Update from Bobbi re: Chris - FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2009 03:44 PM, CST

[Guest guest]

We've taken several little walks today. They've also taken off of

his pain pump. His PICC and central lines should be coming out soon.

Dr. Mangus said his liver numbers were a little elevated but he

suspects it's because hasn't had a bowel movement in a couple

days. He's having an ultrasound done right now. He's a little emotional

today. I think he's just feeling overwhelmed. They throw so much

information at you all at once. And no one told him that he'd be on

insulin for a while afterwards so I think he's having a really hard

time with that. Dr. Mangus said he is right on target as far as where

he should be and will likely be discharged early next week.The bake sale that his coworkers held for him raised over $1500! That is amazing and we are extremely grateful.

To send a message to  Bobbi and family goto;

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chriscantrell

password: christopher 

7

[Guest guest]

Bobbi

I remember being scared to go home after my transplant. The idea of getting the right pills at the right time seemed overwhelming. I was still suffering from HE and my caregiver (mother) was not included in the training for the variety of meds. Looking back I have a few suggestions. First, have a nurse set up at least a week of pills in pill strips. They have seven spaces for seven days worth of pills. One strip for morning, one for night and another if you need pills during the middle of the day. Also take a picture of all the pills in a dose so you can double check that you have all of the right pills for your dose. It only takes a week or so to learn what your pills look like and when to take them but it is so important to do it right.

For the insulin be sure you get a prescription for insulin pens. The bottles of insulin and syringes are a thing of the past but one never knows if the docs keep up on the current state of the art. The pens are so easy, and don't need refrigeration for the pen you are using. All you have to do is screw on a new needle, dial the dose and inject. Lantus and Levimer are two long acting insulins and both are available in pens. I also recommend Acu -Check glucometers, I have the Compact Plus which uses a cartridge of 17 strips so I just push a button and I'm ready to test my blood. It also has a memory so the doctor can download the results to get a print out, so you don't have to write down test results. (Meters are usually free, because the big money is in the strips.)

Keep in mind that everything gets easier, there are always people to call to answer questions, and every day brings improvement.

Take Care

MizKit

Update from Bobbi re: - FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2009 03:44 PM, CST

We've taken several little walks today. They've also taken off of his pain pump. His PICC and central lines should be coming out soon. Dr. Mangus said his liver numbers were a little elevated but he suspects it's because hasn't had a bowel movement in a couple days. He's having an ultrasound done right now. He's a little emotional today. I think he's just feeling overwhelmed. They throw so much information at you all at once. And no one told him that he'd be on insulin for a while afterwards so I think he's having a really hard time with that. Dr. Mangus said he is right on target as far as where he should be and will likely be discharged early next week.

The bake sale that his coworkers held for him raised over $1500! That is amazing and we are extremely grateful.

To send a message to Bobbi and family goto;

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chriscantrell

password: christopher

7

Access 350+ FREE radio stations anytime from anywhere on the web. Get the Radio Toolbar!

[Guest guest]

Bobbi

I remember being scared to go home after my transplant. The idea of getting the right pills at the right time seemed overwhelming. I was still suffering from HE and my caregiver (mother) was not included in the training for the variety of meds. Looking back I have a few suggestions. First, have a nurse set up at least a week of pills in pill strips. They have seven spaces for seven days worth of pills. One strip for morning, one for night and another if you need pills during the middle of the day. Also take a picture of all the pills in a dose so you can double check that you have all of the right pills for your dose. It only takes a week or so to learn what your pills look like and when to take them but it is so important to do it right.

For the insulin be sure you get a prescription for insulin pens. The bottles of insulin and syringes are a thing of the past but one never knows if the docs keep up on the current state of the art. The pens are so easy, and don't need refrigeration for the pen you are using. All you have to do is screw on a new needle, dial the dose and inject. Lantus and Levimer are two long acting insulins and both are available in pens. I also recommend Acu -Check glucometers, I have the Compact Plus which uses a cartridge of 17 strips so I just push a button and I'm ready to test my blood. It also has a memory so the doctor can download the results to get a print out, so you don't have to write down test results. (Meters are usually free, because the big money is in the strips.)

Keep in mind that everything gets easier, there are always people to call to answer questions, and every day brings improvement.

Take Care

MizKit

Update from Bobbi re: - FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2009 03:44 PM, CST

We've taken several little walks today. They've also taken off of his pain pump. His PICC and central lines should be coming out soon. Dr. Mangus said his liver numbers were a little elevated but he suspects it's because hasn't had a bowel movement in a couple days. He's having an ultrasound done right now. He's a little emotional today. I think he's just feeling overwhelmed. They throw so much information at you all at once. And no one told him that he'd be on insulin for a while afterwards so I think he's having a really hard time with that. Dr. Mangus said he is right on target as far as where he should be and will likely be discharged early next week.

