The latest update on Myra's status is that she's returned to the nursing home but with no answers to anything.
The doctors were not able to find the source of the infection. They took all kinds of blood cultures but they all came back inconclusive.
On top of the infection that she's fighting, she showed symptoms of pneumonia, so they treated her with an extra iv for that, however, it proved not to be pneumonia so that was also inconclusive. It's all settling into her chest so she's either got a bad cold or it will turn into something soon.
Now that she's back at the nursing home, she's extremely weak and she's hardly moving at all. She's had some fainting spells again when she gets up to use the restroom (with the help of an aide) which is what happened when she was with Dusty and I at our house back in August.
Myra said she is absolutely sick of all this. She feels she's gone backward a year from a physical standpoint. She's weak. They can't figure it out and it's starting to take a mental toll.
Her new renal doctors have added 1 hour to her dialysis to cleanse the contaminates.The goal of it is that she's generally stronger and not feeling so weak. She's still going to dialysis 3 days a week. So now her cycles are each 4 hours long. They won't know for about 2 months if this is working. All Myra knows is it's taking a lot out of her physically. Totally wipes her out.
She's willing to do whatever it takes but nothing seems to be the answer yet.
Some of you have sent emails that you'd like passed on to Myra. I am happy to do that for you, so please email me at theratcliffs@charter.net if you'd like me to pass a message to Myra.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
hospitalized
Just a quick update to say that Myra is in the hospital once again. Seems she has her infection back, if it ever left. Doctors seem to think the infection comes from the dialysis port.
She's been quite lethargic over the weekend and has eaten very, very little due to a loss of appetite. She was to see a doctor this Wednesday but her nursing staff at the nursing home contacted her doctor to describe symptoms and he instructed her to get in the hospital.
When she recovers, she will go back to the nursing home. She's very weak and therapy isn't going as well as she would hope. She tires out so quickly. In my humble opinion, her weakness is partially due to this infection that never goes away, but becomes treated enough that she can no longer be hospitalized. It's a big, bad cycle for her.
She's been quite lethargic over the weekend and has eaten very, very little due to a loss of appetite. She was to see a doctor this Wednesday but her nursing staff at the nursing home contacted her doctor to describe symptoms and he instructed her to get in the hospital.
When she recovers, she will go back to the nursing home. She's very weak and therapy isn't going as well as she would hope. She tires out so quickly. In my humble opinion, her weakness is partially due to this infection that never goes away, but becomes treated enough that she can no longer be hospitalized. It's a big, bad cycle for her.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
UPDATE....
I have received emails from some of you folks and I want to apologize for not keeping this updated. The following email was a draft that I thought was published.
Things were going fairly well for Myra at our house up until a week ago Friday, August 8th when we got a call from Dialysis. It was 5:30pm and they generally call to confirm a time for dialysis which was to happen the next morning.... but this call was a little different. They called to tell us to bring Myra to the hospital ASAP and that this couldn't wait until 10am the following morning.
During dialysis, they test for certain levels in the bloodstream. They discovered that Myra's INR levels (blood's ability to clot) were over 10 and normal is considered 2 or 3 for somebody who is on coumadin , such as Myra.
Myra was in complete shock. She's felt 'normal' and didn't see this one coming and quite frankly, wasn't too happy about a hospital visit.
Fast forward a couple of hours after we got to the ER. The doctor was very concerned about these levels. When they are this out of whack, a stroke or internal bleeding is almost inevitable. By this time (about 2 hours after leaving our house) she had the start of a headache and her neck was a little stiff. The doctor didn't much care for these symptoms and insisted on 2 bags of frozen plasma, which quickly drops the INR level. Followed up with a few shots of Vitamin K, which also aids in the drop.
Fast forward to Saturday when a team of doctors came in to analyze, poke and prod Myra. By this time, we've filled them in on all the surgeries and health problems she's had in the last 8 years, concentrating on the past year. This was very concerning to them and they decided to keep her through the weekend to give this situation proper attention.
The doctor who would become the primary physician started looking at things with a fresh set of eyes, and absolutely no knowledge of her history, other than what we had told the medical staff.
This was a bit refreshing to us because it never hurts to get a fresh, unbiased opinion of what might be causing some problems she's been having- mainly passing out from the blood pressure problem that has persisted ever since leaving ICU at St. John's 8 months ago.
After talking with the doctor over the weekend, he agreed that Myra's health situation is "too complex to be dealt with at home".
It turns out that this whole INR issue may have been a blessing. She needs a lot of physical therapy in order to regain the strength she had before the strokes. Because she left Bethesda and didn't transfer to a nursing home, there is no going back once you get home and decide you're not strong enough to be home.
This hospital visit in Mankato allowed us to get Myra placed in a nursing home for 100 days and it is all, 100% covered by insurance!!!! To us, this feels like a blessing because if she's going to remain at home, she needs to get stronger.
Another great thing that came out of this is a doctor in Mankato found something that he was able to change in Myra's medication and this has helped Myra make some great strides in the right direction.
