Monday, April 17, 2006
4-17-06 update on Willem
Hi Folks,
Willem is "back" pretty much all the way, but still has minor issues. I wish I could get him to relax and enjoy things a bit, but he can't seem to let go very much.
With finances out his hands (though I include him in on it most of the time), it has him worried that it gets done. I can tell you that it takes more time than I thought and the paperflow is neverending. We're working on cutting expenses that may be questionable.
Recently I cut back the Visiting Angels caregivers to 4 days per week: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
One caregiver, Diane, has a calming effect on him, provides company for him and can take him on errands which gives me extra time. She is especially helpful when we go to doctor meetings: I can simply meet he and Diane at the doctors without having to pick him up.
... I cancelled the follow-up meeting with the neurologist since he has stabilized for now and that we have settled on which medication to use. We're mainly working with Dr. Curtis Robinson, his primary physician who we both like.
..Time consuming project is getting "pre-authorization" for meds from his doctor so that Medicare D covers it with insurance...This is tough for the doctors because it's paperwork they don't get paid for...
....Taxes are done and mailed on time for Pop!
---Mariette and Bill took Pop up to Rick and Jan's house for Easter dinner which was very nice of them to do - and it got him out again around people...I'm hoping friends will take him out for walks and the fun adventures during the week.
Today we picked up mail and Sandy walked with him along the Tiburon bike path - our first sunny day in a while!
... must go for now
Willem is "back" pretty much all the way, but still has minor issues. I wish I could get him to relax and enjoy things a bit, but he can't seem to let go very much.
With finances out his hands (though I include him in on it most of the time), it has him worried that it gets done. I can tell you that it takes more time than I thought and the paperflow is neverending. We're working on cutting expenses that may be questionable.
Recently I cut back the Visiting Angels caregivers to 4 days per week: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
One caregiver, Diane, has a calming effect on him, provides company for him and can take him on errands which gives me extra time. She is especially helpful when we go to doctor meetings: I can simply meet he and Diane at the doctors without having to pick him up.
... I cancelled the follow-up meeting with the neurologist since he has stabilized for now and that we have settled on which medication to use. We're mainly working with Dr. Curtis Robinson, his primary physician who we both like.
..Time consuming project is getting "pre-authorization" for meds from his doctor so that Medicare D covers it with insurance...This is tough for the doctors because it's paperwork they don't get paid for...
....Taxes are done and mailed on time for Pop!
---Mariette and Bill took Pop up to Rick and Jan's house for Easter dinner which was very nice of them to do - and it got him out again around people...I'm hoping friends will take him out for walks and the fun adventures during the week.
Today we picked up mail and Sandy walked with him along the Tiburon bike path - our first sunny day in a while!
... must go for now
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
3-14-06: Willem better, Visiting Angels,
Hi Folks,
Sorry, I've been delayed updating this site: between Sandy's shoulder injury and rehab, tax prep, and our other friend having a bypass operation it's busy. But we are doing fine.
- We finalized Willem's tax info on 3-13-06 (now I have to finish mine)and turned gave it to his accountant..
- Willem is functioning much better with day to day routine. he can answer the phone (though hearing is not good), take care of his needs pretty well, but his mind is not that clear at times - and he knows it. This drives him to frustration when he is trying to do work on his finances.
- He will become fixated on an issue and pursue it until it's been addressed which can be trying on those around him.
I find that it's best not to say "Don't worry," about this or that because that's when he does worry! It's best to show you've solved or at least addressed a question - prove you've dealt with it. Since he doesn't have his files (I do)and I'm diverting mail to me from his investments I hope to relieve his stress.
- I believe strongly that his seizures took place off from a combination of high anxiety and high blood pressure. I tell him his job is to keep calm because he could sustain another attack.
this is where having the ladies from VISITING ANGELS, a caregiver network, around him from 10am-8pm has been helpful for us. They can walk with him, keep an eye on him, take him to meals so he has a companion. I don't worry about him knowing they are around. I just don't tell him what it costs- it would kill him to know!
- Right now he's stressing about Medicare D, and what they pay on his pills or not. Heck, who can figure that program out anyway? But we're working on it with Aegis. But this is his latest focus and source of stress.
- on Sunday, 2-5-06 was when he had his second seizure, though he came home the same day after being in emergency room.
He was agitated most of the time and doing some sleeping.
- Back about 2/13/06 he was very agitated and the Visiting Angel lady called and I had to come down and put him to bed in the evening.
- on 2/15/06 he was reading, shaved himself ( I was doing that for him 3 days before that)...I took him to get blood test in anticipation of meeting with Dr. Mendius.
- On 2/21/06 we had his fractured tooth repaired...
- on 2/23/06 we had seen Dr. Mendius, the neurologist, to follow-up on the his EEG and MRI results. The EEG showed his alpha waves were affected - that involves memory. Well we knew that...The MRI pictures showed he had a ministroke sometime ago in the Hippocantes area (memory) so that would explain some of the memory problems...We taper the Clonopsepan over 3 weeks to see if his memory improves (we check that result on 3/16/06); and he can take Ambien as needed.
