Home Sweet Home

I am home and for the most part enjoying it. Seems strange typing on this computer. I have done a few things that make me feel normal again. Laundry, grocery shopping, taking the dog to the vet. I miss Mom terribly and worry all the time. I have Martha there for updates and I call and talk to the nurses. I will be going back tomorrow morning.

From what I know Mom is doing fine. She had her video swallow test yesterday and I talked to the speech therapist. She can swallow just fine, they don't see any problems with that. The problem is she has reflux and what she does swallow is not going down far enough and coming back up in her lungs. Once again, there is good and bad in this. Of course aspiration is not good. But this test has let them see what is going on, which is good. They think she might have a stricture that is causing the problem. So this is what they are going to do. Saturday she is going to have a feeding tube put back in, either her stomach or her intestine, it will depend on when they do a scope and look down her throat and what they find where the tube will go. And the scope will tell them what is going on with the reflux. They also think if this has been happening and her NG tube isn't just in place this could explain alot of the breathing problems and the trouble with getting off of the vent. Her surgery will be on Saturday and I will be back with her.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Long Time Away

Forgive me for being gone. Just been busy or haven't felt like typing.

Lots of things going on, but I'm making it a short post.

Last week her hemoglobin dropped to 7.5 and she received 2 units of blood. She ran a low grade fever for days. Slept all day on Christmas. Friday and Saturday she had fast breathing and on Sunday she had fast breathing and very labored breathing. I knew that was not a good sign, suctioning did not help her. Her blood gas was normal at 5 in the evening on Sunday, at 4:30 Monday morning they called me and said she had to go back on full vent. I was so upset, she didn't even make it off the vent this time.

There is a good part to this though. She has some pneumonia in her right lung. Probably the reason for the troubles. They drew blood and took urine to do tests and cultures on. Infectious disease doctor is bacck on the case and has her on antibiotics. They did cancel her bone marrow biopsy for last night though.

I am going home sometime today. I've come to the point I really need to go home for a bit. I am officially giving up my room, so pray there is one when I get back on Thursday or Friday. This is the best thing for me to do, trust me and hopefully my time will start over again. I don't think she is going anywhere soon and this gives me more time to be with her.

Of course I will have the hospital on the phone a couple times a day!!

Bunches of Love
Angela

Better Day

Mom spent most of Monday sleeping. Her ordeal wore her out. Yesterday (Tuesday)was much better for her. She was awake when I got there and in good spirits. She was very smiley throughout the day.

I learned a few things about why they think she had problems again. There's still the concern about her having the tracheomalacia, but they think there is some sort of apnea going on, especially since the problems happen night. The bad news about that is she might always have to have a ventilator at night. They just really can't say with the stroke and not knowing what will repair itself. He gave me so many different possibilities it just makes your head spin. I got a talking to about my sleep apnea and heart problems too. Dave said he is now concerned for me too! Better than him not caring I suppose. One of the things he said is puzzling the pulmonary department is her secretions. They are concerned a bit about why she keeps having so many. The chance of her having a mucus plug the other night is a possibility. She does not run a fever, white cell count is normal, chest xrays are normal, so they know she does not have any pneumonia. He brought up maybe bronchitis.
I'm not medically trained, but seems to me they could figure that out. So we are looking at weaning her all over again. She will not leave this hospital fully weaned. I guess it's looking like Maple Ridge at Lincoln again. still have lots of faith and hope of what the future will hold. Her spirit is strong, her body is not cooperating.

I have spoke to the hematologist about doing the bone marrow biopsy. Her hemoglobin is still low. He says if it is done right, it is not "that" painful and with her on the ventilator, they will give her something. It will be done at bedside. Could be today, if not, next week.

Time to eat and off to the hospital to see what this day holds. My phone isn't working right just in case anyone needs to know that.

Oh yeah, it snowed about 6 inches, I am so happy----not!!

Bunches of Love
Angela


babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

The Dreaded Stepback

I have bad news this morning. I received a call this morning around 5:30 from the hospital. They had to put Mom back on the ventilator and off I went to the hospital. From what I know right now she got into distrss again and was watched closely. She was sweating but was cold and clammy. Her respiratory therapist last night is the same one who was there when it happened before and said she recognized her struggling. I understand that the house doctor was in the room with her. They did some emergency labs and sent them to Kishwaukee Hospital. She had 2 blood gases by 7:00 this morning and they were back to normal. When she was suctioned they got tube feeding, so that might of been in her lungs. The tube feeding has been stopped and taken out of her room already. They had already done a chest xray. The doctor had called to check on her around 6:30. She looks absolutely exhausted even though they said how much better she looked. She did open her eyes and look at me once. It is nice everyone comes by to check on her and make sure I am ok or if I need anything. Her RT told me in her opinion she might continue to have problems as long as she has the NG tube in her nose, that they see that alot. She was off the ventilator for almost 3 weeks this time! And here we are again. So I guess I will see what happens today. Keep those prayers coming.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

Blue Lips?

Good Evening to the MaryLee fan club!!! Take one guess about what it is doing outside........if you guessed snowing you are correct and win nothing but the news of the day!

I feel it was a wonderful day indeed. Today Mom had another swallow test with the applesauce. She did GREAT!!!! When the speech therapist put the spoon to her mouth, she opened and took the applesauce, moved it around in her mouth and swallowed.
she swallowed even better with ice on the spoon with the sauce. (They say that is because it adds extra sensation) So today she had 6 bites of applesauce and beautiful blue lips when she was done. Good thing it's her favorite color. When she was suctioned there was no blur dye........even better!!! Tomorrow they are going to try to do the swallow test with the xray. Then they can watch and see it go down and make sure all is right. She has not tried any water yet and I understand that is harder. But what a good step forward. I told her she did an excellent job and I was so proud of her and happy. She gave me a wink and took a nap. Nothing more really exciting the rest of the day. Same routine, but I'll take that over a bad day.

I did something different tonight. Debbie, my housemate, has alot of her family here, including her 2 year old grandson, which makes me miss Luca even more. Their family was going to go out and eat at Applebee's and invited Mike (the other housemate) to go with them. We did and it was nice to go out and to play peek-a-boo across the table. I got enough to bring back and have for supper tomorrow.

Do we have bad weather at home? I understand it was horrible around Springfield. Debbie's parents were on their way home and had to stop and get a hotel around Springfield. Hope you all are ok.

Tonight's picture gallery will be....
Some pics of Mom the way she looked when I went in this morning,
her dog Faith dressed for the season,
Mom holding her right hand in her left,
and I tried some outside pics of the snow

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Slow Snowy Saturday

Yeah, more snow. Not too much though. I did see them taking snow from the parking lot with a dump truck. Maybe getting ready for the next big one.