After a week of me practically beating up the social worker to get what we needed for Myra, we found placement for her at a nursing home in Forest Lake. This is close to home so she can be near Curt and dialysis is available in the same town, which is greatly convenient.
Myra is doing great at dialysis and loves the therapy she is getting. As you know, Myra's attitude is everything and she is looking forward to all the therapy.
***************
Update from the New Year:
Myra is still at the nursing home in Forest Lake because she is experiencing some undiagnosed pain. She moved on from vicodin to steroids because of the pain.
She took a break from the therapy because of the pain but she's back at therapy and working on getting stronger.
She spent the last couple of months in and out of the hospital with a new team of doctors who are trying to figure out what they can do for Myra.
We were all able to spend Christmas together with Curt & Myra at the nursing home. We had a great lunch provided by the home and watched the kids open their presents.
And Curt is doing great too since his surgery. He has so much more energy and is back at work. When he's not at work, he's spending time with Myra at the nursing home.
I get emails and phone calls from some of you and pass them along to Myra as I get them. If you want to email me to get her phone number, she loves to know people are thinking about her!
Things were going fairly well for Myra at our house up until a week ago Friday, August 8th when we got a call from Dialysis. It was 5:30pm and they generally call to confirm a time for dialysis which was to happen the next morning.... but this call was a little different. They called to tell us to bring Myra to the hospital ASAP and that this couldn't wait until 10am the following morning.
During dialysis, they test for certain levels in the bloodstream. They discovered that Myra's INR levels (blood's ability to clot) were over 10 and normal is considered 2 or 3 for somebody who is on coumadin , such as Myra.
Myra was in complete shock. She's felt 'normal' and didn't see this one coming and quite frankly, wasn't too happy about a hospital visit.
Fast forward a couple of hours after we got to the ER. The doctor was very concerned about these levels. When they are this out of whack, a stroke or internal bleeding is almost inevitable. By this time (about 2 hours after leaving our house) she had the start of a headache and her neck was a little stiff. The doctor didn't much care for these symptoms and insisted on 2 bags of frozen plasma, which quickly drops the INR level. Followed up with a few shots of Vitamin K, which also aids in the drop.
Fast forward to Saturday when a team of doctors came in to analyze, poke and prod Myra. By this time, we've filled them in on all the surgeries and health problems she's had in the last 8 years, concentrating on the past year. This was very concerning to them and they decided to keep her through the weekend to give this situation proper attention.
The doctor who would become the primary physician started looking at things with a fresh set of eyes, and absolutely no knowledge of her history, other than what we had told the medical staff.
This was a bit refreshing to us because it never hurts to get a fresh, unbiased opinion of what might be causing some problems she's been having- mainly passing out from the blood pressure problem that has persisted ever since leaving ICU at St. John's 8 months ago.
After talking with the doctor over the weekend, he agreed that Myra's health situation is "too complex to be dealt with at home".
It turns out that this whole INR issue may have been a blessing. She needs a lot of physical therapy in order to regain the strength she had before the strokes. Because she left Bethesda and didn't transfer to a nursing home, there is no going back once you get home and decide you're not strong enough to be home.
This hospital visit in Mankato allowed us to get Myra placed in a nursing home for 100 days and it is all, 100% covered by insurance!!!! To us, this feels like a blessing because if she's going to remain at home, she needs to get stronger.
Another great thing that came out of this is a doctor in Mankato found something that he was able to change in Myra's medication and this has helped Myra make some great strides in the right direction.
After a week of me practically beating up the social worker to get what we needed for Myra, we found placement for her at a nursing home in Forest Lake. This is close to home so she can be near Curt and dialysis is available in the same town, which is greatly convenient.
Myra is doing great at dialysis and loves the therapy she is getting. As you know, Myra's attitude is everything and she is looking forward to all the therapy.
***************
Update from the New Year:
Myra is still at the nursing home in Forest Lake because she is experiencing some undiagnosed pain. She moved on from vicodin to steroids because of the pain.
She took a break from the therapy because of the pain but she's back at therapy and working on getting stronger.
She spent the last couple of months in and out of the hospital with a new team of doctors who are trying to figure out what they can do for Myra.
We were all able to spend Christmas together with Curt & Myra at the nursing home. We had a great lunch provided by the home and watched the kids open their presents.
And Curt is doing great too since his surgery. He has so much more energy and is back at work. When he's not at work, he's spending time with Myra at the nursing home.
I get emails and phone calls from some of you and pass them along to Myra as I get them. If you want to email me to get her phone number, she loves to know people are thinking about her!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
adjusting
Myra has her new, voice-activated cell phone all ready to go. If you'd like to give her a call and visit with her sometime, email me at theratcliffs@charter.net and I will give you her cell number.
Today will be a test, she has dialysis. It's been really taking a lot out of her lately so we might have a bit of a challenge to get her up the few stairs to our house when they get back.
Curt is healing nicely and is still with Matt & Tess. Resting lots and slowly gaining his appetite back.
