Thursday, January 04, 2007

Caregiving: choking / dysphagia

Holiday gatherings bring out the old pictures and tapes. This year a gem was rediscovered in a video tape of a 1999 news story featuring Patti and her parents.

 

Patti was choking to death … now in a little over 2 minutes the ‘magic’ of You Tube will retell the story and happy ending. Double click to play video.

Megan and I were home in Maryland when this occurred. 

 

On the MS progression timeline dysphagia was a remitting / reoccurring symptom in early 1999. Multiple Sclerosis can be dangerously deceptive. Accepting MS progression is challenging for family and friends as it is for the person with MS. “To care” demands vigilance.

 

Regardless of disease or health, emergencies will happen. Knowing how to ask for help and how to listen CAN save a life.

13 comments:

  1. As a caregiver for ones that have all kinds of illiness's, this applies to all. You really have to watch a person closely for changes from the ordinary. Thanks for the info.
    God Bless,
    Liz in Va.
    http://journals.aol.com/bethjunebug/Bethjunebug

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  2. Great Story! and Patti, of course, looked just wonderful!  I have to do a medical training class each year to renew awareness about contaminated fluids, etc. Plus, each of us with moderate to profound mental retardation classes has to have CPR, as well as our aids. It's a good thing, even though I've never had to use it. I hope I never have to!! Thanks for sharing, Patrick!
    Jackie

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing this! This is so very important for all to know about. :o)
    Lisa

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  4. wow what a story:) have a great new year

    Deb

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  5. Great reminder.  I have to take this every 2 years of course in my line of work but it is good for everyone to know.  I have used it 3 times, once on my son, and it is very effective.

                             Julie

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  6. Patrick I just wish I could see the u-tube.  Choking is just awful and I know it would have been very beneficial.  I'll keep popping back to see if I'm able. Rache  

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  7. Great story, Patrick... wow! that was close. I was trained to do CPR during First Responder training back in the 80's when I was a community volunteer. Kept it up for a couple of years while I was a scout leader. Never had to use it. Now I'm a teacher, still haven't had a refresher course. Now I'm thinking about it. bea

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  8. Hello,
    I just saw your comment in Lisa's journal so thought I would stop by.  I am having trouble with your video. but will try again, I know it's my computer that's the problem.
    I lived next door  to a woman with MS and her husband.  They had a care-giver for her during the day while her husband worked, and then he took over.  Once in a while he would ask me to come and sit with her so he could go out.  It was a tough situation.  When I met Mary she was paralyzed from the neck down, really tough on her and her family.  She passed away about 10 years ago after living with the disease for maybe 4o plus years.
    I wish you the best.
    Donna

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  9. Wow, Thank goodness everyone kept a cool head and the 911 person had great training.

    That had to have been hair raising for Patty's parents

    Deb

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  10. You are a special, wonderful, loving man, daddyleer!! Any woman would be lucky to have you. You inspire me. I'm a caregiver too and know all of the challenges and disappoints that come with illiness's. Keep up the good work.
    God Bless,
    Liz in Va.
    http://journals.aol.com/bethjunebug/Bethjunebug

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  11. I thank God that I haven't had that experience...............

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  12. It does not always turn out good like that....what a blessing that it did this time. Bam

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  13. wo wthat was a wonderful story. I came to your jouranl via lisa. I have been the last two days reading thru your journal. I have a mom who has alzhiemers. Now her MOm , dad and aunt died of it I KNOW What it is what it looks like and acts like. The dr she saw a year ago after I have spent the last four years begging her to get help spend two visits with her last year and said come back next year. NOW I KNOW that a real dr who does alzhiemers testing will talk to the family to hear concerns becuase lets face it its a on off disease inthe early years and if cuaght then can be slowed down. But she goes to this dr becuase she KNOWS he wont give her the news she fears. He just scoots her along to get rid of her. This year she is suppose to go back mean while she is getting to us all and we see the point of no return is coming faster.

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