Mom had been coughing a little each morning last week which I figured was just post-nasal drip. Well... last Friday, it was suddenly really bad so my brother, Dennis said he would come and take us both to Kaiser hospital to have her checked out. I'd called Kaiser and was surprised to get an appointment for her with a doctor.
We then went for our appointment with Dr. G--
She said the X-ray showed emphysema on her right lung and ordered a nebulizer treatment for her.
After checking all her vitals and symptoms, Dr. G-- ordered a whole bunch of medications to use with instructions.
I had to create a spreadsheet to keep track of what I was giving her.
And on Saturday, a nebulizer machine was also delivered. It was a surprise that it came so quickly.
But you know what?
After a couple of days of medications, her coughs had improved substantially so we didn't even have to use the nebulizer.
The doctor had said it would be good to just have it available for the next time.
Dennis came over on Sunday and did the Albuterol Sulfate inhalation aerosol with her.
Art and I had done it with her the night before but couldn't get the concept down to have her inhale the spray through her mouth.
Dennis had experience doing this with his kids so it wasn't a big deal for him. He just held her mouth closed and pinched her nose. 😄 It never occurred to me to do this.
Whatever the case, mom was well enough to go to her day care by Monday. She was worried that she wouldn't be able to go. She totally loves going there and seeing her friends and having all the activities around her. She doesn't remember it, but just loves the feeling of being there.
But would you believe that on Friday night after taking mom to Kaiser, I started coughing! Arrghh! I had very little sleep due to my coughing.
And on Saturday night, the coughing was so severe that I got NO sleep and my ears were hurting horribly from the pressure build up.
This was the first time that the ER was almost empty.
Everyone there was super kind. I was taken to get a chest X-ray and they did a nose swab test for every kind of COVID, etc. they could assess.
I was then given just these three medications. In other words, Tylenol, Allegra and Mucinex.
When I checked the military website later I saw that I tested negative for everything except human rhinovirus/enterovirus. I sent this to my son who works in the medical field and he said, "So... a cold."
A cold? A cold??? I feel horrible! And this is just a cold?!? I looked it up on ChatGPT and this is what it said:
“There is no specific antiviral medication routinely used for most cases of human rhinovirus or non-polio enterovirus infections. These viruses usually cause common cold–type illnesses, and treatment is mainly supportive:
* Rest
* Fluids
* Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever/body aches
* Cough medicine, honey, humidifier, saline spray, etc.
Antibiotics do not work against these viruses unless there is a separate bacterial infection.
Most people improve within about 1–2 weeks, though coughs can linger longer.
Because your chest X-ray did not show pneumonia or another acute lung problem, that is reassuring. However, you should contact your doctor if you develop:
* Shortness of breath
* High fever
* Chest pain
* Wheezing
* Dehydration
* Symptoms lasting or worsening beyond expected recovery
If you are older, immunocompromised, or have lung disease (asthma/COPD), your doctor may sometimes prescribe treatments aimed at symptoms, such as inhalers or steroids, depending on your condition.”
And it looks like this infection can last between 1-2 weeks!!!!
I was wondering why I had gotten so much sicker than mom. My daughter suggested it's because mom is exposed to more germs on the Handi-Van and at the daycare while Art and I are so super careful, wearing our masks whenever we go shopping and traveling.
Ah well...
OK, so I have a cold. A really bad cold, mind you, but a cold. 😏
Colds are no fun. I hope you start feeling much better very soon.
ReplyDeleteYuck. Colds are no fun. Dealing with mom's emphysema ... is hard too. I dealt with husband's COPD for 20 yrs. As his caregiver, I dealt with all of his meds daily.
ReplyDeletePlease feel better soon!
There has been a severe cold of some sort going around our area for the last two or three months. Many end up in the ER only to have all their test results turn out negative.
ReplyDeletePoor you! I have had colds like that too! For me, I have to be super careful as it always seems to travel to my chest and I get an infection. Drink lots of fluids and get rest! Your sweet Mom. 😍
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon Kay
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you are sick, Kay... but really glad your mom is doing well. Truth is, you can probably handle it better at your age, then she could at hers. But wonder where you picked up a cold... I know the masks aren't any guarantee, but I do think they help. If they didn't, why would doctors and nurses wear them? DH and I still wear them in grocery stores, doctor's offices, and hospitals...
