I get to help my in-laws on a daily basis.  Usually it means that her large pills are crushed and mixed into applesauce, warming up her pureed foods, making up the bed… but then there are days when it all happens!

The other day I noticed that Betty’s lips looked swollen and she commented that they felt hot. Her tongue was red too.  I called the nurse to see if we needed to get seen.  We ended up heading to see Rob, her PA.

 Turns out she wasn’t drinking enough water and since she is a mouth breather her mucus membranes were inflamed.  

He noticed, too, that she is anemic and ordered a blood test to confirm that she was unsafe.  Now she needs to take iron + B vitamins to help build her blood.  She may need a transfusion if this doesn’t work.

Wow, you just sort of plod along in life and don’t notice the signs till you crash.  I mean to be more careful in the future.  Life is fragile. Cherish it and care for your own body!