June18, 2022

Update of Sharon and Fritz

The following is a factual account on what has happened in the last few days. My hope is that this will clarify any misunderstanding and relieve any anxiety.

Medications for Sharon. In the morning, at 6 AM, Sharon takes 1 Amantadine, 100 mg, and 3 Carbidopa-Levodopa (Sinemet) 25-100 mg. These are placed on a table next to her bed the night before by either the nurse or by me. Sharon’s phone, as well as my phone and Liz’s, is set to ring every 2 ½ hour throughout the day: 8:30 AM, 11:00AM, 1:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:30 PM when Sharon takes 3 Sinemet. She also takes a second Amantadine about 12 PM, may take a Clonazepam 1 mg tablet, and may use Inbrija to help with the “off” periods. At night Sharon takes:  1 Donepezil, 10 mg; 1 Furosemide HCL, 10 mg; 1 Mirtazapine, 15 mg; 3 Clonazepam, 1 mg; 1 Sinemet 50-200 ER; 1 Lisinopril, 2.5 mg; 2 Melatonin, 10 mg each; 2 Stool Softeners. These are given by either the night nurse or by me. Yes, Sharon can forget throughout the that she has taken her medication, or try to take it twice, but usually either Liz or I will know.

Hospice: Hospice is a loaded word; Sharon and I have both been volunteers at Hospice. But, Thursday I went to Hospice and met Marianne Appleby, a social worker there. We spoke for about an hour and I got caught up on what they do and how they operate. I asked if someone might come to our house and do an evaluation of Sharon, and they said yes. That night Sharon and I had a private talk about Hospice, and we were able to talk about dying openly. We both agreed to respect each other’s decision on how we wanted to live our final days. The next morning Chandra Green, a Hospice nurse, paid a visit at 9:30 AM. She evaluated Sharon and concluded that Sharon did not qualify for Hospice care yet, that she would live for more than 6 months, which is their cut-off time. She recommended Palliative Care-Hospice in the meantime. She requested Sharon’s records from the last time she was in the hospital/rehabilitation, and I send them to her.

Palliative Care: We were signed up with Palliative Care during the last several years but decided to discontinue service about 4 months ago. Sharon did not want any more people coming to the house and the last nurse was simply a waste of time; she took five minutes on her computer and left. However, we are starting again and Rosalee is coming out June 27^that 9 o’clock. We will see what happens, but since it is a roadway to Hospice, I see no reason not to take advantage of the services they offer.

Doctors: Although Sharon is no longer interested in fighting some of the medical conditions she has (she does not think she will do open heart surgery, for example), we are still going to doctors that may help her live a more comfortable life: We have an appointment at Bascom Palmer with a neuro-optometrist, Dr. Mendoza, who might be able to improve her eyesight; we have another appointment on June 29^th with Dr. Elsy Navas, an expert on advanced heart failure. She works with Dr. Adam Frank who had been Sharon’s cardiologist; he has referred her to Dr. Navas.

OT and PT: Sharon sees both these people herself, and they (Lindsay OT and John PT) will be coming for the next 5 weeks. Sharon likes them both very much. Lindsay recently scheduled voice treatment (LSVT LOUD) for Sharon at the end of July once the Millennium program (John and Lindsay) has stopped. Liz will take her; it is four days in a row for four weeks.

Liz: I will give you an update on Liz and concerns you might have Monday.

Covid: Yes, I seem to have it; I suspect from the airports on my return from Oregon. Few symptoms except a headache and stuffy nose. I will take the test again in three days, but in the meantime have isolated myself, wash my hands often, wear a mask, notified my doctor, and hope to hell Sharon does not get it. Have has my shots.

Just tested Sharon for Covid, and at this moment she does NOT have it.

For the moment, this is about it. I will get back to you with further Updates at the end of June. In the meantime, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Fritz