Mom and Dad are now home! Therefore, it is time for this blog to come to an end. Thanks for your continuing support during this "adventure".
I'm sure they would enjoy hearing from you.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Saturday, April 19 2:00 pm
Just spoke to my brother, Tom. Mom and Dad are in his car and on their way home to Baton Rouge.
Saturday, April 19 11:30 am
Just talked to Mom. She and dad are AT THE AIRPORT in Nashville waiting for their noon flight.
She is now on a "normal" diet so she is talking about what she wants to eat for dinner once she gets home.
We are ALL looking forward to life getting back to normal.
She is now on a "normal" diet so she is talking about what she wants to eat for dinner once she gets home.
We are ALL looking forward to life getting back to normal.
Saturday, April 19 8:30 am
Day 9: Great news! Mom is packing up to leave the hospital! Her kidney functions improved during the night, so she is able to come home and not to the hospital. We are all very relieved.
Apparently the doctors have a conference between 10 and 10:30 am to determine who to discharge that day. My brother, Bob, told the doctors that was too late as they need to leave the hospital by 9:30 in order to make their flight. He said they can still have their pow-wow, but mom would not be there to hear the results unless they could come up with a compelling medical reason for her to stay.
Mom and Dad are on a noon flight to New Orleans. So they should be back in Baton Rouge by 3:30 or so.
Apparently the doctors have a conference between 10 and 10:30 am to determine who to discharge that day. My brother, Bob, told the doctors that was too late as they need to leave the hospital by 9:30 in order to make their flight. He said they can still have their pow-wow, but mom would not be there to hear the results unless they could come up with a compelling medical reason for her to stay.
Mom and Dad are on a noon flight to New Orleans. So they should be back in Baton Rouge by 3:30 or so.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Friday, April 18 3:45 pm
Day 8: It's been one week since this entire adventure started. It feels like a month! Thanks to everyone who has sent emails and comments. My mom is very grateful for her wonderful friends.
Her kidney counts are still not where the doctors would like, however, they are now saying they are going to release Mom tomorrow so she can come to Baton Rouge. However, she may be going straight to the hospital when she arrives. It depends on what her kidney function is in the morning.
My brother Bob arrived in Nashville this morning. I am lucky that I have siblings that are willing and able to help Mom and Dad.
Her kidney counts are still not where the doctors would like, however, they are now saying they are going to release Mom tomorrow so she can come to Baton Rouge. However, she may be going straight to the hospital when she arrives. It depends on what her kidney function is in the morning.
My brother Bob arrived in Nashville this morning. I am lucky that I have siblings that are willing and able to help Mom and Dad.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Thursday, April 17 11:00 pm
I am back home in Baton Rouge. Dad called as I got off the plane. Apparently Mom's kidney function is still not where it's supposed to be, so she is still at Vanderbilt. They are continuing to give her fluids. There is still a possibility that she will be released tomorrow if her function improves overnight. She has been moved to "the floor" however, which means she is no longer in MICU.
My brother, Bob, is flying to Nashville tomorrow morning.
My brother, Bob, is flying to Nashville tomorrow morning.
Thursday, April 17 12:30 pm
Mom's blood counts remain steady, however, she is dehydrated. They are concerned about her kidney function. Therefore, they are giving her IV fluids and she is drinking lots of water.
She is scheduled to have a kidney function test around 5 pm today. If the results are good, she will still be released today.
I (Shawn) am in New York at work. I left yesterday evening. My brother, Bob, is scheduled to fly up to Nashville on Friday to drive the car home. Mom has requested that he come even if she is still in the hospital. Mom and dad are scheduled on a 2 PM direct flight to New Orleans on Friday.
She is scheduled to have a kidney function test around 5 pm today. If the results are good, she will still be released today.
I (Shawn) am in New York at work. I left yesterday evening. My brother, Bob, is scheduled to fly up to Nashville on Friday to drive the car home. Mom has requested that he come even if she is still in the hospital. Mom and dad are scheduled on a 2 PM direct flight to New Orleans on Friday.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:30 pm
The GI doctor just came by. Assuming Mom remains stable, she will be released tomorrow!! We are making plans for her to come home Friday.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:30 pm
Mom has been released to the GI team. This means she is no longer "officially" in the MICU! Since there is not a bed in the "regular" rooms, she can stay in MICU. So she really gets the best of both worlds - the care of one nurse for every two patients - but not the headaches - vitals every 15 - 30 minutes. Now it's every 4 hours.
An intern came and talked to us. The MICU team and the GI team have consulted and are now of the opinion that the blood Mom is passing is old blood. If it was new blood, her counts and vitals would be dropping. SO, they are thinking she may be released Thursday or Friday. But we've heard this before!
She is very anxious to go home, as is all of us.
She is still on a "clear" diet, she hasn't had "real" food since Thursday night. She is eating vicariously by asking Dad and I about every forkful of food we put in our mouth. She has remarked that this is the most expensive diet she's ever been on! Lunch just came. She has chicken broth, orange AND green jello and a nutrition supplement. YUM!
An intern came and talked to us. The MICU team and the GI team have consulted and are now of the opinion that the blood Mom is passing is old blood. If it was new blood, her counts and vitals would be dropping. SO, they are thinking she may be released Thursday or Friday. But we've heard this before!
She is very anxious to go home, as is all of us.
