4|2|Thanks Joy....|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|04:40:36|05/15/2011|she's not doing well right now. She's mumbling - can say very little, staring off into space at times or just obsessed with one thing that she keeps picking at over and over again, can't remember some obvious things like where she lives, where she is right now, all of her grandkids names... not sure she even knows my name right now, she's sleeping days on end and before today, not eating. I am making her get up from the bed with the help of the nurse so she can sit in a chair at a table and eat during the day... and I'm even having to remind them to take her to the restroom. She's finally getting food in, but she needs to fed, she can barely feed herself.... She's scheduled for a MRI to try and determine if she had a stroke or if the cancer has spread to her brain. They said that if the test comes back with nothing, it might be a bad case of depression. She can't feed herself well at all, she can't walk... it's been a rough couple days. I'm staying in the hospital right now with her. I get to sleep in a lovely recliner! She's seen a neurologist, a oncologist and now had a blood culture come back showing she has a infection, so she has to see the infectious disease doctor tomorrow and the others again. Tomorrow we try our third trip to the MRI room for her MRI, she just can't take it... they have to put her under to do it.
Also waiting on the results of a cat scan of her chest. The one of her brain came back showing nothing!
Something is definately wrong. If she doesn't improve, she will need full time care from now on. I'm functioning on like 3 hours of interupted sleep, haven't seen my husband since Monday and miss my two little kids.... and I'm having a really hard time dealing with what's going on with Mom right now... she's my best friend and I feel like I'm losing her. It's not fair that this has to happen to someone who's only 58. Please say a prayer for her... she really need it right now. She looks scared and confused. I don't think she understands fully what's happening.
Laurie 1|1|(((Laurie))) I can only imagine how exhausted you are, I am so sorry to hear about your mother and both of you are in my prayers (((HUGS)))~*~|RebekkaVA|queen_vulture@msn.com|23:20:27|05/14/2011|
~*~REBEKKA~*~
a.k.a. "Queen Vulture"
Married to my Soul Mate William
"My husband has cancer, Please pray for him"
Mommy to:
Timothy 5/80
Matthew 10/92
Cheyenne 9/99
Grandmother to Alayna 3/10
*EMAIL*: queen_vulture@msn.com
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2|1|Laurie, I'm so sorry.....did the docs say some of her confusion and lack of function could be due to the sepsis (blood infection)? Praying for you both, lmk if I can do anything to help you.....do you need gcs to eat? Or gas money? Anything else I can do...|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|23:29:11|05/14/2011|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
3|2|Praying for your mom|angNC|memawang@nc.rr.com|01:18:58|05/15/2011|
and for you to get some rest and sleep. 5|3|Thanks!|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|04:41:48|05/15/2011|
Sleep would be great.... just wish I could keep her in bed. she's confused and not aware where she is, so she wants to get up and figure it out! UGH! Good thing I'm a Mom to two little ones... I'm a bit more used to being sleep deprived and I wake up for the littlest thing!
Laurie
4|2|Thanks Joy....|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|04:40:36|05/15/2011|
Actually the nurse did say that sometimes the confusion can be because of the infection. My brother is in Japan and has been calling and his wife was a nurse.... she said the same thing... I'm hoping this is all it is... because on her birthday on the 2nd, she was doing great. This was a sudden turn for the worst. Haven't talk to the infectious disease doctor yet... they have him coming in tomorrow.
Mom is getting stronger... I'm up a 4:30 am because I don't sleep soundly (have little kids) and I heard something... She was trying to get out of bed on her own. She was talking a little clearer, she doesn't know why she is here or realize that's she's attached to a IV. So it's a battle getting her not to try and get up or rip out what's attached to her. She was able to assist us in getting her to the toilet... but couldn't tell us that's what she needed until she thought about it for a while. She's on the antibiotic... so maybe it's going to work quickly. I hope.
I did get her to take a few sips of sierra mist -- not the best for her, but she asked for it specifically and it has calories. Right now I really want her getting as many calories as possible to build a little strength.
I'm fine right now, don't need gift cards or anything. Just happens this happened around payday. I'm out of clothes at the moment, so I'm going to run to the store sometime tomorrow and grab a change of clothes -- there are a lot of great thrift stores around here and a walmart very close by. I'll make a chicken mcnugget run for her and grab something to wear quickly somewhere. I'm going to try and get in the shower here tomorrow. The head nurse said she would bring me towels and whatever else I need. I'll plan this for a time she is pretty much out from the testing -- she is allergic to the iodine in the testing drugs, so they have to give her benadryl, etc. before she goes, then something for anxiety... so it knocks her out a bit. I don't think she's even noticed when I've been gone for a few minutes here and there.
