January 4, 2009
Dear Fellow Scholasticans,
PAX! A Grace-filled New Year to one and all! Today is the 79th birthday of Ms. Medy. I offered an evening mass for her special intention.
On December 17th, Ampy Lim, Marilou Lim and I sat down with Tett Salazar to discuss the regular needs of Ms. Medy to decide on the monthly budget we shall set aside starting January, 2009.
I also consulted Ms. Medy’s attending physican, Dr. Noel Rosas (who happens to be my cardiologist), on December 19th and we ( Sr. Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB, Sr. Lydia Villegas, OSB and Mike Palileo paid a short visit) visited Ms. Medy and I had along talk with Tett on December 26th.
Dr. Rosas told me the following:
Ms. Medy needs good, efficient nursing care that can monitor her daily – regular food intake, blood pressure, avoid occurrence of bedsores, etc. She needs a maximum of three physical therapy sessions per week to improve her movement function. Since she is aging, her brain functions are degenerative and he thinks that it cannot be helped except for the nutritional build-up. She has the beginnings of Alzheimer. There should also be the avoidance of decubitus ulcer.
Dr. Rosas recommends that:
1. Ms. Medy should have good, efficient nursing care so that she could be monitored properly;
2. Physical rehabilitation – 3 x a week
3. Nutritional build-up
4. Continuous maintenance medicine
5. Periodic blood tests – every other month
6. Quarterly check-up by the doctor
These were established during the meeting. The costs have been corrected after my consultation with the attending physician and my visit on December 26th. We shall decide on the regular monthly support in January, 2009.
| NEEDS | REMARKS | COSTS |
| Nursing care | Salary of 1st caregiver Salary of 2nd caregiver | Php 4,000 per month 6,000 |
| Physical rehabilitation – Physical Therapy | 2 additional sessions per week One session is free courtesy of 3 Scholasticans PT graduates of UP, Manila
The current PT will have two sessions in January. He can recommend one who will do the 3rd session.
With the once a week session in Nov-Dec, Ms. Medy can now move her fingers and arms.
| 800.00 per session x 2 |
| Visit of attending physician – Dr. Rosas
| Quarterly visit – she was last seen by the attending physician when she was hospitalized in October. I reminded Tett that she should be seen by the doctor in January. -------------------- We suggested that there should be a doctor who should see her regularly and coordinate with her attending physician. Tett has asked Dr. Soki Caedo-___ who lives near the area if she could see Ms. Medy regularly. She said YES for free. | Php 700 per visit |
| Food | Ms. Medy, 2 caregivers and 1 house helper | Php 3,000 per week |
| Maintenance medicines | Peptamine (food supplement – 3 x week) 2 per week | 1,030 each |
|
| Sinamet (relax muscles – 2x day) |
|
|
| Celebrex (pain – 2x day) |
|
|
| Iberet liquid ( 1 x day) |
|
|
| Losartan (1x day) Has a supply for one month |
|
| Blood Chemistry | Every other month |
|
| Under pads | Ampy bought the supply for the rest of December. | 4,500 per month |
| Adult diapers | Still has a supply | 4,000 per month
|
There has been a lot of improvement on Ms. Medy. Her aura looks different from the last time I was there in November. The whole atmosphere in the room looks pleasant. She looks more comfortable. A special mattress was given by some Scholasticans.
The physical rehab sessions for the past month have shown significant results. She can now move her fingers and lower arms. The caregivers have been asked by the PT to continue some of the exercises during the Christmas break. He will resume in January on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Ms. Medy is awake for longer periods of time during the day due to the over-all care and rehabilitation sessions. She was listening to my stories for more than two hours during the three hours I was there – sharing with Tett. Tett noticed that she did not doze off and was really looking at me all the time. I was telling Tett that maybe being a school person my experiences sounded familiar to her.
A lay minister from the parish now gives her Holy Communion regularly. He is the husband of Tett’s second cousin. I brought religious songs (Fr. Hontiveros’ compositions and Himig Jesuita) she can listen to and pray with when she is awake.
Tett Salazar is overwhelmed by the love you have all shown. Truly, the Scholastican spirit has been manifested in all your prayers, love, support and service.
That in all things God may be glorified!
Didi Villegas
For the SSAFI Committee
RSS Feed