Guest guest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Jan, you have enough problems without my adding to them, but let me tell you Institution food is awful after a while. No wonder he eats so well when he goes out. It is different, and not in house cooking. When My Don was in the hospital for months at a time, he was so tired of hospital food that he longed for beans and cornbread. I surprised him with just that. He cried. Enemas cause a person to loose potassium. That is one of the electrolytes that the body need to run properly. Loosing too much can bring on arrhythmia's, or actually a heart attack. You are wise for trying to find a way to help him keep his body on a more natural rhythm. I am sure someone will tell you a few good products to use. I have looked high and low for my list, and I must not have gotten them into the computer. Imogene In a message dated 12/5/2006 4:26:27 PM Central Standard Time, janetcolello@... writes: Hi, I need advice. At the Nursing Home, they are giving my husband enemas every 3 days, because he is always constipated. He is on Stool Softener, Konsyl D, (Like Metamucil) and they give him Milk of Magnesia on the Second day, hoping it will get him to go before the third day. They also give him prune juice. I am getting very worried about this enema thing every three days. It seems to be taking a lot out of Jim. I can also see their point of view they are afraid of blockage. Jim is such a picky eater and they always try to give him the things that he likes, but for some reason he doesn't eat all his meal and most of the time skips his breakfast and lunch. He eats dinner well, because I am always there to see that he does and I take him out about twice a week to eat, sometimes more. When I take him out he licks the platter clean, so I know he is not lacking an appetite. In fact it seems like he is starving he eats so much when I take him out. Anyway, since he is not eating much and dropping weight, it seems like the enema every 3 days is too much. What food does he have processed to come out every three days. I think they are so routine that they stick to that amount of days for everyone, regardless if they need to have a BM or not. I think they are dehydrating him more than anything by keeping this every three day enema routine going. I have been giving him Gatorade to retain the liquid. Jim does not drink much either and it is very hard to get him to finish an entire glass of liquid, except when I take him out to eat and then he drinks all his liquids. I can't take him out for every meal. He is looking so thin and withdrawn and yesterday, he just didn't look right. What can I do to get him regular, so they don't keep giving him these enemas? I read where someone mentioned Fruiteez or something that sounded like that and that it was working for their Loved One. Please let me know where you get it and any other suggestions for me to help my husband I would love to have. Thank You.....Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 HI Jan, Sometimes in NH's they have people who volunteer to feed the residents. Can you speak to a staff member there who can set something up like this for Jim. He may begin to eat more regularly if he has the same person(s) helping him eat. I'd be concerned about the enema too. Courage I need advice Hi, I need advice. At the Nursing Home, they are giving my husband enemas every 3 days, because he is always constipated. He is on Stool Softener, Konsyl D, (Like Metamucil) and they give him Milk of Magnesia on the Second day, hoping it will get him to go before the third day. They also give him prune juice. I am getting very worried about this enema thing every three days. It seems to be taking a lot out of Jim. I can also see their point of view they are afraid of blockage. Jim is such a picky eater and they always try to give him the things that he likes, but for some reason he doesn't eat all his meal and most of the time skips his breakfast and lunch. He eats dinner well, because I am always there to see that he does and I take him out about twice a week to eat, sometimes more. When I take him out he licks the platter clean, so I know he is not lacking an appetite. In fact it seems like he is starving he eats so much when I take him out. Anyway, since he is not eating much and dropping weight, it seems like the enema every 3 days is too much. What food does he have processed to come out every three days. I think they are so routine that they stick to that amount of days for everyone, regardless if they need to have a BM or not. I think they are dehydrating him more than anything by keeping this every three day enema routine going. I have been giving him Gatorade to retain the liquid. Jim does not drink much either and it is very hard to get him to finish an entire glass of liquid, except when I take him out to eat and then he drinks all his liquids. I can't take him out for every meal. He is looking so thin and withdrawn and yesterday, he just didn't look right. What can I do to get him regular, so