Gram Update

Lori,  I'm long overdue in sending you a note due to a stressful February, but you and your Gram cross my mind very often.  I'm so sorry to hear that she's had such a scary crisis -- I'll definitely start sending all my good thoughts, vibes and prayers eastward. 
 
I can't imagine how upsetting it is to see those restraints.  It broke my heart to hear you describe that, especially after "knowing" your Gram from all your descriptions and stories about her.  Seeing her like that, detecting her sense of hopelessness, has to be devastating for you.  I'm so very sorry!  I'm also sad to hear that Miss Willow isn't feeling well, either. 
 
Please tell your Gram that she has native New Englander vibes coming from 3,000 miles away, and give Willow several ear rubs from me.  And finally, a big hug for yourself as you face this difficult time.  I'll be looking forward to news of your Gram -- let's hope each day she has a bit more strength and the doctors get to the bottom of it.  Take care -- ((hugs))

Oh, Lori,
 
I'm so sorry that she hasn't improved yet.  I hope they will remove the restraints now.  It seems unnecessary.  Have they said anything about what their next move is about the bleeding?  That seems to be the most important detail at this point.  I would guess that her not caring is because she is weak from the bleeding. That is a tough situation.   This must be so tough for you, as well.   I am glad she has you to care for her as much as you do. 
 
Give Willow a hug - uti's are so not fun.  My guys send their doggie kisses to her.

    Lori;  I feel so sorry for your Gram; operations are very hard on the elderly and it's a terrible shame that it wasn't the right operation. She's been through so much and must be getting very discouraged that they still haven't found the cause of her bleeding; that may be why she seems to have lost her spirit lately.  Has the hospital social worker or perhaps a pastor ( I know they make the rounds at hospitals) spoken to her; someone with experience and training in dealing with people in her situation may be able to give her some encouragement. She just has so much to cope with; a feeding tube; being restrained, having trouble breathing, and worrying about the bleeding. I'll pray for her and hope they find the cause of the bleeding very soon; you'd think that wouldn't be so hard to do with things like MRI's and the like. Have you asked them why they haven't removed the restraints? She is so blessed to have you to care for her and I know how hard it is for you, having experienced something similar with my mother and mother-in-law. She should feel better as each day goes by and she recovers from the surgery.
     Poor Willow; I hope she feels better soon, and I hope your Gram feels more like her self tomorrow.

Lori,
It just breaks my heart to hear about your Gram. I can't imagine hard how it must be for you. I am praying hard for your Grams swift recovery and strength for you both. And of course for Willow too, hope she gets to feeling better really quick.

Lori - I was really hoping to hear that your Gram was doing better, especially after the surgery.  I'm sorry things aren't going as well as expected.  I know what a painful and helpless feeling it is to see her like this, especially with the restraints.  I hope that today brings better news and they can remove the restraints.  Those pain meds, like morphine, can be such a blessing and a curse.  Fortunately, there are other things they can use.  I've been thru some of the frustrations you're dealing with in terms of trying to figure out exactly what's going on.  It was amazing to me that with all the new technology, sometimes they still can pinpoint the problem. I went thru this with my dad too, and it was really frustrating.  I hope they can figure things out for your Gram soon.

Hugs to Willow too.  Having had a couple of UTIs myself, I know how crummy they can be.  I'll be thinking of all of you and hoping for some better news soon.

Thank you everyone. 

I went today to see her.  I was sort of giving myself anxiety "thinking" about what she was like.  But, honestly, she's not that far off than what I feared.

They sent her to a room, no ICU anymore.  But, her blood sugar was 51 when I got there and they had given her some juice to try to elevate it.  She's been on the feed tube and just water for a few days. 

Her blood pressure is low even with medication. 

So, I went in with some flowers and a stuffed white elephant with pink hearts on it's paws from Willow.  Gram has always loved elephants and has collected since I was a toddler.  One ceramic one I broke when I was 4 or 5 and she glued it and to this day that's still "the one I broke", LOL. 