Nothing too exciting to report. She had a good day. Slept off and on, but when awake, she was very alert. I showed her the clothes I went and got Jonah & Paige, she approved with a smile! Her secretions were less thick today, which is good. They are doing some stool cultures to check for blood because of her hemoglobin. She would be glad I shared that one with ya. She didn't fight about getting up this evening. They had stopped her blood sugar checks and started them up again, not sure why, will find out about that though.

I tried to do the therapy with her today. I showed her a small ball and her comb. I asked her to look at each one and she did. I ask her which one was used on hair. She looked right at me and gave me a big eye roll. I took her hand and showed her the comb anyways and told her about it even though I think she knew and thought I was the stupid one (not that she is). Maybe tomorrow I will do the yes/no questions with her. I tried to get her to do some of the swallowing exercises today like sticking her tongue out and smiling and puckering. They help strengthen the muscles. She didn't cooperate though. I do believe I saw her later out of the corner of my eye sticking her tongue out. I didn't let her know I saw her.


I had the chicken today, it was good. They had a salad with candied walnuts, dried cranberries and apples in a vinaigrette, that was good too. For dessert there were many kinds of mini cheesecakes. I couldn't decide which to take and the girl told me they were free take one of each, so I did. Didn't want to hurt her feelings or anything. I snacked on them throughout the day. I didn't used to eat anything in front of Mom, but I sometimes do now. I tell her she will be able to eat these good things again after she relearns her swallowing and should do her exercises. I don't know if that is being mean or not because she honestly doesn't seem that interested in eating.

I will put up a few more pics, they will be of her room and her view out the window to the courtyard.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Snow Again

Woke up this morning to more snow and of course I was going to go to Wal-Mart, but I did go! It has snowed all day, but nothing has really stuck, it has all pretty much melted when it hits ground.

When I got to the hospital this morning, ma was sleeping. Woke up and gave me a smile though. I went down and ate at the cafeteria for their holiday dinner and it was free! Even better! I chose the manicotti and garlic bread and mashed potatoes. Some combination huh? Ate a whole bunch of fresh fruit too. I was told that they were doing it again tomorrow, but not sure. If so, I will have the cranberry stuffed chicken.

OK, you want to hear about Mom and not what I eat right? Good day overall. I was told she was awake all morning. Good vitals all day. A substitute speech therapist came in to work with her and I got to watch. She told me some things that I can do to help her. Her physical therapist said she did well today and she was resisting a bit which he says is good. He is still working on getting her an order to go down to the "gym".

She got mad because she didn't want to get up again tonight and I told her she had to.
It's so hard because it is like I am the mom now and she is the child. She was mad enough that she wouldn't even smile at her cardio boyfriend and he noticed! The hematologist said her hemoglobin was a bit better today.

I had a talk with her about the situation we are in together and told her how it was!! She turned her head away from me and I turned mine from her for a bit. When I looked at her next, she winked at me. Maybe she thought about it or she forgot, wish I knew what was going on in her brain.

I watched TV with my 2 house mates this evening. It is nice that we all like each other and get along. We do alot of talking too. Debbie is here for her 22 year old son who was in a car crash and is paralyzed. They are from around St. Louis. Mike is here for his wife. I know he said she has had problems with her lungs for along time. He is from Morris I believe, about an hour away I think.

I am going to post a few pics of Mom's room tonight for you, I think they will end up at the beginning because I am not sure how to get them where I want.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Yesterday--Yuck Today--Yay

Like the picture? It is a self portrait. I am actually surprised she let me take it.

Yesterday was stressful and blah for me. When I got to the hospital I didn't think Mom looked right. She was having really labored breathing too. I had to go down to the social workers office to work on some insurance things which are absolutely a nightmare. I don't know if I could do that for a living. There was a scare in the morning, they thought she might be having another stroke, but she was not. She had alot of mucus yesterday and alot of plugs. So she got a warmer for her aerosol and that has seemed to help break things up.

The hematologist is worried about her hemoglobin. He says it is too low and if it doesn't improve he wants to do a bone marrow biopsy. I am not too sure about that one. I asked him today what her numbers were and what he wanted them to be. He said yesterday it was 9.1 and today it was 8.8 and for her it should be around 11 because she is sick, normally a 12. He is going to keep an eye on it over the weekend.

By the way, here is what she has with her trachea.......TRACHEOMALACIA

The gastro doc checked her yesterday. Here is what they are working on now. She can't get moved anywhere while she has a NG tube. They don't really want to put a feeding tube back in her stomach while she still has a wound from the first tube. So...she needs to be able to eat. They did a swallow test on her last evening The speech therapist had to really coax her to get her to swallow, but she did it. The best news is that it went down the right way. They use blue applesauce and after swallowing in about 10 minutes they suction her to see if any went into her lungs and she passed and didn't have any for 24 hours. So now they are working on her swallowing, doing exercises with her.

I spoke up about she has not been out of her room yet like promised. John the Physical Therapist is going to work on that tomorrow and he will, he is good.

Today was a much better day. She was very awake and alert and smiley all day. Love to talk to her and see what kind of expressions I get. She really participates. She didn't want to get up tonight in her chair. She made that very clear by fighting her aide. I gave in and told them they didn't have to get her up. But when she started to push away the RT's hand because she didn't want to get suctioned, I did hold her hand down and make her mad. I reminded her she really has to have that done so she can breather and I got the eye roll. She was smiling the whole time I was putting her lotion on also. Must of felt good.

There is one thing she did that I am just amazed at. An aide was in and put a new bracelet on her. She picked up the papers the aide had laid on the bed. So I gave her a paper off the bulliten board and told her she could hold that. (she loves holding things) It was her swallowing exercises instructions and she held them up and I swear read them. I watched her eyes go back and forth. Then when she was done I told her there was more on the back. She laid the paper down, turned it over, picked it back up and seemed to read it and then gave it to me. They are always telling me how she won't follow commands, but they never seem to focus on what she does do. That bothers me.

Now, I need some help. She will be going to a nursing home when she leaves here. They are trying to get the insurqnce company to approve her coming to Decatur. I need honest answers about what snyone knows or has experienced at any of the nursing homes in Decatur and I want honest answers!!!! Oh there is one on the list for Sullivan rehab, not the Mason one. But Mason Point is on the list too. OK so maybe the surrounding areas too. The goal is to get her strong enough to attend a special stroke rehab program and there is a wonderful one in Springfield and then for her to be able to come home and live. Please, Please let me know!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh she got to hear Luca on the phone this evening and it was the biggest smile and twinkle in her eyes I have seen for quite awhile. It was good for her, another reason to get her closer to home.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitgorwardhouse.org

That worked!!!

I see the picture worked. I wasn't finished yet though.

Yes, that is the lovely Prince and Princess at Medieval Times.