they don't keep giving him these enemas? I read where someone mentioned Fruiteez or something that sounded like that and that it was working for their Loved One. Please let me know where you get it and any other suggestions for me to help my husband I would love to have. Thank You.....Jan --------------------------------- Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Janet, In past experience with my father and constipation, we put him on Colace (stool softener) twice daily, one in a.m. and one in p.m., in addtion to this we give him 2 FiberCon pills with his lunch. It has worked GREAT...we too were having to give him enemas every two-three days...hope this helps. Joni Janet Colello wrote: Hi, I need advice. At the Nursing Home, they are giving my husband enemas every 3 days, because he is always constipated. He is on Stool Softener, Konsyl D, (Like Metamucil) and they give him Milk of Magnesia on the Second day, hoping it will get him to go before the third day. They also give him prune juice. I am getting very worried about this enema thing every three days. It seems to be taking a lot out of Jim. I can also see their point of view they are afraid of blockage. Jim is such a picky eater and they always try to give him the things that he likes, but for some reason he doesn't eat all his meal and most of the time skips his breakfast and lunch. He eats dinner well, because I am always there to see that he does and I take him out about twice a week to eat, sometimes more. When I take him out he licks the platter clean, so I know he is not lacking an appetite. In fact it seems like he is starving he eats so much when I take him out. Anyway, since he is not eating much and dropping weight, it seems like the enema every 3 days is too much. What food does he have processed to come out every three days. I think they are so routine that they stick to that amount of days for everyone, regardless if they need to have a BM or not. I think they are dehydrating him more than anything by keeping this every three day enema routine going. I have been giving him Gatorade to retain the liquid. Jim does not drink much either and it is very hard to get him to finish an entire glass of liquid, except when I take him out to eat and then he drinks all his liquids. I can't take him out for every meal. He is looking so thin and withdrawn and yesterday, he just didn't look right. What can I do to get him regular, so they don't keep giving him these enemas? I read where someone mentioned Fruiteez or something that sounded like that and that it was working for their Loved One. Please let me know where you get it and any other suggestions for me to help my husband I would love to have. Thank You.....Jan --------------------------------- Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Jan, are they doing the enemas plus the stool softener and laxatives at the same time. Sounds as if his system won't work without help now, which is what happens when artificial methods are used instead of natural. I read of the Fruitese too and was going to suggest it for Darrell, but other illness prevented that. I think constipation is part of the disease, and my husband was a picky eater, too. However, they would give juice, water, milk, coffee, Ensure all at mealtime, and he would drink most of it until the later days. Another natural way I heard of was a equal parts of applesauce, prune juice, and bran and eating several spoonfuls each day. It sure would be better than the enemas, as they are hard on the body. I don't think he had many bowel movements in the last few weeks of his life, mainly because he wasn't eating that well. If they did enemas on him, I didn't know about it. This was so unusual for him, because all the years we were married, he was rarely constipated, and if he went more than one day without a BM, he would almost be sick. So, I don't know why the constipation in the NH didn't bother him that way. I think their bodies go through a lot of changes during the illness. I hate to say this Jan, but I have always thought he was just a few months behind my husband in his illness decline and wonder if this is part of the disease progressing. I would say from mid-summer through the fall, my husband was more withdrawn, less responsive to family members, beginning not to know me all the time, and just generally failing both mental and physical. I think the constant UTIs and aspiration pneumonia in early October were the beginning of the physical decline, as he never really recuperated from the hospitalization until he had to go back in in late October. Keep taking him out and keep him eating as much as possible. I know you don't have any control when you're not there. Do they see that he eats those other meals? My husband ate a good breakfast they always told me, but I wasn't sure about lunch. Generally, he ate most of his dinner if he liked it; however, they gave a lot of food for someone who wasn't getting any exercise as well as getting Ensure two or three times a day. Good luck. Keep us