Melvine awoke about 8:45 on Friday, June 28. This was the day another nurse from St. Mary's Home Health Care Team was to visit with Melvine. Regina is her name.
Regina engaged Melvine in conversation. Melvine was coherent, oriented, articulate, and was able to answer all Regina's questions. She took her blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. She listened to her heart. Everything checked out normal.
I gave Regina a revised list of Melvine's prescribed medications. I had added two medications that were prescribed by Dr. Samuel Bellnap, a urologist:
1. Cranberry Extract 400 MG capsules take 1 a day to help prevent UTI's.
2. Probiotic Colon Support 1.5 billion cells take 1 day to help prevent UTI's.
Regina told me that in most homes she goes the care giver, i. e., the husband, will stay in another room and not participate. No one had presented a printed copy of all the medications like I gave her, and she was amazed that I was so diligent in caring for my wife.
I told Regina that Melvine is the love of my life and I have known her 61 years and married to her almost 59 years.
Shortly after Melvine came into our family room earlier this morning, she told me that she was hurting in her lower back and left leg. The pain level was 5. I said, "Melvine, would you like a pain pill?" She said yes. I can give Melvine her pain pill as needed. It is a narcotic and I do not want Melvine to get addicted to it. This pain pill causes Melvine to want to sleep, and today she slept much of the day. She did watch her favorite TV show, Perry Mason, as well as some game shows, the news, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.
I gave Melvine all of her medicines, took her vital signs and recorded them, and gave her a unit of insulin. God is helping us to bring her blood sugar down and that is good.
Greg prepared grill cheese sandwiches for our breakfast. He is a good cook with his George Foreman electric grill.
I prepared Melvine a ham sandwich with a variety of greens, spinach, lettuce, etc. with potato chips. Melvine will eat only 1/2 of a sandwich. She likes diet coke and so that is what she eats and drinks.
We encourage Melvine to drink water. She does have a couple of cups of coffee in the mornings. However, she never drinks all of any cup. I have told Greg to pour out about half of the cup before he gives it to her. I do that.
I got Melvine to drink an Atkins with protein and vitamins. I have asked Greg to look for Boost with Peaches 'n Cream. I think that would taste great.
Melvine got some more get-well cards today.
I gave Melvine insulin twice today. The dosage is very small.
I plan to teach Greg had to do it, as well as take care of her medicines. I need a backup in case I am unable to do it.
It is important to plan ahead. That has been a practice of mine all of my life. Today, I have to write everything down on paper. I don't remember things like I used to do. I think I am getting older.
Melvine has gone to bed.
I will be headed that way soon.
Thank you for your prayers and concern for us.
Your prayers are making a difference.
Your friend in all seasons,
Hugh
Regina engaged Melvine in conversation. Melvine was coherent, oriented, articulate, and was able to answer all Regina's questions. She took her blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. She listened to her heart. Everything checked out normal.
I gave Regina a revised list of Melvine's prescribed medications. I had added two medications that were prescribed by Dr. Samuel Bellnap, a urologist:
1. Cranberry Extract 400 MG capsules take 1 a day to help prevent UTI's.
2. Probiotic Colon Support 1.5 billion cells take 1 day to help prevent UTI's.
Regina told me that in most homes she goes the care giver, i. e., the husband, will stay in another room and not participate. No one had presented a printed copy of all the medications like I gave her, and she was amazed that I was so diligent in caring for my wife.
I told Regina that Melvine is the love of my life and I have known her 61 years and married to her almost 59 years.
Shortly after Melvine came into our family room earlier this morning, she told me that she was hurting in her lower back and left leg. The pain level was 5. I said, "Melvine, would you like a pain pill?" She said yes. I can give Melvine her pain pill as needed. It is a narcotic and I do not want Melvine to get addicted to it. This pain pill causes Melvine to want to sleep, and today she slept much of the day. She did watch her favorite TV show, Perry Mason, as well as some game shows, the news, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.
I gave Melvine all of her medicines, took her vital signs and recorded them, and gave her a unit of insulin. God is helping us to bring her blood sugar down and that is good.
Greg prepared grill cheese sandwiches for our breakfast. He is a good cook with his George Foreman electric grill.
I prepared Melvine a ham sandwich with a variety of greens, spinach, lettuce, etc. with potato chips. Melvine will eat only 1/2 of a sandwich. She likes diet coke and so that is what she eats and drinks.
We encourage Melvine to drink water. She does have a couple of cups of coffee in the mornings. However, she never drinks all of any cup. I have told Greg to pour out about half of the cup before he gives it to her. I do that.
I got Melvine to drink an Atkins with protein and vitamins. I have asked Greg to look for Boost with Peaches 'n Cream. I think that would taste great.
Melvine got some more get-well cards today.
I gave Melvine insulin twice today. The dosage is very small.
I plan to teach Greg had to do it, as well as take care of her medicines. I need a backup in case I am unable to do it.
It is important to plan ahead. That has been a practice of mine all of my life. Today, I have to write everything down on paper. I don't remember things like I used to do. I think I am getting older.
Melvine has gone to bed.
I will be headed that way soon.
Thank you for your prayers and concern for us.
Your prayers are making a difference.
Your friend in all seasons,
Hugh