Hi,
FINALLY spoke to a DR this morning. Her CAT SCAN did show mini strokes. Her MRI results will be back this afternoon. The test w/ the camera to see the heart came back fine as did the Echo of her heart.

Her heart is still fibbing, which means not beating right, it is at a 1.4 and should be between a 2-3 they have her on medication for that.

They also have her on a blood thinning medication Clomidin (sp) which if she is to fall and get cut she could bleed to death!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The DR said she MAY be coming home TOMORROW. They are getting her up and around today.

I really don't have a clue what or how I am going to prevent her from falling. Due to her Parkinson's, even with her 4 wheel walker/with chair seat.

Going up to the hospital this afternoon, should have the MRI results by then, which will show EXACTLY what happened.



I spoke to my mom on the phone and she sounds okay.

Hugs, Nikko

nikko

most likely the amount of cumadin ( lol..sp) would not be that much. she might bruise very easy. and those will look nasty. it's falling and breaking bones..and those bleeds to worry about.

but tricks to help with bumping into things...

place thick towels on end tables. let the towel go over the edge for padding. same for coffee tables.

if she leans into bathroom counters or sins to say..bruch her teeth..used a rolled up towel as a bumper.

or if she leans on her elbows when eating...same thing.

my daughter..lil'monkey..her fathers mother took cumadin for years and years. i'll try and think of other things she did.

oh..her 4 wheel walker...there are roll type of pads you can get. like they use on bikes. or you can get the foam tubes to insilulate pipes..they slip right over the metal parts and are easy to cut to the length you need.

mega

Nikko,

Wha kind of physical shape is your mom going to be in with the mini strokes? I hope all goes well.

befuddled2

Nikko

I would also have a very heart to heart talk with her about how somethings have to change when she comes home.

First I would tell her that at least for a while that when you aren't there she will have to allow you to have someone come stay with her as a companion.
Because I would think that she would qualify for that.

I would also work on seeing if maybe she qualifies for say physical therapy to help learn to get around in a housing situation. Or something like this.

Donna

Thanks all - I did speak with her nurse yesterday and I have a consult with a social worker this afternoon to see if my mom can make the transition from the hospital to rehab then home.

I didn't get the results of the MRI yesterday, so I should today.

Unless the Dr has something different to say after he reads the MRI.

Still in somewhat limbo land.

Just taking it a minute at a time.

Hugs, Nikko

Dear nikko,
Well that explains some things....
thanks for sharing and letting us know.
the coumadin will have to be monitored on a regular basis, blood draws either going to the lab or having home health care doing the labs.
Atrial fibrilation is the irratic beating/qivering of the heart which puts it at risk for clotting..i think and that is why they want to thin her blood.
She would take this as long as she is fibbing.
SHe would also need to be on a balanced diet watching out for foods that have vitamin K in them...
they will explain all of this to you...later when she goes home.
How are you doing thru this?
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Nikko

I'm so glad that you are talking to a social worker about her going to rehab first. I was wanting to suggest this but was worried to.

I am not always sure about this.

Donna.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR They thought that the last time they did the MRI it went smoothly.

WELL - Yesterday I spoke to the DR and he said she moved too much and they didn't get it completed.

SO - Yesterday afternoon they were going to sedate her more and try again.

She was telling the DR SHE WAS GOING HOME AND NO PLACE ELSE. The DR told me when he was talking about it she said NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO loudly, maybe because he also mentioned a nursing home.

I spoke to her and told her she HAD to go to either their REHAB FLOOR if they take her, or this other place she had been before, she agreed. So, I spoke with the DR again and he has that process started.

So, now I wait once again for the MRI results and see when or where her transfer will be. I am praying that she DOES NOT get C-Diff again like last time she was in the hospital then rehab.

I am just in limbo land still. I am just tired of it all. I know that sounds terrible, but I am.

Hugs, Nikko

Dear Nikko,
Perhaps you can ask the staff to post contact precautions sign on her room door, ask her to have all staff wash there hands before entering her room...you can state these wishes saying that she is highly susceptable and has a fragile immune system which is true.
I wonder if they could have her eating yogurt...this will help her digestive tract since she is on antibiotics.They can also givelysol wet ones on her bed side table for her to "wash" her hands off when she eats her meals and toileting and to wipe down her tray table as well....anything to encourage everyone to be as clean as possible...she is very susceptable to pick up a staph infection there....
I am sorry that she will have to have another MRI...maybe it will work out this time.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Nikko

Please take care of yourself too.

Also go down to the volunteer area and see if they have anyone that would go by routinely that knows how to just stop by and say hi.

I realize that she is supseptible to infection. But they could just become like
a stop by friend. IF they could find the right kind of person, someone she
could get used to seeing daily then it might become something she gets
used to looking forward too.

I think you need her to want to see others.

Donna