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: I’m pretty positive I contracted this from mom since I have the most close contact with her.
DeleteFunnily enough, I never imagine people in Hawaii ever getting colds. LOL I'm sorry it's so severe; my last couple have gone into my sinuses and my ears which have made me miserable. Hope you're soon better!
ReplyDeleteYou and Dennis took good care of Mom. Now you need to take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you caught this virus! It sounds miserable. I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteNever mind the label, get rest and recover.
ReplyDeleteWhat a merry-go-round! SO glad you made a spreadsheet. It's easy to forget the last time a med was taken and if it's scheduled or just as needed. Ask the doc for a spacer for the yellow inhaler. It's a plastic tube where the inhaler is at one end and you press the inhaler then breathe in several times at the other end. It's used for kids too. The nebulizer machine is nice, because the meds get deeper into the lungs with it than just the inhaler. I just had stuffy seasonal nasal stuff, with 3 nasal sprays when flared (per my asthma doc) then started coughing a lot. My asthma inhaler didn't help as much so I'm back to my old routine of 4 sessions a day with my nebulizer. Hot or cold seems to help me the most, beside gargling warm salt water if your throat hurts. Popsicles help too. I love those little amber clear capsules (Tessalon pearls) to stop coughing. Great to get to sleep for a few hours. We need a vax for the common cold, after we get rid of this administration. Hope it's short. Not sure how you two will do, but anything with guafenesin in it might make your nose run. It's a decongestant, but I personally avoid it after it made my nose run like a garden hose. Many folks grab stuff off the shelf for a cough or sinus, who get runnier with guafenesin in it. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: I looked up the Tessalon Pearls and see that it’s the Benzonatate capsules that mom was also given. I might have to borrow one tonight before going to bed. I’ve sent it to her daycare which they’re giving her. She’s in much, much better shape than me. Must be the natto she’s been eating all her life. I just made myself a whole thermos of hot tea which I’ll have with a little honey. This really is the pits.
DeleteUh, make sure your Mom is still coughing during the daytime if you're sending it to daycare. They can make you a little sleepy and more prone to falling. If she's still coughing at anytime of day, I'd still use the nebulizer when she's home, especially with the emphesema. The nebulizer is going to help her the rest of her life too. Hot tea is good. Sake is good. Linda
DeleteThese days when we get fewer colds it feels like when we do they are doozies! Hope you feel better soon. last time I had one drinking hot water with lemon juice and honey made me feel so much better. I think it shortened the cold but who knows.
ReplyDeleteI used to never get sick and then I started getting colds - the worst part being the cough. I dose with hot teas, soup, a bit of rice, and lots of sleep. I also make a drink out of Uhaloa - a weed that was growing in my yard that I discovered was very good for cold and coughs. I suppose any good tea will work - it is the hot liquids that soothe and help you recover. And Vicks Vaporub. Something about it makes me feel better. Heal soon! It may feel like forever, but it will be a distant memory in a few days.
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: I can’t believe how long this cold is lasting. I thought it would be over in a couple of days. 😳 So aggravating. By the way, I sent my brother your gout cure and he did say he was going to look into it.
DeleteYour daughter is right, you need to build up immunities to things like a cold. Don't you remember when teaching you might get a cold at the beginning of the year, and then you were fine the rest of the year? Immunity.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing 'common' about the cold virus. I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteIt’s going around here too. It seems like a nastier cold than usual.
ReplyDeleteSo glad your Mom had success with her treatments. At her age, you don’t want to wait around. Wonderful she likes going to be with friends. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI find the "just a cold" phrase annoying - they can be very debilitating and miserable while they are going on. Right now is pollen season here too and combining that with a cold virus provides a whole new dimension.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon, sounds like you are doing all the right stuff!
Ceci
Colds really can make you feel YUCK!
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon.
All the best Jan
You really have to watch using AI for medical issues. The bots scrape up every website, and do not search for trusted sites. Good luck.
ReplyDelete