The colonoscopy results were negative--no signs of bleeding, no cancer, everything was looking good. Even got the test done early in the morning so I was able to talk to the doctor. So, the Plavix and aspirin and other potential bleeding side-effect medicines have been stopped. They are going to monitor and watch the blood levels to make sure Granny has truly stopped bleeding internally. So far today, there has not been any evidence of blood coming out.
Granny has been eating solid foods since lunch and she's been loving it. Very different from not liking anything put on her food tray! AND, she says she feels wonderful, that she feels like she can do anything and is ready to go home. She walked to the bathroom twice and needed no assistance.
Doctor said if all goes well, she may be ready to get out of the hospital tomorrow (Tuesday). She'll probably have to go back to the Rehab center for insurance purposes, but if she's strong enough to leave there, she can come home. Otherwise, I'm taking her out of Rehab after work on the 24th of December.
It's quite a change in Granny from Sunday while preparing for the colonoscopy. I'm thinking maybe they gave her Superman's blood Sunday evening in the last transfusion, because the doctors didn't give her any new drugs or do anything during their tests. But whatever the reason, Granny did extremely well and was in great spirits today. She said this was the best she felt since before she went into the hospital back on 11/6.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Day 3 (Sunday)
Granny was given 2 more units of blood tonight. She is also currently in the process of trying to drink the lovely "Golitely" which cleans out your plumbing in preparation for the colonoscopy. She has about a half gallon to consume and it's not going real well, but hopefully we will get it down by midnight.
Since Granny was low on blood today, she has been more tired and sleepy so hasn't been too cranky (until this Golitely ordeal). Keep Granny in your prayers and we shall see how things go tomorrow after the test. Granny sends hugs to all!
Since Granny was low on blood today, she has been more tired and sleepy so hasn't been too cranky (until this Golitely ordeal). Keep Granny in your prayers and we shall see how things go tomorrow after the test. Granny sends hugs to all!
Day 2
Not much progress... Granny doesn't feel well. She feels a little better after sleeping a few hours, but then starts feeling lousy within an hour or two. She is still bleeding internally as evidenced by the output in the stool. She has been on clear liquid diet since admittance to the hospital Thursday evening. She is tired of that routine as well.
Colonoscopy is still scheduled for Monday morning "some time". GI doctor suspects it will be late in the morning. Later would be better for me as I have 2 doctor appointments myself Monday and cannot be at the hospital, so it may be awhile before I get to talk to the doctor regarding the results. What they will be looking for is ulcers, lesions, tumors and they suspect it will be in the smaller intestines.
In the meantime, today is the day Granny gets "cleaned out" so they can do the colonoscopy. I know she won't like that--they will want her to drink about a half galon of this foul-tasting stuff, and she works on getting down a cup of cocoa all morning!
Colonoscopy is still scheduled for Monday morning "some time". GI doctor suspects it will be late in the morning. Later would be better for me as I have 2 doctor appointments myself Monday and cannot be at the hospital, so it may be awhile before I get to talk to the doctor regarding the results. What they will be looking for is ulcers, lesions, tumors and they suspect it will be in the smaller intestines.
In the meantime, today is the day Granny gets "cleaned out" so they can do the colonoscopy. I know she won't like that--they will want her to drink about a half galon of this foul-tasting stuff, and she works on getting down a cup of cocoa all morning!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Day 1
Granny was still feeling lousy this morning even after getting the two units of blood, but her white blood cell count was up and levels were looking better. She had the test to check for bleeding in the stomach...results were negative: no bleeding or ulcers found. Which means, we still don't know why she lost so much blood and have to keep looking.
Over the weekend they are going to monitor her blood levels to see if she is still losing blood, and on Monday she is scheduled for a colonoscopy to see if there is bleeding in the colon. She is currently on a clear liquid diet, but the colonoscopy means she has to "purge" her system so they can get their test results. This is always the icky part--making you have to go to the bathroom a lot with feelings of diareah. It doesn't make for a very pleasant weekend, and Granny has trouble getting out of bed without assistance as it is for all these "potty trips". Well, I guess it has to be done. Sigh.
Ok--email cards or pictures please. I can print and give to Granny for something to look at--when she doesn't feel good, she gets kind of cranky and uncooperative and this will distract her. Thanks in advance!
Over the weekend they are going to monitor her blood levels to see if she is still losing blood, and on Monday she is scheduled for a colonoscopy to see if there is bleeding in the colon. She is currently on a clear liquid diet, but the colonoscopy means she has to "purge" her system so they can get their test results. This is always the icky part--making you have to go to the bathroom a lot with feelings of diareah. It doesn't make for a very pleasant weekend, and Granny has trouble getting out of bed without assistance as it is for all these "potty trips". Well, I guess it has to be done. Sigh.
Ok--email cards or pictures please. I can print and give to Granny for something to look at--when she doesn't feel good, she gets kind of cranky and uncooperative and this will distract her. Thanks in advance!
Setback
Granny was taken to the hospital emergency room yesterday evening. She had been extremely tired (more than usual) the 2 previous days, and when she sat up in bed she nearly passed out. The rehab nurse said her blood pressure drops suddenly and her pulse which had been 113 dropped to 71.
