Mom in hospital tonight.

DaughterMom

Mom is in the hospital again tonight.  She has been so tired, and has had zero energy these last couple days.  She told me that she was just feeling strange, she could not really describe it.  The doctors ran the standard tests and now she is getting another blood transfusion and is on oxygen.  I am worried.  They will keep her overnight, and we shall see the morning if her blood counts have improved some.  I am not sure what will happen now.  She is not eating much, she says the food tastes funny, but she does drink alot of fluids.  I am afraid that they will admit her, and she may not be coming back home.  I know the time to say goodbye is nearing, she is only 92lbs, and is so weak.  I am hoping that the blood transfusion with give her the boost that she needs to come home again, even for a little while longer.  I am not ready just yet...but I don't think I will ever be ready. 

You know, my mother is an amazing, unselfish woman.  I was planning on a trip back home for 2 weeks, but my arrangements for a caregiver for mom fell through, so I told her that I would not be leaving until the end of the month, and will be only be gone for the week of my DDs spring break.  It was then that she admitted to me that she was not feeling quite right, because she did not want to upset my previous plans.  But, I had an inkling that something was wrong, because she is usually up at least 3 times a day, but for the last couple days, she stayed pretty much in bed.  Plus, she was asking me to write out a list of her drugs,  "just in case". 

LisaSDCA

Oxygen, fluids, rest and an infusion of new red blood cells may just be exactly what your mom needs to feel more like herself. I hope and pray that is the case. I can 'hear' your concern, your love and your fear in your post. You may have to say goodbye before long - we are never ready, it's always too soon (I lost my dad at 46 and my sister at 34). But you can be assured that your mom feels cherished by you and your caring. She sounds like an extraordinary woman.

Lisa

AnnNYC

Daughter, please know that you and your Mom are in my thoughts and prayers (BTW, "How Great Thou Art" is my over-the-edge song, too). 

Hugs,

Ann

ElaineD

I do hope that a short stay in hospital will give her a much needed boost, and that you'll be able to have some more time together at home. But as Lisa said, I don't think we're ever ready to let go....your Mum sound wonderful, and so do you.....keeping you both in my thoughts.

Fitztwins

Hope your mom is doing better. You are such a compassionate daughter. Bless your heart.

DaughterMom

My mother is home again!  Thank goodness, her blood count was very low, and she received a blood transfusion.  It has done wonders for her energy level, she is up and about again!  Whew. 

ElaineD

YIPPEE!!

barbe1958

You are both in my prayers.... 

AnnNYC

Great news!

Fitztwins

Those transfusions are amazing aren't they. I am glad to see she is home.

dreamwriter

I am doing the happy dance for your mom!

waterlily

I'm so glad the transfusion did the job!

VickiG

I am just seeing this thread now ~ I am so happy that the transfusion did so much for her!!!!!  Definitely happy for you both.  Hugs, Vicki

DaughterMom

Thank you ladies.

I am thinking of you all.  God Bless!

ElaineD

And we're thinking of you too, with love and hugs,x

barbe1958

How are you both doing now? 

DaughterMom

I am nervous and my mother is scared. The nights are long, because I really think that my mother is afraid to fall asleep.  Lately, she even just sits up at the edge of the bed, and sometimes she gets so groggy, I am afraid she will fall off the bed. I have been sitting up with her until she starts nodding off, then I help her lay down and get comfortable.  

When mom came home from her last hospital stay, she was fine for a couple days, she was up, eating and drinking.  Shortly after we noticed that the urine collecting in her nyphrostomy tubes looked cloudy.  Her homecare nurse called her doctor to subscribe anitbiotics, and in the meantime took a sample.  Mom is now taking the antibiotics and her urine has cleared up, but it looks dark.  She also has been in more pain, so her pain med dosages have been increased.   She says she is not feeling well at all, she says her feet feel funny, muscles are tight, and her abdomen and back feels heavy.  Mom has a hard time explaining her symptoms, but I think I understand,  I am worried about her kidney function.  I just called and left a message with her doctor, but her doctor can be so useless sometimes.  I told mom if she would like, we can go to the ER again.   I think mom would feel safer in the hospital.  She is resting now with the heating pad, hopefully she will find some relief.

 I don't know what to expect.  I am thinking of calling off my trip home next week.  My aunt is coming to stay with mom to give me some respite.  I just don't know.  My sister is worried too, she is 37weeks pregnant and cannot travel.  She called me this morning and said she took some caster oil! 

 I'll keep you posted.  Mom is so strong, she may just bounce right back after a few days.  I've been so scared of loosing her for the last 4 months, every symptom gets me worried and I think, "this is it", then before long, she is back to her old "new" self.  It's a rollar coaster ride from hell.  

kisersassy

Daughtermom I know how you are feeling.  I have been on a roller coaster ride from hell with my grandma for months now.  She is in the hospital now and they started dialysis on her.  4 days ago all the Docs and nurses were wanting to release her home into hospice and now they are trying the dialysis in a last ditch effort.

