Today started out with a quick trip to the hospital to do some blood labs... that lasted 6 hours. Typically, when they draw Mom's blood, they are looking for any counts that are out of the ordinary. If her platelets are low, for instance, they'll give her a transfusion.
Mom didn't need any blood, but she needed more potassium. We sat and chatted while they gave her a 3 hour drip of it. She also got prescribed more pills. When Mom was inpatient, every time she complained about taking a pill in the hospital, a nurse would say, "Just be happy you don't have to take Potassium - those are AWFUL!!" Each time I cringed... I had a sneaking suspicion that it was a jinx. Conspiracy theory, perhaps... but I'm telling you - they said it often and always followed it with a Mr. Burns cackle complete with tapping fingers (that part is hindsight... and possibly imagined). These tall tales of giant pills were a misfortune of someone else - some poor sap out there was choking down this awful pill and Mom's only solace was that at least she didn't have to take THAT pill. Frickin figures. Mom tried bargaining with promises of giant meals full of nothing but bananas rolled in spinach. She had crocodile tears. It was heartbreaking, but the Nurse Practitioner wouldn't budge. There was no alternative.
These pills have lived up to the reputation that preceded them. They are huge, honking, bigger than a shrimp pills. If I had a helmet and a shield available, I would have been wearing it when I inched over to show her what they looked like. To top it all off, they are capsules - which means we can't even pulverize them into 5 tiny shards like we used to do with the Prednisone. After an extremely brief discussion (Mom literally looked at me and said "No way am I taking that." - end of story) I called the Pharmacy to plead for an alternative. Surely there must be some way of dissolving this or sprinkling it on applesauce - I think Mom would have rather shoved the thing in her ear than try to swallow it. I braced myself for the response, with the lump in my throat swelling as quickly as the tears in Mom's eyes. "Sure, Ms. Briggs. We have that available in a liquid form if you would like. Is orange flavor ok or would she prefer cherry?" From here on out, that Nurse Practitioner will be referred to as Mr. Burns.
Mom didn't need any blood, but she needed more potassium. We sat and chatted while they gave her a 3 hour drip of it. She also got prescribed more pills. When Mom was inpatient, every time she complained about taking a pill in the hospital, a nurse would say, "Just be happy you don't have to take Potassium - those are AWFUL!!" Each time I cringed... I had a sneaking suspicion that it was a jinx. Conspiracy theory, perhaps... but I'm telling you - they said it often and always followed it with a Mr. Burns cackle complete with tapping fingers (that part is hindsight... and possibly imagined). These tall tales of giant pills were a misfortune of someone else - some poor sap out there was choking down this awful pill and Mom's only solace was that at least she didn't have to take THAT pill. Frickin figures. Mom tried bargaining with promises of giant meals full of nothing but bananas rolled in spinach. She had crocodile tears. It was heartbreaking, but the Nurse Practitioner wouldn't budge. There was no alternative.
These pills have lived up to the reputation that preceded them. They are huge, honking, bigger than a shrimp pills. If I had a helmet and a shield available, I would have been wearing it when I inched over to show her what they looked like. To top it all off, they are capsules - which means we can't even pulverize them into 5 tiny shards like we used to do with the Prednisone. After an extremely brief discussion (Mom literally looked at me and said "No way am I taking that." - end of story) I called the Pharmacy to plead for an alternative. Surely there must be some way of dissolving this or sprinkling it on applesauce - I think Mom would have rather shoved the thing in her ear than try to swallow it. I braced myself for the response, with the lump in my throat swelling as quickly as the tears in Mom's eyes. "Sure, Ms. Briggs. We have that available in a liquid form if you would like. Is orange flavor ok or would she prefer cherry?" From here on out, that Nurse Practitioner will be referred to as Mr. Burns.
The rest of the day went smoothly and Mom is looking forward to the weekend when she only has to have one shot per day.
Love,
Amy
What a day! I take potassium and it is only 5 mil. and it is a BIG pill!!! So glad there is an alternative!!!! Hope there is more smiling tomorrow! Love you both. Annette
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you don't have to take that pill!! it barely fit in the pill box according to the pic amy sent! yikes. hope the orange liquid is better. :) I'll see you prolly tonight! let me know if you want me to bring anything.
ReplyDeletegood job amy.. you're mom's hero i bet!
love.
Amy you crack me up! I am so happy it comes in a liquid!! Just wanted to let you both know me and Jazz are thinking of you and you are in our thoughts every minute of the day!
ReplyDeleteAwww thank god for liquid forms of medicine. However sometimes even though it is cherry or orange flavored it still taste bad! But like Mary Poppins said..."a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down"! my thoughts and prayers are with you guys. -Annmarie
ReplyDelete