Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Parenting the Parent

File Under: Family Matters

As I've mentioned in the past, my mom lives with me. For the most part she's self sufficient but she has her moments where she neeeds me. She's diabetic, she's got high blood pressure, and her cholesterol is high so she's on meds to keep that in check. In her words "I'm a walking pill bottle!" She's on 6 different medications.

Over the past 4 months, she's been seeing her doctor monthly. Her blood sugar has been elevated, the doctor has her trying different medications to regulate things. She has days were she feels pretty good and her sugar level is closer to normal. However, the latest medication upsets her stomach severely. She looked it up in her PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) and the side effects she's experiencing are considered normal and over time, they subside. For the most part, they have. She's limiting herself to very mild (BLAND) foods.

Today, she's developed a sore in her mouth that prevents her from wearing her bottom dental plate. Without teeth, she can't eat. Tonight's dinner was a big bowl of oatmeal. She's drinking nutritional supplements to make up for the lack of protein.

I stopped at Target on the way home to pick up more Boost (nutritional drink) and oatmeal, and I picked up apple sauce, and packaged peaches (both sugar free) as well as sugar free ice cream and chocolate syrup, and some cream soups. I think I've given her enough variety so that she can blend different things together and have a few interesting choices while her mouth heals. Already tonight she said it was feeling a bit better. This happened three months ago and it only lasted a couple days.

It's always something, isn't it.

5 comments:

Angel said...

ya, it is always something...but what I wouldn't give to be able to take care of my mother and buy her oatmeal. treasure it Jimbo....treasure it.

and your mom is so very lucky to have such a son! She did a good job!

Jimbo said...

I know, Beth. I know.

xoxo

tinasue said...

Jim, let me know if I can do anything. I've got some recipes that are tolerable with mouth sores. I'll make copies tomorrow and send them to you, or if you're swamped, I'd be happy to drop off some for your freezer. Hang in there. You're a good son.

Jimbo said...

Aw Tina, thank you!! Mom's much better, her choppers are back in place and she's all healed. If it's not too much trouble, I might take you up on those copies, for future reference, and hopefully I won't ever need them. Strangely, I don't think mom minded it too much because I brought home things like no sugar vanilla ice cream and sugar free chocolate syrup and apple sauce. She's been indulging a bit in yummy things and finding new things she enjoys. Thank you!! xo

Joy said...

I hope she's doing better. Those blood sugar fluctuations are awful. OK, I read the other comments and am glad she's feeling better. You're a wonderful son!