I'm slightly frustrated.
Over the last week and a half or so, I've developed nasty bone-tired exhaustion during the day, especially around 5 or 6 pm. The type of exhaustion where you seriously don't think know if you can function? Yeah, that type. I usually end up napping for an hour or two because I simply can't stop it.
Then after going to bed, no matter what time I go to bed, I have been waking up around 2 am and not going back to sleep until 4am or so, after my newly-found bathroom run. And because of being awake during the night, I've not been waking up until AT LEAST 11:30 or later.
When we went to the doctor on this past Tuesday, I talked to the doctor about it. He said I could take a 1/2 B-12 or 1/2 a Benadryl if the insomnia gets too bad. When I was there, it was also discovered that I've lost 3 pounds in a week (I had gone to the doctor the week before for some nasty cramping). The nurse asked the usual question: are you eating? are you vomiting excessively? Yes. No, not puking. So, I asked the doctor about it and he wasn't too concerned. He asked about my eating habits and drinking. He said as long as I continue to eat healthy(-ish...I'm still craving Kettle cooked chips but that's going away) and drink fluids, I'm alright.
So I came home and told myself that I would not nap unless I fell asleep standing up :) I've also stopped drinking fluids past 9 and although that has not helped the going to the bathroom, it has decreased the urgency :) Not napping has helped the insomnia and again, not drinking as much as late has also helped. I'm still sleeping until at least 10:30 -11:00 but I'm not sure what else to do about it. I feel like such a slacker for sleeping so long and I hate it. What I hate more is the comments - told to me by family that I think don't mean anything but it, but "Well, I wish I could do that" or "My work day is half over by then". Yeah, I know. It hurts.
Today, I woke up around 6:30 when Caleb left for work and didn't fall asleep again until 9, when I was watching the news. I just woke up around 11 when Caleb called from work.
I need lunch and try to eat...I'm hungry, I feel hungry but once I start eating, I don't feel very hungry. Last night, we got Wendy's chili because it sounded soooo good and I ate about a 1/4 of the large container, a few bites of fries and 1/4 of a burger. I did eat the Frosty and then ate a Cherry Cheesecake flurry later...but both of those caused serious stomach aches later.
Nothing really sounds good right now but I need to go eat something. Did anyone else experience this in their earlier weeks of pregnancy? Just curious. The doctor doesn't seem too concerned right now, so I guess for now I'm just curious to see if I'm weird or what :)
And on top of all of this, mom went in for her treatment yesterday and she had a really high heart rate. They made her stand up and took it again, and it was still high. So they sat her down and gave her additional fluids along with the medications and fluids she usually gets. Then, they sent her home with MORE fluids [she cried :( ] and told her that if it was still super high today, she's going back to the hospital. They didn't really tell her why and she was going to ask today if it was the medications (she just switched to a different antibiotics two days ago) or what. There are two doctors seeing her case - Dr. K and Dr. O. Dr. K told her that she had three more weeks of IV antibiotics. Dr. O, who I see and really like, said that yes she DID have three weeks and then she would be re-evaluated to see if she needed longer. They did a blood test earlier in the week and she still has bacteria in her blood stream. She will, no matter when she stops the IV treatment, be on oral antibiotics.
My mom is tired and sick... and sick and tired of feeling that way.
So are we.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Another momma hiccup from my momma
Seriously, if my momma doesn't knock this stuff off, I'm going to have to withhold her Frosty Boy indefinitely...which she really doesn't need or at this time, even want. But STILL...
Mom went in for her daily antibiotic treatment and long story short, they've had to quickly change to a different antibiotic.
The original two, one that starts with a a C and one with a R, have been what's she gets once a day, with both running about an hour. She has been having some achy feeling in her forearms the last few days but didn't think much about it. Evidently, it was a bigger deal.
The C antibiotic has been building up in her muscles, causing some proteins/level of something to "leak". Basically, this protein (I think it's proteins...I can't remember) should be at/around 100. Mom was at over 5,000. ACK! This is somewhat common in the C medication but needs to be fixed pronto.
She's also been experiencing these weird attacks where she gets extremely antsy, visbly shaking and unconsolable. The doctor told her that it was withdrawl from the Vicodin...only she hasn't had any in a few days, so we're confused. Caleb made a good point tonight - what if this extra amount of protein/stuff is what making her have these attacks? Good question. I wish I had thought to ask her...maybe I'll remember tomorrow :)
SO...
She is now getting a medication V and the other original one, R. I am only using letters because I can't remember what they're actually called! The only thing is, the new medication has to drip for 3 hours twice a day. UGH! And, there HAS to be a 12 hour period between the stop time of the first run and the start time of the second. So, she gets her morning dosage at the PICC Center and they're making sure she doesn't get any later appointment than 10...like tomorrow. Which will then cause her night drip to start at 1 am.... poor momma.
In addition to that, she had a reaction to her first run of the new medication today. She got itchy all over - so, they had to give her some saline solution and a Benadryl. Poor poor momma. They're going to "fiddle" with the amounts/time to drip/etc., in hopes of not having a repeat tomorrow.
She still has bacteria in her bloodstream, which I understand as, could be indicative of infection. BUT, the amount of bacteria in her blood is much lower than before :) She still has another 3 weeks of antibiotics and who knows after that.
It has been a long few weeks..okay, a lot of weeks. Her initial knee replacement surgery took place on Monday, June 22, 2009. It's now July 28, 2009....
It makes me cry to think of all that she's gone, going and will have to go through...she is such a strong woman. And my father and sisters are so incredibly strong, too. There were a few days that I was seriously very very scared. And I can only imagine what she was thinking/feeling as well.
But she's finally doing better - she sounds like my momma, is laughing like my momma and is all around being more like my momma :)
Mom went in for her daily antibiotic treatment and long story short, they've had to quickly change to a different antibiotic.
The original two, one that starts with a a C and one with a R, have been what's she gets once a day, with both running about an hour. She has been having some achy feeling in her forearms the last few days but didn't think much about it. Evidently, it was a bigger deal.
The C antibiotic has been building up in her muscles, causing some proteins/level of something to "leak". Basically, this protein (I think it's proteins...I can't remember) should be at/around 100. Mom was at over 5,000. ACK! This is somewhat common in the C medication but needs to be fixed pronto.
She's also been experiencing these weird attacks where she gets extremely antsy, visbly shaking and unconsolable. The doctor told her that it was withdrawl from the Vicodin...only she hasn't had any in a few days, so we're confused. Caleb made a good point tonight - what if this extra amount of protein/stuff is what making her have these attacks? Good question. I wish I had thought to ask her...maybe I'll remember tomorrow :)
SO...
She is now getting a medication V and the other original one, R. I am only using letters because I can't remember what they're actually called! The only thing is, the new medication has to drip for 3 hours twice a day. UGH! And, there HAS to be a 12 hour period between the stop time of the first run and the start time of the second. So, she gets her morning dosage at the PICC Center and they're making sure she doesn't get any later appointment than 10...like tomorrow. Which will then cause her night drip to start at 1 am.... poor momma.
In addition to that, she had a reaction to her first run of the new medication today. She got itchy all over - so, they had to give her some saline solution and a Benadryl. Poor poor momma. They're going to "fiddle" with the amounts/time to drip/etc., in hopes of not having a repeat tomorrow.
She still has bacteria in her bloodstream, which I understand as, could be indicative of infection. BUT, the amount of bacteria in her blood is much lower than before :) She still has another 3 weeks of antibiotics and who knows after that.
