Mother was stable and manageable. I felt we were in a good routine and I knew her well enough to nip any infections in the bud. The regular assisting Carers were trained enough by now to know Mother's routine and standard of care expected by me. I even found myself thinking "I may be able to do more hours at work and save for my son's graduation in the USA". Well that thought went out the window fast when everything changed one day.
May 21st 2012; Mother was happily sitting at the kitchen table (on her walker) after assisted shower and breakfast. I tidied her hair that had just been washed when Mother began to act uncomfortable. She said she wanted to lay down, so I quickly pushed her on her walker to her room to lay her on her lazy-boy chair. Just as we got to the chair, Mother suddenly collapsed (like she did before at the hair-dressers). I was all alone and Mother looked dead! With an adrenaline rush of strength, freaking out, I managed to lift her 80kg body off the walker seat and lay her on the floor, on her side as I knew from experience that she may vomit when (hopefully) she came round. I pressed her emergency alarm and then covered Mother with a warm blanket and supported her with cushions. The St John Ambulance personal spoke to me through her alarm bedside speaker and reassuringly said the ambulance was on its way. I could see Mother's pulse had returned and she was breathing again. As the Ambulance officers were lifting Mother onto the stretcher, Mother woke and said amazed "Oh, I'm on the floor!". She then vomited every where and was taken off to the Emergency Department at our local hospital. I followed with a change of clothes etc.
The outcome was that Mother is now at a stage where her Aortic Stenosis is now severe enough to be causing collapses more frequently, she is damaging her heart each time as with a heart attack, and she will take longer to get over it (if she does). Her likely-hood of sudden death was now within two years. I knew this day was coming, but was stunned when it did. Mother spent 5 hours in ED before she was well enough to take home. We went home, knowing that returning to ED with collapse was not an option in future, as Mother was now at a terminal stage of her disease processes. A referral went to the Emergency Response Team and Palliative Care for all the support I needed to look after Mother at home. She spent most of the next 5 days sleeping a lot. She was tired and weak, just like someone who had had a large coronary. I spent my time dealing with visits from Ministry of Health (NASC), Occupational Therapist, Social worker, Doctors, Nurses and the Care Agency arranging a smooth transition of care for Mother's needs.
Mother has recovered enough now to walk to the lounge some days, but most of the time we use a wheel-chair to move her around the house. Her day is spent lounging in a lazy-boy chair (comfortable enough to sleep in), either in her room or the lounge. She has a Roho cushion on her chair for pressure relief as she is prone to pressure points. Mother now has an electric hospital bed with a pressure relief air mattress. She loves her new bed with foot and head elevation at the touch of a button. Raising and lowering it assists her to get out or protects our backs as we tend to Mother's cares including bed bath. Showering is only done when Mother feels up to one, and two of us are present to work as a team in military precision to minimize time Mother is up. The shower can bring on a 'funny head' and near collapse if any longer. There have been a few near misses as Mother's unpredictable fluctuations in Blood Pressure are triggered by her Aortic Stenosis. The other symptom she gets that can also come on suddenly is Shortness of breath and a wheeze ( has been called Cardiac Asthma) from Pulmonary Oedema. Palliative Care are only a phone-call away if needed. Mother's ability to do simple tasks requires supervision and guidance in most activities now. I have a portable 'door bell' which I keep near so she can press the button at her end when she needs me. That has assisted me to sleep a little better at night.
I know I have taken on Mother's care for such a time as this and have taken 'special leave' (unpaid) from my job to look after her. Mother feels safe with me around, and is so happy I am here all the time now. She has been openly discussing death and Pastor is visiting regularly. Mother has reaffirmed her faith in Jesus, so we are assisting her to prepare for her future. More next time.
