Thursday's Update

As quick as Chelsey and the kids were here - they were gone by noon today.

Mom's blood pressure still isn't balance and remains high, averaging about 155/90. It is still higher in the morning and the doctor doesn't like that. Mom's weight on Chelsey's Wee Fit was 240 lbs; the hospital weighed her today at 220 lbs - all that was water. You can see it.

There is a BNP test (?) that helps them determine when to stop giving diuretics. They want this number below 900. Yesterday it was in the 5,000's and today it is 4200 and when she came in last week it was 24,300. Potassium a little low (normal with the diuretics). She is a little more congested. It just takes time to get it all out of the lungs. Her blood levels aren't thin enough - still more drugs.

Dr. Bobby Foot (Mom's cousin) came in to see her today. He is a neurologist in the hospital. Mom's doctor, Dr. Norton (mom asked him if he knew Dr. Foot) and he did. So Dr. Norton saw him and told him about mom. Dr. Foot looked over mom's chart and confirmed that all this has been there a long time.

Mom's fingers are back changing colors: white & purple and cold.... She is a little more tired today after her little thing last night perhaps. She has slept a lot today.

The cardiologist finally came late tonight. He is concerned about the incident last night. Basically he said we need to consult with a doctor that specializes in the electrical part of the heart. We need to watch her more. So we may not be getting out as soon as first thought. Kevin's dad had a similar issue and was fixed with a simple surgery. Other options are a devise like a pace make called a defibrillator implanted in the chest to jump start her heart if needed. This is one of the results of congestive heart failure. One of the other results is a high incidence of kidney dialysis needed - the kidneys can't keep up with the demands from the heart. Mom's kidneys are great (she's been working on them). She is so glad that isn't a complication for her - she doesn't think she could do that.

She should only drink 2 liters of water per day and a no salt diet.

Last but not least - Mom got to go on a wheel chair ride. They finally found a wheel chair that was comfortable for her legs. So at 11:30 pm tonight we went for a joy ride. She was so happy for a change of pace. We went over to the cafeteria and had onion rings. Woo ho!!!