Kenny & Susan came in Saturday evening (from Birmingham)...
Medically speaking...
- Grandmama's levels were stable through the night Friday - and they were able to perform an angiogram Saturday morning. Her being in a condition that allowed them to conduct this test at all was a great thing... They did *not* see an aneurysm, though they will repeat the procedure in 10 days...to be sure an aneurysm isn't hiding behind any clotting.
- She is experiencing some respiratory distress... It shows itself in a croupy sounding cough. They are giving her lasix and bumex to pull the fluid from her lungs.
- Her ammonia level is high. To treat, they re-inserted an NG tube (goes into her nose and down to her stomach) and are giving her medicine to bring the level down. High ammonia level certainly affects her neurologically... She's had a bit of nose-bleeding with the tube, but she has nose-bleeds often at home...so it isn't surprising/alarming.
- The GI bleed - which is in her intestines, not her stomach, has slowed. At this point, there is nothing they can do to stop it. The treatment is to give her blood to replace what she loses...and encourage her body to create more blood on it's own. If she continues to bleed, they will take a more aggressive/invasive approach.
- To provide nourishment, they began TPN (total parenteral nutrition) @ 10pm last night. It is received intravenously and contains vitamins, amino acids, lipids, etc...
Less about the medicine...
- She slept most of the day and was not responsive, Brenda and I had a FANTASTIC visit with her @ 5:30pm though (Saturday)... She was awake, able to tell us our names, able to say her own, and said I love you back...when we said we loved her. It made me incredibly happy...and selfishly, is enough to hold me over for several visits :). When I went back @ 8:30pm...she was asleep. She was this morning (Sunday) as well.
- She does not like being 'messed with' by the nurses... She's very vocal whenever they do anything...and it's just terrible to listen to. We've acknowledged that some of it may be true pain, and other pieces...may be the meds/general state of mind. At the same time, we always encourage her (she rarely listens) to communicate her needs. She's certainly letting us/the nurses know when she's unhappy!
- Grandmama's youngest brother, Kenny, and his wife - Susan - drove in from Birmingham last night. They weren't able to get her to wake up at either of their visits...but they were able to see her. Mike & Teresa generously prepared a great dinner for all of us last night...and Kenny & Susan stayed at at their home. Their girls, Lindsey and Kimberly, and their families...are all doing well.
- Granddaddy seems to be doing okay... He worked yesterday and will work today from 3pm-7pm.
- Brenda and I stopped by the 5th floor to speak to the nurses who took such good care of Grandmama. Unfortunately, Gabriella...a favorite of ours, was off. We'll try again tomorrow...
- Daddy made it home safely; he and Maggie are doing well.
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