It has been a long few weeks..okay, a lot of weeks. Her initial knee replacement surgery took place on Monday, June 22, 2009. It's now July 28, 2009....
It makes me cry to think of all that she's gone, going and will have to go through...she is such a strong woman. And my father and sisters are so incredibly strong, too. There were a few days that I was seriously very very scared. And I can only imagine what she was thinking/feeling as well.
But she's finally doing better - she sounds like my momma, is laughing like my momma and is all around being more like my momma :)
14 weeks and counting...
We have made it to 14 weeks with this miracle! We just got back from the doctor, who said that I'm doing well. My nausea has decreased a ton and I'm feeling hungry - although today, compared to my weight last week, I've lost almost 3 pounds. The doctor wasn't too concerned.
He did say that if my insomnia gets too bad (I'm bone-tired-can't-move-a-muscle-exhausted around 5 pm and WIDE flippin' awake, no matter what time I go to bed, between 2 and 4 am, right before I have to run downstairs to go to the bathroom), I can take a B-12 or 1/2 a Benadryl to help.
He did a heartbeat check and the baby was moving around - we could actually hear him/her moving as we listened to their wonderful 150's heartbeat : )
I am one happy momma! And daddy was equally excited. The doctor was very pleased and we're all sighing a tiny bit bigger breath with each visit. I go see him again in 2 weeks, when we'll be 16 weeks! It's so crazy to think that this is happening. This is working. This is real. It's so joyful and still somewhat scary but I'm trying to remember that God has this. :)
He did say that if my insomnia gets too bad (I'm bone-tired-can't-move-a-muscle-exhausted around 5 pm and WIDE flippin' awake, no matter what time I go to bed, between 2 and 4 am, right before I have to run downstairs to go to the bathroom), I can take a B-12 or 1/2 a Benadryl to help.
He did a heartbeat check and the baby was moving around - we could actually hear him/her moving as we listened to their wonderful 150's heartbeat : )
I am one happy momma! And daddy was equally excited. The doctor was very pleased and we're all sighing a tiny bit bigger breath with each visit. I go see him again in 2 weeks, when we'll be 16 weeks! It's so crazy to think that this is happening. This is working. This is real. It's so joyful and still somewhat scary but I'm trying to remember that God has this. :)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Public Service Announcement
Making blueberry pies is spectacular. It's especially spectacular to make the pie for your unsuspecting husband when he comes home from work.
With that being said, when making said pie (or any pie for that matter), please remember to put a cookie sheet under the pie while baking.
Don't be a dork like me and forget this very crucial step.
Why, do you say, is this such a crucial step?
Well, if I had followed my own advice, my house would not be smelling like burnt blueberry marshmallows....and I would not be gagging.
So remember folks, ALWAYS put a cookie sheet under your pie while it bakes. It makes using your oven later a very pleasant experience.
That is all.
With that being said, when making said pie (or any pie for that matter), please remember to put a cookie sheet under the pie while baking.
Don't be a dork like me and forget this very crucial step.
Why, do you say, is this such a crucial step?
Well, if I had followed my own advice, my house would not be smelling like burnt blueberry marshmallows....and I would not be gagging.
So remember folks, ALWAYS put a cookie sheet under your pie while it bakes. It makes using your oven later a very pleasant experience.
That is all.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Exciting news!
So, I sent out the massive emails, letting our extended families and friends know our news...although we've found out that some of our family members somehow figured out/were told by someone other than us. We're not mad - just sad that we weren't the ones to tell them.
Anywho, on with the news.
I've been sick. Tired. REALLY really really tired. And sick. Oh yeah, I'm developing this great look of "I've- eaten-24-Tim-Horton's-Boston-Creme-doughnuts"...
I'm 13 weeks pregnant. :)
After losing three babies, we are cautiously excited. There's something to be said about how miscarriges change the way you approach a pregnancy. And maybe it's just the way that I allow the miscarriages to change my views. Either way, this pregnancy is being handled so differently than any of our other three:
-We have changed to a different OB and are very happy with how he is handling us and this pregnancy, even though we weren't totally sold on him the first time we met him. It took us praying about it to realize that he really was what we needed. He's upfront and honest and gives us options, giving us his opinion but yet also giving us the room to make our own decision.
-Our OB told us when we first met with him (before we were pregnant) that he would see us on a regular basis. And he has kept his word. I saw the nurse two days after we found out that we were pregnant, to do paperwork, go over our history and to get bloodwork done. I met with the doctor less than a week later. He did an ultrasound to check for a sac, placenta and to make sure my uterus was okay. It was :) He has seen me every 2 weeks (or close to it) since. We have had another ultrasound at 7 weeks because he couldn't find the heartbeat. We saw the baby bean, saw their heart flickering away and was able to hear it via the ultrasound machine. We have seen him at 9, 11/12 weeks and have heard the baby's heartbeat both times. It was amazing each time :)
-He is quick to get me in if I experience problems and has said he would do whatever he can to help us. I was experiencing intense migraine headache this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday - complete with losing my vision in my left eye (an aura). I usually do Imtrex injections; however those are a big no-no when pregnant. I was also experiencing some strong cramping on Sunday, which lasted nearly 9 hours. I called early Monday and was able to get in on Tuesday morning. The cramping, he figures, is from the baby and my belly growing. He gave me some stronger Tylenol to take if I get another migraine. I didn't fill the prescription on Tuesday thinking I didn't need it - as soon as I stepped into the house after my appointment, I got anther aura and migraine :( This one wasn't quite as bad.
We are excited to see what God has in store for us - His plan for us as a couple, and now, as parents-to-be. I'm trying to be patient and just let God handle this...it's just so incredibly hard. I guess that's where I need to work on.
Now that I'm 13 weeks (the farthest we have gone in any of our pregnancies!), I'm experiencing a little less nausea but increased exhaustion - bone weary, can't move a muscle exhaustion. I sleep at least 9 hours a day and usually nap. Today, I haven't napped yet and I can feel it. I'm tired. And a wee bit cranky. I think it's a major blessing that I'm not working this summer because I seriously do not know how I'd be able to function teaching. It's THAT bad.
On that note, I'm going to go make a snack and then nap until Caleb comes back from my in-laws to change the brakes on my car.
*I feel so much better now that I am able to talk about the pregnancy openly now that everyone knows....It took everything in both of us, as well as our immediate families and closest friends, to not say anything...*
Anywho, on with the news.
I've been sick. Tired. REALLY really really tired. And sick. Oh yeah, I'm developing this great look of "I've- eaten-24-Tim-Horton's-Boston-Creme-doughnuts"...
I'm 13 weeks pregnant. :)
After losing three babies, we are cautiously excited. There's something to be said about how miscarriges change the way you approach a pregnancy. And maybe it's just the way that I allow the miscarriages to change my views. Either way, this pregnancy is being handled so differently than any of our other three:
-We have changed to a different OB and are very happy with how he is handling us and this pregnancy, even though we weren't totally sold on him the first time we met him. It took us praying about it to realize that he really was what we needed. He's upfront and honest and gives us options, giving us his opinion but yet also giving us the room to make our own decision.
