Mom’s Status: 2010-11-05
Summary
Unfortunately, we were told today that some bacteria have reappeared in Mom’s blood yesterday. They’re drawing new samples now to see if they all come back with consistently positive readings and to get more data about these germs. The results of these subsequent tests will provide more certainty as to the type and extent of this new infection. She has no fever at the moment, but this is typical of early-stage infections; they show up in the blood before any symptoms appear. The tests will take 24 to 48 hours to germinate. So it likely won’t be until at least Sunday that we know much more. But at any rate, she probably will not be coming home this Monday. I’ll supply more information as we learn it.
Ongoing Objectives
These objectives are on hold.
- Track the dissipation of Mom’s pelvic hematoma. IN PROGRESS. We have to follow up on this one.
- Locate Mom’s living will. IN PROGRESS. Given that Mom has expressed her wishes to both us and the nursing staff and doctors, I’ve deferred this item. With us nearby to instruct them should a crisis arise, there’s less need for a hard copy of the living will.
Completed Objectives
- Call Mom’s insurance company and find out what sorts of in-home rehab visits they cover — how many of them over how long of a period. Sister Mary Ann recommends that we spread these out over the entire coverage period, and not use them all immediately. The nursing facility is handling all this for us.
Log
09:00 AM: Sister Diane called to say that Mom told her that there’s something additionally wrong with her blood besides it being too thin. However, Mom did not know what that might be. So Diane asked me, as the lead familial contact, to call the nursing facility for more information.
09:15 AM: I called Mom to get her take on this. She does not appear too anxious. In fact, she said that when the nurse told her that she might be infected again, a strange wave of calmness passed over her, and she knew then that she does not want anymore surgeries to fix this. If this is the same infection as before, Mom’s mental state and overall physical disposition could suddenly decline. So we’re going to get up to see her as much as possible over the next day or two.
09:30 AM: I talked with Mom’s day nurse at the nursing facility. She said that they spotted new bacteria in Mom’s blood, and gave the the information which I’ve summarized above.
09:45 AM: I filled in sisters Mary Ann and Jojo. I’ll add to this post if any other updates come in.