Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to give a quick update on mom. She remains in the hospital for now.
Though she is on a respirator, the pulmonologist reports he has full confidence that she doesn't need it. She is getting another tracheotomy today at 2:00 p.m. Please pray. The trach is being put in to handle all secretions and swallowing issues for now. Since she needs to be occasionally suctioned for secretions, she needs a trach. We do not know the exact cause for this particular problem yet she may have experienced another stroke which paralyzed her vocal chords (hopefully, not...I pray that God sends a choir of His angels to sing to mom now) or she may just be too sedated to swallow efficiently. In any event, getting the tube out of her mouth is the first step toward determining what is wrong with her.
From what the doctors think, it appears that mom had been bleeding internally from the aspirin therapy she was on. This then caused a dangerously low blood count which, in turn, caused respiratory failure. The bleeding appears to be gone now (aspirin therapy stopped---but it is the lesser of 2 evils--she needs such therapy to avoid another blood clot). Once the tube is out of her throat, a test can be done on her vocal chords to see if there is paralysis. She can also get an MRI at that point as well to determine if there was another stroke.
She is not awake, largely due to sedation. When she hears our voices, she stirs and becomes agitated. She was crying the other day, which breaks my heart.
Claudia has been teaching a young person with special needs for many years now and this person has met mom on many occasions. Since part of this person's learning experience involves socialization, Claudia often brought him and mom out to lunch and other various places together. This beautiful young adult has been so concerned about mom. Last night, Claudia received several phone calls from this person and was told that in his church, he carries the cross at the beginning of mass...and he told Claudia when he makes the sign of cross after carrying the cross next time in church, it will be done for "Nonny."
There are angels all around us every day. Claudia's student is definitely one of them. Such a blessing. This has been really very hard on dad especially...his birthday is this Saturday and he will be 81. I feel so blessed to remember the wonderful backyard celebration we had with him last year at his house with mom and all our friends and family there.
Even in the midst of sorrow there are so many blessings around us. Joy is a matter of perspective.
Please continue to pray for mom and dad...for God's Grace and Mercy and ever Comforting Touch to be on us all.
Love and Prayers to you all.
Kathy
"But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them though unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them--sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute." Isaiah 42:16 (MSG version)
Just wanted to give a quick update on mom. She remains in the hospital for now.
Though she is on a respirator, the pulmonologist reports he has full confidence that she doesn't need it. She is getting another tracheotomy today at 2:00 p.m. Please pray. The trach is being put in to handle all secretions and swallowing issues for now. Since she needs to be occasionally suctioned for secretions, she needs a trach. We do not know the exact cause for this particular problem yet she may have experienced another stroke which paralyzed her vocal chords (hopefully, not...I pray that God sends a choir of His angels to sing to mom now) or she may just be too sedated to swallow efficiently. In any event, getting the tube out of her mouth is the first step toward determining what is wrong with her.
From what the doctors think, it appears that mom had been bleeding internally from the aspirin therapy she was on. This then caused a dangerously low blood count which, in turn, caused respiratory failure. The bleeding appears to be gone now (aspirin therapy stopped---but it is the lesser of 2 evils--she needs such therapy to avoid another blood clot). Once the tube is out of her throat, a test can be done on her vocal chords to see if there is paralysis. She can also get an MRI at that point as well to determine if there was another stroke.
She is not awake, largely due to sedation. When she hears our voices, she stirs and becomes agitated. She was crying the other day, which breaks my heart.
Claudia has been teaching a young person with special needs for many years now and this person has met mom on many occasions. Since part of this person's learning experience involves socialization, Claudia often brought him and mom out to lunch and other various places together. This beautiful young adult has been so concerned about mom. Last night, Claudia received several phone calls from this person and was told that in his church, he carries the cross at the beginning of mass...and he told Claudia when he makes the sign of cross after carrying the cross next time in church, it will be done for "Nonny."
There are angels all around us every day. Claudia's student is definitely one of them. Such a blessing. This has been really very hard on dad especially...his birthday is this Saturday and he will be 81. I feel so blessed to remember the wonderful backyard celebration we had with him last year at his house with mom and all our friends and family there.
Even in the midst of sorrow there are so many blessings around us. Joy is a matter of perspective.
Please continue to pray for mom and dad...for God's Grace and Mercy and ever Comforting Touch to be on us all.
Love and Prayers to you all.
Kathy
"But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them though unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them--sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute." Isaiah 42:16 (MSG version)
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