So that was a curveball

I've seen Mom the past few evenings and though she's been groggy from the meds, she's been relatively cheerful and seemed to be getting better. But Dad told me today that Maryville called to inform him that she was complaining of pain in spite of her oxycontin and that she was feeling pain in her leg.

His first thought (and theirs) was blood clots, so they took her to the ER for a sonogram and to monitor her status. We haven't heard much since, but my understanding is that she's still at St. V's.

More as I find it out.

Settled In

I've been to visit Mom twice now, and I've already seen a marked improvement in her condition just in those two short visits. We've arrived in the evening both times, and just about dinner time, so she has been receiving her meds just prior to our visit. This means we generally have about 15 minutes before the fog really begins to set in and she's off to loopy land (which, we have to remind her, is much better than being in pain from her recovering arm), but she's taking her meals in the group room now (which she wasn't before) and she's looking awake and aware and even talkative when we've met.

The staff still don't know how long she'll be there (since it all depends on the arm), but we should know more next week when she's on the last leg of recovery. Things though are looking good, and we're able to frequently visit and see for sure that she's being treated well.

She's back in room 214 if you want to drop by and say hello.

On the Road Again

Got word from Dad that Mom is on her way to Maryville and should be just about settled in as I write this.

In Limbo

Well, Dad and I got a chance to get up to the hospital yesterday and see Mom, but she was quite out of sorts due to all the painkillers she is on at the moment (morphine is in the mix for sure). As a result, it was something of a scattered visit, but it was good to see her and know that's she's all right. Groggy and spacey, but all right.

Dad has some information from Beth (thanks Beth!) about state-funded home care assistance that can be used when Mom gets home finally, but there is some time to deal with that since she's bound for Maryville when they release her today or tomorrow (the day was still uncertain when we checked in last night). And Mom's doc is retiring so we're sort of between primaries at the moment, but he pokes his head in now and then to let us know what's happening. Unfortunately, it's been a while since he's done that, so we're sort of in the dark right now.

We should know more later today.

Temporary Success

Mom was in surgery for about 7 hours last night (noon to almost 8 PM), and she was in recovery for a couple hours after that so we didn't get a chance to see her, but Dad called today and she is groggy yet doing all right. Now begins the rough part, and it sounds like she will be discharged tomorrow or Thursday and then sent to Maryville for skilled therapy.

This of course is not going to be good news to Mom, but it's the option that makes the most logistical sense and keeps her safest until she can heal.

Wish I Had Good News

Mom and Dad came down to our place for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner, but early Friday morning, during a groggy trip to the bathroom, Mom fell and broke her right arm just above the elbow. She was taken to the E.R. and after an x-ray it was determined that the break required surgery, so she has been in the hospital all weekend.

She is in surgery at St. Vincent's as I write this, and should be out around 4 PM. The doc said that the surgery would be low-risk, but she'll need about two weeks of recovery before her arm can begin physical therapy without a cast or splint of some sort. This is going to make it difficult for Dad to help Mom around the house, but the splint they are going to use is designed to be rugged and used as a place to grip someone. She has been doing well getting around her hospital room so hopefully that will translate well when she is released to go home.

More as I learn it.

Update: Smooth Sailing

Well, Mom has been home for two weeks now, and her strength is not only still intact, but she's getting around beautifully, and the string of home care professionals that have been stopping by for therapy and whatnot seem to really be making a difference.

Everyone...breathe a BIG sigh of relief. :-)