Everyone be sure to check out the lovely pic of the #1 follower......Miss Gail. Reminds me I need my hair cut. Also reminds me when I do my Mom's hair I always sing her Beauty School Dropout and she rolls her eyes at me. Maybe because I only know 2 lines of words. Ha!

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com

Good day? Bad Day? Not Sure

I know I am really far behind. Just been feeling really mentally stressed out and had a headache for many days so I have just been taking it easy.

I will try to make this easy and uncomplicated. I am very tired, but wanted to update.
They tried to plug her trach last Friday and it didn't go so well. So here is the story....they do not think at this time she will be able to be plugged. Has something to do with her stroke. Has a big name I will tell later. So from the respiratory side they can not do anything else for her.

Ok, so we start talking where to go from here.....

Find out today that she can't go on somewhere with the NG tube in her nose, but she does not have to be at a facility for her vent. Basically I have 3 options because now she has to be somewhere they will take a trach with aerosol. Dietary is supposed to come talk to me tomorrow and her speech therapist is going to start working with her tomorrow on swallowing. I thought we might be out of here this week and now I guess not.

Another worry for me is I was extended another week here at the house on Sunday. Now they have someone wanting a room and basically I am the one to have to go. I think I should still get my week and I know I don't want to go home and leave Mom here, but I might not have a choice. That is part of my stress right now.

I am going to try to post a pic and if it works, I will have one of Mom for you tomorrow.

Snow & Thunder

What a cold night it is here, is it at home? We have had about a foot of snow and it's very cold and windy. I am glad I really don't have to go anywhere and just have to walk across the parking lot. I know we get snow, but sheesh, they say this is typical up here. It's like it does not stop snowing.

Having a good couple of days. Still taking it slow and getting her used to breathing on her own. She wears her talker during the day and they take it off at night. Her numbers are still very good. Her BP tonight was 130/78. I threw that one in for someone who might be interested and they know who they are!

They said her kidney function tests are looking better, which is a good thing. Still giving her some fluids.

She participated this morning more than usual with her physical therapy.

Her cardio boyfriend was in this evening. He said he had only one concern. Her ejection fracture is about 45% and at some time it had been 50%. This is from when she had an echocardiogram many weeks ago and he is just telling me this. He said he thinks with the combo of meds she is on now, that in time it will help and maybe improve. He said he would be happy as long as it does not get worse. He thinks as she gets up and can be more physical that it will help too. Yes, she lit up when he came in and talked to her.

I had to do something this evening that I have so far not had to do. COMPLAIN!!
There was an issue with me asking me to do something and it didn't get done for 2 hours. Well, I marched my booty down to the nurse surpervisor and made my feelings known. Also talked about a few issues that I have not been real pleased with.

I also found out that they have been giving her some pain meds and as far as I know they have not done that til now. I don't think I like it, makes her sleep. I know she can't really tell anyone if she has pain, but I think I would be the one who could tell them by how she acts. She does hold her head sometimes which makes me think she might have a headache and sometimes she holds her tummy. I honestly don't think she has been in alot of pain, I would not let her be if I thought so. She told me once in this day and age of medicine, there is no reason for anyone to suffer with pain.

The wound nurse said her tummy is healing great!!! She said there could of been alot of complications with the site, but she was healing great. I am so thankful for all of the blessings we are receiving with her.

Want to know about Thunder?\

It would be a four legged sweetie that I call Thunder the Wonder dog.
Mary Lou who runs the house brings her dog with her to the house. Which I absolutely love because I miss my babies at home. Well. Mr. Thunder is a certified therapy dog and today he came to visit Mom! I think she really enjoyed seeing him. Could be because he doesn't jump like those crazy dogs at my house. Thunder put his chin up on her bed and licked her. She had big smiles while he was there. She reached out and petted him several times and even fed him some treats. I am so glad she enjoyed it. She got to visit with Mary Lou also. Here is the part that brought a tear to my eye. When Mary Lou and Thunder were getting ready to go, Mary Lou reached down and patted Mom's hand. Mom took her hand and kissed it and smiled at her. We decided that meant she enjoyed her visit and would like Thunder to come back and see her. Maybe it was a thank you also for Mary Lou telling her what a wonderful daughter she had and she could see where she got it from (Just ringing my bell *wink*. Actually I do think I am who I am because of my Mom and grandma and grandpa, they raised me right. I try to do them proud!

Last night she did not want me to leave. She held on to me and played with my hair and wanted me to lay my head on her chest and I did just what she wanted. What wonderful memories we are making together. I guess she got tired of me because later on she patted me on the arm and let me up.

I see more and more of her coming out. It is so good in a way, but them frustrating for me. I was trying to do something yesterday which was taking care of me and she swatted my hand away and got upset with me. She swatted my hand and didn't want anything on her lips. Later she let me put lip gloss on her. At least she is beginning to be able to communicate what she wants.

On the home from, Jeff took the dogs to the vet tonight. I knew he was taking Rox, but they all went and we knew they all had some issues. Well, $674.00 later......yes, you read that right here is what we have. I'll try to get it right, have to remember what he told me.....Brandy-more ear troubles, got the injections in her ears that do help and has 4 meds to take. Rox-bacteria and fungus on the skin, infected teeth and arthritis, he gets 5 meds and topical spray, got a shot and has to go back once a week for a month to get a shot and is going to get his teeth cleaned and finally Shaggy (my prescious) he has a bacteria and fungus issue with his skin also, a mass on his booty that was biopsied, bumps on skin that were biopised, arthritis, and sedated and xrayed and has a torn acl in his knee, he only has 2 meds to take, the topical skin spray and is getting the same shots as Rox. Sounds like we don't take care of them doesn't it. We try. Poor Jeff will be getting up a half hour earlier every morning to medicate the dogs before work.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings, it does help me to write and I have support group tonight and that makes me feel good. Tonight I made a rainbow with construction paper. It is what I think of when I think of hope......Sun after the Rain.

I am off to bed, the pain pill is kicking in and maybe I can sleep tonight.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Oh yeah....Jeff is sending me my meds up in the mail and the cords and program I need to put pics on for you. I hope I can figure it out!!!

Ornery

I woke up to the sound of a snowplow. Ack. Just about a 1/2 inch. The sidewalks here at the house are always magically shoveled. I am told we are expecting up to 12 inches. I better go get some milk tomorrow and be ready so I don't have to drive. I was planning on going to Rockford to go to Hobby Lobby this week and get Mom a small Christmas tree. Time will tell when I can go, I do believe there is a Gordman's near. I could get in trouble.

There isn't a whole lot to tell. Still on the aerosol oxygen. They are putting her talked valve on because it is a bit harder work with that on and that will build her up for having her trach plugged. She has been ornery. She pulled her NG tube out of her nose twice in 24 hours. She had her mitt on this morning when I got in.