The bake sale that his coworkers held for him raised over $1500! That is amazing and we are extremely grateful.

To send a message to Bobbi and family goto;

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chriscantrell

password: christopher

7

Access 350+ FREE radio stations anytime from anywhere on the web. Get the Radio Toolbar!

[Guest guest]

Bobbi

I remember being scared to go home after my transplant. The idea of getting the right pills at the right time seemed overwhelming. I was still suffering from HE and my caregiver (mother) was not included in the training for the variety of meds. Looking back I have a few suggestions. First, have a nurse set up at least a week of pills in pill strips. They have seven spaces for seven days worth of pills. One strip for morning, one for night and another if you need pills during the middle of the day. Also take a picture of all the pills in a dose so you can double check that you have all of the right pills for your dose. It only takes a week or so to learn what your pills look like and when to take them but it is so important to do it right.

For the insulin be sure you get a prescription for insulin pens. The bottles of insulin and syringes are a thing of the past but one never knows if the docs keep up on the current state of the art. The pens are so easy, and don't need refrigeration for the pen you are using. All you have to do is screw on a new needle, dial the dose and inject. Lantus and Levimer are two long acting insulins and both are available in pens. I also recommend Acu -Check glucometers, I have the Compact Plus which uses a cartridge of 17 strips so I just push a button and I'm ready to test my blood. It also has a memory so the doctor can download the results to get a print out, so you don't have to write down test results. (Meters are usually free, because the big money is in the strips.)

Keep in mind that everything gets easier, there are always people to call to answer questions, and every day brings improvement.

Take Care

MizKit

Update from Bobbi re: - FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2009 03:44 PM, CST

We've taken several little walks today. They've also taken off of his pain pump. His PICC and central lines should be coming out soon. Dr. Mangus said his liver numbers were a little elevated but he suspects it's because hasn't had a bowel movement in a couple days. He's having an ultrasound done right now. He's a little emotional today. I think he's just feeling overwhelmed. They throw so much information at you all at once. And no one told him that he'd be on insulin for a while afterwards so I think he's having a really hard time with that. Dr. Mangus said he is right on target as far as where he should be and will likely be discharged early next week.

The bake sale that his coworkers held for him raised over $1500! That is amazing and we are extremely grateful.

To send a message to Bobbi and family goto;

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chriscantrell

password: christopher

7

Access 350+ FREE radio stations anytime from anywhere on the web. Get the Radio Toolbar!

[Guest guest]

OK, another suggestion about post tx meds. I don't live in the same city as my tx center. On the day I was being discharged my nurses asked if I wanted to have the prescriptions filled at the hospital pharmacy. That would have been the easiest knowing they would have all the meds and understand insurance billing (which was a problem for my pharmacists at first) but I opted to take the prescriptions home with me to my local pharmacy since I would need to get refills close to home. It made it difficult the first night as we arrived in town a little late but it has been easier in the long run.

Blessings,

Barby- KS

Subject: RE: Update from Bobbi re: - FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2009 03:44 PM, CSTTo: Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009, 10:08 AM

Excellent suggestions, but just a couple thoughts -

pills will change shape and color due to different brands, generics, etc. Use a list of medications with the dose and how often and just double check by your medication list. Attached is a format for that. When I make up my mother's med box each week (she had 4 hospitalizations, all probably due to issues with not taking her meds correctly... now she has no choice and has not been in hospital recently... at least I know the meds are correct!)... . Anyway.... I set up meds, then double check by adding the # of meds in the morning, noon, evening, etc.

If a medicine "looks different" than in past - have the pharmacist double check that you were given the right medicine (they will check the code on the pill).

One other thought on blood sugar test strips - some monitors are easier to use than others, but they all do the job! Because the strips are what costs the money, go for whatever blood glucose meter and STRIPS your insurance covers. Even the cheapest machine reads the blood sugar (and sometimes is easier to use!) - you want insurance to pay for your strips.

Good luck!

Joanne H

(, Ca., mom of , 18, UC/PSC 2-06)

BobbiI remember being scared to go home after my transplant. The idea of getting the right pills at the right time seemed overwhelming.

For the insulin be sure you get a prescription for insulin pens. Take CareMizKit

..

[Guest guest]

OK, another suggestion about post tx meds. I don't live in the same city as my tx center. On the day I was being discharged my nurses asked if I wanted to have the prescriptions filled at the hospital pharmacy. That would have been the easiest knowing they would have all the meds and understand insurance billing (which was a problem for my pharmacists at first) but I opted to take the prescriptions home with me to my local pharmacy since I would need to get refills close to home. It made it difficult the first night as we arrived in town a little late but it has been easier in the long run.