posted. --- Iward27663@... wrote: > > > > Jan, you have enough problems without my adding to > them, but let me tell you > Institution food is awful after a while. No wonder > he eats so well when he > goes out. > It is different, and not in house cooking. When My > Don was in the hospital > for months at a time, he was so tired of hospital > food that he longed for > beans and cornbread. I surprised him with just that. > He cried. > > Enemas cause a person to loose potassium. That is > one of the electrolytes > that the body need to run properly. Loosing too much > can bring on arrhythmia's, > or actually a heart attack. > > You are wise for trying to find a way to help him > keep his body on a more > natural rhythm. I am sure someone will tell you a > few good products to use. I > have looked high and low for my list, and I must not > have gotten them into the > computer. > Imogene > > > > In a message dated 12/5/2006 4:26:27 PM Central > Standard Time, > janetcolello@... writes: > > > Hi, I need advice. At the Nursing Home, they are > giving my husband enemas > every 3 days, because he is always constipated. He > is on Stool Softener, > Konsyl D, (Like Metamucil) and they give him Milk of > Magnesia on the Second day, > hoping it will get him to go before the third day. > They also give him prune > juice. I am getting very worried about this enema > thing every three days. It > seems to be taking a lot out of Jim. I can also see > their point of view they > are afraid of blockage. > Jim is such a picky eater and they always try to > give him the things that he > likes, but for some reason he doesn't eat all his > meal and most of the time > skips his breakfast and lunch. He eats dinner well, > because I am always there > to see that he does and I take him out about twice > a week to eat, sometimes > more. When I take him out he licks the platter > clean, so I know he is not > lacking an appetite. In fact it seems like he is > starving he eats so much when I > take him out. Anyway, since he is not eating much > and dropping weight, it > seems like the enema every 3 days is too much. What > food does he have > processed to come out every three days. I think > they are so routine that they stick > to that amount of days for everyone, regardless if > they need to have a BM or > not. I think they are dehydrating him more than > anything by keeping this every > three day enema routine going. I have been giving > him Gatorade to retain the > liquid. Jim does not drink much either and it is > very hard to > get him to finish an entire glass of liquid, except > when I take him out to > eat and then he drinks all his liquids. I can't > take him out for every meal. > He is looking so thin and withdrawn and yesterday, > he just didn't look right. > What can I do to get him regular, so they don't > keep giving him these enemas? > I read where someone mentioned Fruiteez or > something that sounded like that > and that it was working for their Loved One. Please > let me know where you > get it and any other suggestions for me to help my > husband I would love to > have. Thank You.....Jan > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. Try it now. 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Guest guest Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 Jan... I had a problem after surgery and they gave me warm prune juice and it really worked! If he has a problem with plain prune juice you could add some cream. Simmel > >Reply-To: LBDcaregivers >To: LBDcaregivers >Subject: I need advice >Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 14:05:18 -0800 (PST) > > > Hi, I need advice. At the Nursing Home, they are giving my husband >enemas every 3 days, because he is always constipated. He is on Stool >Softener, Konsyl D, (Like Metamucil) and they give him Milk of Magnesia on >the Second day, hoping it will get him to go before the third day. They >also give him prune juice. I am getting very worried about this enema thing >every three days. It seems to be taking a lot out of Jim. I can also see >their point of view they are afraid of blockage. > Jim is such a picky eater and they always try to give him the things >that he likes, but for some reason he doesn't eat all his meal and most of >the time skips his breakfast and lunch. He eats dinner well, because I am >always there to see that he does and I take him out about twice a week to >eat, sometimes more. When I take him out he licks the platter clean, so I >know he is not lacking an appetite. In fact it seems like he is starving he >eats so much when I take him out. Anyway, since he is not eating much and >dropping weight, it seems like the enema every 3 days is too much. What >food does he have processed to come out every three days. I think they are >so routine that they stick to that amount of days for everyone, regardless >if they need to have a BM or not. I think they are dehydrating him more >than anything by keeping this every three day enema routine going. I have >been giving him Gatorade to retain the liquid. Jim does not