-Our OB told us when we first met with him (before we were pregnant) that he would see us on a regular basis. And he has kept his word. I saw the nurse two days after we found out that we were pregnant, to do paperwork, go over our history and to get bloodwork done. I met with the doctor less than a week later. He did an ultrasound to check for a sac, placenta and to make sure my uterus was okay. It was :) He has seen me every 2 weeks (or close to it) since. We have had another ultrasound at 7 weeks because he couldn't find the heartbeat. We saw the baby bean, saw their heart flickering away and was able to hear it via the ultrasound machine. We have seen him at 9, 11/12 weeks and have heard the baby's heartbeat both times. It was amazing each time :)
-He is quick to get me in if I experience problems and has said he would do whatever he can to help us. I was experiencing intense migraine headache this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday - complete with losing my vision in my left eye (an aura). I usually do Imtrex injections; however those are a big no-no when pregnant. I was also experiencing some strong cramping on Sunday, which lasted nearly 9 hours. I called early Monday and was able to get in on Tuesday morning. The cramping, he figures, is from the baby and my belly growing. He gave me some stronger Tylenol to take if I get another migraine. I didn't fill the prescription on Tuesday thinking I didn't need it - as soon as I stepped into the house after my appointment, I got anther aura and migraine :( This one wasn't quite as bad.
We are excited to see what God has in store for us - His plan for us as a couple, and now, as parents-to-be. I'm trying to be patient and just let God handle this...it's just so incredibly hard. I guess that's where I need to work on.
Now that I'm 13 weeks (the farthest we have gone in any of our pregnancies!), I'm experiencing a little less nausea but increased exhaustion - bone weary, can't move a muscle exhaustion. I sleep at least 9 hours a day and usually nap. Today, I haven't napped yet and I can feel it. I'm tired. And a wee bit cranky. I think it's a major blessing that I'm not working this summer because I seriously do not know how I'd be able to function teaching. It's THAT bad.
On that note, I'm going to go make a snack and then nap until Caleb comes back from my in-laws to change the brakes on my car.
*I feel so much better now that I am able to talk about the pregnancy openly now that everyone knows....It took everything in both of us, as well as our immediate families and closest friends, to not say anything...*
Monday, July 20, 2009
Still trying to figure out this whole "motivation" thing
I'm exhausted today and I got up at 10 am! It's days like these that make me feel extremely lazy.
I am still fighting the migraine that took the vision out of my left eye on Friday (I get auras when the migraine is going to be a doozy). I usually take Imitrex through injection when the aura appears because if I don't, I'm in for it. On Friday, however, I didn't because I had already made plans to run a few errands and have lunch with my baby sister (who is 20 and taller than me!) while my mom had her antibiotic treatment. So, I took some Tylenol after the aura finally decided to disappear and have had an annoying and moderate headache ever since. I don't like to take the Imitrex if it's just a moderate headache (although I had major light sensitivity on Saturday and sound and light sensitivity yesterday) because that stuff knocks me out for a good 24 hours and then leaves me in a druken-like state for another 24 - 48 hours. It's not pretty.
Caleb and I went to see my mom yesterday (and the rest of my family!) and she's doing alright. She had a low-grade fever yesterday and today...and right now, they can't figure out why. She's getting bombarded with heavy-duty antibiotics, so I really can't see (and either can anyone else) how she could have an infection that would be causing the fever. Her incision sight is not red, swollen or draining, so it looks good. She may just have a "bug" - they drew blood yesterday and today to find out what is going on.
My uncle has cancer in his kidney, his ribcage and in his back, near his shoulder blades. He had a rough day last week, just handling with this new life-altering development. We should find out today or tomorrow about what exactly they are going to do - treatment plan, surgery, if any, etc. It's scary and I can only imagine how he and my aunt are feeling.
Caleb's grandfather is home now - he had some internal digestive issues that are hopefully now resolved. We're praying that he's on the way to feeling better.
Not a whole lot else going on right now... there are a few more things that I want to share, but I want to pray about it some more before I share.
Caleb is over at my in-law's trying to fix the brakes on my car - he just called and said that they haven't gotten the brakes off yet (he got there an hour ago) because they can't find the correct size of allen wrench. He and his dad, it sounds, are both frustrated. I'm concerned that they may not be able to get the brakes if the places close...I have NO idea where they would go (Auto Zone?) or what time any type of store like that closes. I'm thankful and incredibly blessed for my husband and his dad who is more than willing to help us out with mechanical and household stuff. We have had to call in an electrician (but it didn't cost anything) and are having to recruit roofers but other than that, our dads have helped out so much.
I guess I'll be eating dinner by myself tonight... tacos or cereal?
I am still fighting the migraine that took the vision out of my left eye on Friday (I get auras when the migraine is going to be a doozy). I usually take Imitrex through injection when the aura appears because if I don't, I'm in for it. On Friday, however, I didn't because I had already made plans to run a few errands and have lunch with my baby sister (who is 20 and taller than me!) while my mom had her antibiotic treatment. So, I took some Tylenol after the aura finally decided to disappear and have had an annoying and moderate headache ever since. I don't like to take the Imitrex if it's just a moderate headache (although I had major light sensitivity on Saturday and sound and light sensitivity yesterday) because that stuff knocks me out for a good 24 hours and then leaves me in a druken-like state for another 24 - 48 hours. It's not pretty.
Caleb and I went to see my mom yesterday (and the rest of my family!) and she's doing alright. She had a low-grade fever yesterday and today...and right now, they can't figure out why. She's getting bombarded with heavy-duty antibiotics, so I really can't see (and either can anyone else) how she could have an infection that would be causing the fever. Her incision sight is not red, swollen or draining, so it looks good. She may just have a "bug" - they drew blood yesterday and today to find out what is going on.
My uncle has cancer in his kidney, his ribcage and in his back, near his shoulder blades. He had a rough day last week, just handling with this new life-altering development. We should find out today or tomorrow about what exactly they are going to do - treatment plan, surgery, if any, etc. It's scary and I can only imagine how he and my aunt are feeling.
Caleb's grandfather is home now - he had some internal digestive issues that are hopefully now resolved. We're praying that he's on the way to feeling better.
Not a whole lot else going on right now... there are a few more things that I want to share, but I want to pray about it some more before I share.
Caleb is over at my in-law's trying to fix the brakes on my car - he just called and said that they haven't gotten the brakes off yet (he got there an hour ago) because they can't find the correct size of allen wrench. He and his dad, it sounds, are both frustrated. I'm concerned that they may not be able to get the brakes if the places close...I have NO idea where they would go (Auto Zone?) or what time any type of store like that closes. I'm thankful and incredibly blessed for my husband and his dad who is more than willing to help us out with mechanical and household stuff. We have had to call in an electrician (but it didn't cost anything) and are having to recruit roofers but other than that, our dads have helped out so much.
I guess I'll be eating dinner by myself tonight... tacos or cereal?
Friday, July 17, 2009
Life has calmed down some around here. I use the word "some" very very very loosely.
Mom had her first antibiotic treatment at the PICC center yesterday and did wonderfully. They slowed the drip down of the medication that they think made her so violently ill the other day and she didn't take two of her blood pressure medications until AFTER the treatment. She sounded SO much better and talking to her last night, she said that she felt a million times better than on Wednesday when she was taken to the ER.
On Wednesday, we found out that my husband's grandfather was also in the hospital with some problems. Caleb talked to his mom Wednesday night but wasn't able to call them last night (sheer exhaustion took over and no, it's not an excuse for not calling. We should have called but didn't. We stink sometimes like that.) and hasn't had a chance yet to talk to his parents today.
On Wednesday, we also found out that my uncle has cancer in his spinal vertebrae, on his ribcage and in his kidneys. According to my dad, who was getting the information from my aunt (who is my mom's sister), they don't know where the cancer originated from, but they do know that he as a lot of the cancer in his bones. My uncle is my mom's oldest brother, my aunt is mom's older sister and then my mom has a brother that is younger than her.
