I apologize for the delayed post, I am having difficulty knowing what to write. The last two days have been a challenge. The balancing regime still goes forward, but her outward appearance is getting worse.
I wish I had better news. Wish I knew this blog would have the ending we all hope for. The one comfort I find in this situation is knowing that Heavenly Father loves my mom, He is mindful of her, and will do what is best for her.
You all hang in there. We love you.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
ICU Day 12
Today's goals: wake up, comfort, decrease sodium, transfuse 1 unit blood and 1 unit platelets.
Today was pretty similar to yesterday. Awake more often. She passed all response tests given by the nurses.
The nurse reported that sodium levels came down some. She spent the day chasing blood sugars, but they never reached out of control levels. Her tube feeding digestion is still not on target, but hasn't had to be stopped either.
The pulmonary technician attempted to explain the ventilator to me. I really, really tried to comprehend, but it just wasn't happening. Sorry.
The doctor was pleased by the direction my mom is heading. He said he is hoping to start self breathing trials in the next few days. The breathing tube stays put, but they set the ventilator to a mode that gives her a test run for up to one hour.
Today was pretty similar to yesterday. Awake more often. She passed all response tests given by the nurses.
The nurse reported that sodium levels came down some. She spent the day chasing blood sugars, but they never reached out of control levels. Her tube feeding digestion is still not on target, but hasn't had to be stopped either.
The pulmonary technician attempted to explain the ventilator to me. I really, really tried to comprehend, but it just wasn't happening. Sorry.
The doctor was pleased by the direction my mom is heading. He said he is hoping to start self breathing trials in the next few days. The breathing tube stays put, but they set the ventilator to a mode that gives her a test run for up to one hour.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
ICU Day 11
The nurse's goals for today were: increase level of consciousness, stable electrolytes, and comfort.
The roller coaster ride continues. This morning we started bracing ourselves for a dip downward when the doctor ordered a CT scan of my mom's brain. This order was triggered by a few different abnormalities. The first being, irregular eye movement noted in the nurse's early morning assessment. Next, my mom's sodium level is still too high. Elevated levels can negatively affect the brain and other organs. And lastly, her kidneys started dumping excessive amounts of urine, but unfortunately the sodium wasn't following. The question was asked, could this be diabetes insipidus, a disorder of salt and water metabolism marked by intense thirst and heavy urination? Diabetes insipidus is a condition caused by a hormonal abnormality and isn't related to diabetes. The pituitary gland in the brain normally should release an anti-diuretic hormone in this situation. Was irregular function of the pituitary gland the culprit?
Well, the good news is, the CT scan came back normal. The doctor started a new medication, desmopressin, to treat diabetes insipidus and slow urine output. I am telling you, stabilizing electrolytes is such balancing act. I am truly amazed by our team of doctors and nurses. They are fantastic.
Our rollercoaster car took us upward today as well. My mom's sedative, Propofol, was turned off and her body remained relaxed. This hasn't been the case for an entire week. The nurse told us she was opening her eyes, looking at her when she called her name, and tracking her when she moved across the room. My mom was also able to nod her head and wiggle her toes slightly. It was comforting to see her look at us. We gave her an optimistic update and told her how proud we were of her, etc.
Onward and upward, one day at a time.
The roller coaster ride continues. This morning we started bracing ourselves for a dip downward when the doctor ordered a CT scan of my mom's brain. This order was triggered by a few different abnormalities. The first being, irregular eye movement noted in the nurse's early morning assessment. Next, my mom's sodium level is still too high. Elevated levels can negatively affect the brain and other organs. And lastly, her kidneys started dumping excessive amounts of urine, but unfortunately the sodium wasn't following. The question was asked, could this be diabetes insipidus, a disorder of salt and water metabolism marked by intense thirst and heavy urination? Diabetes insipidus is a condition caused by a hormonal abnormality and isn't related to diabetes. The pituitary gland in the brain normally should release an anti-diuretic hormone in this situation. Was irregular function of the pituitary gland the culprit?
Well, the good news is, the CT scan came back normal. The doctor started a new medication, desmopressin, to treat diabetes insipidus and slow urine output. I am telling you, stabilizing electrolytes is such balancing act. I am truly amazed by our team of doctors and nurses. They are fantastic.
Our rollercoaster car took us upward today as well. My mom's sedative, Propofol, was turned off and her body remained relaxed. This hasn't been the case for an entire week. The nurse told us she was opening her eyes, looking at her when she called her name, and tracking her when she moved across the room. My mom was also able to nod her head and wiggle her toes slightly. It was comforting to see her look at us. We gave her an optimistic update and told her how proud we were of her, etc.
Onward and upward, one day at a time.
Friday, May 20, 2016
ICU Day 10
She is still on the ventilator.
