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| Nap time! See how Asher finds any available bit of blanket to lie on? |
About 7 weeks post-heart attack (early January), Mom said she felt like herself again. She started to have more energy and stamina, and stopped needing a nap every day after her cardiac rehab.
Still, she's been on quite the medical journey since the heart attack. I have been learning how to navigate having my caregiver struggle with health issues. And she's certainly not enjoying spending her time going to the doctor! But, I'll keep this post limited to the nuts and bolts of things.
We finally found the source of her anemia: a deep round ulcer. So far this year she's already had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. So much fun! Her colonoscopy showed some diverticulosis, but was otherwise fine. The endoscopy showed a lovely ulcer that has probably been the cause of her anemia for quite some time. (Again, why didn't her PCP say anything to her about her anemia when it first showed up over a year ago?) The ulcer is likely due to long-term use of NSAIDs for arthritis and stenosis.
During her endoscopy, Dr. GI also found grapes and blueberries in her stomach from her previous night's dinner. :P This is a sign of gastroparesis (which I have from the autonomic issues), but we do not know what is causing it for her at this point.
We both have the same cardiologist and GI doctor now! :)
So far the ulcer has been giving her a lot of problems: severe waves of pain and nausea, loss of appetite, lots of indigestion, and symptoms that keep her awake at night. We are eating a bland diet, but everything still talks back to her! We are not sure what symptoms may be from the new medication to treat the ulcer and which may be from the ulcer itself. She's going to try a different medication, and see how things go.
The diagnosis of an ulcer does explain some of the things that have been going on over the past few months. The hardest part for me is that the symptoms mimic those she experienced when she had her heart attack, and it feels impossible to know when to be alarmed and when not to be.
Mom's biggest frustration and limitation has been PAIN. She is eagerly (as in counting down the days) awaiting getting an epidural of long-acting steroids on Friday. The pain relieve should last her for at least a couple of months. We were both incredibly relieved to find a pain specialist and a treatment option while she waits to have surgery later this year. Plus, it is so not heart healthy to be in so much pain!
Her sciatic pain (caused by the lumbar stenosis) makes it incredibly difficult for her to stand for any period of time without being in pain. She's been using the carts at the grocery stores, keeping errands to a minimum (and coming home and collapsing into the recliner when she gets home), and struggling to get dinner and dishes done each day. She is also terrible at sitting still and resting! (I come by this 'issue' honestly!)
During her endoscopy, Dr. GI also found grapes and blueberries in her stomach from her previous night's dinner. :P This is a sign of gastroparesis (which I have from the autonomic issues), but we do not know what is causing it for her at this point.
We both have the same cardiologist and GI doctor now! :)
So far the ulcer has been giving her a lot of problems: severe waves of pain and nausea, loss of appetite, lots of indigestion, and symptoms that keep her awake at night. We are eating a bland diet, but everything still talks back to her! We are not sure what symptoms may be from the new medication to treat the ulcer and which may be from the ulcer itself. She's going to try a different medication, and see how things go.
The diagnosis of an ulcer does explain some of the things that have been going on over the past few months. The hardest part for me is that the symptoms mimic those she experienced when she had her heart attack, and it feels impossible to know when to be alarmed and when not to be.
Mom's biggest frustration and limitation has been PAIN. She is eagerly (as in counting down the days) awaiting getting an epidural of long-acting steroids on Friday. The pain relieve should last her for at least a couple of months. We were both incredibly relieved to find a pain specialist and a treatment option while she waits to have surgery later this year. Plus, it is so not heart healthy to be in so much pain!
Her sciatic pain (caused by the lumbar stenosis) makes it incredibly difficult for her to stand for any period of time without being in pain. She's been using the carts at the grocery stores, keeping errands to a minimum (and coming home and collapsing into the recliner when she gets home), and struggling to get dinner and dishes done each day. She is also terrible at sitting still and resting! (I come by this 'issue' honestly!)
Hopefully this will relieve the pain, and help her to manage until she can have the necessary surgeries to actually deal with the underlying issues: spinal stenosis. We really wish we had known about the option of an epidural sooner, but again, we were left to navigate what to do on our own.
In May, Mom will have her first major surgery to relieve the pressure on her cervical spine. She is in a precarious situation, as her spine is so compressed that any small injury or fall could cause serious and permanent damage. In August, she will have another surgery to relieve the pressure on her lumbar spine which is causing her the leg pain, weakness, etc.
Between the two of us, we are quite a pair, and we are in for quite a year! I hate watching her go through all of this, and I struggle to find ways to be helpful and nurturing to her in the many ways she is to me. My role is pretty much that of Noodge! (Mom, did you call the doctor? Mom, did you hear back from Dr. GI yet? Mom, did you schedule an appointment yet?)
I just want her to feel better and to get through the surgeries!
After that, we are going on VACATION!!!!! A very, very long one.
Blessings,
Emily
Between the two of us, we are quite a pair, and we are in for quite a year! I hate watching her go through all of this, and I struggle to find ways to be helpful and nurturing to her in the many ways she is to me. My role is pretty much that of Noodge! (Mom, did you call the doctor? Mom, did you hear back from Dr. GI yet? Mom, did you schedule an appointment yet?)
I just want her to feel better and to get through the surgeries!
After that, we are going on VACATION!!!!! A very, very long one.
Blessings,
Emily
1 comment:
I'm so glad they figured out the anemia--finally. I so hope you are able to vacation this year and enjoy it! A visit to Assateague Island area is always a possibility you know! :)
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