I am back in Sycamore with Mom. Got here Friday evening around 6:30 and went right to the hospital.
I did have a good time at home. Seemed strange when I first got there, somewhere I wasn't used to being. The dogs didn't even greet me at the door. But they did come when I got in and Rox got up for the first time on his own since getting his tooth pulled and not being able to walk on his hind legs. Then they got excited when they saw me. I think Jeff might of too. I did stop at the theatre first to see Zach. Made him kiss me in public. I really didn't rest a whole lot, but got some things done and spent time with the boys. Went to the vet's with Jeff, Rox and Shaggy. Poor Shaggy has such a hard time walking, but no problem running to chase a squirrel. He has to wait at least 3 weeks before he can have surgery. Jeff took me to Olive Garden to eat, which was very nice and good. The first bread sticks were hard and I hide them on the seat and asked for more. Guess I could of told her they were hard, but I have to do it the comical way. They were out of Ranch dressing and Jeff asked the waitress why someone couldn't just run over to Target and get some which she didn't seem to find funny or take him seriously (he was serious.)
We went to Wal-Mart and Kroger and got groceries. I like for him to go once in awhile so he knows why I spend so much at the store! Went to Rural King and got Rox a dog bed which Brandy likes to sleep on. Unloaded groceries and I laid in bed and watched Ghost Hunters.
I went to CEFCU and took care of some of Mom's business at the bank and got it all straightened out on Thursday and got more groceries at Aldi's. Did a bunch of sorting and cleaning out while I was home, mostly of things I hauled home. Made the boys a nice dinner of Pepper Jack Chicken which tasted great. A home cooked meal!!!!! Zach got to come home from work londg enough for us to have Christmas and went back to work. I was a party pooper ion New Years Eve, didn't feel good and had a headache and went to bed. Jeff did come kiss me at midnight, our tradition.
Got up Friday and did more work and laundry, got the car packed, took Inky her Christmas presents and hit the road. There were some tears shed, but we will survive. I am sorry I did not have time to go see Luca. I miss him terribly.
I have to give Martha a big thank you for staying up here while I went home and was able not to worry "as much" as I might have. I called the hospital twice a day and got updates from Martha. I was able to start my time all over with at the house too!!! That is a big worry off my shoulders, I know I have a place to stay again for 3 weeks at least.
Ok, so about Mom.....She was sleeping when I got there, but I kissed her and told her I was back and she opened her eyes and smiled very big at me. The aide told her that they promised her I would come back! She smiled all evening and held my hand. I signed the papers for her procedure today.
I understand that she was quite a handful one evening. I believe it was Thursday evening. She pulled her NG tube out twice within a couple of hours and Martha said she just smiled at the nurses. She also managed to do this with her mitt on her hand. Julie our favorite nurse came in to tell me today she kept them busy. Julie told me she put her tube back 3 times within 4 hours and the last time it took 4 nurses to hold her and get it back in. She also reported she made sure Mom's hair got brushed.
I got to the hospital this morning at 10 because I didn't want to miss seeing her before they did anything. They didn't know what time the doctor was coming in. They were setting up when I got there, but it was about 11:30 before they began. I asked why she did not have her PIC line in and they nurse supervisor didn't know but was concerned. So she had the scope and her feeding tube put back in her tummy today and everything went very well, she did great. I am amazed what they can do in a room. She slept most of the afternoon and then was awake until I left at 8. She did seems to me like she was in a bit of pain and I did request a pain pill for her. I actually think she thought I was talking too much. I was talking, telling her whatever, and had stopped and she went back to watching TV. I started talking again and she turned and gave me that :moms evil eye" look and I told her I would be quiet.
Here is the most interesting part of the day. I saw Dave in the hallway. He is the PA for the pulmonologist. He says to me something about Mom being better because she sure was sick. I was like,,,what??? Apparently she has an infection in her urine (which I knew) and one in her blood. He said it was VRE (I think) and was telling me what a nasty bug it was and how good she was responding to the antibiotics and seemed to be feeling better. This is the reason they had to take out her PIC line. I told him I didn't know about most of this and he was surprised. He was at the video swallow test also. He said she swallowed perfect, which he was happy about because what they thought wasn't working was. He said it all went down perfect til it got down so far and then it just came up and went in the lungs. Apparently they were surprised and thought it was a one time thing and did it again and sure enough, happened again. He is interested to see what the doctor has to say about what he saw today. It may also help explain about her problems getting off the ventilator. He said even a tiny bit of tube feeding coming back up isn't good. He said it really was good for her to get the feeding tube put in her stomach. So we shall see what happens. She will stay on the vent settings she is on for a few more days and let her rest up from today. I feel very blessed.
I'm going to post some of our holiday pics and mom's room this morning all ready for "surgery."
Bunches of Love
Angela
babiak3@yahoo.com
www.kindredhospitalsyc.com
www.payitforwardhouse.org