drink much >either and it is very hard to > get him to finish an entire glass of liquid, except when I take him out >to eat and then he drinks all his liquids. I can't take him out for every >meal. He is looking so thin and withdrawn and yesterday, he just didn't >look right. What can I do to get him regular, so they don't keep giving him >these enemas? I read where someone mentioned Fruiteez or something that >sounded like that and that it was working for their Loved One. Please let >me know where you get it and any other suggestions for me to help my >husband I would love to have. Thank You.....Jan > > > > >--------------------------------- >Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 Hi Simmel, It's been awhile since I have seen you here. Thank you for this advice, it is worth a try and I will mention it to the staff at the nursing home. I am fearful and scared that Jim may be taking a turn for the worse. About 3 or 4 days ago, he seemed himself and looked good and within the last two days, it is so strange he has dropped weight in his face and his eyes look droopy. I think he is coming down with a cold. His nose is drippy, that is usual with him, but he is having a hard time breathing and had phlegm in his mouth, I think it drains from his nose into his throat. He had a slight temp. last night. The nurse listened to his lungs, but they sounded clear. He is not coughing, but there is a lot of colds and coughing going around the nursing home. Maybe his immune system is shutting down. It is an alarming difference between him now and just a few days ago. It's amazing how fast they can take a turn for the worse. How are you doing Simmel? I can't believe how fast another year has come around! This year is different for me. I am not even in the mood to set up Christmas Decorations or get a tree, since I am home alone and mostly at the nursing home. The cheerfulness to decorate is lost without Jim at home to enjoy it with. I am doing fine though. It really is not gloom and doom, just getting the energy up for the holidays is. I did manage to muster up some energy at Thanksgiving Time and had my family; parents, sister and daughters here for Thanksgiving. We are a small family of 6, so it was not too bad to get it all ready. I had always done Thanksgiving in the past for the last several years, but last year Jim was at home and very needy, so I didn't do it last year and a caregiver stayed with him and my family and I all went out to dinner, it just wasn't the same as having dinner at home with all the left overs and being able to sit back and relax together after all the eating. My oldest daughter, who turns 34 on Christmas Day, has been doing the family Christmas for the last 3 years, so we passed the torch on to her. We do a lot of celebrating on Christmas. She does a wonderful job decorating her home and she's a great cook too! You and I have another birthday coming up next month too. Boy, this is the last of my 50s and then I'm into the next decade. I am going to milk this birthday for all it's worth, it is going to be hard to step over the following year. Laughing now, I thought that when I turned 40 too. I hope you are doing well and wish you happy holidays. It was wonderful to hear from you. Jan Simmel Haim wrote: Jan... I had a problem after surgery and they gave me warm prune juice and it really worked! If he has a problem with plain prune juice you could add some cream. Simmel >From: Janet Colello >Reply-To: LBDcaregivers >To: LBDcaregivers >Subject: I need advice >Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 14:05:18 -0800 (PST) > > > Hi, I need advice. At the Nursing Home, they are giving my husband >enemas every 3 days, because he is always constipated. He is on Stool >Softener, Konsyl D, (Like Metamucil) and they give him Milk of Magnesia on >the Second day, hoping it will get him to go before the third day. They >also give him prune juice. I am getting very worried about this enema thing >every three days. It seems to be taking a lot out of Jim. I can also see >their point of view they are afraid of blockage. > Jim is such a picky eater and they always try to give him the things >that he likes, but for some reason he doesn't eat all his meal and most of >the time skips his breakfast and lunch. He eats dinner well, because I am >always there to see that he does and I take him out about twice a week to >eat, sometimes more. When I take him out he licks the platter clean, so I >know he is not lacking an appetite. In fact it seems like he is starving he >eats so much when I take him out. Anyway, since he is not eating much and >dropping weight, it seems like the enema every 3 days is too much. What >food does he have processed to come out every three days. I think they are >so routine that they stick to that amount of days for everyone, regardless >if they need to have a BM or not. I think they are dehydrating him more >than anything by keeping this every three day enema routine going. I have >been giving him Gatorade to retain the liquid. Jim does