Tales From an Exhausted Medical Mama

I know the game isn't over but we say Roll Tide regardless. I went home to sleep last night. I thought I would pass out as soon as my head hit the pillow but my mind didn’t allow it. I hated being away from my girl but knew she was in very capable hands with her Daddy. He’s likely to act my maiden name quicker than I would if you mess with our girl. 🤣🤣🤣 Oxygen is still being weaned (decreased) daily. She is on 12 L 27%. Her oxygenation will decrease 88-89 on occasion but that seems to resolve with the RT (Respiratory Therapist) suctioning her. 90 and above oxygenation is good but 95 and above is even better. Below 90, you need to evaluate what’s going on. She had a fever around 11 am and a seizure that stopped quickly after rescue meds. She hasn’t had another. Because of the random fever they are doing blood and urine cultures again and started an antibiotic. I am not a big fan of restarting antibiotics because I don’t want her to become antibiotic resistant and her white blood...

She was moving her arms and legs more this morning. It was usually when she was agitated. Since this morning, she hasn't moved around as much and she is still not waking up. She is still on high flow oxygen for her breathing (tachypnea and she will also desat). She has so much mucous and congestion, but it is slowly improving. She is still getting breathing treatments, cough assist and chest pt. She is also still hanging on to her urine. She will pee but she is holding on the majority and having to be cathed every 6 hours to empty her bladder. They will get an average of 550 mL each time (that's 18.5 oz). Her labs look good. 👍 Sodium 141 (normal range is 134-143) Potassium 3.4 (3.5-5) This is a tad low but is much better than the 2’s that she had been in. BUN is down to 21 (normal 8-21) - kidney related lab. Creatinine 0.64 (0.2-0.7) Her normal baseline is at 0.6 so she is close to what her norm is and this is also a kidney related lab. Karla is looking good. Albumin 2.7 (norm...

Sodium 153 ⬇️ (good) I expect by the end of the day tomorrow that it will be in normal range. Potassium 2.9 ⬆️ (good) Magnesium 1.5 ⬆️ (good) Kidney lab - Creatinine 0.69 ⬇️ (good) WBC 11 (White Blood Cells) that can indicate infection are down to normal now too! (Good)  MRI did not show anything a previous MRI didn’t always show; there was nothing new. They were checking to see if she had had a stroke and she has not.  Ultrasound of her swollen arm and hand - “Positive for new occlusive right radial vein DVT.” They increased her blood thinner, heparin, from a prophylactic dose to a treatment dose.  She opened her eyes when she was down for her MRI and again this evening briefly. Rick went to MRI with her and she started getting upset and her heart rate increased but calmed down once he played TN Whiskey on his phone. (Thanks for always calming my kid Chris Stapleton.)  That’s the latest. We’ve continued to have great nurses and great Respiratory Therapist. 🙌🏻

Happy 14th Birthday to my girl today!!!! 🎉🎈🎉 Kidney labs are moving in the right direction. (Creatine 0.83, now 0.73 and her baseline is 0.6) Sodium (160) moving in the right direction. Potassium (went from 2.6 to 2.4 now 2.2!) moving in the wrong direction. They need to raise that without causing diarrhea again like it did with the potassium mixed with the IV fluids. She’s currently getting it IV through her central line. The EEG for the short time she was monitored yesterday didn’t show anything abnormal. Another CT was done and it was unchanged from the one done 3 days ago.  Chest X-ray showing pneumonia. I think that once she is more alert and able to cough, that will improve. Meanwhile she’s getting breathing treatments, chest PT and cough assist. All those things help loosen secretions, encourage cough and suction to get rid of the “junk”.  Last night she opened her eyes (not wide but some) and was blinking. She also blinked with her eyes closed too when I called her...

She  has still not woken up, and she still does not gag when they suction her. Her respirations have increased as well as her work of breathing. They have her on 35% oxygen by mask at 8 liters. They are doing an EEG and will begin monitoring her soon and will continue overnight to look for any changes during monitoring or changes from previous EEGs. They are trying to rule out blood clots in her brain and a stroke. Normally they would do a CT of the head with contrast to see more but contrast can be rough on the kidneys and they do not want to cause additional trauma to her kidney. She will have a MRI in the morning unless her symptoms (heart rate continues to drop) indicate a need for a CT tonight without contrast. She is on a very small dose of heparin to prevent clots since she got a central (PICC) line yesterday. Her eyes are equal and reactive, she has raised and moved both arms today and she does respond to pain, which are all good. She has not had any additional, visible sei...

  I like to post longer/long updates here because let’s face it, no one wants to read a two-page status update. This way, if someone wants to read this, they can or otherwise keep scrolling Facebook.  Last year Mini Mayhem was in and out of the hospital three times. Twice, she had UTIs and we learned that she has Grade 4 vesicoureteral reflux which is currently stable and she is being followed by a urologist in Alabama. She had a renal ultrasound in March of this year to follow up and all was well with exception to it showing a possible 5 cm ovarian cyst. Her urologist wanted to follow up with a pelvic ultrasound at our next trip to AL in July. The results showed the cyst had increased in size to 6.8 cm. The urologist referred her to a general surgeon which she sees September 2. We should find out that day if the cyst will require surgical intervention. Typically, cysts will resolve on their own but to not go into detail, her’s likely will not. She has an appointment tomorrow ...

  Happy Birthday! Another year has rolled around, and here I am, wishing you another heavenly birthday. I can only imagine the celebrations you're having in Heaven. Thanks for leaving us with some unforgettable tales and memories. May the angels be serving you all your favorite drinks and snacks. If anyone deserves an amazing heavenly celebration, it’s definitely you!  Cheers to love that never fades and laughter that echoes through the stars! You are SO missed.  At bedtime, I will give Mini Mayhem one of her favorites, powdered donuts in honor of your birthday. We will cheers to you with 🍩s! I know you continue to watch over your boys as well as your entire family. I hope they feel and see your presence regularly in things that remind them of you. 💜 I continue to wait my turn but save me a seat !