Starting last November, John started having his teeth extracted. He finished up in June getting all of his teeth pulled and getting dentures in. Since he has gotten his teeth out, he has not been in the hospital. No infections whatsoever. His mind is clearer and he is more motivated in exercising.
So, for those of you fighting illness-make sure your teeth are healthy!
Good Health to You
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Next Challenge
John was home for three days when the next challenge hit. It was Sunday, January 10th, 2010, he didn't feel like going to church and I agreed that he needed to rest.
He slept for the good part of the day. I got him up to get him something to eat at around 3 pm. He didn't eat much when he yelled "help". I went in and he said he felt weak. Not knowing what was going on, I got him his walker to help him back to his bedroom. He took a few steps and then he just buckled. I managed to get a chair before he fell all the way to the ground. I had him sit there for about a half hour. He had a hard time sitting up and he said he felt really tired, so I positioned the chair so he could lean against the wall. I took his blood pressure twice. The first time, it was really high. The second time it was near normal. I got him to the wheelchair and he clumsily got himself into the bed. I took his blood pressure again. It was really high. I took it again 20 minutes later, and again it was near normal. He rested for an hour. When I went to help out of the bed was when I realized what was really going on. His whole left side was weak and he actually fell to the floor trying to get him to the wheelchair. I thought "HE has had a stroke!" So my son helped him to the chair and I called the ambulance. He wanted something to eat. He was talking to me normally so I was glad of that. In the middle of the night he ended up having a 30-45 minute seizure. After that he slurred his speech and couldn't swallow well. And he had a headache that no pain meds could touch.
He slept for the good part of the day. I got him up to get him something to eat at around 3 pm. He didn't eat much when he yelled "help". I went in and he said he felt weak. Not knowing what was going on, I got him his walker to help him back to his bedroom. He took a few steps and then he just buckled. I managed to get a chair before he fell all the way to the ground. I had him sit there for about a half hour. He had a hard time sitting up and he said he felt really tired, so I positioned the chair so he could lean against the wall. I took his blood pressure twice. The first time, it was really high. The second time it was near normal. I got him to the wheelchair and he clumsily got himself into the bed. I took his blood pressure again. It was really high. I took it again 20 minutes later, and again it was near normal. He rested for an hour. When I went to help out of the bed was when I realized what was really going on. His whole left side was weak and he actually fell to the floor trying to get him to the wheelchair. I thought "HE has had a stroke!" So my son helped him to the chair and I called the ambulance. He wanted something to eat. He was talking to me normally so I was glad of that. In the middle of the night he ended up having a 30-45 minute seizure. After that he slurred his speech and couldn't swallow well. And he had a headache that no pain meds could touch.
Wild and Crazy December
Wow! It's been a while since I last blogged! Life has been pretty crazy. John's health took a turn for the worse in December.
It started out with a couple of burns on his fingers the beginning of December. He touched a baked potato that was too hot. He had burns on his index and pinky fingers. The one on his pinky didn't blister. I put Tea Tree oil on both an a bandage on the index. His fingers were losing their function and he kept them curled under, like a fist, most of the time. Because of this, he rubbed the pinky finger enough to cause it to open up and get infected. So he was put on antibiotics and I dressed the pinky and putting Tea Tree oil on it. Apparently, that wasn't good enough, because in another two weeks, the finger started getting black on top. This was about a week before Christmas. His finger was starting to cause a lot of pain. I got him into a specialist which was on Dec 23rd. By that time John was in screaming pain. No pain meds were even touching it. The doctor put him on more antibiotics and scheduled him to be seen by the heart doctor for Jan. 4th. I knew then that John wasn't going to make it that long and even told the doctor that. He understood and told me to take him to the emergency room and have him admitted. I had tried that a few days before and they wouldn't do it. So on Christmas day, after all the festivities were done, I took him in. On Monday, December 28th, the doctor amputated his pinky finger. He also found much infection in the palm of his hand down into his wrist. He had to go back in on Wednesday and on Friday to rinse and clean out more infection, even into his thumb. The doctors realized that the fistula that he had in his right bicep was impeding the circulation to his hand, so they closed it off and put a chest catheter in so he could continue dialysis. That seemed to do it. His hand responded to it right away and was healing. He was discharged from the hospital on January 7th with an IV hook-up so he could continue IV antibiotics at home. I will add pictures soon.
It started out with a couple of burns on his fingers the beginning of December. He touched a baked potato that was too hot. He had burns on his index and pinky fingers. The one on his pinky didn't blister. I put Tea Tree oil on both an a bandage on the index. His fingers were losing their function and he kept them curled under, like a fist, most of the time. Because of this, he rubbed the pinky finger enough to cause it to open up and get infected. So he was put on antibiotics and I dressed the pinky and putting Tea Tree oil on it. Apparently, that wasn't good enough, because in another two weeks, the finger started getting black on top. This was about a week before Christmas. His finger was starting to cause a lot of pain. I got him into a specialist which was on Dec 23rd. By that time John was in screaming pain. No pain meds were even touching it. The doctor put him on more antibiotics and scheduled him to be seen by the heart doctor for Jan. 4th. I knew then that John wasn't going to make it that long and even told the doctor that. He understood and told me to take him to the emergency room and have him admitted. I had tried that a few days before and they wouldn't do it. So on Christmas day, after all the festivities were done, I took him in. On Monday, December 28th, the doctor amputated his pinky finger. He also found much infection in the palm of his hand down into his wrist. He had to go back in on Wednesday and on Friday to rinse and clean out more infection, even into his thumb. The doctors realized that the fistula that he had in his right bicep was impeding the circulation to his hand, so they closed it off and put a chest catheter in so he could continue dialysis. That seemed to do it. His hand responded to it right away and was healing. He was discharged from the hospital on January 7th with an IV hook-up so he could continue IV antibiotics at home. I will add pictures soon.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
A Day of Thanksgiving
Well today is Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for. John has made great strides since July. Today, he got to eat some foods he would normally not be able to eat. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, jello, deviled eggs are all foods that he could not eat, but he has been good, so today he could celebrate.