Evidently, my aunt and my dad have known about this for awhile but didn't tell mom until Wednesday, while she was in the ER. Maybe not the smartest move ever, but whatever.
I talked to my sister and she said that my aunt had gone to visit my Uncle and he seems to be doing okay. She treated him with homemade peanut butter cookies (where you make the cross-hatch pattern on the top with forks dipped in sugar) and he loved them - they are his favorite kind of cookie! And she told him that she would treat him to chocolate milk and doughnuts, something that we would always look forward to having when we go visit him and my aunt. That, and watching old Westerns on TV while we ate :) I haven't talked to my aunt, my uncle's wife, yet but I think I may talk to her this weekend.
I think that's all the medical stuff for now. We had a roofer come out and give us an estimate and we're waiting on two more. Caleb and I have a plan of cleaning out the fridge, doing laundry, doing grocery shopping, and changing all four breaks on my car this weekend...oh joy! But it will be nice not to have a car that grinds every.single.time.you brake.
Mom had her first antibiotic treatment at the PICC center yesterday and did wonderfully. They slowed the drip down of the medication that they think made her so violently ill the other day and she didn't take two of her blood pressure medications until AFTER the treatment. She sounded SO much better and talking to her last night, she said that she felt a million times better than on Wednesday when she was taken to the ER.
On Wednesday, we found out that my husband's grandfather was also in the hospital with some problems. Caleb talked to his mom Wednesday night but wasn't able to call them last night (sheer exhaustion took over and no, it's not an excuse for not calling. We should have called but didn't. We stink sometimes like that.) and hasn't had a chance yet to talk to his parents today.
On Wednesday, we also found out that my uncle has cancer in his spinal vertebrae, on his ribcage and in his kidneys. According to my dad, who was getting the information from my aunt (who is my mom's sister), they don't know where the cancer originated from, but they do know that he as a lot of the cancer in his bones. My uncle is my mom's oldest brother, my aunt is mom's older sister and then my mom has a brother that is younger than her.
Evidently, my aunt and my dad have known about this for awhile but didn't tell mom until Wednesday, while she was in the ER. Maybe not the smartest move ever, but whatever.
I talked to my sister and she said that my aunt had gone to visit my Uncle and he seems to be doing okay. She treated him with homemade peanut butter cookies (where you make the cross-hatch pattern on the top with forks dipped in sugar) and he loved them - they are his favorite kind of cookie! And she told him that she would treat him to chocolate milk and doughnuts, something that we would always look forward to having when we go visit him and my aunt. That, and watching old Westerns on TV while we ate :) I haven't talked to my aunt, my uncle's wife, yet but I think I may talk to her this weekend.
I think that's all the medical stuff for now. We had a roofer come out and give us an estimate and we're waiting on two more. Caleb and I have a plan of cleaning out the fridge, doing laundry, doing grocery shopping, and changing all four breaks on my car this weekend...oh joy! But it will be nice not to have a car that grinds every.single.time.you brake.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mom had another rough week...so did I.
This week has been crazy. C.r.a.z.y.
Monday was the 8 year anniversary of the death of one of my best friends. She died in a tragic car accident on Friday, July 13, 2001. The anniversary of her death has always been difficult for so many reasons - she was one of the closest friends that I've had and I loved her like a sister. My family loved her like another daughter and sister and our lives were forever changed when God decided to call her home.
The day before the accident, she and I had had a pretty nasty fight. I remember us both being very upset that morning on the 12th - I had gone to work later that day and ran into her at the store where I was a bakery clerk. I was on the phone with a customer, but we both waved and smiled, and she mouthed that she would call me.
The call never came from her.
The following day, I had gone to work an earlier shift than what I normally worked. I ended up coming home early, fighting a terribly rough migraine. My parents were at a retreat center out of the state that weekend, so I came home to my sisters. I was dating my now-husband at the time, and called him to come and hang out with the girls, playing video games until I rested. He woke me up about two hours after I came home, telling me that Ellen (my best friend) had died. Her younger sister, who is the same age as my younger sister, had called. The earth stopped and my world crashed. Frantic calls to my parents, finding neighbors, sitting on the new couch, eating ice cream. I have a scar on my wrist from something sharp in between the cushion and the arm of the new couch, as I had stuck my arm down there to get a dropped spoon.
My life forever changed on that day. And while the pain has lessened, there are still things that remind me of her - Reissen's candies, Clearly Canadian drinks, leopard print, Cheddar Chex Mix, Chocolate Teddy Grahams, Buicks like hers....and boas. We all wore boas to her funeral and the drumline from our high school band played outside, with her drum sitting silently and a single maroon baret on top.
God, I miss her.
I talk to her mom often, but not nearly as often as I should.
Tuesday, my mom was discharged.
Wednesday, yesterday, was a whirlwind of events.....
I went over to my parent's house about 11:45 to take mom to her appointment. I had tried calling earlier but she never picked up the phone. This caused a bit of concern but I figured she was in the bathroom or sleeping. When I arrived, I found that mom's home health nurse had been there with mom since 9 am. Mom was feeling crummy - light-headness, nausea, tingling sensation in both arms, flush feeling all throughout her body. She has been having these feelings after she takes her morning medications (which includes her blood pressure medications) since Saturday but she can usually get rid of the feeling after napping for about an hour.
The nurse left around noon, telling me to call 911 if mom's condition worsended or she showed signs of a heart attack. This made both mom and I nervous but I wasn't too worried at that time. We called mom's family doctor to see if they could give us any answers. The family doctor's nurse said that it was probably her medications and that she should space them out when she took them again the next day.
We moved her IV appointment to 2:30, to give her time to rest. She woke up around 1:30 and was worse than before napping. She was sipping ginger ale and crackers but refused to eat anything more than that. She continued to go downhill and called the IV doctor to ask to cancel her appointment. He called her back and said that she could miss a day but wanted her to call the insurance company to see if she could get in to a rehab facility until she could get stronger. This upset both of us but mom went ahead and called the insurance caseworker. She was very kind and answered mom's questions. She then asked mom her symptoms, which caused her to ask mom if she was having pain in her left arm, chest pain, pain in her jaw, shortness of breath - all signs indicative of a heart attack. At this point, the caseworker was the fourth person (the home nurse, the family doctor's nurse, the IV doctor) to ask my mom if she had these symptoms.
Mom and I both knew what the questions were leading to, and it really started to freak my mom out. The caseworker suggested that mom call her family doctor immediately. Mom did, and the nurses talked with the doctor and told mom to get to the ER immediately, so that they could do tests. I knew that I couldn't get mom in my car - she was too weak and neither my sister nor I have the strength to help her up if something was to happen.
So, I called 911 at the advice of the nurse. I knew that I couldn't get her in the car and if she WAS having a heart attack or heart problems, I would feel a ton better if she was with someone who could help her instantly between the house and the ER.
They sent two fire and rescue trucks from the local Fire Departmetn out to evaluate mom before the ambulance got there. Her blood pressure was initially 166, but went down to 144 by the time we left. They were all very very nice and calm, which is what we all needed. My sister got up quickly and got dressed (she had gone to the H.P Midnight showing the night before). I gathered up all of mom's discharge papers and lists of medications that she was given the night before, along with her walker and a few other items.
We called my younger sister at work, my dad and my husband. Dad met us at the ER, and my sister and husband met us at our house while we waited.
