Mom is retaining water

Istijlál (Majesty), 18 Asmá’ (Names), 169 BE – Thursday, September 6, 2012 about Sunset Pacific Time

Mom’s feet and legs are swelling and she is retaining water. Therefore, Mom is on a low sodium diets. It is difficult to find any foods that do not have salt in them. Some canned soups are “low sodium” soups. The problem is that most of the canned goods in my cupboard have sodium.

Until recently, Mom could not take a “water pill” because her blood pressure was not stable. I talked to the nurse today and Mom blood pressure is now stable. The doctor prescribed a diuretic and potassium tablets. As soon as someone delivers the meds, I will begin giving them to Mom. I guess evening would be the best time to give her the new meds. Mom seems more willing to take her meds in the evening then in the morning.

Low sodium diet: A green salad

Jalál (Glory), 4 Kamál (Perfection), 169 BE – Friday-Saturday, August 4, 2012 about 3:25 PM Pacific Time

a nice green salad

lettuce carrots and cabbage

low sodium diet

This afternoon, Mom ate a little bit of salad for her snack. It was from a package I bought in the grocery store the other day. I didn’t put any type of salad dressing on it, but Mom didn’t complain. The only type of salad dressing Mom likes is ranch dressing and since that is a cream dressing she can’t eat very much of it. Even without dressing, Mom enjoyed the salad. I think I will get vinaigrette dressing the next time I go shopping.

Cooking for someone on a low sodium diet

Istiqlál (Independence), 3 Kamál (Perfection), 169 BE – Friday, August 3, 2012 about 6:00 PM Pacific Time

Mom is now on a low sodium diet as well as a low fiber diet. I am going to focus more on cutting down the salt then on cutting down the fiber. It is easier to cut down on the fiber in her diet is a lot easier then on the salt. I did find a new way to help cut down on the salt I dump my canned vegetables in a colander and then run water over them.

I think this weekend; I will mix everything with rice or pasta. I will have to read on the packages, but I do not think packaged pasta has salt unless you add it when cooking and I do not add salt to the pasta water. I have to be very careful with the salt Mom gets because she is retaining water and her legs are swelling. I have been putting her legs up on the couch when she is in the living room and at night, her legs are up.

I need to get some fresh vegetables and other unprocessed items for her to eat, which I will do on Monday. The problem with the weekend is I have no one to stay with her while I go to the store. I did not get to the grocery store today; therefore, this week end I will just have to focus on getting as much salt out of the food she eats as possible.