I hope your mom feels better and she should go to the ER if things are worst.

Rhonda

DaughterMom

Rhonda, I am so sorry to hear about your Grandmother.   My mother's kidneys started failing back in January.   The urologist and her onc said that both her kidneys were near failure, but they didn't consider dialysis.  They brought it up, and said that cancer patients would not benefit from dialysis, and they said it is normally not done.  My mother had nyphrostomy tubes inserted in her kidneys, and she also had radiation to shrink the mass that was causing the blockage.  It worked wonderfully, she felt so relieved from her renal problems, imagine having a urinary tract infection for months on end, not fun.

My mother's dr. called back and we are going to see her near the end of the work day, she will see mom at 5:00, and she told us that we will not have to wait, she would inform the receptionist to put us in a room right away.  Very nice of her (I take back what I said earlier).  Mom wants to talk to the dr about getting a bed ready for her in the hospital's palliatve care unit.   

barbe1958

That is so sad. Is your sisters' baby the first grandchild? You are in my prayers. 

DaughterMom

Actually Barbe, this baby is grand-child number 11! 

My mother had three girls, call us rabbits, I don't know.  My older sister has 4 children.  I am the middle child and I have 3 children ages 17, 12, and 3 (next month), and the baby sister has 3 children and one on the way (any day now, if the caster oil trick works soon....)

God bless!

Fitztwins

Prayers for your mom, I hope she turns the corner soon. I can't imagine a raging UTI all of the time.

Hang in. (that is a ton of grand babies)

barbe1958

What joy you must have given her with so many grandchildren! I'm sure she feels very blessed. 

desdemona222b

Hi, DaughterMom -

I just wanted to extend my deepest sympathy for you and your dear mother.  You are really a devoted daughter and I am sure you are a great comfort to your mother.

My mother passed away in palliative care March 7 after a very long battle with Parkinson's disease that left her wasted away, in terrible pain, unable to walk, talk, or write.  Finally, she could not swallow anymore but could not tell anyone what was going on.  She also had a cold so I guess my Dad thought that was her problem because he said he didn't understand what was happening at first.  Anyway, she had a heart attack and refused a feeding tube.  I always thought I'd be prepared to say goodbye to her because her suffering would end, but that's not how it went at all.  I'm having a very rough time thinking of her last few days and her years-long battle.  So, I sympathize deeply with you.

Feel free to pm me any time you like.  I will keep you and your mom in my prayers. 

DaughterMom

Well, it's been one month since I first posted this thread.  Since then mom has beaten off an infection, and has been in the ER twice...  Even though she is so sick, and continues to loose weight, they just give her fluids, take a blood test and send her home.  I asked her if the fluids make her feel any different, and she just smiles and says "Nope".  She is so very frightened, and so very strong at the same time.  She still wants to be admitted.  I am not sure what the protocol is with the hospital, but her doctor said she would see what she can do to arrange for a bed.  Not sure how long it will take, or even how long they will keep her.  I think mom just wants someone to tell her what is happening to her body, and explain to her why she feels so crappy, I can only guess.  How can I say to her, "well mom, I think your kidneys are failing, and it is quite possible that the tumors in your liver are causing the pain in your sides, and you have no appitite because your body does not know what to do with the food"....I don't even know if mom would want to hear that from a dr., I am so confused.  I also think that mom feels like she is a burden to me, which is hardly the case.  I made contact with the palliative care social worker and she will come for a home visit.  She said she could talk to us about the hard stuff that needs to be talked about, or to just see how she can help us out. 

Fitztwins

Honey, my thoughts, prayers and warm hugs go out to you. It is so hard to go through this. On both sides of the chair. May you mom find peace and get some pain relief.

Janis

hollyann

Daughter, i just found your thread...My prayers and thoughts go out to you........I know how hard it is  when a loved one is terminal.....I just lost my sister to end stage emphysema.....It was so hard to watch her go but she went peacefully and I was honored to see the angels who came for her that day......May you and your mother find peace at this most difficult time.......

Reneepals

You are amazing. The realationship that your mom has with you is absolutley beautiful.... The love and concern and care you give your mother is so inspiring. I pray for the both of you, God Bless

dreamwriter

I hope that all is well with you and your mom, your sisters and those 11 grandchildren (did the castor oil work yet?

dreamwriter

Hey Daughter/Mom, how are both of you doing.  I am worried as you havent been in since the 16th - yeah I know it was only yesterday but in this, each hour counts.  Hope all is well and you are celebrating the effectiveness of castor oil (do you drink that or put it where the baby slides out?)

Jadai

Well, my mom is also in the hospital tonight with newly found mets to the brain.  They have some swelling so they are keeping her to just monitor.  Hope you and your mom are both ok.  Please feel free to PM me anytime, it helps to talk to someone in the same position.