I have made an apple pie made with Xylitol instead of sugar. He will get to have some with ice cream that has no sugar added. He is excited. I also made a pumpkin pie with Xylitol. It tastes and acts so much like sugar. It is a blessing to have.
Around the time of the last entry, John's sugars were running a little high. He was having problems with the dialysis treatments, in that they were not able to pull off the necessary amount of fluids because his blood pressure was too low. In 3 weeks he had gained 8 kilos. It really had an effect on him. Now that they have it fixed he is feeling much better and his sugars are under control again. Like around 91-95. He hasn't lost any more weight, but that may change as they continue to get the required amount of liquid off.
He was having way too many bowel movements, so we adjusted the amount of Xylitol he was putting on his oatmeal. That seemed to help. He is still having problems sleeping on occasion, like last night. Otherwise he escaped catching the Swine Flu. He is continuing to make progress in his workouts as well.
I have made an apple pie made with Xylitol instead of sugar. He will get to have some with ice cream that has no sugar added. He is excited. I also made a pumpkin pie with Xylitol. It tastes and acts so much like sugar. It is a blessing to have.
Around the time of the last entry, John's sugars were running a little high. He was having problems with the dialysis treatments, in that they were not able to pull off the necessary amount of fluids because his blood pressure was too low. In 3 weeks he had gained 8 kilos. It really had an effect on him. Now that they have it fixed he is feeling much better and his sugars are under control again. Like around 91-95. He hasn't lost any more weight, but that may change as they continue to get the required amount of liquid off.
He was having way too many bowel movements, so we adjusted the amount of Xylitol he was putting on his oatmeal. That seemed to help. He is still having problems sleeping on occasion, like last night. Otherwise he escaped catching the Swine Flu. He is continuing to make progress in his workouts as well.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Well, It is time to let you all know what has been happening since August.
FOODS
We are in the maintaining phase of the diet. John has been eating pineapple, beans, sesame seeds, pecans, oatmeal, salads, rice with tomato sauce and onions garlic and seasonings, an occasional bean and rice burrito. Snacks include pineapple, popcorn, seeds. When we eat out, we go to Mongolian Grill, Wendy's (baked potato), Taco Del Mar for the bean and rice burrito. I took him to a Mexican restaurant for his birthday.
POSITIVE CHANGES
He has lost 60 lbs.
His blood sugar has been pretty normal
His blood pressure is lower
He consumes less liquid
He doesn't eat salt
Taking less medicine
He started working out last Thursday
LESS POSITIVE CHANGES
I hope to have pictures and videos up soon, especially now that he is starting to work out. He goes two days a week for about an hour. Last Thursday he walked up and odown the mat (30ft) 4 times and use a 5 lb dumbell for his arms. He was tired. I am not sure how much that played a role in him not feeling well yesterday. We will see.
FOODS
We are in the maintaining phase of the diet. John has been eating pineapple, beans, sesame seeds, pecans, oatmeal, salads, rice with tomato sauce and onions garlic and seasonings, an occasional bean and rice burrito. Snacks include pineapple, popcorn, seeds. When we eat out, we go to Mongolian Grill, Wendy's (baked potato), Taco Del Mar for the bean and rice burrito. I took him to a Mexican restaurant for his birthday.
POSITIVE CHANGES
He has lost 60 lbs.
His blood sugar has been pretty normal
His blood pressure is lower
He consumes less liquid
He doesn't eat salt
Taking less medicine
He started working out last Thursday
LESS POSITIVE CHANGES
- Developed a tic with his tongue. ( it has actually gotten better now that he is off Rispiridol)
- While he is breathing- he is making a "hmm" sound
- He still doesn't have control of his bowels so now that his bowel movements are normal which is a good thing- he has a bowel movement at least 6 times a day. 2 real heavy ones and the rest smaller. It keeps giving him a rash. At least several times a week, it makes a mess on the floor' and more often than that- all over his clothes. It has put a heavier burden on our two sons.
- John still has no personal will power. If I am not constantly monitoring or watching him, then he gets into foods that he wants. Luckily it has not happened but a few times. Last night was the most recent. After I had gone to bed, he had gotten into a deli sandwich. I caught him before he actually took a bite.
- I can't get him to chew his food thoroughly enough, so it comes out the other end whole. He doesn't have all of his teeth, so I don't know how to solve this problem.
I hope to have pictures and videos up soon, especially now that he is starting to work out. He goes two days a week for about an hour. Last Thursday he walked up and odown the mat (30ft) 4 times and use a 5 lb dumbell for his arms. He was tired. I am not sure how much that played a role in him not feeling well yesterday. We will see.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
We are still rolling!
I haven't written in here for almost 2 months! Man, time flies when your having fun. I want you to know that John is still on the program. I will have to update this further with all the details. Hopefully I will get to this by this weekend.
Just for the record though, he has continued to lose weight and inches. He is wearing clothes he hasn't worn for years.
His bowel movements are still "cow patty" consistency. He has about 6 bowel movements per day on average. It is amazing how "full of it" he really was.
His blood sugars overall have been excellent. Yesterday, for some reason, they read 195. That is the only time they have been that high. One other time it was 168. That was when his finger tried to get infected. He still burns himself easily and I am treating three burns now.
He has developed a fidgeting of some sort with him swishing his tongue around. Mentally, he seems different in several ways. One, he is acutely aware of what he "can't do". Overall, he has been more depressed because he is not able to participate in the day to day family activities. I hope I can help him more that way. His hands are somewhat crippled and his balance and stamina are way off. So those are definite challenges that somehow need to be overcome or this program may all be for naught.
