Elderly Parents and Bad Illness

[John in Covina]

My brother had to call the doctor on Sunday to find out why after they put in the IV, they had not bothered to give mom the Antibiotics yet.

 

[John in Covina]

12/11/07

Mom Update 12/11/07

I got there at about 5:25 PM. Mom was awake but not really connected with reality. The attendant was feeding her some pureed stuff of which mom ate some. But she was not there much and was in some pain. The mittens were still on and they were draining her bed sore with some device… She continues to not be well or improving for the most part. Chris is meeting with the doctors Wednesday morning.

Sincerely,

 

[John in Covina]

12/14/07 update on Mom

Mom Update 12/14/07

I got there at about 6:15 PM as the Friday traffic was stop and go both on the freeway and off so wound up stopping for dinner before I got there and in hopes the traffic would calm down a bit.. Mom was awake but sleepy. Her eyes seemed a bit clearer then the last few days and she answered me with some yeses. I ‘d guess that the antibiotics have gotten on top of this infection with the bedsore. She was thirsty and I gave her some water thru a straw. She had eaten about half of her meal, mostly soft stuff and pureed things. She grimaced a little and was in some pain but just for a moment. The mittens were still on and they had temporarily stopped draining her bed sore with the wound vacuum. She has improved a little in the last day or so. As I understand Doctor Chen has made the decision to send mom to Inter-Valley Community Hospital for treatment of her wound. The bed sore was serious condition and both we and they would like to have the hospital staff working on her. It will be pretty good because Tessie’s sister Fele (Ophelia) works there and can help keep an eye on Mom. Hopefully it is a move in the right direction. Mom is 2/3rds of the way thru the radiation treatment and has started to lose her hair. I’ll need a watch cap to keep her head warm soon.

Sincerely,

 

[Boris K]

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Good luck, John. I hope all goes well with your mother. You are one fine son! :eusa_clap

 

[John in Covina]

Thanks Boris! It helps alot to share what is up with all of you. I send a similar note to friends and family by email and get a sense of support simpky from writing out what has happened for the various days. My brother and I are going thru this together and I also have a great Pastor as well as congregation members to give that moral support that means so much.

 

[John in Covina]

Mom Update 12/15/07

Chris just called me at 8:40AM. They took mom over to Inter-Valley Community Hospital last night sometime. Both Chris and Tessie went with and stayed until about 4AM while they got things set up. Chris was concerned as mom was not looking to good and was shaking a little. She got some drugs administered via the IV and it just seemed to take a while to get everything organized and situated.

I have my bedroom phone in the kitchen as the main phone, the only phone right now, as I have unhooked the house phone to clear the memory from message machine portion of the phone, so I did not hear any of their phone calls and slept thru the night while they handled this.

I guess I’ll be off to the hospital later and find out her room number.

Sincerely,

 

[Foofoogal]

You are one fine son!

I would like to second that. Sounds like your mom did a fine job with you and Chris.

Praying for you in Texas.

 

[Hondo]

John in Covina : Hang in there, do whats best! Stay strong! I also have elderly parents at 80, doing good but I worry just as you do, were all doing whats humanly possible. Prayers, thoughts and best wishes this holiday season.

 

[John in Covina]

My continued thanks to you all.

When I sit and write out what is up with mom it helps a lot and the support helps so much too.
I remain grateful to all of you.

 

[John in Covina]

Mom12/15

Mom Update 12/16/07

I went yesterday at 2 pm and met Chris thereabout an hour later.
Mom was in a bad way and they had her on her back. I asked the nurse at the station to get her turned on her side and explained that the pain meds will work better if she isn’t lying on the class 4 bed sore. We spoke to the dietician to see if they can get mom on more pureed food, she was at 75 on the feeding tube machine so that was good. They will continue her antibiotics and pain meds. I hope the Infection person and the Wound Specialist get to see her soon.

Edith Erickson
Inter Community Hospital
Room 312-A
210 West San Bernardino Road
Covina, CA 91723
626-331-7331


Sincerely,

 

[John in Covina]

12/19/07 Some good news for a change!

Mom Update 12/19/07

Hi All!

Well yesterday Tuesday first they did the colonoscopy to see if the could spot the bleeding in her GI tract from that end. Did not find it but they took out some polyps while they were in there.

Secondly, they got back moms wound culture and found out the bacterial infection was totally resistant to the antibiotics she was being given so they switched her over to a dose of 2 different ones and that mix has been really powerful against her infection. By the time I had gotten there mom had turned around 180 degrees in direction and was recovering nicely. Her delirium caused by the infection was gone! I walked in and she said, “Boy, am I glad to see you!” So she was back in a pretty good way, still not “all there” but in contact with reality to a greater extent. They are so pleased with her response that they are going to send her to the convalescent home / hospital Rowland at 330 West Rowland Ave in Covina (626) 967-2741. Now this is the convalescent home/ hospital mom went to after the stomach surgery about 4 years back, and at that time they did a good job so hopefully they will be as good this time.

She asked if we could go for a sandwich yesterday and today she said she wanted roast beef. So if her appetite is back maybe she’s doing ok.

SO here is my big Christmas present a talking mom!

Edith Erickson
C/O Rowland Covalescent Home
(Don’t know the Room # yet)
330 West Rowland Ave
Covina, CA 91723

626-967-2741

Sincerely,

 

[MrNewportCustom]

Fantastic news, John! My best to all of you.


Lee

 

[imoldfashioned]

So glad to hear that your mom is doing better John! You're such a good son.

 

[Boris K]

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Excellent news, John!

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Great news, John. I'm sure we're all crossing our fingers the progress continues. Sounds like huge leaps were made in a relatively short time.

 

[John in Covina]

Thanks to all of you!

Again it has been the infections that have been the greatest challenge to mom's recovery since the surgery. If we can keep them at bay she has a decent chance of recovering most or all the way.

 

[Big Man]

I am very glad to hear that your Mother's health has improved. I will continue to keep her (and you) in my prayers.

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Excellent news, John! Glad to see they got the infection under control. We're all pulling for you and your Mom.

 

[CoffeeDude]

John, that's excellent news! Have a very merry Christmas!

 

[Prairie Dog]

'Tis the season of miracles.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your mom, Edith.
You're an 'ace' of a son.