Goodbye ICU!

Good news... after 33 days, Mom is now out of ICU and is in a regular hospital room. Her oxygen levels dropped last night, and so they had to put her back on a nasal cannula, but, other than that, she is doing well. The next item on the agenda is rehab. She will be evaluated over the weekend, and the therapists will let us know early next week what options she has in that area. Mom wants to be out of the hospital so badly, that I know she will do whatever they ask if it gets her closer to going home!

~ Deann

Getting Better Each Day

If you have read the last few posts here on Mom's blog, you know that there have been MANY positive things happening with her this week. Here are the latest...

• Her catheters have all been removed.
• She is now off the nasal cannula and is breathing room air.
• She has been up walking with the assistance of a walker (and a physical therapist).

We are being told that Mom should be moving out of ICU very soon, and, with the way things have been going this week, we aren't surprised at all!

~Deann

Some Tasty News...

Mom passed her swallow test today and was finally allowed to eat some solid food tonight. She was so happy! If she handles it well, they will take out her feeding tube later this evening. Things are definitely moving along well!

~ Deann

More Nice Surprises

They removed Mom's trach today! She is now back to receiving her oxygen through a nasal cannula. In addition, the kidney doctor said she won't have to stop by any more because Mom's kidneys are now functioning normally. That's wonderful news to all of us... especially Mom!

~ Deann

A Nice Surprise

For a while now, Mom has been wanting to get out of bed and sit in a chair. Well, today the nurses let her do just that... three different times! We were so surprised to see her sitting up when we visited! Of course, she was attached to her oxygen and other machines, but it was still a pleasant change for her (and for us as well). I'm praying that we'll have even more nice surprises in the week ahead!

~Deann

Day 24...

There's hasn't been much to report on Mom the past few days. The biggest thing going on right now is that the doctors have taken her off the ventilator and are administering her oxygen through a trach collar.  I suppose her lungs are still weak right now, because she has been struggling a little during the transition. That struggle makes her anxious, which in turn makes it more difficult for her to breathe. 

Please pray for her lungs to strengthen and for her anxiety to be lessened so that she will be able to stay off the ventilator for good!

~ Deann

Hospital Entertainment

There isn't much entertainment in an ICU hospital room, so sometimes you just have to make your own. With that in mind, I would like to introduce you to Mom's new friends, Mr. and Mrs. Toe...

A little laughter is always good medicine. Don't you agree?

*****

P.S. Mom continues to improve and grow stronger each day... and she did approve the posting of these photos.

~ Deann

Highlights of Mom's Day...

• She won't need any more dialysis right now. In fact, they removed the catheter in her neck that was placed there for the procedure.
• She is able to communicate with us by writing now. That's good, since we were having trouble reading her lips at times.
• She still has her sense of humor. She told us that she had had roast and potatoes today. When we questioned her about it, she motioned toward her feeding tube bag and smiled at us.

It's great to be able to pass on some more good news!

~ Deann

A Good Day For Mom

It was a good day.

After laying flat for weeks, Mom's nurse adjusted her bed today so that she could sit in a semi-upright position for one of our visits. In addition, her sedative has been lowered so that she is more aware and recognizes our presence now. Because of this, she is trying very hard to communicate with us. She can't speak, of course, but she attempts to mouth words, and we attempt to decipher them... sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't! Today she asked us for water, but, with her trach, that is not possible. However, the kind nurse did let us to "feed" Mom some sugar-free popsicle. Granted, she was only allowed about a dozen licks, but Mom really enjoyed it. When another nurse came in and told Mom that it looked like she was wearing red lipstick (from the popsicle), Mom stuck her tongue out at her. It is so good to see her getting some of her spirit back!

I know Mom still has a long road of recovery ahead of her, but it looks like we may finally be moving in the right direction!

~ Deann

Here's The News On Mom Today...

• She received her trach this morning without any complications.
• The nurses reduced the sedative she was receiving so that she opened her eyes for us just a little during our visits. She was also able to move her head yes and no, and respond to the nurses' requests for her to wiggle her toes, smile, stick out her tongue, and squeeze with her right hand (she still will not squeeze with her left hand, however).
• Her kidney number continues to slowly rise, so the doctors are pretty sure she will need additional dialysis.
• She had another CAT Scan done this afternoon, and we should know the results of it tomorrow.

~ Deann

Surgery Tomorrow

Mom will be having surgery early tomorrow morning (Tuesday) to put in a trach. Please pray that all goes well and that this procedure will aid in her recovery. Thanks!

~ Deann

A Little Good News

We had a little good news about Mom's condition today:

• Her kidney numbers have continued to drop (lower is better).
• The doctors have lowered her dependence on the ventilator.
• The doctors have also increased her tube feedings, and she is tolerating them well.

It may not seem like much, but at least it's a step in the right direction!

~ Deann

Another Update on Mom

Here is what the doctors told us about Mom yesterday...

• Her pneumonia has worsened.
• She has some blood on her brain, possibly caused by another stroke.
• Her dialysis treatments have been changed to the 24 hour continuous type,which should be easier on her body.
• She will have a tracheotomy performed on Monday, since having the ventilator tube down your throat for a long period of time can do damage.
• Her tube feedings continue to go well.

Thanks once again for all the encouraging comments you have been leaving here on Mom's blog. I apologize for not responding to all of them, but I want you to know they are greatly appreciated during this stressful time.

~ Deann

More Treatments and Tests

Mom's kidney numbers weren't dropping as quickly as the doctors wanted them to, so they tried dialysis again today. They were able to complete the treatment, but during the process Mom became very agitated and her breathing became labored so they had to increase her dependence on the ventilator once again. It seems that her agitation/anxiety has been steadily increasing over the past few days... so much so that the nurses have to keep giving her medication to calm/sedate her. She will open her eyes and look around at times, but she really hasn't acknowledged our presence since Saturday. We were told late this afternoon that one of her doctors had requested an EEG and another CAT Scan be done. The nurse wasn't sure of the reason for the tests, but she said that we would know the results tomorrow.

~ Deann

Not Much To Tell...

There hasn't been too much change in Mom's condition over the past few days. I can report that her kidney numbers are a little better, she appears to be tolerating her tube feedings, and she is slowly being weaned from her dependence on the ventilator. She is being given medication to keep her calm while she remains on the ventilator, plus she continues to be treated for pneumonia. I guess that is really all there is to tell right now. Hopefully, I will be able to update you with better news very soon.

By the way, thanks to all of you for your prayers and for the kind comments you have been leaving for Mom. She is blessed to have such good friends.

~ Deann

Easter In The Hospital

Here is the latest news on Mom:

• She is still on a ventilator.
• She wasn't tolerating her tube feedings, but they think they may have that under control now.
• Her kidneys have improved slightly even without the dialysis.
• She has pneumonia... again. 

I know if she could Mom would thank you for all your prayers and would wish you a Happy Easter!

~ Deann

More Problems For Mom

Something went wrong when they tried to start Mom's dialysis yesterday. They first thought she might have developed an aortic aneurysm near her stomach, but a CAT Scan ruled that out. As of late last night, they had her sedated and on a ventilator while they search for the cause of the trouble.

We are all ready for this roller coaster ride to stop.

~ Deann

Mom will be having dialysis today. She is a little worried about the procedure, so please say a special prayer for her today. Thanks.

~ Deann