Just for the record though, he has continued to lose weight and inches. He is wearing clothes he hasn't worn for years.
His bowel movements are still "cow patty" consistency. He has about 6 bowel movements per day on average. It is amazing how "full of it" he really was.
His blood sugars overall have been excellent. Yesterday, for some reason, they read 195. That is the only time they have been that high. One other time it was 168. That was when his finger tried to get infected. He still burns himself easily and I am treating three burns now.
He has developed a fidgeting of some sort with him swishing his tongue around. Mentally, he seems different in several ways. One, he is acutely aware of what he "can't do". Overall, he has been more depressed because he is not able to participate in the day to day family activities. I hope I can help him more that way. His hands are somewhat crippled and his balance and stamina are way off. So those are definite challenges that somehow need to be overcome or this program may all be for naught.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Continuing to make progress
Well we have slowed down. Not much day to day going on, but definitely enough to write in here every week.
John is continuing to make progress. He doesn't have diarrhea anymore. They are at the consistency they should be and he having at least 3 good bowel movements per day. The Dialysis center wants him to continue on taking diarrhea pills because he sometimes has a BM there and it interferes with his treatment. I say "No" because it's not "diarrhea". They don't like me to well.
His weight loss has slowed down to about a 1-3 pounds per week. He is at 228.8. He has been on this for one month now. His starting weight was 263.1. So he has actually lost about 34.3 pounds. He looks it too. I have him in shirts now that were too small before.
He is on less oxygen. This last week, he has gone at least 4 nights without his oxygen. One morning, after I had gone to work, my son went in to wake him up for breakfast. When he went in, he noticed his dad's oxygen tube on the floor. He got scared and watched his body to see if it was going up and down from breathing. He then shook him to make him move. He just didn't know he could go without the oxygen. It was funny to listen to him tell his story. He is so animated.
This week was a real milestone, because we had another small heat wave. It got up to 100 degrees or better the other day. John did just fine. He wasn't even on his oxygen very much that day.
His sugars have been near normal for a month now. I had to give him insulin once early on when his sugars were over 200. Since then it went to 173 and a few days ago it went to 162, but otherwise they have mostly been in the 120's or lower. Nothing below 110 though.
He says he feels better. He has been better to not ask for foods he knows he can't have. He still asks, it is just not as much. He has been a "pretty good boy" because he has not been "sneaking" or getting into foods he is not supposed to have. He continues to have lots of fruit, vegetables and grains. I need to supply him with more nuts and seeds. I did add sunflower seeds. I have offered almonds, but he has not wanted them. He is still on all the herbs foods that I have listed earlier. We made stir fry the other day. He really enjoyed that. Monday, we had to make a trip to Portland right after Dialysis. So we went to Wendy's and got him two baked potatoes for lunch. I had also brought fruit with us. He was satisfied. Popcorn is his lifesaver when it comes to something to snack on because he is still on the nervous side. It seems to be calming down though.
I had a heart to heart talk to him about exercise. He definitely isn't getting enough. I told him that he has to take the initiative to get exercise. His heart is doing better than it has for so many years. Now it is time to get himself stronger. Let's see how motivated he gets.
John is continuing to make progress. He doesn't have diarrhea anymore. They are at the consistency they should be and he having at least 3 good bowel movements per day. The Dialysis center wants him to continue on taking diarrhea pills because he sometimes has a BM there and it interferes with his treatment. I say "No" because it's not "diarrhea". They don't like me to well.
His weight loss has slowed down to about a 1-3 pounds per week. He is at 228.8. He has been on this for one month now. His starting weight was 263.1. So he has actually lost about 34.3 pounds. He looks it too. I have him in shirts now that were too small before.
He is on less oxygen. This last week, he has gone at least 4 nights without his oxygen. One morning, after I had gone to work, my son went in to wake him up for breakfast. When he went in, he noticed his dad's oxygen tube on the floor. He got scared and watched his body to see if it was going up and down from breathing. He then shook him to make him move. He just didn't know he could go without the oxygen. It was funny to listen to him tell his story. He is so animated.
This week was a real milestone, because we had another small heat wave. It got up to 100 degrees or better the other day. John did just fine. He wasn't even on his oxygen very much that day.
His sugars have been near normal for a month now. I had to give him insulin once early on when his sugars were over 200. Since then it went to 173 and a few days ago it went to 162, but otherwise they have mostly been in the 120's or lower. Nothing below 110 though.
He says he feels better. He has been better to not ask for foods he knows he can't have. He still asks, it is just not as much. He has been a "pretty good boy" because he has not been "sneaking" or getting into foods he is not supposed to have. He continues to have lots of fruit, vegetables and grains. I need to supply him with more nuts and seeds. I did add sunflower seeds. I have offered almonds, but he has not wanted them. He is still on all the herbs foods that I have listed earlier. We made stir fry the other day. He really enjoyed that. Monday, we had to make a trip to Portland right after Dialysis. So we went to Wendy's and got him two baked potatoes for lunch. I had also brought fruit with us. He was satisfied. Popcorn is his lifesaver when it comes to something to snack on because he is still on the nervous side. It seems to be calming down though.
