Mom continues to improve at home.
On Tuesday evening she joined her weekly women's bible study at home. The bible study group has met over the last few months at Suzy's so that Mom can participate. Suzy told me that Mom was not only able to stay and listen but also to give input. This is a big deal, a big change.
Wednesday was Family Night at the church. She has been looking forward to attending. She did go, but it wasn't an easy event for her. The important thing is she tried, and it was the first social event outside the home she has attended in weeks.
PT, OT and Nursing came to visit on Thursday. Suzy said Mom was particularly slouchy. She tends to list to her right when sitting, laying, standing, but Thursday she was also leaning forward. The OT asked her to look her in they eye with the purpose of getting her to sit up straight. Mom stayed slumped in her Quasimodo position and looked up at her (makes me giggle just thinking about it - I wasn't there). Suzy told me she would have been frustrated if she were the OT, but the OT smiled, laughed and said, "You're so much fun!"
Which brings me to the best news...Mom's personality is increasingly returning. She has always been sweet, but she's been more compliant the last few weeks than she ever has in our experience. The Mom we grew up with always has a snappy come back that her audience may or may not get. She's always thinking of something smart to say, some way to twist the humor into a phrase or a word. That's the Mom we've been getting back.
No pictures this post. I'm about to hit the road. I'll try to give an update over the weekend.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Settling In
Mom has been home for four days and she's a little better every day. The c. diff. still keeps us hopping, but it's improving. Best of all, Mom's personality is coming back. We've missed her snarkiness these last few weeks.
Last weekend we kept it simple. We had beautiful weather, and we were able to enjoy it on the deck for a little while. The rest of the weekend we watched Red Skelton episodes, Going My Way, and Holiday Inn. I cried a couple times during Going My Way, especially at the part where Father Fitzgibbon is reunited with his mother. Mom said she almost cried once. I guess I'm sappier than she is.
Tina came up Sunday evening for a couple of hours. We looked at pictures and watched Mom's dvd family album. It was a fun visit.
Physical therapy came to visit on Monday and Mom did her exercises in bed. She hasn't been able to stand well, even with assistance, since she came home. But we're optimistic about the days ahead.
I didn't take pictures last weekend. I didn't really think about it in the midst of the movies, conversations and other business. But I do have a couple of pics from Mom's physical therapy appointment with Wendy before her last hospital stay. It's a great blessing for Mom to receive PT at home. 
Friday, April 18, 2008
Birthday Party April 12
I'm heading back up north at 3:30 p.m. today, so I thought I'd send some of Mom's birthday pics while I have bandwidth on my side. We had a great time.Jessy, Cody, and Tina holding Makayla.
Balloons gallore over Cameron, Tina, Makayla, Mike and Corey. Corey has been working on his PR skills with Makayla.
Dan center, with Makayla and Mike. Dan entertained us exotic sayings.
Mom, Olivia, Cameron and Jaime. Evan hiding in the rear.
Jodi helping Devon launch a rocket at Uncle Paul, Uncle Bill and Papa Mike.
Makayla takes after her mom.
Going Home
Dr. Galloway met with Mom and Suzy yesterday and spent an hour. We appreciate Dr. Galloway. She has always been candid with us, but also gentle and caring. Her mother has the same diagnosis as Mom; she has commented that their medical charts are nearly identical.
Mom is no longer a candidate for Tarceva. Although it is keeping the cancer in check, it is also the underlying cause of her repeated infections. Tarceva was her last line of chemo defense; there will be no more chemo for Mom.
We have known all along we would eventually receive this news. Attacking the cancer with radiation and chemo was the fight Mom chose. It has given her more time, and that is what she wanted. But as time becomes increasingly precious, the risks of the chemo on the quality of her time outweigh the benefits.
Suzy said Mom was quiet when Dr. Galloway gave her the news. When Suzy asked Mom how she felt about it, she said, "Well, so be it." Suzy gave her a hug. Later, she pointed to the nursing duty board and said to Suzy, "I have a message." You never know what you'll get from Mom these days when she points into the air with an announcement. But Suzy saw she was pointing at our addition to the board: Rose Mary needs nine hugs every day - basic maintenance. Consequently, Mom has chosen her new line of defense.
Mom will be discharged at noon today. We don't have details yet regarding her physical therapy and treatment. We do know that she will be able to receive IV medications at home, which will help us avoid hospital visits. She has been looking forward to sleeping in her own bed, and so have we. Thanks for your prayers.
Mom is no longer a candidate for Tarceva. Although it is keeping the cancer in check, it is also the underlying cause of her repeated infections. Tarceva was her last line of chemo defense; there will be no more chemo for Mom.
We have known all along we would eventually receive this news. Attacking the cancer with radiation and chemo was the fight Mom chose. It has given her more time, and that is what she wanted. But as time becomes increasingly precious, the risks of the chemo on the quality of her time outweigh the benefits.
Suzy said Mom was quiet when Dr. Galloway gave her the news. When Suzy asked Mom how she felt about it, she said, "Well, so be it." Suzy gave her a hug. Later, she pointed to the nursing duty board and said to Suzy, "I have a message." You never know what you'll get from Mom these days when she points into the air with an announcement. But Suzy saw she was pointing at our addition to the board: Rose Mary needs nine hugs every day - basic maintenance. Consequently, Mom has chosen her new line of defense.
Mom will be discharged at noon today. We don't have details yet regarding her physical therapy and treatment. We do know that she will be able to receive IV medications at home, which will help us avoid hospital visits. She has been looking forward to sleeping in her own bed, and so have we. Thanks for your prayers.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tax Day
On Tuesday morning, Suzy and I walked into Mom's hospital room thinking we would stay with her long enough to visit with Tina, Bill and Pattie, then go mail Mom's tax forms. We discovered upon arrival that she had been put back on a clear liquid diet. We asked why, and the nursing staff didn't know; just that the doctor who had seen her before we arrived had ordered it. When we pressed for the reason, the nurse contacted the doctor. Turns out that the doctor felt she might be confused and unable to swallow safely. She was immediately returned to her unrestricted diet.
Throughout the day, as Suzy asked questions regarding Mom's treatment, she was met with defensiveness from the nursing staff. Mom was given a rectal catheter on Monday night per doctor's orders (we were in agreement to this) in order to prevent another c. diff. rash. She repeatedly lost the catheter. After the third time, a nursing staff from ICU with experience in this area came to reinsert it. The pain of insertion each time was excruciating for Mom, and this time the catheter came out immediately. The nurse then told us that Mom's rectal sphincters were not tone enough to retain it. By this time, Mom had already begun to develop a rash. Now, she had the rash and an irritated colon and rectum to deal with as well. No more rectal catheter.
An infectious disease doctor visited us on Tuesday. He recommended treating future urinary tract infections with a dose of antibiotics and a prophylactic dose of Flagyl. This way, the treatment of the UTI would not trigger the c. diff. infection, and we would avoid the problem of creating a resistant strain through repeated antibiotic dosing. It makes sense to us. But first we need to get rid of the current problem and get her home.
Mom's spirits are good, in spite of it all. Her cancer is still stable, and she is comfortable except for the c. diff. issues. Dr. Paz recommended a yogurt shake twice a day to encourage growth of the good flora in her colon. Suzy has acidophilus at home to maintain them.
Suzy is meeting with Mom's oncologist tonight. Hopefully they will be able to determine when Mom will be able to come home and how we can help prevent future hospital visits. Please pray that our communication with health care workers regarding Mom's care becomes easier and that they will be able to hear us. I'll try to post again tonight.
Throughout the day, as Suzy asked questions regarding Mom's treatment, she was met with defensiveness from the nursing staff. Mom was given a rectal catheter on Monday night per doctor's orders (we were in agreement to this) in order to prevent another c. diff. rash. She repeatedly lost the catheter. After the third time, a nursing staff from ICU with experience in this area came to reinsert it. The pain of insertion each time was excruciating for Mom, and this time the catheter came out immediately. The nurse then told us that Mom's rectal sphincters were not tone enough to retain it. By this time, Mom had already begun to develop a rash. Now, she had the rash and an irritated colon and rectum to deal with as well. No more rectal catheter.
An infectious disease doctor visited us on Tuesday. He recommended treating future urinary tract infections with a dose of antibiotics and a prophylactic dose of Flagyl. This way, the treatment of the UTI would not trigger the c. diff. infection, and we would avoid the problem of creating a resistant strain through repeated antibiotic dosing. It makes sense to us. But first we need to get rid of the current problem and get her home.
Mom's spirits are good, in spite of it all. Her cancer is still stable, and she is comfortable except for the c. diff. issues. Dr. Paz recommended a yogurt shake twice a day to encourage growth of the good flora in her colon. Suzy has acidophilus at home to maintain them.
Suzy is meeting with Mom's oncologist tonight. Hopefully they will be able to determine when Mom will be able to come home and how we can help prevent future hospital visits. Please pray that our communication with health care workers regarding Mom's care becomes easier and that they will be able to hear us. I'll try to post again tonight.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Update
Mom was much better on Monday. She was sleeping comfortably when Jodi dropped me off just before 10:00 a.m. When she woke up, I gave her a hug and told her I loved her. She replied, "I love you too, Patty." I was relieved to hear her say my name and complete a sentence. Throughout the day her ability to communicate improved. She even shot off a couple snappy quips.
Mom has c.diff. again. We asked Dr. Paz last night if there was anything we could have done to avoid it. The problem is that c.diff. lives in our bodies all the time. We never get rid of it; we just keep it in balance. Even though Mom had just finished her course of Flagyl, the c.diff. probably reared up again because of the urinary tract infection.
Mom's INR was very high on Monday - 7.6. Dr. Paz prescribed a vitamin K drip to bring it back down. Dr. Paz attributed the high INR to the antibiotics. She is also receiving magnesium and potassium supplements, Flagyl - of course, and fluids. She was oxygenating well without help last night - 96 - so she is no longer receiving oxygen.
Mom is eating - had cod, potatoes and a nutritious milk shake last night.
Tina is leaving Traverse around 9:00 a.m., and Bill and Pattie are leaving around 10:00. So Mom will have most of her kids with her this morning - Paul and Mike won't be here.
We're off to the hospital. I'll post more tonight.
Mom has c.diff. again. We asked Dr. Paz last night if there was anything we could have done to avoid it. The problem is that c.diff. lives in our bodies all the time. We never get rid of it; we just keep it in balance. Even though Mom had just finished her course of Flagyl, the c.diff. probably reared up again because of the urinary tract infection.
Mom's INR was very high on Monday - 7.6. Dr. Paz prescribed a vitamin K drip to bring it back down. Dr. Paz attributed the high INR to the antibiotics. She is also receiving magnesium and potassium supplements, Flagyl - of course, and fluids. She was oxygenating well without help last night - 96 - so she is no longer receiving oxygen.
Mom is eating - had cod, potatoes and a nutritious milk shake last night.
Tina is leaving Traverse around 9:00 a.m., and Bill and Pattie are leaving around 10:00. So Mom will have most of her kids with her this morning - Paul and Mike won't be here.
We're off to the hospital. I'll post more tonight.
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