Feeling Better, Maybe?

We took mom to the doctor yesterday. She started the morning dragging and frustrated that she wasn't getting better and was ready to see the doctor. She normally does NOT like to go to the doctors. Dogs and vets? That's mom and hospitals.

There was very little waiting at Kaiser clinic and we were taken right in. They took mom's vitals. Her blood pressure seemed OK. She'd lost 2 pounds (probably from her lack of appetite) and her temperature was almost normal. Her doctor came right in and checked her lungs which were clear, her kidneys, her neck, her head (because she had a head ache and was dizzy), her ears and then sat down and stared at her. He thought perhaps she might have an infection in her sinuses and prescribed Amoxicillin with Potassium Clavulanate.

"Ummm... I'm sorry, doctor but I've had that antibiotic before and it was horrible. I had awful cramping and diarrhea and had to stop taking it," I told him. I bet he loves patients who come in with daughters like me.

"Well," he smiled, "This is the medication that usually works for this kind of case and just because it affected you that way, doesn't mean it'll be the same for your mom."

"And the pills are huge, right?"

"Yes... a bit." I swear he wanted to laugh.

"But what if she does get the diarrhea and cramping and sore bottom and the rest? Can she stop even though you're supposed to take the whole dose?"

"Yes, if it's severe and you can make another appointment so we can decide what to do next," he reassured me.

When I went downstairs to the pharmacy, I questioned the pharmacist about the antibiotic also and he said I should get some probiotics and yogurt to help coat her stomach.

"Don't worry," I told mom as we walked to the car. "You're going to be just fine. Maybe you won't get the diarrhea and cramping and stuff. We have to get you better."

We dropped mom off at home and then went shopping. We bought a TON of probiotics drinkable yogurt, Activia and containers of yogurt.

When we got home there was mom smiling and trying to help us put groceries away. "Mom, you need to rest," I was quite firm.

"No need," she persisted. "I already mopped the floors while you were gone." Then she had a huge bowl of chicken soup for lunch which surprised us.

She had more soup for dinner and ate the spaghetti that Art made and the salad that I prepared. She chatted away cheerfully telling us how gigantic the antibiotic pills were and how much better she was already feeling without taking any pills.

We agreed that she didn't have to take the pills if she continues to improve.

THAT was yesterday.

This morning she got up and wasn't feeling perfect so she decided to take the antibiotics because she wanted to be in perfectly tip top shape for Saturday's belated Thanksgiving celebration with the family.

She must be feeling a bit better though. I was watering her plants for her and I could swear I felt her eyes boring into my back from her bedroom window. As I was hanging up the laundry, she scared me half to death by suddenly calling out from the family room window, "Are you sure that's where you want to hang the sheets because it's going to touch the tomato plants?" I was making plans to prepare dinner and she firmly said, "I'm going to cook some kabocha tomorrow."

She says she feels bad in the morning but is better in the afternoon. I just hope her system is able to handle the antibiotics better than I did. I'm glad she's getting better because it's hard to find time to blog when I have to take on all the chores plus the painting and varnishing I've been doing today. I know... I know...
I'm spoiled.

Thank you everybody for your kind messages and prayers. They certainly must have done the trick... at least I hope so.