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Gamma Camera: Some of the patient's blood is withdrawn, "tagged" with gamma radiation, then reinjected into the patient.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.