I guess the only change is some of her kidney function tests came back abnormal. So the kidncy doc is called in to look at her and he was in with his assistant. They have a couple theories, but I don't think they are too worried at this time. They were going to change on of her BP meds because that could effect the kidneys and she might be a bit dehydrated and were going to give her some extra fluid.

Her cardio boyfriend was in to check on her. I just wish you all could see how she lights up when he comes in the room. He told her how well she was doing and he wasn't going to promise her a rose garden, but he could tell her she was going to get better.

One of the aides told me today how much she loved taking care of Mom especially since her personality is coming out. She said she was halarious.

Today she held her gown for the nurse when she was repacking her stomach wound. And she put her pillows back on the bed for the aide when she was getting ready to put her back to bed.

She was more sleepy today than yesterday, but woke up for periods and watched TV and let me bug her. I didn't get a hug tonight, but she was sleeping. Getting up in the chair always make her very tired.

I got another week at the house. Right now I am on a week by week basis. I have used my 3 weeks and as long as nobody is on the waiting list, I get my room for another week. I have been told by a few that they will not make you leave. The woman who was here when I got here was here 6 1/2 weeks and I know there was a waiting list, because I was on it!

Someone dropped off cupcakes this morning. They were left over from a surprise birthday party. They were the kind that were really too pretty to eat. But I did manage to eat one. The community really seems to care about this house and takes care of the guests.

Mom is supposed to have a surprise visitor tomorrow. I will let you all know.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Hugs

Probably the best day yet!!!!!!

This evening when I reached down to hug Mom goodnight she put her arm all the way around me and hugged me back, tight!!! She held on for a few minutes too. Then she rubbed my face and played with my hair. I stayed a bit longer because the nurse came in to do her thingy and I hugged her again before leaving and I got another hug again. Made me cry.

Still on the aerosol oxygen and having good numbers. She wore the talker valve today, but she didn't talk. I think that she will have to relearn that.


The cardio was in and said the heart is still great. I did ask him about if down the road she should have her carotid artery cleaned out. He said in the future, but now is not a priority. She had that big ole smile for him again.

The RT remindeed her this evening that tomorrow would be 72 hours off the vent which means that they take it out of the room. I reminded her that last time that happened is when she had problems and maybe they could just keep it in the corner for now. I was serious, but I think she thought I was joking.

Here are a few things she did today, kinda letting you know how she acts and responds.

The nurse was giving her a heparin shot and told her she was sorry because she knew that they stung. I looked at Mom and told her a sting was better than getting a blood clot and she looked at me and smiled and nodded her head yes a bit.

Warning.....explicit details coming up

She had her sheet off and her left leg up and was moving it around. Her gown had come up and I told her that her hoo-hoo was showing. She looked down and then proceeded to straighten out her gown and smile at me. Good thing poor Jeff wasn't there for that one!

We are under a winter storm advisory til Wednesday night....Yuk

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Littlle Miss Smiley

First of all, I am typing on this little laptop that my brother gave me to use. Not complaining, but not used to it and not used to not having a mouse. I am hiding in my bedroom because there are 10 other people in the house tonight and I don't feel like being social. Plus, my nice quiet retreat is far from quiet tonight and I guess I am grumpy. I also figured out that I had 2 posts thats for some reason didn't show up. I guess I better check to make sure they post from now on.

Friday started out with me finding them bringing Mom back in from CAT scan when I got there. Apparently her docotr thought she was too lethargic and was afraid she nmight be having another stroke. Good news...all was fine. The RT and radiology girl told me she was fine and awake for them and maybe since the doctor only sees her 5 minutes a day, maybe she could of considered she was sleepy. She is doing good off the vent and with her oxygen and she had a good blood gas yesterday.

The rehab doctor came in the evening and was really nice. I had not met her before. She was checking in on Mom and wanted to talk to me about the changes I saw in her and what she was doing for me. She said the family always get a better result and knows more. She said she had really good reports all week and Karen, her therapist was seeing changes in her. We talked about all the things she was doing and improving on and she was really pleased. We talked about different places she may be able to go when she is done at Kindred. I have known all along and probably most of you too, that she will need to go somewhere and have intenseive rehab. They say she is not ready for a brain trauma center yet, but she might be able to go somewhere first, probably a nursing home, and when she gets to the point she could handle to trauma center. Time will tell. Alot of it depends on where she is at when she is released from Kindred.

I went in today and she was smiling at me and she was very smiley and expressive all day. Her aide said she winked at her this morning and was all excited because of how happy Mom was all day. Several others commented on her today too.

She had another good day with her breathing and good numbers. The pulmonologist's PA was in today. He said they did a histogram on her last night and everything was great. They were worried about something showing up that would of indicted a problem due to her stroke, which it didn't and he was happy about that. He said they will do another histogram when they have the trach plugged and see what that shows.

When Rich called today she was awake and I put the phone up to her ear for her to hear him. She put her hand on mine and held the phone tight on her ear and when she was done, took her hand down.

We watched TV together, I read to her out of her Sandra Lee magazine and showed her pictures. Of course she got her body butter on and clean fuzzy socks and I always do her hair when she gets up in the chair. Today she had on a headband with a pretty bow on it and lots of people commented on how pretty she looked. I think one day she might get me for everything.

My prayers are with Marla and her family.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

And She's Off..........

Yes, she is off the ventilator today!!! Just getting some oxygen and that's all folks. She did cough alot and bring up alot of mucus, but that's a good thing. Great that she can bring it up herself and get rid of it. Not the most pleasant view though. I won't go into details for all of ya. I am trying not to get nervous, but I am worrying about her having troubles again. I know they are watching her even closer, but I don't like seeing her go through it again. Her oxygen sats ran at 99-100 so that was good also. I am sure they will be doing a blood gas on her in the next couple of days.

This evening her heart rate decided to jump up again. I thought ok, the cardiologist is sitting down at the desk and will be around soon and I can talk to him about it. Sure enough it did it again about 15 minutes later just as he was walking in her room and I was like, you are just the man who needs to be in here!!! I showed him the number and he was like Oh that isn't right and whips out that stethoscope and listens to her heart and says she is fine, just look at her. Then he took he pulse and reassured me she was fine. Ok, so I have to tell him about yesterday and he said that he has never seen anything come up on her telemetry and that will put it back on and check her again. I say, it's back on, he says great, he will check it out. (Did I do that short or what?)

I don't know what it is about the cardio man. I think his name is Dr. Minn. Mom absolutely loves this man. He reminds me alot of Dr. Scott. Just a kind human being who loves being a doctor. So I don't know if Mom reacts to him because of his bedside manner (he always gets down and talks to her where she can see him, touches her and talks slow and calm) or if because he is Asian he reminds her of Jonah. Seriously, her circuitry is different and we don't know what she thinks.

