Meal Times

When looking after someone who is 91, meal time becomes an experience, and I think, is the most dangerous time. Least it feels that way to me, because that is the time when the potential for added choking spells seem to be the highest.

Breakfast is one of those times, when things aren't always the greatest. It is after getting up, so there is the natural grogginess, but how do you tell if it is from sleep, or something else?

Then you have the strained breathing. Now that can also be from sleep, then suddenly having to move around, to go to the bathroom, wash up and such. So the added exertion and just waking up, can be the cause for feeling weak, for moving slower than normal, or again, it could be something else.

This is how it goes, morning after morning, and after an episode or so, well, the nerves gets frayed, as you try to be impartial, to try and assess if the weakness, or other symptoms, are from sleep, or something else. It is a constant worry, that adds to your own stress levels.

And while eating, you try to be unobtrusive, but you keep wanting to watch, to insure you are ready to act, if a choking spell comes on. The risk is great, as their is food, liquids, and pill taking. You keep an eye, while trying to work, or write these posts.  You have one ear cocked for abnormal sounds, that might indicate an upcoming choking spell.