things can only get more stressful with each passing day.
mum complained of shoulder pain last evening. it was extremely painful she said and wanted to head off to the family gp. when i told her i'd bring her to the hospital, she changed her mind and instead wanted to head out for dinner. and that was what i did. but i continue to observe her, did some basic checks and concluded that there was no fracture. perhaps a slight muscle strain, i concluded. and to help her, i administered muscle relaxants, a strong painkiller and a sleeping pill before she retired to bed.
this morning, she complained of the pain again and asked to head out to the polyclinic. i told her i'd bring her to the hospital again. she thought for a while, and this time round, she agreed. she dislikes heading to the hospital cos she doesn't want to be admitted. but i have always wanted her to do so cos at her age, it would be better to treat any issue early instead of allowing it to fester. as such, i'd suggest heading to the hospital as early as i could to (1) gauge her discomfort, and (2) mentally prepare her in the eventuality that she needed to be admitted.
this time round, looking at her condition, i was quite certain she would be asked to stay. and i said so not because of her shoulder, but her irregular breathing, occasional whizzing and the slight swell at her feet. so when we arrived, i let her describe her pains to the triage and the doctors. the nurses and doctors probed further and she started adding issues like breathlessness, whizzing, swollen legs etc. and true enough, she was asked to stay immediately. when i spoke with the doctor, she told me mum might have pulled a muscle but otherwise, her shoulder was fine. as for her breathlessness, the x-ray suggested that she had pneumonia and needed immediate treatment.
so that's it.... minimally 2-3 day stay. or more if the tests comes back and suggest something more nasty. nonetheless i must say - the maid had taken very good care of her over the last year-plus. ever since the maid's arrival, her frequency of being warded went down to almost zero. this admission was something unexpected. it adds to my current stress-level. then again, i should look it positively that her stay would allow me a mental break.
Hi Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteSorry your mum has pneumonia. Fortunately for your mum you have become a pro: best to catch it early.
There has been a large uptick here as well (fortunately, my mother has so far avoided: *knocks wood*). The normal young and old pattern (my mother lost a sister in late March: she was 84, but had been in failing health for the last five years and was in a nursing home. My cousins say she was ready).
My niece is bringing her 3 young sons for a visit next month from New Zealand, so hopefully that works (trading their start of winter for our beginning of summer ;-) Can not worry everything: just deal with what comes.
It's been awhile since my niece has been home so this will be the first visit to the States for her two youngest (the eldest was born here). My eldest brother is excited (he flew there for the births). It will be good.
Best wishes, Edwin
Thanks Edwin.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciate the dropping by. Indeed it was fortunate to catch the pneumonia early. She responded to the treatment very well the doctors have cleared her for discharge today.
I bet you must be excited about seeing the little kids too! I always look forward to play with kids, although I must add that with the passing years, my abilities to keep up with them has decreased tremendously. Lol!
Best wishes Edwin!
Jeffrey