I had a heart to heart talk to him about exercise. He definitely isn't getting enough. I told him that he has to take the initiative to get exercise. His heart is doing better than it has for so many years. Now it is time to get himself stronger. Let's see how motivated he gets.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
We haven't given up
Sorry I haven't written in here for over a week. Several things have happened. Last Wednesday, early evening, I took John back to the hospital. He was having a hard time breathing. Like he was the previous week. He was at one hospital for a couple of hours, then they transferred him to another hospital that could care for cardiac patients. Since John couldn't lay flat, they put a ventilator tube down his throat. He was sedated the whole time. They put it in around 9 pm. While out, they did an angiogram and a heart cath. He didn't get back to his room in Intensive Care until 2 am. They started waking him up around 7 am. He was breathing hard again. He finally calmed down enough to take the tube out around 9:30 am. When the test came back the doctor came in to tell John that his heart was in fairly good shape. There was a little bit of diseased tissue, but everything was clear. He didn't have any excess fluid buildup either. That meant that his rapid breathing was because of him being anxious or nervous. He had to go through all that to find that out. It was good news over all since his heart has been bad for over 15 years. Yesterday at John's regular doctor visit, John found out that his injection fraction is between 45 and 50%. That is the best its been since we first found out about his CHF.
So the other piece of information I needed to clear up was his weight. When I was figuring his weight, I was including his wheelchair. So his actual starting weight was 281 lbs. He is now down to 231 lbs. right when he comes out of dialysis. He is not doing ALL of the stuff he should be doing, but the ones he is doing is making a difference. I will add more as I feel he can handle it. Other positive gains are: His sugars are under control for the first time since he became a diabetic back in 1991. They have been running between 112-140. I have not given him insulin but once since he started. His bowels movements are exactly how they should be. Cow patty consistency 3-4 times a day. (for him he needs to go more often. A healthier person about half that much.)
His diet consists of all the fruits and vegetables he wants. My garden has lettuce (romaine and leaf) tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, onions, and cauliflower. He will get corn, pumpkin, and watermelon soon. I supplement that with other veggies from the store. He also eats brown rice and wheat that has been slow cooked until the grain has just popped. I will add beans and other grains soon. He loves popcorn. So I season it with Mrs Dash, a little butter and olive oil. I can't make enough.
To his supplements I have added Super Green Foods (barley grass, wheat grass, spirulina, chlorella, dulse, kelp, and olive leaf) (my own recipe), enzymes and cayenne. The cayenne I have added a capsule every few days. He is up to 4 capsules a day now. I would like to work it up to 10. Not sure if that will happen. He is continuing on some of his doctor prescribed meds for his heart, stomach and nerves.
He still breathes rapidly on occasion, but he is much more calm. He still sleeps alot, but he is not up all night. Matter of fact, if he continues to sleep through the night, then I will start putting the fomentations on his back and feet again.
So the other piece of information I needed to clear up was his weight. When I was figuring his weight, I was including his wheelchair. So his actual starting weight was 281 lbs. He is now down to 231 lbs. right when he comes out of dialysis. He is not doing ALL of the stuff he should be doing, but the ones he is doing is making a difference. I will add more as I feel he can handle it. Other positive gains are: His sugars are under control for the first time since he became a diabetic back in 1991. They have been running between 112-140. I have not given him insulin but once since he started. His bowels movements are exactly how they should be. Cow patty consistency 3-4 times a day. (for him he needs to go more often. A healthier person about half that much.)
His diet consists of all the fruits and vegetables he wants. My garden has lettuce (romaine and leaf) tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, onions, and cauliflower. He will get corn, pumpkin, and watermelon soon. I supplement that with other veggies from the store. He also eats brown rice and wheat that has been slow cooked until the grain has just popped. I will add beans and other grains soon. He loves popcorn. So I season it with Mrs Dash, a little butter and olive oil. I can't make enough.
To his supplements I have added Super Green Foods (barley grass, wheat grass, spirulina, chlorella, dulse, kelp, and olive leaf) (my own recipe), enzymes and cayenne. The cayenne I have added a capsule every few days. He is up to 4 capsules a day now. I would like to work it up to 10. Not sure if that will happen. He is continuing on some of his doctor prescribed meds for his heart, stomach and nerves.
He still breathes rapidly on occasion, but he is much more calm. He still sleeps alot, but he is not up all night. Matter of fact, if he continues to sleep through the night, then I will start putting the fomentations on his back and feet again.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The start of a start
Today John is going to start on a healthy diet. Based on Dr. Christopher's teachings, he should eat fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. I decided to pull him off the liquids. After the stent in the hospital last week and having liquids over the weekend. His heart just couldn't handle it.
Sunday night, he was having a hard time breathing; almost as bad as last Tuesday. Monday morning, he weighed in at a little over 131 kg. He felt better after dialysis. He did the Wheat germ oil massage. He didn't want it. I kept him out for 16 min. He didn't have any bowel movements until evening. He would have come in at 2 minutes if he could physically do it. He sure asked often enough. He felt better afterwards.
He didn't have any bowel movements until evening. When I was changing him, he urinated a decent amount. Still not a normal amount but more than usual for him. Up to that point his side was hurting. The pain went away after that. He was doing pretty well until evening. He slept some and then he couldn't sleep anymore. He was up until 2 am. He tried to get into the bananas. Everything else was away, including popcorn. He asked where I put it.
This morning he had his capsules and his heart medicine. He also had apple cider vinegar and honey. He didn't eat anything right away. I made him a fruit smoothie with molasses and bee pollen. He then rested until a little past noon. I made him a salad. Almost an hour later, I made him brown rice with tomato sauce, Mrs. Dash, and pressed garlic. He also had some Pau D' Arco tea. He really enjoyed the rice.
His massage went better than yesterday. He sat out there for 20 minutes without asking me every 2 minutes if he can go in. His mind seems to be clearing again. He is acting more "grown up". He is not as anxious. What a relief.
He says he feels like he can't breathe as well. He doesn't look like he is having problems. I am keeping a close eye on him though. Don't need to have him get like he was a week ago.
I have limited his liquids and started him on Cranberry capsules and Melatonin.
