Mom is having trouble with her iron level due to all her blood transfusions. She is at 4900+ and being under 1000 is where she should be. This means that Mom will most likely be put on a medication (Exjade) to help flush out all the extra iron. One of the side affects of Exjade is chronic diarrhea. Mom is not looking forward to this since this is a medication she would be on long term. We are waiting for Dr. Shier to return at the end of the month to get the okay to start her on Exjade. They doctors are continuing to watch Mom's port for infection. They have decided to not pull it at this time but are concerned that if she gets another infection they will have to remove it. We are grateful that Mom can keep it in at this time. As for Mom's most recent infections, the doctors feel that they can be handled with antibiotics while out of the hospital. This means that they hope to release Mom tomorrow. Yeah!
Mom seems to do best while in the hospital. Her levels are more stabilized, her mobility seems to improve and her bodily functions are easier to control. We are working with the doctors to make it easier for Mom when she is released and returns to the apartment. The new plan will be to test most all her levels daily while in the Infusion Ward. This should help stop the roller coaster of side effects of electrolytes being out of balance.
Mom's nurses have all been wonderful! Brenda was her nurse last night and she gave Mom excellent care. We actually think that Brenda is an angel just dressed as a nurse. It blesses our heart to see the nurses care for our mother as if she was their own mother. Beth was also a blessing to Mom is many ways as she came and went throughout the day yesterday. Konstantin is Mom's nurse today. He is going to help get her prepared so she can take a shower. Wahoo!! I know that Mom will feel even better all fresh and clean. He is skillful in all that he does and is quite charming. Loyda is actually going to help Mom with her shower. Loyda is delightful and most helpful. She makes sure all Mom's needs are being met, makes sure her linens are clean and is a ray of sunshine to our day.
If you tried to call Mom yesterday and couldn't get through, we are sorry. We didn't discover until late last night that Mom's phone was not working. It has been fixed so please feel free to call if you'd like. You can reach her at 650-725-9390.
It is just Mom and me today. We are enjoying this time together. Stasi left very early this morning to return home for a board meeting and to take care of a few things at home. I miss her and will look forward to her return early tomorrow morning.
We did have fun picking up her rental car yesterday. There is a car rental place her on the Stanford Campus just a minute from the hospital. We picked up a car for her to make the trip home so I could have Mom's car here. The rental guy was very nice and quite the snazzy dresser. He acted like most people don't ask to take his photo when they rent a car from him...go figure.
Things are improving and the day looks all the brighter. We have written the following verse on the board in Mom's hospital room to encourage her and those who come in to see her.
"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." ~Psalm 118:24
Thank you Lord for another day!
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