Mom got to the hospital around 3 and was discharged at 7. They ran a few tests, found out that her PICC line may have been pinching a cluster of nerves, which caused the tingling. She was/is very anemic and that was interacting with her blood pressure medication. I don't know if they gave her any fluids or anything while in the ER and I know that they didn't give her any blood.
On the way home, she praised me for holding up for her and staying calm. All three of us (my two sisters and myself) broke down a bit at various points of the day but are all okay.
Today, my youngest sister was going to take mom to her IV appointment and I know that they'll take great care of her - they treated me during my Hepatitis C treatment and were awesome. I'm sure they'll check her anemia today, as well as give her fluids and her antibiotics.
I love my mom and am so worried about her and her health. It's incredibly frustrating for all of us - we want her to feel better and to feel better soon. Her initial knee replacement was June 22...stitches out on July 2, ER visit on July 2, post-ER appointment on July 6, second surgery on July 7, a week long stay at the hospital, discharge on July 14, ambulance ride and ER visit on July 15.....
Please, Lord, make her well. Give her strength, patience and peace - allow her to heal and become the healthy and quick-witted momma that she is :)
Monday was the 8 year anniversary of the death of one of my best friends. She died in a tragic car accident on Friday, July 13, 2001. The anniversary of her death has always been difficult for so many reasons - she was one of the closest friends that I've had and I loved her like a sister. My family loved her like another daughter and sister and our lives were forever changed when God decided to call her home.
The day before the accident, she and I had had a pretty nasty fight. I remember us both being very upset that morning on the 12th - I had gone to work later that day and ran into her at the store where I was a bakery clerk. I was on the phone with a customer, but we both waved and smiled, and she mouthed that she would call me.
The call never came from her.
The following day, I had gone to work an earlier shift than what I normally worked. I ended up coming home early, fighting a terribly rough migraine. My parents were at a retreat center out of the state that weekend, so I came home to my sisters. I was dating my now-husband at the time, and called him to come and hang out with the girls, playing video games until I rested. He woke me up about two hours after I came home, telling me that Ellen (my best friend) had died. Her younger sister, who is the same age as my younger sister, had called. The earth stopped and my world crashed. Frantic calls to my parents, finding neighbors, sitting on the new couch, eating ice cream. I have a scar on my wrist from something sharp in between the cushion and the arm of the new couch, as I had stuck my arm down there to get a dropped spoon.
My life forever changed on that day. And while the pain has lessened, there are still things that remind me of her - Reissen's candies, Clearly Canadian drinks, leopard print, Cheddar Chex Mix, Chocolate Teddy Grahams, Buicks like hers....and boas. We all wore boas to her funeral and the drumline from our high school band played outside, with her drum sitting silently and a single maroon baret on top.
God, I miss her.
I talk to her mom often, but not nearly as often as I should.
Tuesday, my mom was discharged.
Wednesday, yesterday, was a whirlwind of events.....
I went over to my parent's house about 11:45 to take mom to her appointment. I had tried calling earlier but she never picked up the phone. This caused a bit of concern but I figured she was in the bathroom or sleeping. When I arrived, I found that mom's home health nurse had been there with mom since 9 am. Mom was feeling crummy - light-headness, nausea, tingling sensation in both arms, flush feeling all throughout her body. She has been having these feelings after she takes her morning medications (which includes her blood pressure medications) since Saturday but she can usually get rid of the feeling after napping for about an hour.
The nurse left around noon, telling me to call 911 if mom's condition worsended or she showed signs of a heart attack. This made both mom and I nervous but I wasn't too worried at that time. We called mom's family doctor to see if they could give us any answers. The family doctor's nurse said that it was probably her medications and that she should space them out when she took them again the next day.
We moved her IV appointment to 2:30, to give her time to rest. She woke up around 1:30 and was worse than before napping. She was sipping ginger ale and crackers but refused to eat anything more than that. She continued to go downhill and called the IV doctor to ask to cancel her appointment. He called her back and said that she could miss a day but wanted her to call the insurance company to see if she could get in to a rehab facility until she could get stronger. This upset both of us but mom went ahead and called the insurance caseworker. She was very kind and answered mom's questions. She then asked mom her symptoms, which caused her to ask mom if she was having pain in her left arm, chest pain, pain in her jaw, shortness of breath - all signs indicative of a heart attack. At this point, the caseworker was the fourth person (the home nurse, the family doctor's nurse, the IV doctor) to ask my mom if she had these symptoms.
Mom and I both knew what the questions were leading to, and it really started to freak my mom out. The caseworker suggested that mom call her family doctor immediately. Mom did, and the nurses talked with the doctor and told mom to get to the ER immediately, so that they could do tests. I knew that I couldn't get mom in my car - she was too weak and neither my sister nor I have the strength to help her up if something was to happen.
So, I called 911 at the advice of the nurse. I knew that I couldn't get her in the car and if she WAS having a heart attack or heart problems, I would feel a ton better if she was with someone who could help her instantly between the house and the ER.
They sent two fire and rescue trucks from the local Fire Departmetn out to evaluate mom before the ambulance got there. Her blood pressure was initially 166, but went down to 144 by the time we left. They were all very very nice and calm, which is what we all needed. My sister got up quickly and got dressed (she had gone to the H.P Midnight showing the night before). I gathered up all of mom's discharge papers and lists of medications that she was given the night before, along with her walker and a few other items.
We called my younger sister at work, my dad and my husband. Dad met us at the ER, and my sister and husband met us at our house while we waited.
Mom got to the hospital around 3 and was discharged at 7. They ran a few tests, found out that her PICC line may have been pinching a cluster of nerves, which caused the tingling. She was/is very anemic and that was interacting with her blood pressure medication. I don't know if they gave her any fluids or anything while in the ER and I know that they didn't give her any blood.
On the way home, she praised me for holding up for her and staying calm. All three of us (my two sisters and myself) broke down a bit at various points of the day but are all okay.
Today, my youngest sister was going to take mom to her IV appointment and I know that they'll take great care of her - they treated me during my Hepatitis C treatment and were awesome. I'm sure they'll check her anemia today, as well as give her fluids and her antibiotics.
I love my mom and am so worried about her and her health. It's incredibly frustrating for all of us - we want her to feel better and to feel better soon. Her initial knee replacement was June 22...stitches out on July 2, ER visit on July 2, post-ER appointment on July 6, second surgery on July 7, a week long stay at the hospital, discharge on July 14, ambulance ride and ER visit on July 15.....
Please, Lord, make her well. Give her strength, patience and peace - allow her to heal and become the healthy and quick-witted momma that she is :)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Life will never calm down, I'm sure of it.
Mom came home today after a very eventful day.
Remember yesterday (or was it today?) that I posted that her medications were going to be changed so that she would only have to go to the specialists office once a day? After talking to mom tonight, I think she's rather just go all day long.
Evidently, within mere minutes (we're talking under 5 minutes) of starting the new medications, she vomited very violently ...every fiber of her body out. She said she's not felt this bad in a very very long time, even with her kidney stones and various other things. The nurse tried to tell her that "there must be something else wrong with you"...Mom is thinking, "Umm..no. I think it might be this crud that is going through my body".
She's scared/worried about her treatment and so am I. There is no way she can do this every day for 6 weeks...she'll be exhausted and vomiting her guts out every day for 6 weeks cannot be good for healing or just in general. The nurses that are in Dr. O's office are spectacular, and I'll be there in the beginning to get her situated. Unfortunately, I have another appointment that I need to leave for (that, and my gag reflex is horrendous when someone else pukes...and I don't need to be vomiting along with her for the next 6 weeks either - as selfish as that sounds...) but will return to pick her up. I'm scared for her. And she's scared. Please pray for calming thoughts and peace over both of us tonight and tomorrow. Please.
