[Dailydrool] Pat Update - Tuesday Night

[Sandi Wittenberg]

This morning I took Quincey for a visit to the hospital to see Pat.
Unfortunately, Pat did not respond to him.  He was very good, crawled right
up to her face and gave her kisses, then laid down and put his head on her
chest.  He was also a huge hit with the nurses.
This afternoon, Pat was transferred to the Hospice facility.  She now is
free from all the IV's, various machines and other life support measures.
She is breathing on her own with 50% oxygen via a trach mask.  She will be
getting sub-cutaneous morphine on a regular schedule and sub-lingual Ativan.
She will also receive respiratory treatments and suction, since she is
coughing quite a bit and bringing up heavy secretions.  She was awake
following her transfer and seemed aware of the change in her surroundings.
The neurological damage is significant and she cannot communicate, although
I did get a few "eye blinks" in response to questions but it is hard to tell
if it is intentional or coincidental.   When I brushed her hair tonight, I
hit a tangle and it pulled a bit.  She winced and turned toward me and
actually gave me a dirty look.  I had to laugh outloud.
This is a very nice, quiet and peaceful facility with a beautiful setting
and caring staff.  I have dealt with this agency in the past with my mom,
although she received in-home care.  The staff will actually roll Pat's bed
out onto a screened in porch for a change of scenery and fresh air.  They
also have a jetted tub and spa room that they can give even bed ridden
patients the full spa treatment.  I know that will feel wonderful to Pat
after being in a bed for three weeks.  They also have a therapy dog named
Sam (a golden retriever) who made friends with me immediately and insisted
on me going outside with him to see his yard which is beautifully landscaped
and fully fenced.  They told me that when people bring dogs in to visit, Sam
wants to take them outside to play in his yard with him.  Hmmm . I will have
to think carefully which basset would be most willing to do this . certainly
not Ouija.   
Now, I am going to do the odious chore of puppy-snuggling.
Sandi  


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