"The Boil" continues

The boil has decreased, but it is not totally gone. I keep applying the castor oil, but it is not drawing out the last of the infection. It's been a week since it was so bad I phoned the nurse (on a Saturday).

The nurse comes tomorrow. I'll see what she thinks, but we will probably get some antibiotics.

There were never any red streaks, which would have meant the infection spreading, but I suspect there is still some infection.

With all the talk about the new health care proposals, I will put in my 2 cents about "advanced directives".

My Mother signed a DNR (do not resuscitate) order for herself, after my father died (of pneumonia). A DNR is not an advanced directive. An advanced directive just gives instructions as to your wishes, so for her DNR is part of it. She has always made it clear she wants no extraordinary measures to keep her alive.

Last year I was afraid she might be getting pneumonia, so I had my sister talk to my Mom, so see if she would want antibiotics. I had my sister handle this, as she does hold the health POA, and I did not want to be accused of swaying my mother.

My Mother stated a very strong NO.

The reason I mention this is, obviously the boil didn't kill her, so now it's just going to be an annoyance. Which, is why I would suggest antibiotics.

How to treat a large pimple/boil

I had noticed a bump on my Mom's neck, but I thought it was just a bulge from a blood vessel.

However, about 4 days ago I realized it was a pimple, or a boil.

I have never dealt with a boil before, I so don't really know how to tell the difference.

Long story short, it got ugly.

I lanced it, but it didn't really drain. So finally I called the Hospice Nurse on
Saturday.

She said to put warm packs on it, and hopefully it would pull out the infection

It did a little, but not totally.

So, today the nurse was here, and she said to put a small part of vinegar with water on a gauze pad, heated (I put it in the microwave for 15 seconds), and do that 2 times in the morning and 2 times in the afternoon.

Well, it helped some, but it still isn't cleared up.

So I keep putting hot gauze pads on it with anti-biotic cream, and I keep disinfecting everything.

I feel so bad.

I can't fix it.

I know it's really uncomfortable.

The other thing the nurse suggested was to give her ibuprofen.

It's just horrible.

I wish I could fix it, but so far I can't.