I put her hair up in a ponytail today while she was in the chair, I thought she looked rather cute. I also managed to change her gown on my own. Told ya I was becoming a little nurse. I told her today while changing her gown that they could either pay me or discount her bill. She liked that one, I got a smile and an eye roll. Now just so you all know, they do take good care of her, but not like I do. If I think her gown has a wet spot on it from that yucky mucus, by golly I can change her gown if I want. I also brush her hair all day, keep her body butter on her at least daily, keep her lips moist and change her snazzy socks daily.

I changed rooms here at the house on Monday. They got a new couple at the house today. They are going to have some more people over the weekend and I offered the big room for them because I am nice like that. (Jeff might tell you it was because the room I had is freezing) My new room is warmer though. We had snow flurries this morning. I need to learn how to say that in Spanish for Raul. Better go check the book. I'm still keeping you guessing on that.

Here are a few messages for people that I think are reading.....

Rita....yes, I do remember Mom talking about you. She thought alot of you and I did tell her you were reading and what you said and she smiled at me. I do believe she knew who I was talking about. Thank you for your prayers!

Ashleigh.....I want to talk to Luca, I miss him so much, but I don't want to upset him either or have him look for me. Just please talk to him about Nanny and Marylee and don't let him forget how much I love him and miss him. Mom and I even have been watching Phineas and Ferb on TV, it reminds us of Luca!! Kisses to you my little buddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, now I am gonna cry.....really :O(

Marie......Got the card from your Mom, please tell her thank you. I really think Mom enjoyed getting mail and having me read it to her, she even held and looked at the card herself...And you know how much I love those two little angels, I will take them anyday.

Love you Bunches
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Behind

Yes, I am behind. I blame it all on Raul. I will leave you guessing about that one for awhile.

How about I talk about Mom? She has been doing really well. Monday she went on the peak pressure of 10 instead of 15, tolerated that well and on Tuesday she went to a 4 on the ventilator and today she went to CPAP. Yes, she is doing it all on her own right now, just receiving some pressure support.

She slept alot on Monday and most of Tuesday morning. Then she was awake for Tuesday afternoon and the evening. When I went in today a bit after 10 she was awake and stayed awake mostly. When I left about 7:30 she was sleeping, she had been up in her chair. This evening was the first time I have seen her take the remote (or whatever you call it in the hospital) and hold it, look at it and turn up and volume. The social worker was in today and boy, she sure smiled at her. I think it was bigger than I get!

A few things going on. They took her telemetry off the other day (heart monitor) decided that she didn't need it anymore, which is a good thing. Well today I was sitting with her and one of the machines was going off and I am right up checking it, was a different beep that I was used to. Her heart rate was up to 173. Here comes a nurse and a wound nurse. They decided that she was not in distress, reset the alarm of off they went. About an hour later the darn thing went off again and went up to 213. Ok, so I am calm. I am watching her, she is awake and alert and seems fine and her rate goes down and I reset the alarm. (I am getting very good at playing aide and nurse) I let her nurse know about it and she said she would chart it and let the next nurse know. I also let her know when Mom gets to moving her leg sometimes it means she wants to be turned or she is uncomfortable. She said the night shift before said she was doing that and they think that means she is anxious. Maybe she does get anxious, but I know for one it could be the uncomfortable or I think she is just moving around. I think I might know something since I am the one who sits by her all day and watches her.

When the pulmonologist and his physicians assistant were in later, I let them know about it and I am pretty sure the telemetry will be going back on. They also ordered her a chest xray. They talked about what their plans were with Mom. She is going to get watched very close this time she is off the ventilator and plugged because of what happened last time. There are some different theories on what could be going on. 1-is she was tired and they still think that was part of it. 2-sleep apnea and 3-she has some hypo ventilation. Ok, let me try to get this right. When you hyperventilate, you don't breathe enough and don't get rid of enough carbon monoxide and that is what puts you in distress. Of course, you can always look it up! HAHAHA!

Then the other thing is a nasty infection. I will try to make this a short story. I noticed all day people were putting gowns on to come in Mom's room and thought they just didn't know what they were doing. I ask Karen her RT why and she says it might be because she has an infectious warning outside her door. Ha, well aren't I smart and observant. I just go in the room, I had not even noticed it. I do swear though I am taking good care of her. I ask her nurse who does not know why and said she will check it out and she comes back with a piece of paper and gives it to me and tells me this is why. She said her and one of the RT's had to google it to get the right spelling. So here is what it is, they found in her mucus.

Resistant Stenotrophouonas Maltophilia

I have looked it up,pretty complicated, but then again, probably pretty simple. I will be checking it out tomorrow.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Long Weekend, but a Good One

Sorry for not posting, was very busy. We had a great weekend. If anyone could of seen the look on Mom's face when she saw Jonah and Paige....not really any words for it. She is definitely aware of what is going on. She even hugged Jonah. I'm going to make this short. I really need to go and get ready to go to the hospital. I have been working on her social security disability forms online for over 2 hours this morning. I have the phone interview today.

On the medical front she is doing just fine. As of yesterday she was on a 6 on her ventilator. Today they are not going to lower that number, but instead lower her pressure from 15 to 10 and if she tolerates that well, she will go to a 4 tomorrow and hopefully by Wednesday she will be on CPAP.

I will tell more about the weekend later.

Bunches of Love,
Angela


babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org

Thanksgiving Day

It was a nice holiday here in Sycamore. I actually slept in and Mom was asleep when I got to the hosptial. They lowered her vent from 14 to 12. (that is breaths per minute) She had a good day, tolerated the change with no problem. She also had alot of awake time too! I like to sit and just talk to her, but I try to be quiet too. She gets tired easy and I try not to overload her senses, which is not good for a stoke patient like her. I did try to soak and scrub her fingernails for her and she did not like it!! Back to the drawing board on that one. She was up in her chair for about 3 hours in the evening. It was actually too long, she was getting very fidigity and went right to sleep when she got back in bed. She winked at me too! That made my day!!

I had a nice dinner in the cafeteria. I had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green bean casserole and some apple pie and I have to say it was really pretty good.

Today is exciting for me. Jeff is coming today!!!!!!!!!!! Then this evening Rich, Marie, Jonah and Paige will be here. I have not got to love on those babies for several months and plan to spoil them while they are here. Hey, isn't that my right as an aunt? I know Mom will be so glad to see everyone. She will have a busy weekend. Saturday night the 6 of us are going to Midevil Times. I don't think the kids or Jeff have been there. I think it will be really fun and good for me to get away for awhile.

I hope everyone had a wonderful day and ate lots!! Mom's aid Ruby said she ate too much turkey when she came back for her break and was moaning about how much her stomach hurt and she couldn't bend over. Mom was smiling at her. She is one of the sweetest aides we have had. Hope she can move today!

