A Day Makes a Difference

Angie called me this morning to report that Mother was a totally different person today. Not only did she talk, she interacted and laughed. A maintenance man was working on painting the door. Mother commented at how foolish it was to paint that brown door black and that it looked horrid! Angie got such a laugh out of, not only what she said, but how she said it.

I've been trying to call her all afternoon but she doesn't answer. I called the nurse's desk and asked that they make sure she could reach the phone. They thought she was at therapy then but this is over 2 hours later and she still doesn't answer. Oh, well, I'll keep trying.

Follow-up Visit with Mother's Surgeon

Yesterday I went with Mother to Charlottesville (with a transport service on a gurney) for a follow-up visit to her surgeon, Dr. Justin Smith. First she had X-rays. He said everything is looking as it should - it hasn't even been 6 weeks since her surgery. I was amazed at how well her scar, which is on her spine from her tailbone to above her waist, has healed. He showed me the X-rays of the steel (?) rods and screws - sort of like a kid's erector set.

When we returned and started in the front door of the rehab center, there was a technician there with a portable X-ray machine who had been to Mother's room. She said maybe she'd wait till morning for the X-ray. I wondered if this was a routine to X-ray all residents? No, it isn't.

Mother has pneumonia. Now she's on an antiobiotic for the pneumonia and on her 3rd type antibiotic for her bladder infection (perhaps her body is resistant after so many illnesses?). The nurse gave her a breathing treatment this morning and she is on oxygen. She is really confused, which is par for the course for older folks - for some reason bladder infections often cause confusion and the pneumonia added isn't helping at all

Some Progress in Therapy

Mother was pretty confused today trying to find out how to get to the Wellness Center and when to go. I patiently explained to her that she was in HHRC and the therapists will come for her. She said in her OP session she had to put clothespins on a rod and it felt like there was creme? on them so she only did 3. Her confusion is interesting because the first part of a sentence will be perfectly lucid but the second part is s-t-r-a-n-g-

I went and talked to Pam, her other therapist who said she did very well and she was pleased that Mom leaned forward better than she ever has. That's the first step towards getting up. Also, she observes that Mother is able to tolerate being in a chair much longer at a time AND that she hasn't mentioned pain today!

When Brother Philip was here, he sweet-talked the right people and finally Mother got a man therapist named Phil. Phil was taking her to therapy as we were leaving. He's very dedicated......Philip and Maribeth sent him a thank you note and a gift card for Outback. He REALLY appreciated the card but they're absolutely not allowed to accept anything like that. Hey, wanna go to Outback tonight? I'm buying!

This is sounding like a sob story - Meanwhile, I had my flu shot on Monday and it was the very first time that my arm didn't get sore. On Wednesday I woke up with a knot the size of a pea behind my ear and pain down my neck. By Thursday, both ears and down the sides of my neck were hurting. I called my doctor and he thinks it's a reaction to my flu shot and will take several days to go away. The knot is smaller and the pain of sort of better - my ears feel stopped up, too.

As Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say, "If it ain't one thing, it's another!"

Happy Halloween!

She's Back in Town

Mother was transferred by stretcher in an ambulance yesterday from UVA Medical Center to Harrisonburg Health and Rehab. I'm pleased that her same room was available - especially since it took 2 weeks of annoyance with Verizon to get her phone set up.

Phil, Maribeth, and Levi are visiting her this week. Mother OK yesterday afternoon and really perked up when Levi came in. Phil still would like to take Mother to Texas for the winter so this will be a chance for him to see the equipment they use and to work with her therapists. The timing for Phil's visit worked out well for them to be with Mother here, instead of in Charlottesville. They are here for Uncle Bob's funeral today and we get to spend some time with them.

I'm taking a much-needed break and might even find time to plant the daffodil bulbs I bought 2 weeks ago.

Maybe Moving Tomorrow & Uncle Bob

It appears that Mother will be transferred back to Harrisonburg Health and Rehab in Harrisonburg tomorrow. I do hope it's not too soon! Ed and I came home today and were planning to take a break while Phil and Maribeth were here this week to visit Mother. This will work out well because we'll have a chance to be with them after all.

My Uncle Bob May was diagnosed with cancer less than 2 weeks ago. He had decided to have radiation treatments and was to start this coming week. Thursday, he was put back into the hospital and died on Friday night. The visitation will be Monday evening and the funeral Tuesday morning.

It will be strange because for my whole life, he's just always been there. He loved to take pictures of people and always got duplicates to give to them. He was amazing with numbers - could add a column of numbers faster than one could put them into a calculator. Who is going to keep us updated on exactly how much rain or snow we got? His testimony at church several months ago was very touching to the congregation and gives me comfort because we KNOW where he is right now.