Sunday night, he was having a hard time breathing; almost as bad as last Tuesday. Monday morning, he weighed in at a little over 131 kg. He felt better after dialysis. He did the Wheat germ oil massage. He didn't want it. I kept him out for 16 min. He didn't have any bowel movements until evening. He would have come in at 2 minutes if he could physically do it. He sure asked often enough. He felt better afterwards.
He didn't have any bowel movements until evening. When I was changing him, he urinated a decent amount. Still not a normal amount but more than usual for him. Up to that point his side was hurting. The pain went away after that. He was doing pretty well until evening. He slept some and then he couldn't sleep anymore. He was up until 2 am. He tried to get into the bananas. Everything else was away, including popcorn. He asked where I put it.
This morning he had his capsules and his heart medicine. He also had apple cider vinegar and honey. He didn't eat anything right away. I made him a fruit smoothie with molasses and bee pollen. He then rested until a little past noon. I made him a salad. Almost an hour later, I made him brown rice with tomato sauce, Mrs. Dash, and pressed garlic. He also had some Pau D' Arco tea. He really enjoyed the rice.
His massage went better than yesterday. He sat out there for 20 minutes without asking me every 2 minutes if he can go in. His mind seems to be clearing again. He is acting more "grown up". He is not as anxious. What a relief.
He says he feels like he can't breathe as well. He doesn't look like he is having problems. I am keeping a close eye on him though. Don't need to have him get like he was a week ago.
I have limited his liquids and started him on Cranberry capsules and Melatonin.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
We are back in the game!
We have started back on the program. We will only go through this week. Hopefully it will be enough. Three days off the program set us back some, but it isn't a total washout.
Saturday, John started on the grape juice. We have toned down a couple of things. For one, I haven't been doing the fomentations. I may though if he keeps from being anxious or up and down. The last couple of nights he has been doing great. Second, I haven't been making him stand up during sunbathing. I just have him sit the whole time in such a position that he gets most of his body in the sun. I may have him switch sides, but that is just getting him up and switching chairs. His colds showers aren't as "cold" and they only last literally 2 seconds. He also gets to sleep a little more than he had been. He is asking if he can have crackers, salt, Mrs. Dash, pepper, popcorn, "anything?". He asks about every 5 minutes.
He is not having the diarrhea like he did before. His sugars are more normal, except tonight they were 219. I was not in the best of moods yesterday. It was probably because I usually fall apart after a crisis, like John being in the hospital. He came home Friday evening. He weighed 248 lbs coming out of the hospital. They did 2 dialysis treatments in a 12 hour period on Wednesday. They pulled off 8.5 kilos of fluid. That is 17 lbs.
This morning, he did not want to get up. He got mad that I insisted he get up. He went back to bed and slept another 3 hours. This afternoon, he is up and continues to ask for something. the list is above. Otherwise it has been a pretty good day. He does say his side hurts about where his kidneys are. I am hoping that is because they are trying to work. Not sure what else it could be. It is only on one side.
Saturday, John started on the grape juice. We have toned down a couple of things. For one, I haven't been doing the fomentations. I may though if he keeps from being anxious or up and down. The last couple of nights he has been doing great. Second, I haven't been making him stand up during sunbathing. I just have him sit the whole time in such a position that he gets most of his body in the sun. I may have him switch sides, but that is just getting him up and switching chairs. His colds showers aren't as "cold" and they only last literally 2 seconds. He also gets to sleep a little more than he had been. He is asking if he can have crackers, salt, Mrs. Dash, pepper, popcorn, "anything?". He asks about every 5 minutes.
He is not having the diarrhea like he did before. His sugars are more normal, except tonight they were 219. I was not in the best of moods yesterday. It was probably because I usually fall apart after a crisis, like John being in the hospital. He came home Friday evening. He weighed 248 lbs coming out of the hospital. They did 2 dialysis treatments in a 12 hour period on Wednesday. They pulled off 8.5 kilos of fluid. That is 17 lbs.
This morning, he did not want to get up. He got mad that I insisted he get up. He went back to bed and slept another 3 hours. This afternoon, he is up and continues to ask for something. the list is above. Otherwise it has been a pretty good day. He does say his side hurts about where his kidneys are. I am hoping that is because they are trying to work. Not sure what else it could be. It is only on one side.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
John just starting out
This is John on the first day of the program. He has in front of him the Slippery Elm Gruel. He wasn't really as "happy" as he looked eating it. He was a good boy and ate it like I asked.
Over the edge
Well, it was too much. Too much liquid, too much heat. Combination did it in for John. Luckily not permanently, but enough to put him into the hospital in the intensive care unit. Tuesday morning was not too bad. He slept in till 10 am. Bowel movements were still frequent, but they were not pure liquid. It has never really been that way. He took his pills with water, then he drank some juice. I then did his massage with Wheat Germ oil. He tolerated the sunbathing for about 21 minutes. Even the cold shower. By the way, he has been walking in grass every time he sunbathes. But throughout the day he just seemed to be getting worse. Usually driving in the car with the air conditioning would help, but this evening it didn't. I gave him some extra heart medication to see if that would help, but it didn't, so that was when I took him in.
He was showing signs of improvement in his sugars and he was continuing to slowly increase his urine output. Mentally, it seemed he was acting more of adult in his speech and his attention span. Just listening to him speak, I could hear differences in how he presented himself. It was really exciting.
He was also continuing to have problems breathing. With the hot weather on Sunday and scorching weather Monday and Tuesday, was just too much. Tuesday night, John was in panic mode as he felt he could not breathe. His oxygen saturation was at 97%, which surprised the admitting nurse. They admitted him with Congested Heart Failure and scheduled him for a dialysis treatment. While he was waiting for that to take place John still had problems breathing even though he was on as much oxygen as possible. He was still panicking. He just couldn't calm down. They gave him morphine and adapan (don't know if I spelled or said it right). It finally started working by 1:30 am when they started his treatment. They pulled off 4 1/2 kilos.