Bunches of Love, Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitfowardhouse.org

Thanksgiving Eve

Good late evening everyone :O)

Today started the weaning process again. Let's see if I can explain this so it is understandable.
They moved her from full ventilator breathing for her to the ventilator breathing with her. It is still going to breathe with her for 14 breaths, but anything over that she is doing on her own. Does that make sense. I am a little nutty lately, maybe all of you should worry about me! HAHA!!

I spoke with the Pulmonologist's Physician Assistant today. Had not met him before. Seems to be a really nice person and a caring medical provider. He calls Mom..Nurse Ryan and said he makes sure everyone knows she is a nurse. He said that is because they need to remember she can hear what is going on and she knows what is being done to her and why. He said that can be a good thing or a bad thing. He said they were disappointed having to put her back on the ventilator, but he assured me it isn't uncommon. He said they were just so excited for her because being off the ventilator opened up so much more for her rehab. He explained to me that this is a dance. Sometimes they lead, sometimes mom leads. It just takes time and patience to get the dance in sync. I just love that explanation for some reason.

He had explained to me her episode and being put back on the vent was a bit puzzling. They still think she was getting tired, but the way I understood it, there is still a bit of concern about infections. Of course she still has some because of her belly (and they said that could take months to heal) but she is on 4 IV antibiotics and she is still getting a high white cell count.

I asked about her still having so much mucus and if it was because of her laying and not moving around. He said that was part of it, but when they were on a ventilator and with oxygen, they had to give them some moisture with those things which introduced moisture in the lungs and made a bit more mucus. So it's one of those things. He said that is another reason to get them off the ventilator a plug the trach is to help dry them out. Maybe we could put her on the clothesline.

He also said they were going to do a test on her and didn't get to it because of going back on the vent. I believe it is called a histology. I had Carol, her very sweet Respiratory Therapist explain it to me. So the way I understand it is they keep track of her breathing at night and basicly are checking for sleep apnea, which could wear her out. I told her I didn't doubt if she had it. I have it and wear a CPAP. So when she gets back to where they can do that test on her, they will.

Oh I got Mom's car fixed. Everyone here is so sweet. The hospital maintence man jumped the car for me. Mary Lou (who runs the house, my house mom) followed me to the repair shop and brought me back and Teri the very nice lady at the hospital front desk took me and dropped me off to pick it up when she got off work. Just needed a new battery. Now...what is wrong with Zach's car?

I went to a support group last night and I really enjoyed it. It was just me, another woman and Katherine who does the group. It is nice to talk to people who are going through what you are and know what you are feeling is normal. I am going to eat dinner with her tomorrow since we are both alone. The hospital is serving a Thanksgiving dinner. I will report back on that. I don't think they will have mom's homemade noodles. Since I don't care for pumpkin pie, I got a piece of pumpkin cheesecake at Barnes and Noble today. I hope it is as good as it looks.

I want everyone to have a wonderful Thanksgiving, eats lots and think of me and enjoy and love your family and friends. Life is fine one day and not the next.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
http://www.kindredhospitalsyc.com/
http://www.payitfowardhouse.org

An even quicker one :O)

First of all, yes my phone was dead last night. Sorry. Jeff says it is hard to leave comments and you have to do it as anonymous. So if you do leave me one. Better tell me who it is!! That is one of the reasons I was going to start putting the email address on each post.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitfowardhouse.org

A Quick One

All is well, I am just behind. Still keeping her on ventilator for a few days before staring the weaning process again, so she can rest. Mom was awake more yesterday and interacting with me. Didn't seem as mad at me as she was on Monday. I am adding my email address, the hospital website and house website at the bottom of my posts for now. I have to sit a figure out how to make sidebars on the blog and frankly my brain just can't process it right now.

Bunches of Love,
Angela


babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitfowardhouse.org

Long Day-Short Post

This won't be long, I am about to fall asleep. Didn't sleep much last night and had a stressful day today. I have been told it is not uncommon to go back on a vent many times until the person is able to be off of it full time. Mom was off for 4 days and they said she just got too tired. They are giving her a few days on the ventilator for her to rest up and then they will start weaning again. Thanks for all the prayers and keep them coming. Oh, she was more awake today and I got the vibe she was ticked off all day. Oh well, I still love her.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

Ventilator

Not so good news. I got a call last night around 12:15 from Mom's nurse. They said he had some problems and was put back on the ventilator. I went right over to the hospital. Details are still kind of sketchy right now. They say she just couldn't handle the breathing on her own right now and got too tired. She was resting when I got there. I was told she might not be responsive to me, but she did open her eyes, focus on me and smile. They were doing a bunch of lab work on her, getting a blood gas, started another antibiotic and said she would get a chest xray and cat scan today. When I left her around 2:30 she was sleeping (finally nobody messing with her) and was stable. No more calls in the night. They said her oxygen levels and blood gas and everything was just fine, they think she was tired. I have a meeting today at 1 (was already scheduled) and I will find out more. This is supposed to be about where she has been and where they think she is going. I'll let everyone know tonight.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

Small Step Back

Today was a good day, just a small step back. She seemed to working really hard to breathe, you could tell by watching her stomach. She was working those muscles pretty good. So they put her back on the oxygen she was getting through the trach. You could tell within a few minutes that it helped. I was told not to worry, that was normal. Usually when they start stopping the oxygen through the trach, they do half and half. Half on the oxygen and half with the trach plugged for a 24 hr period and they didn't do that with her.

The cardiologist was in and listened to her heart and said all was good. He made the comment to her that he was sure she was sore from doing all that work while breathing on her own. That was before they put back on oxygen. She woke up for him and rubbed his hand and smiled at him. I think she likes him. Don't we all know how we feel about someone. He is very nice and soft spoken and he gets down in her face to talk to her and is never in a hurry.

Mom slept most of the day today. I put a bunch more pictures up for her and she was looking at them. Maybe tomorrow I will get something out of her besides a smile, not that that isn't good enough!!! They did start her tube feeding and it is not leaking out her belly.

Anyone want my story about going home? Went home Wednesday afternoon. It was really good to be home, but I missed Mom. Jeff and I went to visit Luca and Ashleigh that evening. I knew I missed Luca, but didn't know how much til I saw him. He seems like he has grown so much in just a month. I think he missed me too!!! I was hard to leave him. I took a few videos for Mom and we have watched them a few times, but then she goes to sleep.

I ran into a few problems while I was home and luckily they let me spend another night at home. I learned that it is hard to get a nurse on the phone to check on Mom. Does anyone else experience that?

Being home was nice. Got to love on my sweetie and Zach and the doggies. When I got home, Jeff was vacuuming. That is attractive!!! He even cooked for me Thursday night. Best meal I have had for awhile.