Dr. Mendius, may be a very bright doctor, but his bedside manner was terrible and if we had 10 minutes with him , that was it! Pop is not excited to see him again -especially when it's $300/visit!
That old stressing over finances is still very much with him. ...
- On 2/28/06 saw Dr. ROBINSON again in afternoon.. he was happy about change in meds, because Pop needs his anti-anxiety medication, he believes.
- As Willem gets better, my goal is to address the sources of stress, but as some of the family members have said, "You solve one issue and he brings up another"...we want to get the focus off himself and then figure what he does with the rest of his day's routine besides 2 walks/day, showering and eating and reading.
His main concern is finance, and I don't think he believes his cash flow is sufficient. His estate is in good hands with our financial planner, Mike Ricinak, who does a good and caring job...
- On Thursday (3-16-06) we see the Neurologist , Dr. Mendius, again for a follow-up on the change in meds program. We had cut back over 3 weeks his Clonapsapan and Ambien (sleeping pill)
I'll updat you later.
kees
Sorry, I've been delayed updating this site: between Sandy's shoulder injury and rehab, tax prep, and our other friend having a bypass operation it's busy. But we are doing fine.
- We finalized Willem's tax info on 3-13-06 (now I have to finish mine)and turned gave it to his accountant..
- Willem is functioning much better with day to day routine. he can answer the phone (though hearing is not good), take care of his needs pretty well, but his mind is not that clear at times - and he knows it. This drives him to frustration when he is trying to do work on his finances.
- He will become fixated on an issue and pursue it until it's been addressed which can be trying on those around him.
I find that it's best not to say "Don't worry," about this or that because that's when he does worry! It's best to show you've solved or at least addressed a question - prove you've dealt with it. Since he doesn't have his files (I do)and I'm diverting mail to me from his investments I hope to relieve his stress.
- I believe strongly that his seizures took place off from a combination of high anxiety and high blood pressure. I tell him his job is to keep calm because he could sustain another attack.
this is where having the ladies from VISITING ANGELS, a caregiver network, around him from 10am-8pm has been helpful for us. They can walk with him, keep an eye on him, take him to meals so he has a companion. I don't worry about him knowing they are around. I just don't tell him what it costs- it would kill him to know!
- Right now he's stressing about Medicare D, and what they pay on his pills or not. Heck, who can figure that program out anyway? But we're working on it with Aegis. But this is his latest focus and source of stress.
- on Sunday, 2-5-06 was when he had his second seizure, though he came home the same day after being in emergency room.
He was agitated most of the time and doing some sleeping.
- Back about 2/13/06 he was very agitated and the Visiting Angel lady called and I had to come down and put him to bed in the evening.
- on 2/15/06 he was reading, shaved himself ( I was doing that for him 3 days before that)...I took him to get blood test in anticipation of meeting with Dr. Mendius.
- On 2/21/06 we had his fractured tooth repaired...
- on 2/23/06 we had seen Dr. Mendius, the neurologist, to follow-up on the his EEG and MRI results. The EEG showed his alpha waves were affected - that involves memory. Well we knew that...The MRI pictures showed he had a ministroke sometime ago in the Hippocantes area (memory) so that would explain some of the memory problems...We taper the Clonopsepan over 3 weeks to see if his memory improves (we check that result on 3/16/06); and he can take Ambien as needed.
Dr. Mendius, may be a very bright doctor, but his bedside manner was terrible and if we had 10 minutes with him , that was it! Pop is not excited to see him again -especially when it's $300/visit!
That old stressing over finances is still very much with him. ...
- On 2/28/06 saw Dr. ROBINSON again in afternoon.. he was happy about change in meds, because Pop needs his anti-anxiety medication, he believes.
- As Willem gets better, my goal is to address the sources of stress, but as some of the family members have said, "You solve one issue and he brings up another"...we want to get the focus off himself and then figure what he does with the rest of his day's routine besides 2 walks/day, showering and eating and reading.
His main concern is finance, and I don't think he believes his cash flow is sufficient. His estate is in good hands with our financial planner, Mike Ricinak, who does a good and caring job...
- On Thursday (3-16-06) we see the Neurologist , Dr. Mendius, again for a follow-up on the change in meds program. We had cut back over 3 weeks his Clonapsapan and Ambien (sleeping pill)
I'll updat you later.
kees
Friday, February 24, 2006
Feb. 23, 2006. Dr. Mendius-Neurologist
Took Willem to follow-up meeting with Dr. Mendius, a neurologist who had completed an EEG test on Willem and to go over his meds. Some brief notes:
- Doctor was 20 minutes late. Pop became a bit anxious and annoyed about that, but we kept him calm. He's been doing better during the last two days, but anxiety can escalate when he focuses on a topic that bothers him, e.g. finances.
- I was not impressed by doctor's bedside manner-but understand he is a top neurologist. Just a bit overworked, I'm sure as there are only two neurologists in Marin.
I think we had less than 10 minutes with him. He didn't really talk with his, but seemed in a hurry and asked us "what the problem was". I asked him to interpret the results of testing for us..