She is still on a "clear" diet, she hasn't had "real" food since Thursday night. She is eating vicariously by asking Dad and I about every forkful of food we put in our mouth. She has remarked that this is the most expensive diet she's ever been on! Lunch just came. She has chicken broth, orange AND green jello and a nutrition supplement. YUM!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:00 am
The "thundering herd" just came by. Since Vanderbilt is a teaching hospital, there are 8 - 10 doctors of various flavors who see the patient. There was the head of the MICU, a fellow, a dietitian, residents, interns and nurses. In their opinion, mom needs to be "blood free" for 48 - 72 hours before being released. Since she just passed a clot, the clock starts over.
However, her blood pressure and other stats remain stable.
However, her blood pressure and other stats remain stable.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:30 am
Mom (Ellen) was stable thru the night. Latest counts are high 20's. She is getting restless which is an indication that she is feeling better!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Friday, April 11 - Tuesday, April 15
Medical Overview
Mom (Ellen) was admitted to the MICU (Medical ICU) at Vanderbilt University Hospital Friday morning because of internal bleeding. She has undergone a myriad of tests including, but not limited to, two colonoscopies, an endoscopy, gamma camera (she now glows), she's swallowed a spycam pill, had a plethora of hemacrits (blood work) and she has been seen by lots of doctors (medical students,residents, interns, attending physicians and surgeons) all of whom are attempting to discover the source of the bleeding. She has received a total of six units of blood since Friday morning. (One unit is 350 cc.)
As of 5:30 pm on Tuesday, the source of the bleeding has not been discovered. Some of the possibilities discussed have been a bleeding ulcer, bleeding diverticuli, Arteriovenous malformation - AVM (where the vein and artery grow together instead of using the capillary system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arteriovenous_malformation) We're told that sometimes this "bundle" breaks loose and bleeds.
We are told that sometimes the body heals itself and the source is never found. Her blood counts have been stable all day and her blood pressure, oxygen level, respiration and pulse have also been stable. If things continue on this course, we are hopeful that she will be moved to a "regular" room tomorrow.
Why are we in Nashville?
Dad's first cousin, Frank, turns 90 today! We came up to attend his birthday party Saturday. Mom and Dad arrived on Thursday and Tom DePierri and I arrived on Friday, just in time for the adventure. Dad, Tom and I were able to go to a family dinner and attend the party for several hours. Tom left Sunday around noon and I am still in Nashville with Mom and Dad.
The Details
Colonoscopy: Where the colon (large intestine) is examined with a camera.
Endoscopy: Where the stomach and esophagus are examined with a camera.
Gamma Camera: Some of the patient's blood is withdrawn, "tagged" with gamma radiation, then reinjected into the patient. A series of pictures are taken with a "gamma camera". Where the blood pools is where the bleeding is.
Spycam Pill: A camera pill approximately the size of the top of your little finger is swallowed. Pictures of the GI tract is transmitted to a receiver worn by the patient.
The Results
We still do not know the source of the bleeding. However, it seems to have stopped, as evidenced by the stable blood counts and other test results.
The goal was to get her blood counts up to 30 yesterday. (They were in the low 20 range Monday morning.) Her counts have remained stable in the low 30s all day Tuesday. So we are hopeful that she can be moved to a regular room tomorrow and released on Thursday.
Please keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers.
Mom (Ellen) was admitted to the MICU (Medical ICU) at Vanderbilt University Hospital Friday morning because of internal bleeding. She has undergone a myriad of tests including, but not limited to, two colonoscopies, an endoscopy, gamma camera (she now glows), she's swallowed a spycam pill, had a plethora of hemacrits (blood work) and she has been seen by lots of doctors (medical students,residents, interns, attending physicians and surgeons) all of whom are attempting to discover the source of the bleeding. She has received a total of six units of blood since Friday morning. (One unit is 350 cc.)
As of 5:30 pm on Tuesday, the source of the bleeding has not been discovered. Some of the possibilities discussed have been a bleeding ulcer, bleeding diverticuli, Arteriovenous malformation - AVM (where the vein and artery grow together instead of using the capillary system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arteriovenous_malformation) We're told that sometimes this "bundle" breaks loose and bleeds.
We are told that sometimes the body heals itself and the source is never found. Her blood counts have been stable all day and her blood pressure, oxygen level, respiration and pulse have also been stable. If things continue on this course, we are hopeful that she will be moved to a "regular" room tomorrow.
Why are we in Nashville?
Dad's first cousin, Frank, turns 90 today! We came up to attend his birthday party Saturday. Mom and Dad arrived on Thursday and Tom DePierri and I arrived on Friday, just in time for the adventure. Dad, Tom and I were able to go to a family dinner and attend the party for several hours. Tom left Sunday around noon and I am still in Nashville with Mom and Dad.
The Details
Colonoscopy: Where the colon (large intestine) is examined with a camera.
Endoscopy: Where the stomach and esophagus are examined with a camera.
Gamma Camera: Some of the patient's blood is withdrawn, "tagged" with gamma radiation, then reinjected into the patient. A series of pictures are taken with a "gamma camera". Where the blood pools is where the bleeding is.
Spycam Pill: A camera pill approximately the size of the top of your little finger is swallowed. Pictures of the GI tract is transmitted to a receiver worn by the patient.
The Results
We still do not know the source of the bleeding. However, it seems to have stopped, as evidenced by the stable blood counts and other test results.
The goal was to get her blood counts up to 30 yesterday. (They were in the low 20 range Monday morning.) Her counts have remained stable in the low 30s all day Tuesday. So we are hopeful that she can be moved to a regular room tomorrow and released on Thursday.
Please keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers.
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