She has not been coherent/responsive since Saturday, May 14th. Brain scans show that this is not due to neurological dysfunction. The doctors think her unresponsiveness is from toxin build-up from heavy meds, elevated liver enzymes, and unbalanced electrolytes. It is a condition that can be corrected and they work on it everyday in various ways.
She has been weaned off all blood pressure medications.
The antibiotics have stopped the initial infection.
She responded well to the diuretics used to pull extra fluid off her body. Diuretics have been used less in the last day and her kidneys are showing to be working well and pulling fluid off on their own. It is a slow process.
She has been on a tube feeding at a very slow rate. Digestion and gut motility haven't been successful for many days, but last night it seemed to be picking up.
Today the doctor explained.... It is expected to be a long road. Recovery is possible if nothing catastrophic occurs again. She is still at great risk for another infection.
We take it one day at a time. Some days bring no news.
She has not been coherent/responsive since Saturday, May 14th. Brain scans show that this is not due to neurological dysfunction. The doctors think her unresponsiveness is from toxin build-up from heavy meds, elevated liver enzymes, and unbalanced electrolytes. It is a condition that can be corrected and they work on it everyday in various ways.
She has been weaned off all blood pressure medications.
The antibiotics have stopped the initial infection.
She responded well to the diuretics used to pull extra fluid off her body. Diuretics have been used less in the last day and her kidneys are showing to be working well and pulling fluid off on their own. It is a slow process.
She has been on a tube feeding at a very slow rate. Digestion and gut motility haven't been successful for many days, but last night it seemed to be picking up.
Today the doctor explained.... It is expected to be a long road. Recovery is possible if nothing catastrophic occurs again. She is still at great risk for another infection.
We take it one day at a time. Some days bring no news.
Week One in the ICU
I must begin by saying that my mom's care in the ICU has been wonderful. All nurses have been great. We have been blessed with a few that surpass expectations; bringing us great comfort and caring for my mom in a way they would their own mothers.
A team of doctors keep watch over my mom: pulmonary experts, infectious disease, oncologists, critical care specialists, etc. They update us regularly and explain her condition. From the beginning we were told of her extremely fragile, critical condition, and encouraged to be 'cautiously hopeful.'
Each day we celebrate tiny improvements in my mom's condition. She has continued in a very gradual upward trend with occasional setbacks, and new complications.
A team of doctors keep watch over my mom: pulmonary experts, infectious disease, oncologists, critical care specialists, etc. They update us regularly and explain her condition. From the beginning we were told of her extremely fragile, critical condition, and encouraged to be 'cautiously hopeful.'
Each day we celebrate tiny improvements in my mom's condition. She has continued in a very gradual upward trend with occasional setbacks, and new complications.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
A Tragic Night: Tuesday, May 10th
Many of us had visited my mom on Tuesday morning, afternoon, and early evening. All seemed to be well. However, that evening, things weren't right and my mom became sick very quickly.
She was rushed to the ICU around 7 pm, my dad was with her. She had sepsis and with no time at all she was in septic shock. A large group of ICU nurses and doctors congregated around her bed doing all possible to save her. She was put on a ventilator, all four blood pressure meds possible, and general antibiotics. My dad watched multiple episodes where her blood pressure plummeted, and her chances were dismal. I arrived at the ICU around 10 pm and witnessed the same close calls. We purchased flights for Shad and Kolby, while standing outside my mom's room. Not able to reach Jeni, I called my husband, Blake, and he went to her house and brought her to the hospital. A few more close calls occurred.
The doctors did not think my mom would make it through the next day. Being the fighter she is, she held on. Intubated, with 11 IVs, she began trying to communicate with her nurse by drawing letters in the air with her finger.
We found the kids' Boogie writing board and she wrote simple words with her finger. She wrote basic needs like: eat, nose (needing it scratched), eye (needing it scratched), and light (off so she could sleep). Even in this critical state, her humor and personality shined through. Once she wrote, spa day, while moving her other hand in a circle (meaning she wanted to go to the spa with her daughters and sister when she got out of the ICU). A couple times she wrote, am I going to make it? Our hearts were full as we encouraged her, cheered on her amazing efforts, and told her how surprised the doctors were by her strength. When we told her what a great job she was doing, she started moving her hands in circles and slightly shaking her hips. She was showing us her willingness to exercise and not give up. We laughed and wanted to cry at the same time.
A Heart Felt Thank You
I wanted to take a moment to thank the countless number of you who have reached out to my mom and family the last few months. We are forever grateful for the outpouring of love, gifts, service, and prayers. We hope you know of our appreciation for you and wish we could give you the proper thank you, you all deserve.
We can only imagine how hard it is for you to be on the outside, not knowing how my mom is doing or being able to see her. Since visitors are restricted to family only, we hope this blog helps. We love you all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)