I'm still trying to digest this news. Mother is very upset that she won't be able to go to the funeral but there are some circumstances where things, such as major back surgery, prevent us from doing all we'd prefer to do

Day by Day

There's not a lot to report these days. Mother is still having the hip pain and will be going to Hess Orthopedic on Monday. Hopefully, they'll consider a steroid shot to reduce inflammation or will find something specific to treat. She goes to Charlottesville for a follow-up visit with her surgeon on November 11th. The rehab center arranges all these trips with a transport service as she still goes on a gurney.

Ed has requested that I not discuss his health on this blog, so if you want information you can ask him. Things are looking OK for now. My fibromyalgia is still affecting me but if I keep the stress level down and take my 10 daily meds, I can function.

We're planning to leave for Florida right after Thanksgiving. December was the coldest month last year and it's already cool now (high of 51º for today with frost most nights). So, maybe I can return to Angelil Adventures "IN THEIR RV!" before too long.

A Better Day

Mother was much better today and had very little confusion. She was moved out of the step-down wing to a regular room this afternoon. That, in itself, is a good sign. Today she realized that her hip isn't hurting, which indicates they released the pressure on her spinal cord.

Phil and Maribeth flew in from Texas today for the JMU Parents' Weekend with Levi and will be coming over to Charlottesville for several days. It's possible that she'll return to Harrisonburg Health and Rehab Center next week. It would be nice if she would be transferred while they're here - IF she's ready. I don't want to rush anything.

Ed and I hate to miss being with Phil and Maribeth but I really need a rest so we will go home for a few days.

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

Mother is in a "step-down" room, which gives more attention than a regular room but less than an ICU wing. She is talking, though somewhat confused. Her incision goes from the tailbone up to her waistline and is draining as it should be.

One of my classmates from grade 1 through high school lives near Charlottesville and came over for lunch today. Linda Morris Powell and I had such fun talking and catching up on everything. It's nice to have Ed here as he monitors me - I've had a lot of fibro pain today so he insisted I not go back to see Mother this evening. I've had a nap and plan to retire for the night soon.

Resting

Mother is coming along, with all her vitals as they should be. They're moving her from ICU into a "step-down" room this afternoon. In a few days, she'll go into a regular room again. The therapists have already been there and had her to sit on the edge of the bed. After them getting her up with some discomfort, she was able to sit upright on her own.

She opened her eyes when we talked to her and had a short conversation. She had told the nurse she didn't have pain and, just as I expected, when I asked her if she hurt, she said she did. Ed explained that as a Southern lady, she wouldn't want to cause the nurse extra work so she denied pain. The nurse immediately got something and added it to her IV. She nodded off in about 5 minutes.

I'm now going to have a long nap.......I am really beat and I admit it (for a change).

Thank you to all our family and friends for your prayers and support.

Prayers Helped with Surgery

4:30 p.m.

The surgeon just called and said the surgery went well and they found just what they had expected. He said her osteoporosis has made her bones very soft so they are making a back brace to add stability for now. I forgot to ask him how many vertebrae were included in the fusion/steel rods but will find out later. I am thankful that they're putting her in ICU for now. Being here at the University of Virginia Medical Center is also reassuring to me because of their experience and the resources at hand. Thank you for your prayers.

Pastor Bob arrived before Mother went down to the prep area and we both went with her. I enjoyed talking to him for over an hour until Ed arrived, then the three of us had a pleasant lunch out on the patio.

Ahhhh, I will be able to sleep tonight - especially since my "Angel Man" is here. He needed to see his doctor this morning regarding his CAT scan last week. He is going to have a PET scan this week - I'm trying not to worry.....

Hunter and Mary Margaret Hollar, my cousins, helped me out this weekend. Besides letting me use their condo, they came over, cooked for me, visited Mother, and gave me rides so I could stay after dark (Their condo is a 10 minute walk away), but most of all, they just "took care of me." God bless them both!

8:00 a.m.
Mother will go down to surgery prep about 9:30. The surgery will be about 10:30 and will last about 5 hours.

Mom moving to private room

Mother is being moved to a private room so her phone number is different. She might be in critical care after surgery so that'll be another room change. (We won't find out the surgery time till tonight.)

Starting today, please call the main number and ask for her by name. 434-982-1100

She's really getting cold feet - this is a VERY long day. Too bad it didn't happen on Friday. Oh, well, it'll all work out in God's plan. Bless all of you!