- The EEG showed Willem's alpha waves as slower, indicating memory loss.
- He had displayed some mini-strokes in the Hippocantes region of the brain which would affect memory.
- To help recover some memory he will cut back on clonapsepam drug: that should help. And he will have Willem take Ambien (a sleeping pill)"as needed"..Doctor said Ambien has "A hypnotic effect" on the brain. Sandy and I were thinking, "So what. Willem is 85 years old why not have a good night's sleep?"..But Willem would like to reduce most all the drugs and I can't blame him to a certain degree, though I don't want to see the effects of anxiety and frustration escalate.
- My goal is to avoid letting him become too anxious: I think along with high blood pressure that the combination kicks of the seizures or the mini-strokes.
- We see the doctor in 3 weeks for re-evaluation.
2) I've been processing the Power of Attorney papers put together by attorney Steve Klamm. We've just notarized them and will be sending copies to Reinier, Mariette and financial planner, Mike Ricinak, Willem's bank, the Bank of America.
- I have taken over Willem's bill paying for now...
...We've had some long days here, but I am encouraged by Pop's progress, but will be glad to get the focus off himself and directed elsewhere...His obsessive concern with finances produces great stress for him...
For example, two days earlier he had received a letter from Holland regarding his pension. He wasn't sure of the text, but interpreted as having to pay taxes in Holland on his pension. He would not let it go and became very worked up a bout it and that I must act right away because it worried him so.
Without my knowing it he had asked our good friend Kathi and Peter DeFremery come over to send an email to Holland requesting a translation.
Meanwhile I had faxed it over to Heinjte Van Ardennen (spelling?). She said the letter said that he was to receive an small 1% increase in pension payments. Also, because he is an U.S. citizen he does NOT pay taxes on the pension in Holand, only in U.S..! All that worry for nothing! But this is not unusual...
In the meantime I'm trying to remove the stressors so he can recover his memory - and move on with his daily life.
...I must go for now.
Kees
- Doctor was 20 minutes late. Pop became a bit anxious and annoyed about that, but we kept him calm. He's been doing better during the last two days, but anxiety can escalate when he focuses on a topic that bothers him, e.g. finances.
- I was not impressed by doctor's bedside manner-but understand he is a top neurologist. Just a bit overworked, I'm sure as there are only two neurologists in Marin.
I think we had less than 10 minutes with him. He didn't really talk with his, but seemed in a hurry and asked us "what the problem was". I asked him to interpret the results of testing for us..
- The EEG showed Willem's alpha waves as slower, indicating memory loss.
- He had displayed some mini-strokes in the Hippocantes region of the brain which would affect memory.
- To help recover some memory he will cut back on clonapsepam drug: that should help. And he will have Willem take Ambien (a sleeping pill)"as needed"..Doctor said Ambien has "A hypnotic effect" on the brain. Sandy and I were thinking, "So what. Willem is 85 years old why not have a good night's sleep?"..But Willem would like to reduce most all the drugs and I can't blame him to a certain degree, though I don't want to see the effects of anxiety and frustration escalate.
- My goal is to avoid letting him become too anxious: I think along with high blood pressure that the combination kicks of the seizures or the mini-strokes.
- We see the doctor in 3 weeks for re-evaluation.
2) I've been processing the Power of Attorney papers put together by attorney Steve Klamm. We've just notarized them and will be sending copies to Reinier, Mariette and financial planner, Mike Ricinak, Willem's bank, the Bank of America.
- I have taken over Willem's bill paying for now...
...We've had some long days here, but I am encouraged by Pop's progress, but will be glad to get the focus off himself and directed elsewhere...His obsessive concern with finances produces great stress for him...
For example, two days earlier he had received a letter from Holland regarding his pension. He wasn't sure of the text, but interpreted as having to pay taxes in Holland on his pension. He would not let it go and became very worked up a bout it and that I must act right away because it worried him so.
Without my knowing it he had asked our good friend Kathi and Peter DeFremery come over to send an email to Holland requesting a translation.
Meanwhile I had faxed it over to Heinjte Van Ardennen (spelling?). She said the letter said that he was to receive an small 1% increase in pension payments. Also, because he is an U.S. citizen he does NOT pay taxes on the pension in Holand, only in U.S..! All that worry for nothing! But this is not unusual...
In the meantime I'm trying to remove the stressors so he can recover his memory - and move on with his daily life.
...I must go for now.
Kees
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Willem doing better on 2-19-06
Today I had some normal conversations with Wully. He was calm asked for some items such as his address book and for me not to worry about coming over last night...
I've also cut back the hours the "Visiting Angels" caretakers are to be coming to stay with him: it will be from 10am to 8pm now.
I've also cut back the hours the "Visiting Angels" caretakers are to be coming to stay with him: it will be from 10am to 8pm now.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Note from Kees on Willem
Hello to immediate family, relatives and friends of Willem. I'll use this site to update Willem's condition-there's been many changes...
Friday, February 17, 2006
Test