not drink much >either and it is very hard to > get him to finish an entire glass of liquid, except when I take him out >to eat and then he drinks all his liquids. I can't take him out for every >meal. He is looking so thin and withdrawn and yesterday, he just didn't >look right. What can I do to get him regular, so they don't keep giving him >these enemas? I read where someone mentioned Fruiteez or something that >sounded like that and that it was working for their Loved One. Please let >me know where you get it and any other suggestions for me to help my >husband I would love to have. Thank You.....Jan > > > > >--------------------------------- >Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 Hi Jan, I can't advise re what to give Jim as Mom stayed regular on whatever she was given in her NH. However, I used to take in chocolate milk for her every visit as it was such a treat. One day while I was offering her the milk prior to taking her to a funeral of all things, one of the aides suggested I might want to hold back on the offering as they had found that within a few hours she would let loose. Yikes! The milk was gone but thankfully we were OK for our time out. They double diapered and whatever else they could do but all was well. I had Mom in her wheelchair and her boyfriend in his electric scooter to deal with that day, over 90. I figure you are the best to determine how long Jim can go without an enema. You say Jim turns aggressive when constipated. The cue for an enema? How long did you find it took for aggression to happen? I think the NH needs to hear from you rather than their set protocol. Hoping this improves for Jim. > > > Hi, I need advice. At the Nursing Home, they are giving my husband enemas every 3 days, because he is always constipated. He is on Stool Softener, Konsyl D, (Like Metamucil) and they give him Milk of Magnesia on the Second day, hoping it will get him to go before the third day. They also give him prune juice. I am getting very worried about this enema thing every three days. It seems to be taking a lot out of Jim. I can also see their point of view they are afraid of blockage. > Jim is such a picky eater and they always try to give him the things that he likes, but for some reason he doesn't eat all his meal and most of the time skips his breakfast and lunch. He eats dinner well, because I am always there to see that he does and I take him out about twice a week to eat, sometimes more. When I take him out he licks the platter clean, so I know he is not lacking an appetite. In fact it seems like he is starving he eats so much when I take him out. Anyway, since he is not eating much and dropping weight, it seems like the enema every 3 days is too much. What food does he have processed to come out every three days. I think they are so routine that they stick to that amount of days for everyone, regardless if they need to have a BM or not. I think they are dehydrating him more than anything by keeping this every three day enema routine going. I have been giving him Gatorade to retain the liquid. Jim does not drink much either and it is very hard to > get him to finish an entire glass of liquid, except when I take him out to eat and then he drinks all his liquids. I can't take him out for every meal. He is looking so thin and withdrawn and yesterday, he just didn't look right. What can I do to get him regular, so they don't keep giving him these enemas? I read where someone mentioned Fruiteez or something that sounded like that and that it was working for their Loved One. Please let me know where you get it and any other suggestions for me to help my husband I would love to have. Thank You.....Jan > > > > > --------------------------------- > Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 Hi Simmel, It is good to hear from you. How are you doing? Hope all is well. Hugs, Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. I need advice >Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 14:05:18 -0800 (PST) > > > Hi, I need advice. At the Nursing Home, they are giving my husband >enemas every 3 days, because he is always constipated. He is on Stool >Softener, Konsyl D, (Like Metamucil) and they give him Milk of Magnesia on >the Second day, hoping it will get him to go before the third day. They >also give him prune juice. I am getting very worried about this enema thing >every three days. It seems to be taking a lot out of Jim. I can also see >their point of view they are afraid of blockage. > Jim is such a picky eater and they always try to give him the things >that he likes, but for some reason he doesn't eat all his meal and most of >the time skips his breakfast and lunch. He eats dinner well, because I am >always there to see that he does and I take him out about twice a week to >eat, sometimes more. When I take him out he licks the platter clean, so I >know he is not lacking an appetite. In fact it seems like he is starving he >eats so much when I take him out. Anyway, since he is not eating much and >dropping weight, it seems