Wednesday, John was out. He slept till about 3:30 pm. He slept through Doctors poking and prodding. He had blood taken, an echo cardiogram and another dialysis treatment which pulled another 4 kilos of liquid off. Amazingly enough his injection fraction of his heart is at almost 40%. That is really good for him having CHF for over 15 years. When he first was diagnosed, his injection fraction was 10%. But the bottom line is that all the fluid he has had took a toll on him. If it wasn't for the heat, he may have been able to pull through it. 8 1/2 Kilos equals to about 17 lbs of liquid.
The downside to him going to the hospital, is that he is eating the foods we have been trying to get away from. So we just have to deal with it and when he comes home tomorrow, we will resume. It was working in so many ways, that it is worth the risk to keep going. Now he will have a little more playing room. His kidneys are starting to get rid of some of the liquid. If we keep going it will only get better.
He was showing signs of improvement in his sugars and he was continuing to slowly increase his urine output. Mentally, it seemed he was acting more of adult in his speech and his attention span. Just listening to him speak, I could hear differences in how he presented himself. It was really exciting.
He was also continuing to have problems breathing. With the hot weather on Sunday and scorching weather Monday and Tuesday, was just too much. Tuesday night, John was in panic mode as he felt he could not breathe. His oxygen saturation was at 97%, which surprised the admitting nurse. They admitted him with Congested Heart Failure and scheduled him for a dialysis treatment. While he was waiting for that to take place John still had problems breathing even though he was on as much oxygen as possible. He was still panicking. He just couldn't calm down. They gave him morphine and adapan (don't know if I spelled or said it right). It finally started working by 1:30 am when they started his treatment. They pulled off 4 1/2 kilos.
Wednesday, John was out. He slept till about 3:30 pm. He slept through Doctors poking and prodding. He had blood taken, an echo cardiogram and another dialysis treatment which pulled another 4 kilos of liquid off. Amazingly enough his injection fraction of his heart is at almost 40%. That is really good for him having CHF for over 15 years. When he first was diagnosed, his injection fraction was 10%. But the bottom line is that all the fluid he has had took a toll on him. If it wasn't for the heat, he may have been able to pull through it. 8 1/2 Kilos equals to about 17 lbs of liquid.
The downside to him going to the hospital, is that he is eating the foods we have been trying to get away from. So we just have to deal with it and when he comes home tomorrow, we will resume. It was working in so many ways, that it is worth the risk to keep going. Now he will have a little more playing room. His kidneys are starting to get rid of some of the liquid. If we keep going it will only get better.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Is it getting any easier?
I didn't have time to write Sunday. John had a really hard time with the heat and mentally he was still very restless and acting so much like a child. He was up and down so many times he could have wore a path through our carpet if I didn't have extra runners down. He still isn't getting much sleep. I did manage to get away for a little while and that helped me. I didn't get his oil massage in. He was happy.
Sunday night wasn't much different than the last few nights. Up and down and still very restless and heavy breathing. He finally got to sleep around 3. Then we got up late for dialysis. He had diarrhea there so he didn't get a full treatment. He weighed in at 133 kg.
I got him his Wheat germ oil massage around 12:30. It was going to be way too hot to do it any later even though they suggest not sunbathing during that time. He actually sat out there for the longest time yet. He got his shower-even the cold part. Only for 2 seconds. His butt was sore, I didn't put a diaper on so he could get some air. He slept for about an hour. I didn't have to cuddle with him this time.
The rest of the day was a much better day for him.. He dealt with the heat well. I had lots of fans on him. He wasn't restless or up and down. Mentally he was so much better too. It was nice. Even late into the evening as it is, he can't sleep, but he is calm. Breathing well. His urine output is increasing as well. He keeps asking me if I am sure about all this, I keep telling him I am.
Sunday night wasn't much different than the last few nights. Up and down and still very restless and heavy breathing. He finally got to sleep around 3. Then we got up late for dialysis. He had diarrhea there so he didn't get a full treatment. He weighed in at 133 kg.
I got him his Wheat germ oil massage around 12:30. It was going to be way too hot to do it any later even though they suggest not sunbathing during that time. He actually sat out there for the longest time yet. He got his shower-even the cold part. Only for 2 seconds. His butt was sore, I didn't put a diaper on so he could get some air. He slept for about an hour. I didn't have to cuddle with him this time.
The rest of the day was a much better day for him.. He dealt with the heat well. I had lots of fans on him. He wasn't restless or up and down. Mentally he was so much better too. It was nice. Even late into the evening as it is, he can't sleep, but he is calm. Breathing well. His urine output is increasing as well. He keeps asking me if I am sure about all this, I keep telling him I am.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
7th day-The hardest day so far
Friday has been the hardest day so far. Thursday night, John managed to get a total of 5 1/2 hours of sleep. That is the most he has slept thus far. His sugars went down to 89 so I gave him another glass of carrot juice. That was enough.
He did dialysis. Because of that he didn't get to drink water during that time. Then at 12:00, we had to go to the doctors for John to have his basal cell skin cancer removed from off of his cheek. He did not want to go but I told him that he scheduled it, so we need to get it done.
He was still antsy and breathing hard so it was very difficult him to sit still long enough to have it done. Thankfully, the doctor got it all the first time around.
We made it home so he could finally get some water in him. He was really wanting something to eat. I am sure it was very hard for him. He took an hour nap. It didn't help. He got quite a bit of water down though. He then took another nap in the evening. But that was it. He was then up until two in the morning pacing back and forth at least 100 times (maybe more). He was sweating and could have swore that his sugars were low. They weren't (146). But he convinced himself that they were so he got into my son's Chocolate Marshmallow Mateys. That was the only thing he could reach and get into. He also got into the sea salt. He tried to deny it, but he was the only one around. The other couple things he snuck during the week were the Oreo Cookies Nacho Doritos. Really not too bad considering his mentality and willpower right now.