The initial ER tests found her to be anemic and admitted her to the hospital. She was missing more blood than can be accounted for (despite all they took for testing!). They ordered 2 units of blood for her to start with, and they had to put a main line into her neck for the IV...I watched all that drama. This is where they put needles and wires down all the way from the neck to the heart--ugh. But now it's done and they don't have to stick her with any more needles for blood draws or to give her IVs. Dr. Fisher came in about 10:30pm and told us they suspect she may be bleeding internally to have lost that much blood and today (Friday) she will be seeing a gasterolenterologist (spelling?). They will be doing a procedure they abbreviate because the name is too long (GDE I think) where they put a line down into the stomach to find out what is going on. Granny will be put to sleep for this procedure.
Some of the side effects of the medications she is taking for the heart (Plavix is one) can cause bleeding, so this may be where the problem is.
I still plan to pull Granny out of the rehab center after work on 12/24. I know she will be more comfortable at home and she can continue recovery from here. Will keep you posted with developments as soon as I can--will be at the hospital all day today.
The initial ER tests found her to be anemic and admitted her to the hospital. She was missing more blood than can be accounted for (despite all they took for testing!). They ordered 2 units of blood for her to start with, and they had to put a main line into her neck for the IV...I watched all that drama. This is where they put needles and wires down all the way from the neck to the heart--ugh. But now it's done and they don't have to stick her with any more needles for blood draws or to give her IVs. Dr. Fisher came in about 10:30pm and told us they suspect she may be bleeding internally to have lost that much blood and today (Friday) she will be seeing a gasterolenterologist (spelling?). They will be doing a procedure they abbreviate because the name is too long (GDE I think) where they put a line down into the stomach to find out what is going on. Granny will be put to sleep for this procedure.
Some of the side effects of the medications she is taking for the heart (Plavix is one) can cause bleeding, so this may be where the problem is.
I still plan to pull Granny out of the rehab center after work on 12/24. I know she will be more comfortable at home and she can continue recovery from here. Will keep you posted with developments as soon as I can--will be at the hospital all day today.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
November 29
Been pretty busy this Thanksgiving weekend--but Barbara came down to help out. THANK YOU!
Thanksgiving day we had Granny at home all day. But before we could leave the Rehab center, they wanted to give her some physical therapy workout--well, great. Get her more tired before we go. Fine. Barbara had stayed at the house and was fixing the turkey and dressing and sweet potatoes. I had made some pumpkin pie a day or two ago (without crust so was more like a custard) so we still had some left. In the afternoon we played some dominoes--here you see what is left of some pie with the dominoes on the table.
Barbara's flight back home left at 4pm, and then I went home to eat supper. I will be over again to see Granny before she goes to bed. I won't get to see her much this week as I have to work every day. 
Thanksgiving day we had Granny at home all day. But before we could leave the Rehab center, they wanted to give her some physical therapy workout--well, great. Get her more tired before we go. Fine. Barbara had stayed at the house and was fixing the turkey and dressing and sweet potatoes. I had made some pumpkin pie a day or two ago (without crust so was more like a custard) so we still had some left. In the afternoon we played some dominoes--here you see what is left of some pie with the dominoes on the table.
Friday Granny had more therapy work to do and she was also tired, so Barbara and I took some time to do some shopping--fabric store, of course. Saturday we had Granny home all day again. We just stayed at home and tried to relax. Had leftover turkey, what else? This time, Barbara had turned it into a casserole with veggies added.
Today we were sure Granny would have a busy schedule at the center, but when we got there at 8am, they were just about finished so we brought her back home until after lunch. We played cards before lunch. In the morning Barbara had decorated Granny's portion of the room a bit so she has a section to stick up any Christmas cards or cheery items for the holidays.
Barbara's flight back home left at 4pm, and then I went home to eat supper. I will be over again to see Granny before she goes to bed. I won't get to see her much this week as I have to work every day. Wednesday, November 25, 2009
November 25 - early
Still have not gotten a progress report on Granny from the Rehab center. Apparently I have to make an appointment with the administrative nurse to stay late in order to meet with me. Due to the holiday week, there are fewer people available to discuss things with. The evening nurse did say she would leave them a note to call me today, however, after work I will be at the airport picking up Barbara so can't meet with them in person. Barbara is coming to help me this weekend--I'm hoping she'll do some cooking!
Last night the evening nurse said she didn't like the way Granny's lungs were sounding--she has developed a very bad cough and although she is still recovering her voice after the respirator, it has turned very deep and raspy. They had blood work & an xray done last night--negative for pneumonia. SO...still don't know why she's developed this--may be a bronchitis or sinus infection-type issue. Hopefully it will not prevent Granny from coming home during the daytime over the holiday & weekend. It has gotten much colder after a front came through yesterday, and nobody wants Granny to get exposed to chills.
Will be seeing Granny with Barbara much later tonight and hopefully we can have a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow at home together. Hope everyone else has a Happy Thanksgiving!
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