I went to see the lawyer Friday morning and then Martha met me and gave me a book she bought, more on that later. Then I was off. I stopped in Bloomington at the mall to get mom some of her favorite body butter at Victoria's Secret. Anyone who knows mom, knows she does not like to have dry skin! They were having a sale, so I got me some too. They have my favorite scent there too! It's not bad when they have a sale. If you spent so much, you got a gift. A free pair of thongs. WooHoo. They are packaged like a cupcake, really pretty. I took them out and decided they might fit on one of my legs. HAHA Anyone want them??? I stopped and went to the bathroom and got a drink at Mickey D's. On the road again, I was going to call Jeff, couldn't find my phone. Stopped at the next offramp and tore the car apart looking for it. Nothing. Only thing I could think of was I accidently threw it away at McD's. I had to turn around and drive back 32 miles. Went in and told the, was not in garbage. Great! A nice employee went out with me and called my phone. Somehow it got down in the seat and I couldn't see it. Sigh....at least I hadn't lost it. Back on the road, 64 miles wasted. I was so glad to get here.

They put a realtor's lock on the house with the key in it for me. Do you think I could get it open....NO, of course not. I do know how to do a combination lock. I had to call Mary Lou and she got me in the house (it's a secret how) finally got to go over and see Mom.

Saturday morning I try to get in the car and they remote doesn't work. Oh, the battery is dead. I figure I left something on. I came to the house early in the afternoon to get my key out of the box. The volunteers got it right out. Makes me look smart! One of the ladies had some jumper cables and she went with me and we got the car started. I let it run awhile and drove it around town. Parked it and turned it off and back on to check it. I go out around 5 to go get something to eat and its dead again. Luckily I didn't have to have it. I am right next to the hospital and I did have some food in the freezer. I will ask tomorrow and find out where I can take it. Can anything else go wrong this week? Guess I will just laugh.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

Quick Update

Did anyone think I disappeared? More of that later...... Mom is doing good. They have her trach plugged and she does have a nasal cannula with some oxygen, but she is doing all the work on her own!!! Her oxygen stats are around 98-100% and her heart rate is good. The infectous disease doctor did reorder all of her antibiotics since she still has drainage from her tummy. Last evening the gastro-guy ordered for her to start getting fed through her NG (nose) tube. If anything comes out of her stomach, they will stop it. So we shall see what today holds. She slept most of the day yesterday with just a few minutes of being awake here and there. I left her for a few days, maybe she it acting like the cat does and is ticked at me!! Have a wonderful Sunday, the sun is shining here and its supposed to be around 60!!

Bunches of Love,
Angela

Martha

Mom's friend Martha called this morning and said she was coming up to see Mom and stay. It is nice to have someone, I kind of get lonely. We visited, I gave her a tour of the hospitality house and got her signed in, we visited more, went to eat and to walmart. Glad I have room for someone to stay with me. Tomorrow I am going home for the night to handle bills and business and love on the dogs, maybe Jeff if he is lucky, but going to love on Zach and Luca too!! I will be back on Thursday. So it will be nice that Martha is here while I am away.

I don't want to say it was an uneventful day because every day she is improving and getting her chest muscles stronger. Still doing great on just the oxygen and having many daily breathing treatments.

Cardiologist checked her again today and said he was happy. I got to like the man, he was wearing purple today :O) Wound care nurse said her belly is looking good. She was sitting up this evening when we had to leave.

I think she might of been glad to see someone other than me. I was telling her something this evening and she was looking at Martha and she winked at her. Yes, she did! I have a witness. Actually she was wide awake and interacting alot with Martha and me. Even her nurse said she had not seen her so engaged as tonight. Of course she is usually sleeping in the evening.

She wanted to take a paper away from an aide today. So I got up and got her a piece of paper. She held it, then laid it down. I showed her some things I drew in the notebook, she looked. I drew her a tree, showed it to her and asked her if she knew what it was. She took to notebook and laid it on her lap. Then I tried to give her the notebook and pen and asked her if she could draw something. She took the notebook and quickly laid it on her lap, gave me the eyeroll and shut her eyes and I believe ignored me. Nice to see my real Mom is still there. She looked at her pictures today and watched Luca videos and was happy and smiling. Rich sent me some on the phone and I showed her those and she held the phone and looked at them.

I was expecting a call telling me she got out of her chair after we left, but didn't get one. She works and works at the seatbelt and I think they better watch out!!!

Bunches of Love,
Angela

A Follower....WooHoo

I just saw I had my first follower!!!!! Love You Gail. Smooch :O)

Uneventful

Today was a good day, just not much new, but no backtracking either. She is still on her oxygen and doing great, she was at 100% oxygen saturation all day. Was wide awake this morning and interacting with me. She rubbed my face this morning and was playing with my hair. I told her I was going to crawl in bed with her and snuggle with her and she smiled at me.

Got lots of smiles today. I held Jonah and Paige's picture up for her today and she was smiling and she took the picture from me and held it. She would lay it down and then hold it back up and look at it. Then this evening Luca talked to her on the phone and she got a really big smile. I miss that little guy so much, I was so glad to talk to him too! Nanny will be there in a few evenings to hug and kiss you Luca Luca!!!!

The infectious disease doctor checked her this morning. Said her tummy was looking good, less red and more drainage, which was normal. She took her off one antibiotic and put her on another one. Poor girl, she gets 5 different things through IV's. She has lines and tubes running everywhere. Lots of beeping going on at times.

Dr. Winn (might be how you spell it) the cardiologist was in this evening. Said her breathing was a bit labored, but her oxygen sat was perfect, nothing to worry about there. He explained that within a matter of days your lung muscles turn to jelly when they are not used and hers are just working on getting stronger.

She sat up for 2 hours this evening and did fine. Tried to escape again I do believe. One new thing is I noticed a blister that has popped up on her right arm. I know it was not there last night and I am pretty sure it was not there this morning. Told the nurse, she checked it and said they would chart it, keep an eye on it and let the wound nurse know about it.

While she sat in the chair, I laid across the bed and watched and talked to her. That bed is comfy!!! I told her I would stay in it for her tonight and get all the pokes and she could come sleep in my bed. She just rolled those eyes at me. She was staring off into space for quite awhile and I said "Mom, are you in there" and she focused on me and gave me one of those mother looks like I was an idiot. Hey, I was just checking.