I realized yesterday that 136 kg is 300 lb. That is how much John weighed in last Monday at Dialysis. Friday, he weighed 132.7 kg which is around 289 lb.
I gave up on the fomentations until he calms down. It just isn't worth the hassel to try to keep it on his back. Hopefully we can start it tonight.
Now it is Saturday. I let him sleep. He slept till almost 11 am. I gave him his pills, water and gruel. He went back to bed at 12 and slept till almost 2. I hope it helps.
The capsules I give him are:
Circualtion-Parsley, cayenne, ginger, ginkgo eleuthero and garlic
CoQ10
Heart-hawthorn, motherwort
Lower Bowel-Rhubarb, ginger, fennel, cascara sagrada, red raspberry, cayenne, goldenseal, barberry and lobelia
Calcium Formula-Horsetail, oat straw, comfrey and lobelia
Blood Cleanser-Red clover, burdock, buckthorn, licorice, goldenseal, sarsaparilla, chaparral and oregon grape
Kidney support- Marshmallow and parsley
Liver/gallbladder-Barberry, catnip, ginger, cramp bark, fennel, peppernint and wild yam
Tinctures:
Nervine-Hops, valerian, skullcap and lady slipper
Pancreas-Bean Pod, bilberry, blueberry, huckleberry, balsom pear, bitter melon, gymnema sylvestre and uva ursi
He did dialysis. Because of that he didn't get to drink water during that time. Then at 12:00, we had to go to the doctors for John to have his basal cell skin cancer removed from off of his cheek. He did not want to go but I told him that he scheduled it, so we need to get it done.
He was still antsy and breathing hard so it was very difficult him to sit still long enough to have it done. Thankfully, the doctor got it all the first time around.
We made it home so he could finally get some water in him. He was really wanting something to eat. I am sure it was very hard for him. He took an hour nap. It didn't help. He got quite a bit of water down though. He then took another nap in the evening. But that was it. He was then up until two in the morning pacing back and forth at least 100 times (maybe more). He was sweating and could have swore that his sugars were low. They weren't (146). But he convinced himself that they were so he got into my son's Chocolate Marshmallow Mateys. That was the only thing he could reach and get into. He also got into the sea salt. He tried to deny it, but he was the only one around. The other couple things he snuck during the week were the Oreo Cookies Nacho Doritos. Really not too bad considering his mentality and willpower right now.
I realized yesterday that 136 kg is 300 lb. That is how much John weighed in last Monday at Dialysis. Friday, he weighed 132.7 kg which is around 289 lb.
I gave up on the fomentations until he calms down. It just isn't worth the hassel to try to keep it on his back. Hopefully we can start it tonight.
Now it is Saturday. I let him sleep. He slept till almost 11 am. I gave him his pills, water and gruel. He went back to bed at 12 and slept till almost 2. I hope it helps.
The capsules I give him are:
Circualtion-Parsley, cayenne, ginger, ginkgo eleuthero and garlic
CoQ10
Heart-hawthorn, motherwort
Lower Bowel-Rhubarb, ginger, fennel, cascara sagrada, red raspberry, cayenne, goldenseal, barberry and lobelia
Calcium Formula-Horsetail, oat straw, comfrey and lobelia
Blood Cleanser-Red clover, burdock, buckthorn, licorice, goldenseal, sarsaparilla, chaparral and oregon grape
Kidney support- Marshmallow and parsley
Liver/gallbladder-Barberry, catnip, ginger, cramp bark, fennel, peppernint and wild yam
Tinctures:
Nervine-Hops, valerian, skullcap and lady slipper
Pancreas-Bean Pod, bilberry, blueberry, huckleberry, balsom pear, bitter melon, gymnema sylvestre and uva ursi
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The 6th day
John and I are glad in one way that this is the 6th day. One because this will be his last day on carrot juice. 2nd, because he won't have to sunbath nude tomorrow and feel greasy afterward. 3rd, he won't have to eat Slippery Elm Gruel-though he says it really doesn't taste bad. And 4th, I get a rest from doing all that.
See, on the 7th day, all John gets to have is water. He is not thrilled with that, but it will help his body heal. Saturday, it will start again, but with Apple juice. He is excited for that.
John is still doing his heavy, short breaths. He has not had much sleep. He was up all night again last night. This morning, he took 2 short naps. As soon as I cuddled up to him, his breathing calmed right down, and he was out like a light.
He still gets nauseous. His poor butt is raw and he really wants something else to eat. He asks me every 2 seconds (it seems) if he can have this or that. His memory is still bad. He can't remember what is going to happen next. He acts so much like a little kid riding in a car asking "Are we there yet?"
But it is working. John has urinated 5 times in the last 24 hours. That is really exciting. He is going to have his urine output measured next week. They will be soooo shocked when they get the results. Last time they measured, they got nothing. Also, his blood sugars are coming down. They were averaging 200, now it is averaging 140.
See, on the 7th day, all John gets to have is water. He is not thrilled with that, but it will help his body heal. Saturday, it will start again, but with Apple juice. He is excited for that.
John is still doing his heavy, short breaths. He has not had much sleep. He was up all night again last night. This morning, he took 2 short naps. As soon as I cuddled up to him, his breathing calmed right down, and he was out like a light.
He still gets nauseous. His poor butt is raw and he really wants something else to eat. He asks me every 2 seconds (it seems) if he can have this or that. His memory is still bad. He can't remember what is going to happen next. He acts so much like a little kid riding in a car asking "Are we there yet?"
