Ingrid... A Medical Update

As many know, my mom's medical condition has been fragile at best the past couple of years, and especially so the past 10 months or so. We have been doing in home peritoneal dialysis since February, and overall it has gone well, although mom has had intermittent issues with low blood pressures and the symptoms that accompany that, and low appetite and decreasing leg strength. She had started using a walker at all times, and mobility was limited, but she was still able to get into the car, take care of herself at home, etc. The dialysis was going pretty well overall.

This summer she developed some sores on her left foot due to diabetic neuropathy. One of her toes was in pretty bad shape, and her heel developed a sore that was and is very slow to heal. We were looking at future surgery to remove part of her toe, and if the heel did not get better, perhaps her foot or lower leg.

About 10 days ago we ran in to further issues. Mom's peritoneal dialysis stopped working. An x-ray and CT scan did not reveal what the problem might be, and the surgeon who could do some exploratory surgery was out of town, as were her podiatrist and her nephrologist. So mom went in to place the catheter that would allow for hemodialysis while we waited. She started hemodialysis last Monday.

You may recall that the whole reason we started peritoneal dialysis was because hemo is not a good option for her. It lowers her blood pressure to the point that she is ill, and as a result they cannot be as aggressive with treatment as they need to be. She leaves hemo weak and ill, sleeping almost exclusively for the following 24 hours to recover. Her legs weaken, and she gets mentally confused.

Needless to say, last week was  not good. From Wednesday on, she was unable to take the two steps it takes to get into our home; she was unable to walk to the restroom or to make herself food, and she had a hard time speaking, finding words, etc. We anxiously awaited the opportunity to find out why peritoneal is n't working, and whether we can get it working again, as we started using a wheelchair to get her around the house,installed a wheelchair ramp to be able to get her to dialysis, etc.

On Sunday morning mom woke up with severe pain in her lower abdomen, and a hard, red mass below her navel. The doctor told us to bring her to the hospital, where she was given an ultrasound and immediately placed on IV antibiotics and admitted to the Renal Care Unit, Room 258.

Her nephrologist is now back and saw her this morning. She is staying in the hospital for now to try and sort out the various issues that are going on, and to give her occupational and physical therapy to assist with her self-care issues.

It's believed that the mass in her stomach is an infection, and possibly calcium deposits. I do not know what the course of treatment for that is, yet.

The surgeon is supposed to have a consult with her this afternoon regarding the peritoneal catheter and finding out what is going wrong there.

The podiatrist needs to be consulted regarding how much of her toe/foot/leg needs to be amputated. The heel is getting better but is not completely better. I am very anxious about this particular item, and am hoping the podiatrist will be willing to continue to see if the heeling can complete. Amputation is scary and we are trying to avoid it at all costs...

I haven't been by to see mom yet this morning, but will be swinging by later today after work. We are relieved that she is receiving skilled care for the many issues that are plaguing her, and we are praying like crazy that the doctors make good informed choices and that mom can heal. We do think that we are looking at a stay at an extended care nursing facility once the urgent issues have been dealt with...

Your prayers are appreciated, and I know she'll love hearing from any and all who giver her a call. The number at Providence Hospital is 907-562-2211, Room 258.

I will post updates to this blog as I receive them, so that friends and relatives will know what is happening...

-Martina