Blessings,

Barby- KS

Subject: RE: Update from Bobbi re: - FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2009 03:44 PM, CSTTo: Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009, 10:08 AM

Excellent suggestions, but just a couple thoughts -

pills will change shape and color due to different brands, generics, etc. Use a list of medications with the dose and how often and just double check by your medication list. Attached is a format for that. When I make up my mother's med box each week (she had 4 hospitalizations, all probably due to issues with not taking her meds correctly... now she has no choice and has not been in hospital recently... at least I know the meds are correct!)... . Anyway.... I set up meds, then double check by adding the # of meds in the morning, noon, evening, etc.

If a medicine "looks different" than in past - have the pharmacist double check that you were given the right medicine (they will check the code on the pill).

One other thought on blood sugar test strips - some monitors are easier to use than others, but they all do the job! Because the strips are what costs the money, go for whatever blood glucose meter and STRIPS your insurance covers. Even the cheapest machine reads the blood sugar (and sometimes is easier to use!) - you want insurance to pay for your strips.

Good luck!

Joanne H

(, Ca., mom of , 18, UC/PSC 2-06)

BobbiI remember being scared to go home after my transplant. The idea of getting the right pills at the right time seemed overwhelming.

For the insulin be sure you get a prescription for insulin pens. Take CareMizKit

..

[Guest guest]

OK, another suggestion about post tx meds. I don't live in the same city as my tx center. On the day I was being discharged my nurses asked if I wanted to have the prescriptions filled at the hospital pharmacy. That would have been the easiest knowing they would have all the meds and understand insurance billing (which was a problem for my pharmacists at first) but I opted to take the prescriptions home with me to my local pharmacy since I would need to get refills close to home. It made it difficult the first night as we arrived in town a little late but it has been easier in the long run.

Blessings,

Barby- KS

Subject: RE: Update from Bobbi re: - FRIDAY, MARCH 06, 2009 03:44 PM, CSTTo: Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009, 10:08 AM

Excellent suggestions, but just a couple thoughts -

pills will change shape and color due to different brands, generics, etc. Use a list of medications with the dose and how often and just double check by your medication list. Attached is a format for that. When I make up my mother's med box each week (she had 4 hospitalizations, all probably due to issues with not taking her meds correctly... now she has no choice and has not been in hospital recently... at least I know the meds are correct!)... . Anyway.... I set up meds, then double check by adding the # of meds in the morning, noon, evening, etc.

If a medicine "looks different" than in past - have the pharmacist double check that you were given the right medicine (they will check the code on the pill).

One other thought on blood sugar test strips - some monitors are easier to use than others, but they all do the job! Because the strips are what costs the money, go for whatever blood glucose meter and STRIPS your insurance covers. Even the cheapest machine reads the blood sugar (and sometimes is easier to use!) - you want insurance to pay for your strips.

Good luck!

Joanne H

(, Ca., mom of , 18, UC/PSC 2-06)

BobbiI remember being scared to go home after my transplant. The idea of getting the right pills at the right time seemed overwhelming.

For the insulin be sure you get a prescription for insulin pens. Take CareMizKit

..

[Guest guest]

Another format that makes your med list

portable is www.mymedschedule.com. It

has all of the parts that your format has, plus a picture of the pill if it is

a brand name. You can get to the list from anywhere you have an Internet

connection.

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Copper

Excellent suggestions, but just a couple thoughts -

pills will change shape and color due to different brands,

generics, etc. Use a list of medications with the dose and how often and

just double check by your medication list. Attached is a format for

that.

If a medicine " looks different " than in past -

have the pharmacist double check that you were given the right medicine

(they will check the code on the pill).

[Guest guest]

Joe,

 

I went to the site and set my self up a schedule.  I like it!  For the generic meds I take, that they don't have a picture of the med available, I can take a picture using my digital camera and electronically paste them on the schedule I downloaded onto my laptop.

 

Ian 

Another format that makes your med list portable is www.mymedschedule.com.  It has all of the parts that your format has, plus a picture of the pill if it is a brand name.  You can get to the list from anywhere you have an Internet connection.

 

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Copper

 

 

Excellent suggestions, but just a couple thoughts - 

pills will change shape and color due to different brands, generics, etc.  Use a list of medications with the dose and how often and just double check by your medication list.  Attached is a format for that. 

If a medicine " looks different " than in past - have the pharmacist double check that you were given the right medicine (they will check the code on the pill).

-- Ian Cribb  P.Eng. (6...