoughts.

[malachilenomade]

:hug:

[scrape_medic]

:hug: and thoughts for grandma.

[kechara420]

:hug: She's in my thoughts and prayers.

[who45]

My thoughts and prayers going out for your grandma, you and all of your family. :hug:

[zahncrelnik]

Thanks! You all are terrific!!
Grandma had some tests today:
They looked in her esophagus and found that it was dilated,
very large, and then down lower there was a stricture.
They were supposed to be able to fix it during the same procedure.
I don't know how that went as I have not yet spoken with the doctor,
but I sure hope that it was successful and that it solves the problem.
There were no problems with her lungs.
They did a swallowing test, but no results on that yet. They were
just wheeling her back from the swallowing test while I was talking to
the nurse, so it was too soon to get the results.
Thank you and keep those good thoughts coming.
.
.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and thanks
to all those in the 'medical field'. Everyone who takes care of
other people, whatever you job title. Everyone is so nice to Grandma,
everywhere, the hospital, the nursing home where she lives. I really
appreciate that there are people who love to take care of others so
patiently and tenderly. Thank you, thank you! :)

[BrowderChick]

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

You all are in my thoughts. :D

[kechara420]

More :hug: and good thoughts ...

[Nicola]

Still sending good thoughts.... :meditate:

[Lord Loser]

:kotc:

[JadeScape]

Sending good vibes to your grandma...:hug:
my thoughts are with you Z....:hug:

[Clarsax]

Prayers and good thoughts for your grandma. :hug: :hug:

[trubador]

More :hug: & :angelgrin, Z!

[zahncrelnik]

Thanks everyone!
I spoke with one of the doctors and got different info than
what the nurse was able to tell me.
The doctor told me that Grandma has pneumonia.
But all the mucus and fluid they suctioned out of her lungs
has made her look and feel so much better.
Anyway, they will have to look down the breathing tube
and into the lungs again in a couple of days.
So there is more than one problem...
She still has trouble breathing when she eats,
aspirating (breathing in) food. She doesn't swallow,
just holds the food in her mouth. By the way, Grandma
has Alzheimer's, which makes all of these problems more
difficult. If you ask her how she feels she says 'fine',
because she doesn't remember things.

Thanks for the continuing good thoughts!

[kymom5613]

hugs & prayers heading your way!

:hugz:

[zahncrelnik]

Poor Grandma, the Alzheimer's got into the act too.
Now she is completely confused and does not know where she
is. Fortunately she is not afraid, only confused.

[who45]

So sorry....continuing thoughts and prayers. :hug:

[Clarsax]

:hug:

[zahncrelnik]

Grandma is out of the hospital. Poor 'Gran', they sent
her back to the nursing home and
tomorrow (4/6/05) they are transporting her to a different
hospital 50 miles away for a test. The only hospital within
100 miles that has the right machine, in working order, that
can perform a test on (in) the esophagus to determine whether
the muscles are working.
Grandma has Achalasia.
Achalasia is a motor disorder of the esophagus characterized by
complete loss of peristalsis. The upper part of the esophagus is
dilated (open wide) while down lower the esophagus is too
narrow, caused by a contracted muscle. (more or less)
see link:
http://www.ddc.musc.edu/ddc_pub/digestiveProbs/diseases/esophagus/achalasia.htm

Then they will decide whether they can help her by injecting
botox into the affected muscle to relax it. If this works, she
will be okay for a few months to a year, according to the
literature.

Grandma is not in any pain, no discomfort at all. (She never
was a complainer.) With the Alzheimer's she isn't really sure
why she was in the hospital in the first place.
I will either go with her in the ambulance or I will meet her
at the other hospital. I certainly don't want her to be alone
there, a strange place, a non-descript hospital corridor,
people who don't know her.
She will probably be more confused than ever.

Please: Keep up the good thoughts for her.
I have 'witnessed' the Power of 'Scaper's good thoughts
and I believe in the Power.
May the Goddess Bless All of You Kind Souls. :meditate:

[Nicola]

:meditate:

And take care of yourself jirl. The last thing you need at this point is to get stressed out and sick.

[zahncrelnik]

:meditate:

And take care of yourself jirl. The last thing you need at this point is to get stressed out and sick.

Thank you, Nicola :hug:

I will rest much easier and sleep better now that she
is going back to the nursing home. The people there
are wonderful, it is like a family. Grandma will be much
more at ease after a few days back in familiar surroundings.

[JadedLegend3]

:hug: Good thoughts. :hug: