Rough Day

I'm sorry to report that Mother's not having a good day today. When I got there this morning, she was in a chair asleep and her hands were swollen and dark, the color of a bruise. This afternoon they had her back in bed with her arms up on pillows and the coloring was almost gone, although the swelling was still there.

She's not very responsive and can barely open her eyes. Her sugar level and potassium are both low today. They're having several specialists to assess what might be going on and they're coordinating adjustments in her meds. The nurse said she'll likely be on this "step-down" wing several more days.

This afternoon she said she didn't hurt - that's a good thing. She knew Ed and asked how he was. Besides that, I couldn't understand the few other statements she made. She drifted off and seemed to be sleeping peacefully when we left.

Sometimes humor helps - yesterday out of the blue she asked, "Am I tied to a pole?"

Frances May
6th Floor
UVa Health System
1215 Lee Street
Charlottesville, VA 22908