Thanks :)
Oh, and I called the groomers today for my fluffy flattie - AUGUST 14...goodness. We'll just have to brush her as much as she'll let us and trim her feet up the best we can.
I requested inquries from 4 roofing companies and got some information together from 2 universities. One university is a community college and the endorsement I want is offered in 11 classes; however, the other university offers the endorsement in, as near as I can figure, 6 classes. I'm confused.
I'm easily confused though. Very easily confused.
Remember yesterday (or was it today?) that I posted that her medications were going to be changed so that she would only have to go to the specialists office once a day? After talking to mom tonight, I think she's rather just go all day long.
Evidently, within mere minutes (we're talking under 5 minutes) of starting the new medications, she vomited very violently ...every fiber of her body out. She said she's not felt this bad in a very very long time, even with her kidney stones and various other things. The nurse tried to tell her that "there must be something else wrong with you"...Mom is thinking, "Umm..no. I think it might be this crud that is going through my body".
She's scared/worried about her treatment and so am I. There is no way she can do this every day for 6 weeks...she'll be exhausted and vomiting her guts out every day for 6 weeks cannot be good for healing or just in general. The nurses that are in Dr. O's office are spectacular, and I'll be there in the beginning to get her situated. Unfortunately, I have another appointment that I need to leave for (that, and my gag reflex is horrendous when someone else pukes...and I don't need to be vomiting along with her for the next 6 weeks either - as selfish as that sounds...) but will return to pick her up. I'm scared for her. And she's scared. Please pray for calming thoughts and peace over both of us tonight and tomorrow. Please.
Thanks :)
Oh, and I called the groomers today for my fluffy flattie - AUGUST 14...goodness. We'll just have to brush her as much as she'll let us and trim her feet up the best we can.
I requested inquries from 4 roofing companies and got some information together from 2 universities. One university is a community college and the endorsement I want is offered in 11 classes; however, the other university offers the endorsement in, as near as I can figure, 6 classes. I'm confused.
I'm easily confused though. Very easily confused.
Some exciting news!
Mom called about 11:30 today and she's being discharged today, probably after dinner-ish time! She sounds very good, which I'm guessing is attributing to the fact that she's able to take a real shower today (she was waiting on the nurse when I talked to her) and she gets to go home :)
They have decided to switch her antibiotics..she will still receive two medications; however, each will only take a 1/2 hour to drip as compared to her last two (that she got this morning) that each took close to 3 hours to drip. She will get the new medications this afternoon (which is part of the reason why she can't leave - they need to see if she has a reaction and how bad/not bad it is). This will then require her to only go see Dr. O once a day for about 1 1/2 hours, which is SO much better than we initially thought! I'm excited too, since I will be taking her and will able to see Dr. O and the staff...and then I can find out if I'm supposed to have an appointment for this year - I can't remember if she needs to see me this summer or not. I'm guessing so, as I will need my viral load checked.
Right now, my sister is planning on getting mom home (less stops for mom and quicker to get home) but if that doesn't work (they have to move seats around in the van), then I will go get her with the Escape.
Meanwhile, on the homefront here, I need to call and get our lovely hairy dog a serious haircut. She looks like a lab for awhile, but she's comfortable from the heat and her allergies. I also need to call some roofing places to get some estimates on a roof replacement and I need to look at some college information tonight...and tomorrow, I will be calling the local university and then call the ISD (Intermediate School District) to get signed up to be a sub.
I also need to price mulch, pieces to fix our front railing, two possible doors for our front and back doors and two new screen doors. We're getting bugs in through the back screen door because it doesn't close right. Our front door is old (maybe even original to the house) and no longer fits right - it hasn't since we moved in. We have to literally body slam the door in order for it to close...it's not fun.
Anyone have thoughts on Lowes vs. Menards vs. Home Depot for service and prices and overall liking?
They have decided to switch her antibiotics..she will still receive two medications; however, each will only take a 1/2 hour to drip as compared to her last two (that she got this morning) that each took close to 3 hours to drip. She will get the new medications this afternoon (which is part of the reason why she can't leave - they need to see if she has a reaction and how bad/not bad it is). This will then require her to only go see Dr. O once a day for about 1 1/2 hours, which is SO much better than we initially thought! I'm excited too, since I will be taking her and will able to see Dr. O and the staff...and then I can find out if I'm supposed to have an appointment for this year - I can't remember if she needs to see me this summer or not. I'm guessing so, as I will need my viral load checked.
Right now, my sister is planning on getting mom home (less stops for mom and quicker to get home) but if that doesn't work (they have to move seats around in the van), then I will go get her with the Escape.
Meanwhile, on the homefront here, I need to call and get our lovely hairy dog a serious haircut. She looks like a lab for awhile, but she's comfortable from the heat and her allergies. I also need to call some roofing places to get some estimates on a roof replacement and I need to look at some college information tonight...and tomorrow, I will be calling the local university and then call the ISD (Intermediate School District) to get signed up to be a sub.
I also need to price mulch, pieces to fix our front railing, two possible doors for our front and back doors and two new screen doors. We're getting bugs in through the back screen door because it doesn't close right. Our front door is old (maybe even original to the house) and no longer fits right - it hasn't since we moved in. We have to literally body slam the door in order for it to close...it's not fun.
Anyone have thoughts on Lowes vs. Menards vs. Home Depot for service and prices and overall liking?
Monday, July 13, 2009
Updates on life
Life is still pretty crazy around here :)
Mom was supposed to come home on Friday but it was decided that she needed to stay for at least the weekend to make sure that her antibiotics are the correct dosages. We saw her yesterday and it seems that one of the antibiotics (the one that takes a few hours to run) is reacting with/against either her vitamin or pain medications and causes severe sweating, nausea and vomiting. BUT, this only happens in the morning. She gets the same.medication. at night and it doesn't bother her nearly as bad - just gives her cold sweats.
She called me this morning and said that she could come home today. She hadn't had her antibiotics yet (as of 10:30am) but also didn't take her vitamin, so she's hoping that it will decrease her reaction when she does get the medication. The physican assistant came in and said that with Dr. O and Dr. K (the other infectious disease specialist), they are trying to figure out how they can make her antibiotics so that she only has to go to their office once a day. She gets one antibiotic three times a day and the other twice a day (this is the one that makes her so sick).
All of the doctors have to get their ducks in a row and on the same page before she can come home. We still haven't heard about whether or not she a) needs a hospital bed and b) if she does, we don't know if the insurance will cover it.
I've been fighting a sinus/border-line migraine all morning and haven't done much. I'm still in my pj's and haven't done much more than get the recycling together. I'm going to cut out coupons in anticipation of a major grocery store trip very soon and do some dishes. Hopefully I'll hear from mom one way or another soon. I don't want to run any errands if I need to go get her but I don't want to just sit around if she's not going home today.
Ah, the joys of life ~
Mom was supposed to come home on Friday but it was decided that she needed to stay for at least the weekend to make sure that her antibiotics are the correct dosages. We saw her yesterday and it seems that one of the antibiotics (the one that takes a few hours to run) is reacting with/against either her vitamin or pain medications and causes severe sweating, nausea and vomiting. BUT, this only happens in the morning. She gets the same.medication. at night and it doesn't bother her nearly as bad - just gives her cold sweats.
