New Update on my Brother and Me
On my brother Gene:
I've just been informed by him that he is being brought home tomorrow (Wednesday). That's all I have at the moment as they have not bothered to contact me. He was all mumbly on pain meds, so I have my doubts as to whether this is appropriate. But I cannot do anything until I see what happens. Hopefully they will provide home care for him, as I cannot help him at all. I also do not know if he can walk on his own or the status on his cancer. That's all I know at the moment, so I guess more will be revealed.
On me:
The Doctor came again yesterday. They gave me my #2 Moderna Covid shot. I had a strong reaction to it, and had to spend the rest of the day in bed as I became too dizzy and disoriented to even sit up. I was also very flushed and hot. I'm much better this morning, and up with my coffee. Still some dizziness but mild and able to get around. After checking my breathing, she said that on her next visit I will get the #2 pneumonia shot, and she will start me on a course of daily Prednisone and Vitamin D from now on. She has filed my application for a portable concentrator and I should get an answer in 3 weeks or so. I will try again today with the Office for Aging. After two attempts last week I have gotten no response. That's about all I know right now, so I will update when I know more. Thanks everyone for your support. My frustration level is high at the moment.
Hi
, thank you for the update on both you and your brother! Hopefully things with his situation will become clearer in the coming days. Do you know if the hospital he is at has a patient advocate office? They might be able to help you get some information on his situation. Also, I'm sorry to hear that you had a reaction to that second shot but hopefully you're moving past that! Also, a thought on the office for the aging, are they the county or the state? Depending on which one, you may be able to reach out to your representative for that level and ask them to help facilitate a connection with the office of the aging so you can get a response sooner rather than later! Just a thought. Please continue to keep us updated! All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, Team member). There is a chance for both, though I'm not sure about the likelihood. I will report when I know more. Meanwhile, just had a nap and I need to fire up the nubulizer. Another fun day in the works. , well i'm hoping that you are able to get both! Definitely keep us updated. Sounds like a relaxing day! I hope you are feeling a little better tonight. All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, Team Member).
Hi kloker, and thanks for this update on both your brother and you. I see my colleague,, has already replied and so I can echo all her sentiments and thoughts for you as well.
We appreciate you keeping us apprised of everything happening to you (and your brother) on the home front.
One thing really stands out (from my perspective), is that you are visited and cared for fairly regularly in your home by this medical team. You are indeed fortunate to have this occurring for you.
Do you feel it is working well?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)Thanks, Leon and Samantha, for your support. New Updates:
On Gene: So he came home yesterday. He seems in good spirits. He has become adept with his walker, and is getting around the house okay. He was tired and went to bed early. I suspect he is zoning out a lot, as his first call from homecare support had to call me. I will give her directions this morning on her first visit. It's a different outfit from mine. He seems physically much better, but made no mention about the cancer, so I didn't bring it up. We'll see how it goes today.
On me: My respiratory therapist came today and we spent hours re-doing my lung testing. Apparently the equipment is a robot and thinks like one, and it didn't like the disparity between my first batch of tests. It took us a lot of time to figure out what to do to fit it's ask. But we got it done successfully, and again I am well qualified for the new sleeping device, which he already has and has set up for me, so now just waiting for the final approval. However, it is still possible Medicare will reject it. I do NOT like that they have a vote that allows them to override medical decisions. I believe this is illegal and they are overstepping, so if it is rejected I will seek legal advice to take action. But he said it looks good so we'll see. I should know in a week. Meanwhile, this month's albuterol shipment has no arrived, so I'll have to track that issue down today again! Anyways, that's it for now. More later.Thanks for the support, Samantha. If only it were like that. The reality is, he is a leech, and owes me thousands of dollars just for groceries, let alone other bills and issues. And now he has no job, no car, and no prospects. He came home in a bad mood, which I get, but then he proceeded to tell me all about how he needs for me to provide food for him as he has nothing. I told him no. He may not eat my food or use my household goods and must get his own or go without. I am not giving him another dime, ever. I am also not going to coddle him by doing everything for him and solving his problems. He is a grown man, he can do it himself or go without. I know this is the seedy underbelly of it, but it's the truth of what I am dealing with. He is unhappy after his first visit with his homecare person yesterday, but that is his problem, for him to deal with. I've carried him for 25 years. No more. After a lifetime of hard work I have no retirement savings now because he soaked it all up. And of course I let it happen. But no more. My son and my other brother are currently helping me to get free of him as soon as possible.
Oh, and to top off the day yesterday, I broke my toe on the leg of my desk. Nice., I'm sorry to hear your relationship with your brother is so strained. Caregiving is never easy, especially when it sounds like you have been doing it for a while and it isn't appreciated but rather expected. I'm hopeful that your son and brother are able to help you figure out an alternative for his care as soon as possible so you can continue to focus on yourself and your health. Also, ugh breaking toes is truly the worst! Try to rest up as much as possible so it heals! Hang in there. All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, Team Member).
New Update: So, Gene's nurse came yesterday, and announced that they are coming to get him either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, to take him to a full-time assisted living/nursing facility, where they will be able to give him all the help he needs during his upcoming chemo and radiation for the esophageal cancer, and also the walking rehab. They will keep him for the duration of the process. This is good for him, as it will allow him to relax and get all his needs taken care of. On the other hand, I may never see him again once he leaves, as I am currently homebound, and he may not survive the therapies he is about to undergo. This is very scary, and I seem to have developed the shakes now. I don't know what the future will bring. I am trying to do all I can to be supportive of him, but he is terrified.
Along with the shakes I now have, my leg is turning red again, so my cellulitis may be trying to come back. I've been applying skin cream to help it heal, though. Now I have to call my other brother Joe (in Nashville) to fill him in. Not gonna be a fun weekend.
I hope this weekend went as well as it could given the circumstances. Wishing you and your loved ones much peace and strength. - John M. (COPD.net Team)
