Last Saturday, the whole famly went to have breakfast with my brother. My two kids were in town. When I went to go get him, he didn't lok too good. He had a hard time getting out of his chair and he looked tired. His mouth was dry, he was slurring his speech. When we got to the restaurant, he immediately put his head on the table. I immediately ran to get him some water, and my husband gave him a banana. He picked up a bit but still didn't look great.
Today, Wednesday ijght, I went to go visit him. He hadn't eaten anything because he thought I was going to take him out for dinner. I was really, really tired and din't want to make the effort, so I suggested he get his dinner and we could eat in the lobby, which we did.
It was while he was havinig dinner t hat I discovered that he had vomited last Friday night. He had pulled the cord for the nurses aides, but nobody came, and he wasn't cleaned up until they woke him up in the morning.
I am really angry. Of course I don't know exactly what happened (who know s if he really pulled the cord?) but they are supposed to tell me every time he vomits. Vomiting is very dangerous for him, he gets dehydrated and then he goes into afib. It was good that I showed up and was able to ply him with liquids.
They are also not shaving him or brushing his teeth. I am going to raise a fit with the nurse supervisor tomorrow.
Another issue is his teeth. I talked with his dentist, who visits the nursing home, whom sees like a really nice guy. The main idea is that most of his teeth are roting out at the base and he could have many pulled. However, the dentist doesn't think my brother can easily handle dentures, so he advises taking a tooth out only when it breaks off, since my brother doesn't seem to be in any pain. But the scenario is that eventually he is going to lose all his teeth, he won't be able to chew, and then he will be on soft food. I am thinking if this comes to be, he will stop eating altogether. Today I offered him a delicious homemade piece of pumpkin bread which he declined because he decided it had "too much sugar". At this point, I am desperate for him to have any calories. Did I mention he has started to lose weight again?
At other times he will turn down sweets, and then sneakily devour what is ever put in front of him. Not tonight however.
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