I've been eating here at the hospital. The food is really inexpensive. I was able to get eggs, bacon, grits, danish, oatmeal, a bagel with butter and a large coffee for only like $5 in the morning. They also have a salad bar, it's a bit more, but alot of food. I keep bringing up food mom likes hoping she'll take a few bites... and if she doesn't eat it all, I try and snack on it throughout the day as long as it doesn't have to be refrigerated (like the bagel)
I may have to take some time off of work. I only have a few days left because I used a bunch of them when mom was diagnosed and again when I had surgery a couple months ago.... so I'm pretty good until those are gone. When I have to start taking time off without pay, that will be a issue. At least the family medical leave act will allow me to take care of her. We'll see what happens tomorrow. 9|3|If it's the infection causing the sudden change, you should see improvement in the next couple days since she's getting the antibiotic now....yes, it's common that cognition is affected with a severe infection. |saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|07:41:19|05/15/2011|
If you think of anything we can do to help, please just say the word....for her or for you! It doesnt matter if you used your time off days now or before, your employer would have made you use them before FMLA time would kick in anyhow.
But I know it will be difficult having the time off without pay :( Dont hesitate to keep us in the loop, we can do an angel auction to help you out with expenses should you still need to be off without pay, sitting with her at the hospital or even at home.
Praying the antibiotics will remedy the confusion, and she can be 'present' with you again....big hugs to you, I don't know how you are doing it all with so little sleep and no comforts of home!
J
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
12|4|Thanks Joy...|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|12:32:27|05/16/2011|
Posted on May-16-11 at 12:32 PM (Eastern) by 76.7.92.154
Mom is coming back a little at a time. The mornings seem to be better. But I'm still concerned there is more than a infection. I think she had a TIA or stroke. She's mentally here today, I can tell it in her eyes and an occassional joke, but the speech is still off and the motor skills are pretty bad. the doctor is going to send a physical therapist in the get her some help with her motor skills. We are going to have to go to another hospital for a MRI, because we have tried the one here 5 times with medication and she can't do it. The other hospital can do anesthesia.
They are also concerned this can be the spread of the cancer since she has Inflammatory Breast Cancer that has matastized (i can't spell sorry). It's apparently very common for this cancer to spread to the brain. I'm hoping this is not the case since things have been much better with the antibiotic... but she's also really dehydrated every day, even while on a IV.
the doctors have changed her diet. They want her to be light on the protein and drink Glucerna shakes instead of Ensure of Boost Right now. She's suffering from Gerd really bad and this will help.
The entire staff (the MRI staff, the nursing staff, the doctors, etc.) are all so wonderful here. She is very fortunate to have such caring individuals taking care of her.
I don't think I need a angel auction. There are so many people who can use this much more than me. I'll figure something out. I can always try and sell something on Ebay or something if I need a few more dollars... I'll find a way.. things always have a way of working out.
Thanks for being such a great friend Joy. And everyone else on the board for that matter!
6|1|(((HUGS))) Laurie! I am so so very sorry to...|Skaytes|skaytez@gmail.com|06:27:28|05/15/2011|
hear she is ill again. I am still keeping her in my prayers and thoughts here. Hoping this clears up quickly for her. If there is anything I can do at all, please do email me, OK? I mean that too! Hang in there..know it's a very very long tough road for her and for you and your family. ((HUGS)) ..can't get enough hugs for sure! :) 7|2|Laurie...you are one strong woman|BusterBrown|srfreezerqueen@hotmail.com|07:11:49|05/15/2011|
I know for a fact that i could not maintain that sleep schedule as long as you have....when my mom was in the hospital last before she passed, i did spend most of my time there, but they had brought me in a chair from maternity that stretched out, and i slept most nights right next to her...then came home for a few hours when one of my siblings showed to relieve me...i tried 1 or 2 of the days you described, and it was not happening well for anyone...MY heart goes out to you and to your family...Jodie 8|3|Praying for your Mom and for you too I know how this can be we had that time with my om last fall Have they checked all her meds they are giveing her? With Mom there were a few to many dr's prescribing meds for her and not really watching wat the other dr's were giveing her|teener|teenerzacsneenee@yahoo.com|07:40:11|05/15/2011|
and they just wer not mixing well and casing all kinds of things
Stay strong
10|4|I know it's all so scary...prayers going out to both of you|shellysmsmo|jpksms@sbcglobal.net|08:23:07|05/15/2011|
I know how hard it is on you...I'm so sorry that you are all going thru all of this.
I know there aren't any words to help you get thru this...you just have to be strong.
You have many prayers going out to you and your family...and I just hope and pray that
things will turn around for the better. I've been there, I've begged and prayed at those
times that I thought wouldn't do any good. AND they did...I have lots of doubts in my
heart and in my mind, I still do..why this happened, why this, etc...BUT am so thankful
for so many things...my hopes and prayers are with you and they will continue to stay with
you and I sure hope to hear of a good outcome. When your mom is "out of it" and you don't
think she can hear anything...hold her hand, kiss her forehead, and tell her how much you
love her. I have faith in prayers, but I also have so much faith in love. true love. Hang
in there!! Hugs!
11|1|Laurie--Hugs and Prayers to you and your Mom and like Joy said|bcmunns|bcmunns@bellsouth.net|20:36:36|05/15/2011|
if there is anything we can do for you all you have to do is ask and there are
enough people here that I know would be more than happy to help you in any way
they can.
Just think positive thoughts and know that a lot of prayers are being said for
your Mom and you everyday.
Most of all try to take care of yourself!!