Well it has been a week. Denise is moving pretty well. Her left hand is still weak and a little uncoordinated. The nurses and therapists get her up two or three times a day for a walk, without a walker. Yesterday she went to a therapy kitchen to make sure she can maneuver around unassisted.
Her blood pressure is still bouncing, but at lower levels 140 to 170. The staff is liking that. Denise should get her staples out today. She has 30 staples in her head from the craniotomy. I am sure that it will feel better when those are out.
Denise will get another in hospital Dialysis today. She was hoping to go to her regular place and give all the girls hugs and say thank you.
We would like to say thank you to all of you. Your thoughts, actions and prayers have been felt and appreciated. We are out of the woods and without your support, it would have been unbearable.
God Bless.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wednesday - More blood pressure battles
The struggle with Denise's BP continues. They want to get her under 160 and stay, but she has been all over the place. 146 to 202 has been her range today. They are still adjusting her medications, they have doubled the dosage of the newest BP medication.
Amber, Cody and I went to Cedar Falls Health Care. Took a quick tour of the place. It's nice enough I guess, but it is a Nursing Home. Smells like one, looks like one, yeah it's a nursing home. We met with the Therapist there, she was nice enough to give us a tour. Discussed Denise's condition and what they would put her through. Evaluation will occur when she arrives.
It is now 3:40 and they have advised that Denise will be moving to room 335 at Allen. Guess they feel the have the BP as under control as they are going to get it. Someone should become an voice for BP research. We just do not understand it yet. It impacts so many areas and functions of the body. How many problems are indirectly caused by high blood pressure?
High Blood pressure and blood thinners are the reason we are here now...
Amber, Cody and I went to Cedar Falls Health Care. Took a quick tour of the place. It's nice enough I guess, but it is a Nursing Home. Smells like one, looks like one, yeah it's a nursing home. We met with the Therapist there, she was nice enough to give us a tour. Discussed Denise's condition and what they would put her through. Evaluation will occur when she arrives.
It is now 3:40 and they have advised that Denise will be moving to room 335 at Allen. Guess they feel the have the BP as under control as they are going to get it. Someone should become an voice for BP research. We just do not understand it yet. It impacts so many areas and functions of the body. How many problems are indirectly caused by high blood pressure?
High Blood pressure and blood thinners are the reason we are here now...
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Post Procedure
Finally, after waiting most of the day (without food), Denise went in for her "Inferior vena cava filter" (Umbrella Surgery) at 3:30 this afternoon. Dr. Tony (O) said the procedure went well. Her blood pressure continues to be a struggle. She has been above 170 more than below it today. It did delay the procedure a tad.
Now she is back in her room. Breakfast-Lunch-Supper has arrived. Amber and Cody are feeding her as she has to stay flat for awhile.
Dr. G reviewed her blood pressure meds and is making some adjustments. We are supplementing Lacinapril with (Labatilol & Hydrolozine) something I can't remember. Whatever they are, they are available in both IV and pill form. This is a twice daily dosage, so will see how this works for her. We can not leave ICU until they get her BP under control.
The gal from Park View (Rehabilitation Hospital - skilled care) came today to evaluate Denise. Unfortunately Park View doesn't accept smokers. Denise told the gal that she would not quit right now, that she wanted to smoke. So Cedar Falls Health Care was recommended. They still allow smoking in designated areas.
We will be staying in ICU another night. Then at least one night on the general floor.
Now she is back in her room. Breakfast-Lunch-Supper has arrived. Amber and Cody are feeding her as she has to stay flat for awhile.
Dr. G reviewed her blood pressure meds and is making some adjustments. We are supplementing Lacinapril with (Labatilol & Hydrolozine) something I can't remember. Whatever they are, they are available in both IV and pill form. This is a twice daily dosage, so will see how this works for her. We can not leave ICU until they get her BP under control.
The gal from Park View (Rehabilitation Hospital - skilled care) came today to evaluate Denise. Unfortunately Park View doesn't accept smokers. Denise told the gal that she would not quit right now, that she wanted to smoke. So Cedar Falls Health Care was recommended. They still allow smoking in designated areas.
We will be staying in ICU another night. Then at least one night on the general floor.
Another important day for Denise
Today she will have the 'umbrella' surgery. This is a device that will be placed in the vessel leading to her heart. It is designed to catch any large clots and keep them from entering her heart and lungs. Chunks large enough to be caught by this inline filter will dissolve by the flow of blood past it. Pieces small enough to get through are not big enough to be of major concern.
This is a replacement for the blood thinners she was on. Since she can no longer have blood thinners, the potential for her throwing clots is greater. This device will keep a piece of a broken off clot from reaching vital organs.
She will have another chest x-ray today. Also, a visitation from Park View evaluation staff. The evaluation is to determine what her needs will be at Park View for rehabilitation therapy. Physical, occupational and speak are the areas they will be focusing one. Denise's left side, specifically her arm, is considerably weaker and less coordinated than her right.
Finally, we hope to move out of ICU to 'the floor' where she can have more visitors and freedom.