like the enema every 3 days is too much. What >food does he have processed to come out every three days. I think they are >so routine that they stick to that amount of days for everyone, regardless >if they need to have a BM or not. I think they are dehydrating him more >than anything by keeping this every three day enema routine going. I have >been giving him Gatorade to retain the liquid. Jim does not drink much >either and it is very hard to > get him to finish an entire glass of liquid, except when I take him out >to eat and then he drinks all his liquids. I can't take him out for every >meal. He is looking so thin and withdrawn and yesterday, he just didn't >look right. What can I do to get him regular, so they don't keep giving him >these enemas? I read where someone mentioned Fruiteez or something that >sounded like that and that it was working for their Loved One. Please let >me know where you get it and any other suggestions for me to help my >husband I would love to have. Thank You.....Jan > > > > >--------------------------------- >Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Hi Jan... Fruit-Eze link is below. Someone on one of the boards recommended it -- mom never had to use it but kept it in the back of my head just in case... http://www.fruit-eze.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Hi Jan, I hope Jim is just feeling under the weather right now. It's amazing how having a cold or infection really alters those with LBD. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon and you will see some improvement. You are a great advocate for him...hope you can get the enema situation resolved. It is frustrating to deal with the revolving door of nurses and aides at the NH (and I'm just talking about shift changes and daily schedules). I don't know how they can keep up with what is happening with each resident... I'm sure the man across the hall was appreciative of your kind words. It'll help him to have a little insight into what to expect and how to manage. We all know the frustration. Hope things are looking up today. Thanks for all you do. Daughter of Bill, 91 > > > Hi Simmel, > It's been awhile since I have seen you here. Thank you for this advice, it is worth a try and I will mention it to the staff at the nursing home. > I am fearful and scared that Jim may be taking a turn for the worse. About 3 or 4 days ago, he seemed himself and looked good and within the last two days, it is so strange he has dropped weight in his face and his eyes look droopy. I think he is coming down with a cold. His nose is drippy, that is usual with him, but he is having a hard time breathing and had phlegm in his mouth, I think it drains from his nose into his throat. He had a slight temp. last night. The nurse listened to his lungs, but they sounded clear. He is not coughing, but there is a lot of colds and coughing going around the nursing home. Maybe his immune system is shutting down. It is an alarming difference between him now and just a few days ago. It's amazing how fast they can take a turn for the worse. > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Jan, I have been lurking but there are so many new names and problems that I only respond when I have some information that may be of help to someone. My daughter has been living here for over a year and her divorce will be finalized next week. My middle son who lives in the Virgin Islands has been living here with his almost 16 year old son. Ian is in school here as an option since schools are horrible down there. This is frought with problems though I love the company. I have gotten a Maine Coon Cat and two new dogs. The dogs are really almost therapy for my daughter....we lost our young dog this summer. I went to Iceland with an old friend in June and this fall went to Hawaii with my youngest son and his two daughters. Also went on a cruise for two weeks with a friend of a few years and that was more or less a disaster.Living together is different than going to the theater. Our aims were quite different....she did not see why I would like to read and not be on deck where the temperature was near 100 degrees. I love bridge but she did not want to learn any new systems so that did not work out for us. Thanksgiving was at my oldest son's home in PA and it was great to have all my kids, spouses and natural grandchildren together....There were 14 of us. We even went to the Crayola factory and I kept up as best I could. Take care of you. Simmel > >Reply-To: LBDcaregivers >To: LBDcaregivers >Subject: RE: I need advice >Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 13:18:34 -0800 (PST) > > > Hi Simmel, > It's been awhile since I have seen you here. Thank you for this advice, >it is worth a try and I will mention it to the staff at the nursing home. > I am fearful and scared that Jim may be taking a turn for the worse. >About 3 or 4 days ago, he seemed himself and looked good and within the >last two days, it is so strange he has dropped weight in his face and his >eyes look droopy. I think he is