But it is working. John has urinated 5 times in the last 24 hours. That is really exciting. He is going to have his urine output measured next week. They will be soooo shocked when they get the results. Last time they measured, they got nothing. Also, his blood sugars are coming down. They were averaging 200, now it is averaging 140.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A Major Milestone!
John has made a major milestone! He has urinated twice since dialysis ending at 11:30am! Once at 2:30 and again at 6 pm. That has been unheard of since his kidneys failed 5 yrs ago.
He has had a hard time today until about 3pm. His breathing has been short and he has been antsy. He didn't sleep at all to speak of last night. He can't stay out in the sun for as long as it says he needs to be out. He just couldn't handle the cold shower today. He still did the dry brushing, Olive oil massage and warm shower.
I have found that if I arrange to stay in the same room with him, then he is calmer and not demanding so much of me.
So we are making headway. John has been so unsure of it all. Question after question after question. I haven't gotten much sleep. I know it will all be worth it. Hopefully by the weekend I will post the schedule and supplements that John is currently on.
In the meantime-He is showing signs of improvement!
He has had a hard time today until about 3pm. His breathing has been short and he has been antsy. He didn't sleep at all to speak of last night. He can't stay out in the sun for as long as it says he needs to be out. He just couldn't handle the cold shower today. He still did the dry brushing, Olive oil massage and warm shower.
I have found that if I arrange to stay in the same room with him, then he is calmer and not demanding so much of me.
So we are making headway. John has been so unsure of it all. Question after question after question. I haven't gotten much sleep. I know it will all be worth it. Hopefully by the weekend I will post the schedule and supplements that John is currently on.
In the meantime-He is showing signs of improvement!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
4 days done already
John has done 4 days already. It has been tough. He has been weak. He has pooped his brains out. Though he has plenty more to go. I will eventually write down day to day exactness. But for now I want to say that this is not easy. I knew it wouldn't be. John has said quite a few times that he doesn't know if he can do this. He has been weak, out of breath, hot, cold, nauseous, afraid, anxious, sweaty, and more. I have been frustrated, tired, irritable, and also sure of myself that I am doing the right thing. So far the thing he hates the most is the cold shower. Dang, I would too. He has been really good about resisting foods that has been offered to him. Though he keeps asking me if he can have this food or that food. He also is asking me for this or that every 2 seconds. "Help me" is probably the 2 words I hate the most. He says that more times than I can count. What I don't mind is giving him pep talks. I have been kind of hard on him when he starts whining and complaining but he has to know that it will all turn out. Any improvements will be better than what he is going through now. He can't do anything for himself. So I just keep reminding him that he will be in much better health than he is now.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
It is Officially started
Well the first day. It started out being messy. Had to clean him up.
10:00 I finally started to give him Juice
10:40 Slippery Elm gruel (1 0z of Slippery Elm, distilled water, and honey) He had a hard time eating it.
His hips starting to hurt him.
11:25 Water and Capsules: (will explain later)
He was laying down and he had a hard time getting back up to take them.
He is driving me nuts with his same questions over and over.
1:00 more carrot juice. He guzzled it down. So he had to have another glass. It is so important to "chew" each swallow. He wasn't happy with that, because he didn't really like it.
10:00 I finally started to give him Juice
10:40 Slippery Elm gruel (1 0z of Slippery Elm, distilled water, and honey) He had a hard time eating it.
His hips starting to hurt him.
11:25 Water and Capsules: (will explain later)
He was laying down and he had a hard time getting back up to take them.
He is driving me nuts with his same questions over and over.
1:00 more carrot juice. He guzzled it down. So he had to have another glass. It is so important to "chew" each swallow. He wasn't happy with that, because he didn't really like it.
Friday, July 17, 2009
We all ready behind the game
John will be starting his program tomorrow. He had dialysis today. It was really important for him to be dialyzed for the full length of time. Well, it didn't happen. He asked to be pulled off an hour early.
So what do the nurses tell him as he is walking out the door, "Watch your fluid intake this weekend, John, OK?"
I had him start taking capsules to help support his kidneys. He started that Wednesday night. I have also had a bunch of capsules made that he is going to take to feed the different organs and systems in the body: Colon, kidneys, heart, blood, circulation. I also made a formula to help him assimilate calcium better.
I am going to the store this afternoon to gather all the rest of my supplies I will need. Flannel, mattress cover, extra sheets, the different oils I will need and whatever else I can think of.
I told John that I will take him to any restaurant he wants tonight. He has chosen Olive Garden. He pigged out on pizza earlier this week. He has been able to enjoy a few other foods that he will not be able to eat after this starts.
He mentioned to me this morning that he is ready to do this. His biggest motivators are to lose weight and be pain free. He is excited for the fact that he may be able to drive again and be more mobile. So wish me luck, but more importantly pray for us as this is will be a start of a new life for John.
So what do the nurses tell him as he is walking out the door, "Watch your fluid intake this weekend, John, OK?"
I had him start taking capsules to help support his kidneys. He started that Wednesday night. I have also had a bunch of capsules made that he is going to take to feed the different organs and systems in the body: Colon, kidneys, heart, blood, circulation. I also made a formula to help him assimilate calcium better.
I am going to the store this afternoon to gather all the rest of my supplies I will need. Flannel, mattress cover, extra sheets, the different oils I will need and whatever else I can think of.
I told John that I will take him to any restaurant he wants tonight. He has chosen Olive Garden. He pigged out on pizza earlier this week. He has been able to enjoy a few other foods that he will not be able to eat after this starts.
He mentioned to me this morning that he is ready to do this. His biggest motivators are to lose weight and be pain free. He is excited for the fact that he may be able to drive again and be more mobile. So wish me luck, but more importantly pray for us as this is will be a start of a new life for John.
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