She called me this morning and said that she could come home today. She hadn't had her antibiotics yet (as of 10:30am) but also didn't take her vitamin, so she's hoping that it will decrease her reaction when she does get the medication. The physican assistant came in and said that with Dr. O and Dr. K (the other infectious disease specialist), they are trying to figure out how they can make her antibiotics so that she only has to go to their office once a day. She gets one antibiotic three times a day and the other twice a day (this is the one that makes her so sick).
All of the doctors have to get their ducks in a row and on the same page before she can come home. We still haven't heard about whether or not she a) needs a hospital bed and b) if she does, we don't know if the insurance will cover it.
I've been fighting a sinus/border-line migraine all morning and haven't done much. I'm still in my pj's and haven't done much more than get the recycling together. I'm going to cut out coupons in anticipation of a major grocery store trip very soon and do some dishes. Hopefully I'll hear from mom one way or another soon. I don't want to run any errands if I need to go get her but I don't want to just sit around if she's not going home today.
Ah, the joys of life ~
Friday, July 10, 2009
I know, this is THE most you've heard from me in a long time...I just want to document what's going on with my momma :)
My dad just called and said that mom will NOT be going home today...or tomorrow...or probably not even Sunday.
Dr. O came in and said that the cultures are growing some icky stuff, so she wants mom to stay at the hospital and continued to be monitored until they can figure out exactly what dosages of the medications she needs. Dr. O is also pushing in our favor to have mom a) go home and b) to have a home health nurse come out and administer mom's medications :) More than likely, she'll go home on Monday but realistically she could also go home on Sunday.
Mom had mentioned yesterday that she had wanted to stay at the hospital a day or two longer until she felt better but that she also wanted to go home..but that she didn't want to be a burden. My dad told her that she was NOT a burden, but rather, this is just part of loving her :) Did I mention I adore my momma? She's spectacular !
Dad said that mom was upset because she was looking forward to going home but that she was also somewhat relieved to be at the hospital another few days.
She was heading to PT when dad talked to her; however, I think Caleb and I will head over there after his shift to visit. We're thinking if we go for just fifteen or twenty minutes and go when noone else is there, we won't overwhelm her. And I'm thinking about getting a balloon for mom's roommate (and a few for momma too!) - she's an elderly lady and kept oohing/aahing over the ones that my aunt sent my mom (we took them home so that we wouldn't have to deal with it today, when we thought mom was coming home).
So, that's the latest...
My dad just called and said that mom will NOT be going home today...or tomorrow...or probably not even Sunday.
Dr. O came in and said that the cultures are growing some icky stuff, so she wants mom to stay at the hospital and continued to be monitored until they can figure out exactly what dosages of the medications she needs. Dr. O is also pushing in our favor to have mom a) go home and b) to have a home health nurse come out and administer mom's medications :) More than likely, she'll go home on Monday but realistically she could also go home on Sunday.
Mom had mentioned yesterday that she had wanted to stay at the hospital a day or two longer until she felt better but that she also wanted to go home..but that she didn't want to be a burden. My dad told her that she was NOT a burden, but rather, this is just part of loving her :) Did I mention I adore my momma? She's spectacular !
Dad said that mom was upset because she was looking forward to going home but that she was also somewhat relieved to be at the hospital another few days.
She was heading to PT when dad talked to her; however, I think Caleb and I will head over there after his shift to visit. We're thinking if we go for just fifteen or twenty minutes and go when noone else is there, we won't overwhelm her. And I'm thinking about getting a balloon for mom's roommate (and a few for momma too!) - she's an elderly lady and kept oohing/aahing over the ones that my aunt sent my mom (we took them home so that we wouldn't have to deal with it today, when we thought mom was coming home).
So, that's the latest...
Mom is the star :)
We were able to visit mom yesterday (Thursday). She wasn't feeling well at all on Tuesday, wanting to be alone..which was hard. I want so badly to help her somehow. In reality, however, I can't. She has to process this both mentally and physically, while we as a family have to process it mentally and physically too. There's been numerous phone calls to clarify information between my dad, my younger sister (my youngest sister is away at a lake for the week), myself, my husband, my aunt and a very close family friend. The last two people are very close to us and we want to keep them updated, as well as having them for support.
Here is what we know so far as of yesterday evening:
I'm waiting. :) Mom is supposed to be discharged either today or tomorrow - the surgeon thought that it would be today. However, it really depends on the infectious disease specialist. We have to find out if -
Let me tell you something, our family is always full of drama and excitement :) And as much as it frustrates me, I love them and will do anything I can to help them.
Here is what we know so far as of yesterday evening:
- Mom tore a muscle and ligament when she stepped off of the last stair wrong, sometime last week. She heard it/felt it tear/pop, but wasn't in any great amount of pain because of the painkillers she was already on. She spoke to her surgeon, who said it was nothing. In his defense, it sounds like the only way he would have known that she had done something was to get in her knee to see.
- The fill-in surgeon (very nice man - I wasn't so sure in the beginning but I'm better now) did clean her knee out, and fixed everything before closing her up. He took several cultures to check for infections.
- Infection is our biggest, baddest and scariest issue right now. Mom does have a type of staph infection, but evidently it's the good kind that everyone has on the outer layer of their skin.
The infectious disease specialist has decided to hit mom with all they've got as far as antibiotics....in the event that the cultures that are still growing show something other than what we know right now. If that's the case, they will fine tune the dosage and the types of medications. I counted 5 bags/bottles of things that were hanging on the IV pole next to mom...all the medications that she had pumped into her PICC line yesterday. Both infectious disease specialists agreed that these medications can make mom feel pretty nasty....but if it's going to keep her healthy and prevent any further complications, I'm all for it.
- Mom is back to square one as far as therapy and healing. She did have three therapy sessions yesterday at the hospital, so she isn't just sitting there. She also has a contraption, which I'm sure has a very important sounding name, but it's a "move-your-leg and-bend-it-a -few-degrees-for-you-every-few-minutes-without-you-moving-your-leg-yourself" thing. It looks scary but I had to use the same thing after I had my knee scope/fixed torn ACL.
- Mom is weak..both mentally and physically. We overheard the doctor (dad made us stand outside the room while the doctor was there, which was fine. Her room is really small) that her blood levels were "low" - not sure exactly what that means but she has been bleeding and draining basically non-stop for two weeks, so it's not too surprising. She looked better and sounded more like herself yesterday though, and that relaxed me somewhat.
I'm waiting. :) Mom is supposed to be discharged either today or tomorrow - the surgeon thought that it would be today. However, it really depends on the infectious disease specialist. We have to find out if -
- Mom will be sent home either today or tomorrow
- There is a slight chance that she could go to a rehab center but we're praying that she can come home where she is comfortable, relaxed and where she is exposed to bacteria that she normally is exposed to, as opposed to new germies in a rehab center. Less chance of infections. I'm also slightly concerned about how she would feel emotionally in a rehab center...besides, we want her home!
- Dr. O, the infectious disease specialist, will determine today/tomorrow how much of the antibiotics she will need. It will also be decided whether the antibiotics can be given at home by either us or a home health nurse. This would be the optimal choice because it takes 4 hours for her meds to drip and if she has to go into the clinic every.day for 4 hours a day for 6 weeks...it just feels like it would be easier on mom not to have to go up every day, but we'll go with whatever Dr. O says.
- Mom's fill-in surgeon has determined that mom needs a hospital bed on the main floor of the house - the kitchen, living room, dining room and bathroom are all on the main floor, which deletes any possibility of hurting herself on stairs again. So, the case-worker at the hospital is working with Mom and Dad's insurance to find out if they'll cover to rent a hospital bed.