Surgery postponed

Mother's surgery is postponed until Monday. There is going to be some big surgery which will pull all the OR staff. I wonder if they're doing a transplant or a separation Siamese twins! ; )

The hospital has sitters so we're trying to find one to help her through the night. She is really having a tough time emotionally, even with the anti-anxiety medicine. Plus, she's having some confusion.

I can't get on the internet from my computer so have a few minutes on this one in the Visitor's Lounge. Since it's Saturday the techie who helped us yesterday isn't here here to help......that's terrible - The Computer Team and we can't fix it. When Ed comes back over, he'll probably figure it out.

Mother will be having back surgery tomorrow here at the University of Virginia Medical Center. I was puzzled that it was postponed from Thursday till Saturday because she wanted to think about it. That's not quite right. There are many things that have to be checked out - such as the medical team who decides if her heart is strong enough.

If she gets no treatment, she'll just get worse and worse and worse and the lower back vertebrae could all collapse.

The surgeon met with Ed and me to show us the MRIs and explain what they're going to do. He also called Phil and Phil talked to Mother several minutes because she had said earlier she didn't want the surgery. She's very afraid of the pain after surgery and they've reassured her that they'll be using all sorts of things to fight the pain. Her RN today is a bit older and has been really wonderful with reassuring her.

I was impressed with Mother's smart question: "Will I be able to bend to pick up things from the floor?" They said she would. Finally, she agreed.

In layman's terms: There is a small fracture that shows a little piece of bone that's sort of hanging in the spinal canal. One of the disks has burst and that "jello" type liquid is also leaking into the spinal canal. They will be clearing out the "debris" and putting in screws with 2 rods that will hold the vertabrae in place. They won't know how many vertebrae will be included until they get in there.

The doctor explained to Ed and me that this is no small surgery. The surgery itself will last about 5 hours. She might be in neo-intensive care for a day or so if needed. And she might be here about a week.

They have 4 main goals:
1. To decompress the spinal canal.
2. Push the fracture back or remove it.
3. Fuse as many vertabrae as needed with 2 rods
4. Preserve the function.

Mother's scared and I'm not looking forward to it either - I just hope they deal with the pain as well as they did after Ed's heart surgery. I feel reassured about being here at U.Va. Medical Center with all their resources. Her surgeon is Dr. Mohamad Khled and her nurse said he's the best. I thought he would look foreign but he doesn't. I've googled but haven't found much: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/searchweb/home.cfm?s=+Mohamad+Khaled&st=people&Submit=Search+People

Please send a few extra prayers for her!

p.s. There was not an infection in the spinal canal.

The Mays' Medical Maladies

Mother (83) has continued to struggle with pain and inability to move her left leg. The doctor at the rehab center sent her for an MRI yesterday. That showed several things wrong in her lower back, the most important to address first being a suspected infection. She was sent to our local hospital but there are only 2 specialists - one was out of town and the other couldn't come to the ER. So, she was sent by ground ambulance to the University of Virginia Medical Center Friday evening.

My fibromyalgia kicked in and I feel exhausted so Ed and I decided there was nothing we could do last night and I'd come home, rest, get my meds, etc. to go in the morning.

The doctor called about 4 a.m. There are several problems and they feel surgery is necessary. I had him call my brother, Phil, who is a nurse anesthetist in Texas. As I suggested, they have Phil talk to Mother as she is hesitant, which he did.

Meanwhile, my Uncle Bob (87) was admitted to the hospital last Friday with what they thought was a major stroke. That has turned out to be cancer with tumors on the brain and lungs. They are testing other areas to see if it has spread and to pinpoint what kind of cancer it is. The family met with the doctors yesterday and Uncle Bob wants to do the radiation treatments which may give him 6 months instead of 2. Meanwhile, Aunt Ginny has Alzheimer's and needs to have someone with her. They live just over the hill from me and the one time I might have been able to help is the time Mother is also down.

Meanwhile, yesterday my nephew, Levi, who's a freshman at JMU called. He'd been to the infirmary with a sore throat and pain and had gotten a prescription. I had just returned from Mother's MRI to the rehab center so was able to go get him and go to a pharmacy. He goes back to the infirmary tomorrow and if he's not better, they'll test him for mono.

Ed had bloodwork yesterday and a CAT scan today. The shingles aren't gone and his latest X-ray shows something still on his lung from the pneumonia. He still feels lethargic and had said that tomorrow he was going to stay in bed all day. Looks like he might be going to Charlottesville instead - IF he feels he can handle it.

Sounds like the Mays and Angelils are falling apart up here, huh? I can't write a lot now but will update this blog if possible.

Please pray for us, especially Mother.