coming down with a cold. His nose is >drippy, that is usual with him, but he is having a hard time breathing and >had phlegm in his mouth, I think it drains from his nose into his throat. >He had a slight temp. last night. The nurse listened to his lungs, but they >sounded clear. He is not coughing, but there is a lot of colds and coughing >going around the nursing home. Maybe his immune system is shutting down. It >is an alarming difference between him now and just a few days ago. It's >amazing how fast they can take a turn for the worse. > How are you doing Simmel? I can't believe how fast another year has come >around! > This year is different for me. I am not even in the mood to set up >Christmas Decorations or get a tree, since I am home alone and mostly at >the nursing home. The cheerfulness to decorate is lost without Jim at home >to enjoy it with. I am doing fine though. It really is not gloom and doom, >just getting the energy up for the holidays is. I did manage to muster up >some energy at Thanksgiving Time and had my family; parents, sister and >daughters here for Thanksgiving. We are a small family of 6, so it was not >too bad to get it all ready. I had always done Thanksgiving in the past for >the last several years, but last year Jim was at home and very needy, so I >didn't do it last year and a caregiver stayed with him and my family and I >all went out to dinner, it just wasn't the same as having dinner at home >with all the left overs and being able to sit back and relax together after >all the eating. My oldest daughter, who turns 34 on Christmas Day, has been >doing the family > Christmas for the last 3 years, so we passed the torch on to her. We do a >lot of celebrating on Christmas. She does a wonderful job decorating her >home and she's a great cook too! You and I have another birthday coming up >next month too. Boy, this is the last of my 50s and then I'm into the next >decade. I am going to milk this birthday for all it's worth, it is going to >be hard to step over the following year. Laughing now, I thought that when >I turned 40 too. > I hope you are doing well and wish you happy holidays. It was wonderful >to hear from you. > Jan > > > > Simmel Haim wrote: > Jan... >I had a problem after surgery and they gave me warm prune juice and it >really worked! If he has a problem with plain prune juice you could add >some >cream. >Simmel > > > >From: Janet Colello > >Reply-To: LBDcaregivers > >To: LBDcaregivers > >Subject: I need advice > >Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 14:05:18 -0800 (PST) > > > > > > Hi, I need advice. At the Nursing Home, they are giving my husband > >enemas every 3 days, because he is always constipated. He is on Stool > >Softener, Konsyl D, (Like Metamucil) and they give him Milk of Magnesia >on > >the Second day, hoping it will get him to go before the third day. They > >also give him prune juice. I am getting very worried about this enema >thing > >every three days. It seems to be taking a lot out of Jim. I can also see > >their point of view they are afraid of blockage. > > Jim is such a picky eater and they always try to give him the things > >that he likes, but for some reason he doesn't eat all his meal and most >of > >the time skips his breakfast and lunch. He eats dinner well, because I am > >always there to see that he does and I take him out about twice a week to > >eat, sometimes more. When I take him out he licks the platter clean, so I > >know he is not lacking an appetite. In fact it seems like he is starving >he > >eats so much when I take him out. Anyway, since he is not eating much and > >dropping weight, it seems like the enema every 3 days is too much. What > >food does he have processed to come out every three days. I think they >are > >so routine that they stick to that amount of days for everyone, >regardless > >if they need to have a BM or not. I think they are dehydrating him more > >than anything by keeping this every three day enema routine going. I have > >been giving him Gatorade to retain the liquid. Jim does not drink much > >either and it is very hard to > > get him to finish an entire glass of liquid, except when I take him out > >to eat and then he drinks all his liquids. I can't take him out for every > >meal. He is looking so thin and withdrawn and yesterday, he just didn't > >look right. What can I do to get him regular, so they don't keep giving >him > >these enemas? I read where someone mentioned Fruiteez or something that > >sounded like that and that it was working for their Loved One. Please let > >me know where you get it and any other suggestions for me to help my > >husband I would love to have. Thank You.....Jan > > > > > > > > > >--------------------------------- > >Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 PS it is in the links section -- under 'Bathroom Aid' > > , > > You are amazing! That should probably go into the Links section. Just what Jan needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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