November 20, 2008
Mom has had a bit better day today. We can notice small but
obvious changes for the better each day, though she can't right
now. I DO think her spirits are a little better and I'm beginning
to see the sparkle in her eyes where there was nothing but a black
void before. She is still having bowel problems but with the introduction
of solid foods today, we hope that will change. Her white blood
count continues to go down and one doc thought perhaps just the
stress and trauma to her body may have accounted for the blood
count because, aside from rattley lungs, there is no known cause
of any infection and no fever or chills.
Because of the quiet, end of the hall room and keeping the lights
dimmed and phone off, she has gotten pretty good naps in today
and so has Dad. She is eating pretty good...a little bite of each
thing here and there. She's still upset about her loose BM's but
no one is concerned and they feel all will improve soon. She was
able to stand today, with the help of a physical therapist, for
about 3 mins. Strong leg muscles! They plan to help her walk from
bed to recliner, about 2-3 steps tomorrow and will eventually
work up to commode use. This will be a big morale booster.
Her heart rate is all over the place. The pace maker, which is
wired up to her but still has an external power source is still
in place but they have been giving her meds today to try and regulate
it somewhat. Again, no one seems like this is anything but par
for the course. She still does have 2 slightly leaky valves which
may get a bit better in time but will most probably be regulated
with meds forever.
They installed another pic line in her right arm again late this
afternoon, just for ease of blood collection and giving meds more
easily. This was quite a process and rattled her greatly. This
is her third one since being admitted but the person who did the
procedure asked if two med students could look on during the process
and it took about 3 times longer and was totally narrated for
the students' benefit. This was hard to listen to and she nearly
was climbing the walls and didn't understand how Dad and I could
allow this "experiment" to be performed on her. She
had just had enough and told us all so! I would never have allowed
it had we realized how graphic the ordeal would be to her. She
does get panicy very easily and we have to "talk her down".
Both Pat and I have suffered panic attacks in our histories and
we well know how awful they feel. She doesn't understand why she
acts the way she does or reacts the way she is and we've explained
that emotional upset is part of this process and with help, will
pass and she will have her sunny disposition and quick wit again.
She can't BELIEVE how many days have gone by since she was admitted
and doesn't understand why the time on the clock doesn't ever
change. This upset Dad greatly, as he was concerned she was "losing
it" but I know this is part of the process if you've been
in the hospital for an extended period. Dad has a nice comfy cot
next to her bed and I have fitted him out with all the creature
comforts he needs...snacks, meals, change of clothes, meds, toiletries
and lots of notes of instructions!!! He said he got lost last
night while going down the hall to get ice water from the patient
kitchen. We left handers have weird brains when it comes to directions!
I'm the only person in the whole world who goes NORTH to go to
Boston!! It's a lefty thing! Anyhow, we certainly hope and
expect things to progress in a forward manner and continue to
ask for your prayers. They have been such a help, obviously. Once
this is all over with and Mom is back to really good health, I
fully expect the rest of us will be permanent residents of P-6
Psych ward!
Love to you all,
Bev and Crew