This is a replacement for the blood thinners she was on. Since she can no longer have blood thinners, the potential for her throwing clots is greater. This device will keep a piece of a broken off clot from reaching vital organs.
She will have another chest x-ray today. Also, a visitation from Park View evaluation staff. The evaluation is to determine what her needs will be at Park View for rehabilitation therapy. Physical, occupational and speak are the areas they will be focusing one. Denise's left side, specifically her arm, is considerably weaker and less coordinated than her right.
Finally, we hope to move out of ICU to 'the floor' where she can have more visitors and freedom.
Iowa City Donor status
I heard from Iowa City. They are not accepting me as a donor. Two reasons, first I have cyst on one of my kidneys. Nothing they are too worried about, but they won't leave me with the defective kidney, nor give it to Denise. Secondly, I have plak buildup in the arteries going to my kidneys. This is an early warning sign of hardening of the arteries. So a diet change is pending for Jim...
If any of you are considering being a kideny donor for Denise. The first step is being blood type O. (Denise is O positive, she can receive a kidney for either O+ or O-).
If any of you are considering being a kideny donor for Denise. The first step is being blood type O. (Denise is O positive, she can receive a kidney for either O+ or O-).
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday Afternoon
Denise went to dialysis this afternoon. Her blood pressure spiked up again. 224/116, so they have adjusted her thresholds for when to give her blood pressure medicine. They were giving her doses of the meds when her blood pressure rose over 175 and now they give it to her when it rises to 165 or over. She will stay in ICU another night or two until her blood pressure is lowered or at least under control.
She has been eating solid foods all day. From eggs and a bagel at breakfast, to chicken nuggets and some fresh fruit for lunch. She has done quite well attempting to feed herself. She fed herself the chicken nuggets and this morning drank coffee on her own. Using her right hand of course, not her left. She is still struggling with motor skills in her left arm. (Left leg is working almost just as well as the right).
We found out today that surgery for the 'umbrella' is scheduled for sometime tomorrow. Basically what the 'umbrella' is, is a catcher of blood clots. It will be inserted into a main artery by her heart. This way, blood thinners are not needed and blood clots will be caught by the umbrella and won't clog up her dialysis port and other blood clot dangers. The body will naturally dissolve those blood clots that get caught in it.
A social worker and a therapist from Park View will come by the ICU tomorrow to evaluate her and see when and if she can be transferred into their care. At Park View they will begin physical therapy and occupational therapy. She will slowly begin to get stronger. In the physical sense, she will be able to move her limbs better and they will work with her on walking again. They will also work with her on her speech, eating, and swallowing. This evaluation is to take place at approximately 11:00am.
She has been eating solid foods all day. From eggs and a bagel at breakfast, to chicken nuggets and some fresh fruit for lunch. She has done quite well attempting to feed herself. She fed herself the chicken nuggets and this morning drank coffee on her own. Using her right hand of course, not her left. She is still struggling with motor skills in her left arm. (Left leg is working almost just as well as the right).
We found out today that surgery for the 'umbrella' is scheduled for sometime tomorrow. Basically what the 'umbrella' is, is a catcher of blood clots. It will be inserted into a main artery by her heart. This way, blood thinners are not needed and blood clots will be caught by the umbrella and won't clog up her dialysis port and other blood clot dangers. The body will naturally dissolve those blood clots that get caught in it.
A social worker and a therapist from Park View will come by the ICU tomorrow to evaluate her and see when and if she can be transferred into their care. At Park View they will begin physical therapy and occupational therapy. She will slowly begin to get stronger. In the physical sense, she will be able to move her limbs better and they will work with her on walking again. They will also work with her on her speech, eating, and swallowing. This evaluation is to take place at approximately 11:00am.
Monday Morning
We got here this morning and Physical Therapy was in the room. They were comparing her left side strength against her right side. Then they had her walk with assistance. She was wobbly, but managed 20 or 30 feet before wanting to return to the chair. That little exercise tired her considerably. She had trouble focusing on the next two little tests.
Breakfast arrived, no orange juice. So we asked RN J for some Orange Juice. A few seconds later Denise had her OJ. Thank you J. Amber is now feeding her scrambled eggs, a bagel and OJ.
Had a quick conversation with Dr. Z. He advised us that she is completely off of the IV meds, so this afternoon we should be moving to the general floor. Her blood pressure is still a struggle. Last night when we left it was 116, this morning it was 164 before PT.
Today we will have to make arrangements for the Rehabilitation Hospital. Hopefully it will be the Harmony House, which is closer to home.
Breakfast arrived, no orange juice. So we asked RN J for some Orange Juice. A few seconds later Denise had her OJ. Thank you J. Amber is now feeding her scrambled eggs, a bagel and OJ.
Had a quick conversation with Dr. Z. He advised us that she is completely off of the IV meds, so this afternoon we should be moving to the general floor. Her blood pressure is still a struggle. Last night when we left it was 116, this morning it was 164 before PT.
Today we will have to make arrangements for the Rehabilitation Hospital. Hopefully it will be the Harmony House, which is closer to home.
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