Settled once again in the ICU

7 May

After much back and forth, Barbara was finally admitted under her surgeon. He put her back in the transplant ICU. That’s where she was originally post-surgery (about 6 weeks ago).

She’s more than a little unhappy. She spent 11 hours in the ER. Half that was NPO. She is still NPO, thirsty, grouchy, and generally unpleasant. The good news for her is that this unit permits one “primary support person” to stay overnight. So I will stay with her tonight, and then tomorrow, go to the SNF to get her belongings.

She is on a heparin drip to break down the clot and prevent formation of any more. Tomorrow they will do some more imaging studies to determine whether or not there is a new fistula. Even if there is, it will be minor, particularly compared to the risk posed by the clot.

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Still Waiting

6 May

We are still waiting in ER for cardiac consult from surgeon. He is in surgery. No clue how long we will be waiting. We know only that he wanted her in the ICU, but apparently had to go to surgery before the orders were written.

This hospital is a level one trauma center. That’s a good thing and a bad thing. Good doctors. Really good doctors. Unfortunately, they can get pulled away to save lives in more immediate danger. That seems to be what happened here.

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Barbara Moving to Cardiac ICU

6 May

The CT scan was “inconclusive” for fistulas. But more importantly, it revealed a previously unknown “significant clot” in the superior vena cava which could be life threatening if it broke loose.

As a result, she is being admitted to the cardiac ICU for close monitoring. It will initially be treated with anti-coagulant (clot buster) drugs. Surgery is not being ruled out as a possibility though.

Keep up the prayers, good thoughts, etc please.

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Outcome of CT Scan

6 May

No problem found with Barbara’s intestines, but … A significant clot was found in superior vena cava. Barbara is being admitted. Don’t know for how long.

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Quick status

6 May

Barbara is in for abdominal CT now. That’s all I know so far. Thanks everyone for your concern.

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Quick request for Barbara

6 May

Prayer for Barbara needed.. May have a leak in her intestines. If so, back to surgery. Headed off for CT as soon as possible.

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SNF Update

4 May

Barbara has now spent a little over 24 hours in the SNF. It’s different. She realized today that part of why it was making her uncomfortable was that she had become comfortable with the hospital setting. The SNF is more home like. It’s not a hospital. And that was making her uncomfortable. Continue reading →

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A Tale of Two Joes

4 May

Senator Joe Lieberman
US senator: No US citizenship rights for terrorists – Yahoo! News.

And I thought Joe McCarthy was bad. McCarthy just wanted to arrest and imprison Communists. Lieberman proposes stripping American citizens of all civil rights if said citizen “is found to be involved with a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the Department of State.” Continue reading →

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Guns, kittens, giant rats …

4 May

I love a good snarky comment. I really do. And let me tell you, this is a really good snark. It ranks right up there with some of the best I have ever encountered! What am I talking about? Why this:

Know what “Grunning” is? Well do I have a story–with guns and kitties–for you: http://bit.ly/9TgVKt
(from @KirkPWatson)

If you follow his link, and read the story offered by Kirk Watson (D – Texas State Senator), you will find a hilarious story about guns, kittens, and giant rats. Seriously. And you need to do that before you continue. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Continue reading →

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Barbara is leaving the LTAC today

3 May

Looks like today is the day. Moving to the SNF as soon as orders are finalized for transfer and medications are available at the receiving facility.

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