As for me, yes everyone, I am taking care of myself and eating. I am more settled here in the house and have a sort of routine. I even painted my toes the other night. Bet you all wanted to know that! I did go to Walmart today and look around for a bit and got some frozen food to eat here at the house and went to Panera and treated myself to a Cinnamon Crunch bagel for breakfast in the morning. Came back and ate a sandwich at the kitchen table. Thunder laid at my feet and made me feel right at home! Time for bed.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

Ahhhhh......Air

Morning to everyone :O)

Couldn't use the computer last night, sorry. Another wonderful day on Sunday. I went in and she was completely breathing on her own. She was just getting some oxygen. She tolereated that all day long. Her blood gas was perfect. The put on a little box so she could talk. She made some noises, but didn't talk any. I could actually hear her cough!! Not just see that she was and hear nothing. I also heard a pretty loud sigh at one time. She is still getting her breathing treatments and she was coughing up alot of mucus. But they said that is a good thing that she can cough it up on her own and get rid of it.

If all goes well, she will be on the oxygen for 3 days and then she will just breathe regular air. I asked about how long she would have to keep a trach in. The RT said it just depended on how she was doing and what the doctors felt. She said it is not good to take it out, have the neck to start healing and have to put it back in. So time will tell on that.

She was up sitting in the chair when I had to leave at 8. I didn't like leaving her even thought I know she is "seatbelted" in. It really is an old fashioned seatbelt!! She was staring to move around, so I don't know if she was trying another escape plan.

That's about all for the day. We shall see what today holds.

Bunches of Love,
Angela

Super Saturday

What a wonderful day. A Super Saturday indeed!!!!! When I went in the see Mom this morning I was expecting for her to be down to a 2 on her ventilator. Guess What---She was on CPAP!! That means that the ventilator is not doing any of her breathing for her. She is just getting pressurized air to help her breathe and help her strenghten her chest muscles. She tolerated that very well. I was surprised myself.

The PICC line was put into her arm this morning. I got to stay in the room. I bet Jeff would not of stayed!!!! I had to put on a gown, hat and mask just like the nurses did. You would think that they were performing surgery if you could see all the draping and sterile techniques they go through. They were sure they got it in place correctly. So later on she got a xray and then later the word came they had it in place correctly and they could start using it. So the central line in her neck will come out and hopefully that will help her neck feel better and be more comfortable.

The nurse mentioned to me that she did not seem to respond to her very well and she had read in the notes that Mom was responding to other nurses. So I got closer down to Mom's face and asked her if she was just being stubborn or did she not like that nurse. Well she smiled and the nurse said, she would not take it personally. She was just happy to see that she had responded.

Then the next wonderful thing was they finally got her up in a chair!!!! I was talking with her aide and she was wondering about if she could get up. I told her I knew there was an order for her to get up, but that she had not been up yet. She looked it up and found and order written on the 9th for her to get up everyday at 5. She said she would get her a chair and be back after she got another patient up. When she got back, she found out the problem. You have to be assigned a certain wheelchair and she did not have one yet, so the supervisor got her one. So the process started. I don't know all these correct names and medical terms, so you will all have to bear with me. They use some kind of contraption that raises the patient up and then they swing them over and put them in the chair and then use it to get them up and back in bed. Think of what a stork looks like when its delivery a baby. Well, Mom was the baby (Lynnetta you will have to fill me in and what these things are!)

She was up for 2 hours and they were all thrilled. They said usually 45 minutes is about the time for a first time up. Because of it being her first time up and with her on CPAP, they did a blood gas to make sure all was well and she was tolerating everything ok. Blood gas was perfect. Before they got her back in bed, she was moving and I am pretty sure she was trying to get herself out of the chairk, the aide thought so also. It's just so nice to see her move.

Some information that some of you have asked for.....

She is at Kindred Hospital in Sycamore, IL in room 115
kindredhospitalsyc.com


The house I am staying at is called the Pay It Foward House
payitfowardhouse.org

Check it out, I am in the somonauk room. This house is beautiful and old, which if you know me, you know I love. Everything in the house is donated. It is even prettier than the pictures of it on the inside. I think alot of them were taken when they started and now they have a lot more furniture and decor and more of it matches. The room I have sleeps 5. Anyone going to come stay with me :O)

The best email to use for me is babiak3@yahoo.com

Bunches of Love,
Angela

Blog Title

I don't like the blog title that I picked. I wanted Mom's name in it and she loves roses, but I had to think of a title before I could do anything. I will have to brainstorm on something more catchy.

She had another good day today. She was sleepier than yesterday, but awake and alert at times. When I went in this morning she was sleeping and I gave her a kiss. She opened her eyes, smiled at me and went back to sleep.

A cardiologist that specializes in electric physio(something or another) came in and checked her. He said from the heart point of view he thought all was well. He did order a echocardiogram just to check things out.

The nurse mananger was in to see about putting in her pic line. She wanted to wait til tomorrow to do it. She was going to order some meds to help numb her arm and have someone help her do it in the morning.

The hematologist was in and talked to her tonight. He said so far all of her tests have come back good. I know he mentioned those back were her kidney and liver functions, potassium, magnesium and a few others.

She went down to a 4 on her ventilator today and did well. Tomorrow she will go to a 2. If that goes well, she will then get put on a CPAP. That will be supporting her breathing and helping her muscles in her chest get stronger, but will not do the breathing for her.

Let's hope for a good Saturday!

Bunches of Love
Angela

First Update

Hi everyone!! This is my first attempt at a blog, so bear with me. I will try to update this at least everyother day. Visiting hours at the hospital are from 10 to 8 and cell phones are not allowed in the hospital. So nobody be upset or worried when you can't reach me or I don't call you back for a day or two. I am just really busy and tired and trying to get some kind of routine in place.

So all about Mom.......

Last Saturday they discovered that her feeding tube was infected and pulled it out. They had to put a NG tube back in her nose, which she hates and has pulled out once. The infectious disease doctor came today and checked her belly. She says it looks much better and it not as red and hard as it has been. She still wants a surgeon to come and check it, make sure it does not need to be cleaned out. She was happy she was tolerating the antibiotics well. Since she is allergic to penicillin, it is hard to find something to give her.

Also today, a blood disorder doctor came in and checked her out as much as he could, he did not want to wake her up. I guess her red blood count is down and is anemic and they wanted him to look at her. He said he would run some tests on her and see if anything was going on, but it could just be because she has an infection.

She is down on her ventilator to a 6. That is the ventilator is only breathing for her 6 times a minute and is on 35% oxygen. Her oxygen saturation was at 99%.

She has been really awake and alert in the mornings. Her nurse this morning said they had a really nice conversation. (The nurse talking and Mom blinking) She definitly knows what is going on. She smiles at me all day long and rolls her eyes at me. The past 2 nights when I hugged her goodbye, she was able to pat me. She loves to look at her pictures of Jonah, Paige, and Zach, watch Luca on my phone and listen to Zach's voice on her Birthday card.

I know I don't have too much to tell you, but it is just a slow process. I was told this hospital slowed things way down and used the first 2 weeks to watch a patient and see what was going on in all aspects and go from there.

Just hang in there with me and just keep praying!!

Bunches of love,
Angela