May 26

First of al, my apologies for not posting for so long - there really wasn't
much to say.  Secondly, many thanks to those who have visited and/or
sent cards because they've helped to elevate Mom's mood.  I can finally
say that Mom seems to be improving a bit.  She did quite well with her
physical therapy this week, even though she is still very weak.  Mom also
realizes that she needs to eat and we're all encouraging her to do so.  The
recovery process is slow, but I do discern a tiny bit of improvement now.
Thanks again to all for your kind thoughts, prayers, and encouragement
to Mom and her family during this stressful time; can't say how much
it's truly appreciated.

Latest News

Finally!  A new computer, so I'm back online after a (long) hiatus.  Mom is
now in a rehab/nursing home facility as of Thursday late afternoon.  When
I visited her that day, she was relieved to be out of the hospital, but still not
eating, which had also been an issue at the Clinic.  Some therapy took place
Friday morning, but Mom is still unable to stand, let alone walk.  I think this
will be a slow process.  In the meantime, visitors (any time before 10 PM) and
cards cheer Mom up - her voice is not yet strong enough for phone conversation
at this time, but that should improve soon.
Margaret Lasky
Center Ridge Health Campus
38600 Center Ridge Rd.
Room 111
North Ridgeville, OH
44039

Tentative Discharge Thursday

Julia again, providing a quick update:
As of today, Grandma will be discharged Thursday afternoon.   Mom is on her way to a rehabilitation/nursing home facility in Lorain county, closer to home.  Grandma will need to be there for awhile as she gains her strength and mobility. More details to come.

Back to Step-down Unit

This is Julia again:
Thanks to the power of text messages I have learned this evening that Grammie is no longer in ICU.  She has been moved to the step-down unit (for the second time) so things are looking up.  Aunt Debbie also shared with me that she was eating pudding this afternoon so, no Diet Coke yet, but pudding is better than ice chips!  Stay tuned for more details, and have a Happy Mother's Day

Mom should be back online early next week when her new computer arrives :-)

Progress in ICU Today

Hi all: Guest blogger Julia here since Mom's computer stopped working.  I talked to Mom on the phone, and she relayed the following information about Grandma's health situation. 

Today Grammie was taken completely off the breathing machine.  She is totally breathing on her own and can talk (although it's really a whisper).    Physicians also removed the drainage tube from her lung, so the chest drain is gone as well.

Once Grammie was off the respirator, she was very responsive and more talkative.  Mom said she is acting more like her normal self.  Right now she doesn't know the date, and is a little confused about specific details of current events, but it's nothing unusual or alarming at this time.

Grammie's coloring is good, much better than it's been since her surgery on April 20.  A nurse even asked Mom if she had put a little bit of make-up on Grammie.  Of course she knew that Mom would not bother with that, but noted how much her coloring had improved in such a short period of time.  And also said she hopes she looks that good without makeup when she is that age!  haha 

In addition to her coloring improving, we know Grammie is slowly on the mend because she asked Mom if someone would be able to come and do her hair!  A genuine Grammie concern to be sure, but sadly no beauticians in ICU.    She also asked for a Diet Coke, which of course is not permitted at this time.  Grammie asked Mom if she was going to home today, but the answer was a negative for that too!   So aside from not being able to have her hair done while drinking a diet coke immediately before being discharged, she had a decent day. 

As you can see, Grammie is, overall, getting better.  There is no timetable on when she will be out of ICU, though Mom made an educated guess for this weekend.   Once she is done in ICU she will go to the recovery floor in the cardiac unit at the Clinic.   Since she is undergoing intense respiratory therapy in ICU right now (which is likely not the same on recovery floor), it's for the best that Grammie remains in ICU for both the level of care and the level of therapy. 

Another ICU Day

My Uncle Dave went with me today to visit Mom; nice to have somebody
to talk to in the car.  Mom remains in the ICU, but the good news is that
she is a bit less reliant on the respirator and is alert.  Although she can't talk
with the various breathing & feeding tubes in her throat, it's evident that
Mom is trying to communicate even though she is very tired.  A second
bronchoscopy was scheduled for 1:30 (she'll be sedated for that) to better
clear the left lung, which does have an external drainage tube inserted.  If
the lung can be cleared, the breathing tube might then be removed later
today.  It all hinges on whether or not the lung re-inflates.
The PA told me that Mom will likely be in the ICU for a few more
days.  That's a good thing bc she gets excellent care there. 

Collapsed Lung

Mom's left lung was collapsed; that's why she's been so weak, so tired, and
unable to eat.  I don't know how long Mom will remain in the ICU, but that's
the best place for her to be right now.  Of course, she's re-intubated and back
on the respirator, so that means (for now) she's sedated.  Becky and Benita were
permitted to see Mom around 7:30 yesterday evening, and she was heavily
sedated and unable to communicate.  I'll be going to the Clinic tomorrow and
will post more information later in the day.  Today marks the 21st day of Mom's
hospital stay...unbelievable.