She knew who I was and liked the gifts, she said, "oh, my elephant", when I showed it to her.  I set everything up so she could see it.  I turned the TV on for her.  She wanted TV Land. 

And, she kept falling asleep.  It was like one minute she'd be fine, the next falling asleep. 

Which, is completely not like her.  If she's got company she wants to talk.  So, I spoke to the nurse.  And, the nurse said she's going to speak with the doctor tonight to see if they can start her on a diet.  And, maybe change the blood pressue medication. 

Anyway, after about only 20 minutes or so.  She was asleep for good.  So, I just went.  I told the nurse if  she wakes up and remembers I didn't say bye to just tell her I didn't want to wake her up again. 

But, I doubt she'll remember.  I've never seen her like this.  And, I've seen her after surgery before. 

I'm really hoping it was because her blood sugar was so low. 

Honestly, I had a hard time not crying.  It's totally upsetting for me to see her this way.  A woman who loved people and never hurt a fly in her life.  She was the type if everyone else didn't like someone, she would still be friends with that person.  She never let anyone influence her decision not to be friends. 
 
She's got all bruises all over her arms from the IV's and she looks pale and thin--which isn't her either. 
 
On a funny note---She did say the nurse originally brought her cookies and milk.  And, then realized she wasn't supposed to have food and took them away.  She wasn't happy about that!  And, she kept saying she wanted a phone, she was upset they hadn't put a phone in her room.
 
So, I called my mom about the phone and informed her of the situation so she's going to call after to see what's what. 
 
Please pray. . .I just want more time. [&:] I know it's selfish.

Lori, we're going to add our New England vibes to all the other wishes that your gram has what she needs and that all works out for the best.
I know the feeling of wanting more time...what will be will be, but your gram is lucky to have such a loving granddaughter.  What a gift you have given her.

Thanks!!
 
I spoke to my mom a little while ago.  My uncle also went by and she was completely asleep.  But, the nurse found out from her chart that they gave her her diabetes medication before they transfered her from ICU.  And, they shouldn't have because she hasn't been on food for several days now.  So, that's why her blood sugar was so low when I was there.  The morons! 
 
My mom got the phone hooked up and spoke to her too.  She told my mom I left without saying bye!!  She wasn't awake for about 10 minutes straight so I left.  And, my uncle said she wasn't awake at all, he didn't even talk to her.
 
So, hopefully, tomorrow will be better once this medication is out of her system.  The doctor still said no food for now.  But, she's not hungry she said. 
 
 

Oh Lori!  My thoughts & prayers are with you.

I hope your Gram's doing better today and you're able to go visit her again.  I'm sure she looks forward to visitors, even if she doesn't have much energy.   Hopefully she'll be able to enjoy some real food soon too. 

Oh, and the elephant idea was so sweet []

We're sending prayers and good vibes too

Thanks everyone!  I really appreciate the support.  It's been an emotional roller coaster.  One minutes she's doing well, the next we are preparing ourselves.  So far today, no phone calls from mom so everything must be about the same. 
 
Thanks, again.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. The dogs send gentle, healing nose bops and I send a cyber massage and get well vibes for your Grandmother.
 
Take care.

Thanks!!!

Update---My mom called me tonight.  She's doing well.  The doctor said "she's over the hump".  Her lungs are now clear, blood count is good.  I caught her at a bad time last night because her blood sugar was too low. 

She had more visitors today and was awake the whole time.  She walked the hall and sat in a chair for an hour.  They haven't started food yet but are doing fluids.  She's complaining to my mom that her bills are going to be due and whose going to pay them. 

He said he's going to probably keep her until the weekend and then send her to a rehab facility.  Which, she's happy about because she's been in and out of this same nursing home for a couple of years and has a lot of friends there.  And, we can visit and bring the dogs. 

So, that's the scoop.  Please continue to pray that everything stays good.  You know how it can be, one minute she's fine, the next not.  So, we'll see.
 
AND---My mom said she was showing everyone who would look at the elephant I brought!