Last night Mike began moaning. He sounded very congested and had a lot of gurgling noises coming from his throat. I tried pounding him and "rocking and rolling" him, but he would not/could not cough anything out. This morning after we sat him up in his chair, he coughed a little, but it was like he was holding back. He was very sleepy, yet he wasn't his "normal"sick. He was lethargic, but not floppy. He slept right through his nap. When he woke up, and we started moving him back into his chair, he started moaning again. I called Hospice and when their "on call" nurse called me back..... Long story short, "give him Tylenol every 4 hours for the discomfort and call on Monday if it's the same, so you can talk to his regular nurse". Why do I get these hospice agencies??? I told the nurse I would like to figure out WHAT is causing his discomfort, but it fell on silent ears.
Now my mind begins to race: Could the gurgling mean that Mike is beginning the phase of not being able to swallow? Could he have a reaction to the Levaquin they prescribed over the phone on Thursday for a possible sinus infection? Could he just have a stomach virus? You see, when he DID cough strongly a few times, he kind of threw up. I'm thinking that he doesn't want to cough because he's afraid he will throw up. I gave him an anti nausea/vomiting suppository that Hospice had left here. I hope he sleeps comfortably tonight without the moaning/pain. I HATE that he has pain and cannot tell me where it is.
Needless to say I am REALLY tired since I was up with him last night. Because I am tired, I am emotional, so I've been crying on and off all day.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Follow You, Follow Me: A Young Family's Journey With Young-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
3 comments:
I can hardly read your post the words are to dark . But I think you said mike was very sick and you are pooped out. Take care of yourself. Get some help . You will be sick to If you don't take care. I cry all the time too. Lots of tears are shed by caregivers.
You're a very strong woman and I totally respect & admire your decision to keep your husband at home. I read through your anniversary posts and saw that Mike was communicating on 9-11. When did he stop talking and/or recognizing you. God Bless
Mike stopped talking sometime after his hospitalization for his anger & agitation, about 4 years ago. Not knowing what's bothering him or what he needs/wants is one of the most difficult aspects of this illness. This weekend was very tough in that sense. Thank you for your kind words and understanding.
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