- I'm waiting for mom to call me to tell me a) if the bed is going to be delivered today and if so, what time... b) if she'll be discharged today and if so, when ... c) if I have to get her medications from the Infectious Disease specialist or what.
Let me tell you something, our family is always full of drama and excitement :) And as much as it frustrates me, I love them and will do anything I can to help them.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
More on momma
Mom's surgery ended sometime shortly before 11 pm.
When the doctor got into her knee, he found something not expected....
A week ago, mom had stepped down off of a step with her good/non-surgery knee, which caused her to bend and twist her hurting/surgical knee....
Evidently, she tore her muscle and ligament by her knee. Badly.
...
So, the doctor not only cleaned out her incision, but had to open it deeper than expected to fix her muscle.
Today, she is supposed to meet with the Infectious Disease Specialist that treated my Hepatitis C, so I'm happy that Dr. O will be treating her. And she is being treated with heavy-duty antibiotics so that she doesn't have further complications.
She's in pain, frustrated, tired and scared today.
So am I.
When the doctor got into her knee, he found something not expected....
A week ago, mom had stepped down off of a step with her good/non-surgery knee, which caused her to bend and twist her hurting/surgical knee....
Evidently, she tore her muscle and ligament by her knee. Badly.
...
So, the doctor not only cleaned out her incision, but had to open it deeper than expected to fix her muscle.
Today, she is supposed to meet with the Infectious Disease Specialist that treated my Hepatitis C, so I'm happy that Dr. O will be treating her. And she is being treated with heavy-duty antibiotics so that she doesn't have further complications.
She's in pain, frustrated, tired and scared today.
So am I.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Update on Momma
Took mom to the hospital at 5pm tonight.
Her surgery was supposed to start at 7 but she wasn't taken back until 8pm. I was upset because she was so upset/worried/nervous/stressed before going back. Thankfully they gave her a dose (maybe two?) of the "happy" drugs, in addition to two medications for her upset stomach and two doses of pain reliever for her knee...which worked a bit. I left the hospital because I had not eaten anything since around 11am, was getting nauseated and exhausted.
Dad texted me around 9 and said that they had just paged him to let him know that surgery had started....2 hours late.
It's now nearly 20 minutes after 10 and no word from dad. I called my mom's close friend and my mom's older sister to let them know that at 8, they had taken her back...not knowing that surgery wouldn't start until 9. The friend has to work early, so I won't be calling them back tonight. My aunt wants a call back as soon as dad calls...hopefully she'll still be up.
I'm worried and tired and scared and worried.
Ugh...
Her surgery was supposed to start at 7 but she wasn't taken back until 8pm. I was upset because she was so upset/worried/nervous/stressed before going back. Thankfully they gave her a dose (maybe two?) of the "happy" drugs, in addition to two medications for her upset stomach and two doses of pain reliever for her knee...which worked a bit. I left the hospital because I had not eaten anything since around 11am, was getting nauseated and exhausted.
Dad texted me around 9 and said that they had just paged him to let him know that surgery had started....2 hours late.
It's now nearly 20 minutes after 10 and no word from dad. I called my mom's close friend and my mom's older sister to let them know that at 8, they had taken her back...not knowing that surgery wouldn't start until 9. The friend has to work early, so I won't be calling them back tonight. My aunt wants a call back as soon as dad calls...hopefully she'll still be up.
I'm worried and tired and scared and worried.
Ugh...
Momma Drama (title yanked from my seester)
I'm doing this in bullet form because I'm tired and frustrated and scared.
Moved forward to yesterday, June 6:
She will have to have IV antibiotics after she gets home and she will be getting those through the Infectious Disease Specialist - the same one who treated me during my Hepatitis C treatment. I LOVE her, her staff and her partner (I've only worked with him once but he seemed to know what he was doing) and am happy to hear that they will be taking care of her :)
I'm emotionally exhausted and physically just as tired. I'll be taking mom to the hospital because everyone else will still be at work. Dad should get there shortly after we get there.
I want to be strong and need to be strong but I want to just sit and cry.
- June 22, 2009 - My mom had her left knee replaced. This was done a week earlier than originally planned because her surgeon, Dr. M, is going to be out of town the week her surgery was planned for.
- Mom came home June 24 in the evening and was in pain, but she DID just have major surgery. Throughout the next week and a half, she has a home health nurse and therapist come to the house.
- She ends up back at the doctor's office on June 30 because of a red area on her shin (something she got with her last knee surgery too) that the home health care nurse was thinking could be infection. The doctor gave her an antibiotic (she wasn't on ANY antibiotic until this point, which still confuses me) to "get the nurses off his back". I wasn't there to hear him say this so I don't know if he was just being funny or what...It did help reduce the redness....the redness is there as a result from realigning her knee.
- Last Thursday, July 2, Mom had her staples removed by her surgeon. Her knee, at this point, has no stopped bleeding/draining since her surgery. After the removal of her staples, her knee starts bleeding a lot. By the time she got home around 5, the gauze is completely blood soaked. She changed her bandages and when she checked it again at 6, the bleeding had slowed down. When she was getting ready to go to bed around 10, she went to change her bandage and her incision had split open :( She called the home health nurse, after trying to get ahold of the doctor. The nurse came out immediately, looked at the incision and told mom that she could see a blood clot in her knee. The nurse then tries to get ahold of the doctor,(who is not the surgeon who did her knee replacement but another doctor in the office) who called back around 12...nearly two hours later. He talked to the nurse and told mom to get her butt in the ER.
Moved forward to yesterday, June 6:
- I went over there to help her throughout the day. She wanted to take a shower, but needs help because she still is so tired and not able to stand up too long by herself. She did very well and stood up for the entire shower - it was a quick one but she did it :) As I was helping her get out of the shower, I realize that her knee is still draining. I think I said something to her and she said that her doctor told her that because she's overweight, she is going to drain more. I helped her bandage her knee back up, got her stockings back on and got her ready for her post-ER check-up.
- Getting her in the car caused tears for both of us, both getting there and back. She just can't move her leg like a normal person, which makes getting in and out of a car extremely difficult.
- We got to the office and she gets to see her surgeon's main nurse - a WONDERFUL woman who cares a lot about the patients and is feisty :) Being that the doctor who saw my mom yesterday was not her "boss"/the surgeon and I think the nurse struggled a bit with dealing with this other doctor.
- The other doctor, Dr. T, came in, asked mom a ton of questions, pushed around on her knee (made her whince and her knee drain a lot), looked at her drainage and told her that if this was his knee and if she was his patient, he would send her to surgery. Because he is the active doctor (her doctor is on vacation until Monday),and she IS technically his patient right now, she's having surgery today.
- The surgery is set for 7:15 pm, and we have to be at the hospital at 5:15pm. They are going to re-open the knee (the sutures from the ER really didn't pull her incision completely closed (which they want it somewhat open so that it can drain....but it is too open), irrigate it out with a "squirt gun" (the doctor's words), culture it and then staple it back shut. She's going to be in the hospital until at least Friday on IV antibiotics.
She will have to have IV antibiotics after she gets home and she will be getting those through the Infectious Disease Specialist - the same one who treated me during my Hepatitis C treatment. I LOVE her, her staff and her partner (I've only worked with him once but he seemed to know what he was doing) and am happy to hear that they will be taking care of her :)
I'm emotionally exhausted and physically just as tired. I'll be taking mom to the hospital because everyone else will still be at work. Dad should get there shortly after we get there.
I want to be strong and need to be strong but I want to just sit and cry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)