I am back home with more questions than answers. Evidently it was not just the UTI that was Mom's problem. They also had Mom on a narcotic based cough syrup and were giving her Halcion for sleep. She was so out of it this weekend that she could not walk. Needless to say I discontinued both of these medications and it was not long before she woke up. I will bet money that is the reason for her fall rather than the UTI.

I also found out that they were waking her up to giving her Fosamax at 6 am while she was still in bed and then letting her go back to sleep immediately afterwards even though the instructions specifically say that she needs to sit or stand for 30 minutes following this med due to potential esophageal problem. I also discontinued this med while I was there. She has had four rounds of antibiotics since mid December and three of them were the same exact prescription. Now she has major digestive problems including refulx and has been unable to eat and even has trouble taking crushed meds in apple sauce.

When I got back home and researched their medication bills I found out that Dad had been switched from Namenda and Aricept to Cerfolin even though he has anemia and a history of ulcers and for some reason he is not getting his Prilosec for his ulcers, Plavix which is his blood thinner, and Pletal for his leg circulation.

They took Dad off Remerol and Ativan because he was sleeping too much and then put him right back on it.

His monitoring devide is attached to a bulky gold chain with coated wire that is crimped together. I know why he tried to cut it off. It was scratching Mom while they slept. I don't think he needs it to start with and it is definitely unacceptable as it is.

My sister is fearful that I am going to piss off people. I did the best I could while I was there and have informed her of my other questions. I may be headed back if she doesn't act and fast and I will probably piss off people!

It has not been a good 4 days.....

Love, deb

Update since I am back home again. Yesterday Mom threw a fit because the doctor's orders didn't arrive in time and they gave her meds too early. Because of her reflux she should NEVER be given meds laying down. My sister keeps changing the med times instead of just putting a notation that she has to be upright. I did talk to Mom today and she is doing much better. Her entire digestive system has been wrecked from 4 series of antibiotics and she still had a sore neck from her fall but she is doing better. I insisted on a repeat urinalysis and it was clear. We have cut out all but four of her meds. She is on her sugar control medication, namenda, aricept, and her antidepressant (reduced by half). They were adding Remeron for her aggitation as of last night. Her meds are being crushed and served in apple sauce until the reflux is better and she has an appointment for a barium swallow Monday to find out exactly what is going on with her esophogus. We will see how that works.

My other sister did address Dad's meds in the meeting. It turns out that he is getting the meds but they are coming from a different company than the rest of his and Mom's meds. The facility could not tell my other sister which company but now know we have not gotten a bill in 5 months. My sister said we should just wait for the next billing cycle. I just laughed and said that would be fine if I knew when the billing cycle was..... since we have never received a billing for any of these that are coming from the second company!!!!!

Today is the first day that Mom has felt half way decent since before Christmas so I hope it stays that way and the drama is over for a while. Now my only problem is my sister that feels the needs to take her frustrations out on me.

Love, Deb