Today will be a test, she has dialysis. It's been really taking a lot out of her lately so we might have a bit of a challenge to get her up the few stairs to our house when they get back.
Curt is healing nicely and is still with Matt & Tess. Resting lots and slowly gaining his appetite back.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
all settled
We have both Curt & Myra situated in their temporary homes.
Curt is sleeping in Derek's superman bed and he's getting lots of rest there. He's up and moving around but is very weak and tired yet.
Curt and Matt brought Myra down to meet Dusty and I in Eagan today. We made the transfer just fine and we have just finished introducing Myra to the surroundings in her new bedroom.
We have two stairs that Myra has to climb to get in our house. She was a little stressed about those but handled them like a trooper! She's getting acclimated with her new surroundings and is enjoying a cup of coffee and the Twins game. Not sure if the Twins game is on for her or Dusty.
Curt is sleeping in Derek's superman bed and he's getting lots of rest there. He's up and moving around but is very weak and tired yet.
Curt and Matt brought Myra down to meet Dusty and I in Eagan today. We made the transfer just fine and we have just finished introducing Myra to the surroundings in her new bedroom.
We have two stairs that Myra has to climb to get in our house. She was a little stressed about those but handled them like a trooper! She's getting acclimated with her new surroundings and is enjoying a cup of coffee and the Twins game. Not sure if the Twins game is on for her or Dusty.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
improvement
Today is the first day that Curt feels pretty decent. Doctors removed all tubes, including his oxygen.
He said the last two days were pretty awful and he was wondering if he'd ever feel human again. So he was pretty excited to have less chest pain today.
He was busy with therapy this morning and he has another session this afternoon.
As of today, it looks like he might be going home on Sunday. When he leaves the hospital, Curt will be staying with Matt & Tess until he's strong enough to go home. This way he'll have help with his recovery and meals and that sort of thing. Curt has discussed with his doctors the situation with needing to care for Myra when he gets home and that is just physically not an option.
Sooo.......Myra will be coming to stay with Dusty and I in Mankato. We've got her new room almost all ready. We were able to arrange for dialysis in a neighboring town (well, it's actually 45 minutes away but beggars can't be choosers).
She'll have a room on our main floor with a bathroom and of course the kitchen is there as well. Dusty works nights (for the time being) and I work during the day so it will work out pretty good. I have some flexibility at work which allows me to work from home or take time as I need to help Myra, so that is a relief.
This just seems like the best solution. Right now, they are paying out of pocket for nursing home care and then she has to take a cab to dialysis. We're not comfortable with relying on strangers to care for her.
You are more than welcome to visit Myra if you want to make a trip to Mankato, or to call her here on our phone. We love to have visitors! The same goes for Curt while he's with Matt & Tess.
Email me at theratcliffs@charter.net for contact information.
Until later....
He said the last two days were pretty awful and he was wondering if he'd ever feel human again. So he was pretty excited to have less chest pain today.
He was busy with therapy this morning and he has another session this afternoon.
As of today, it looks like he might be going home on Sunday. When he leaves the hospital, Curt will be staying with Matt & Tess until he's strong enough to go home. This way he'll have help with his recovery and meals and that sort of thing. Curt has discussed with his doctors the situation with needing to care for Myra when he gets home and that is just physically not an option.
Sooo.......Myra will be coming to stay with Dusty and I in Mankato. We've got her new room almost all ready. We were able to arrange for dialysis in a neighboring town (well, it's actually 45 minutes away but beggars can't be choosers).
She'll have a room on our main floor with a bathroom and of course the kitchen is there as well. Dusty works nights (for the time being) and I work during the day so it will work out pretty good. I have some flexibility at work which allows me to work from home or take time as I need to help Myra, so that is a relief.
This just seems like the best solution. Right now, they are paying out of pocket for nursing home care and then she has to take a cab to dialysis. We're not comfortable with relying on strangers to care for her.
You are more than welcome to visit Myra if you want to make a trip to Mankato, or to call her here on our phone. We love to have visitors! The same goes for Curt while he's with Matt & Tess.
Email me at theratcliffs@charter.net for contact information.
Until later....
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Surgery went great
Curt had a successful double bypass. They did one on both the left and the right side of the heart. The surgeon did it that way so that both sides of the heart is operating. They were even able to bypass the part that was defected from birth.
The surgery took about 3 1/2 hours and he was back up in his room early afternoon.
I actually spoke with Curt this morning. He pretty much sounds like himself, but he wasn't quite up to joke telling. He said he was up quite a bit last night but is fairly comfortable. He's completely coherent. And, hugging the heck out of his heart pillow.
His nurse said that he is doing very well. He was removed from the ventilator yesterday and is still on oxygen, but his levels are great and normal. The oxygen is simply a formality right now.
They had him sitting up last night and he dangled is legs over the side of the bed. Today they will actually get him up and walking a few steps.
Curt thinks he'll be moved out of ICU today and into telemetry but the nurse wasn't quite so sure that would happen today. Guess it never hurts to have positive thinking, does it?
I'll be in touch soon....
The surgery took about 3 1/2 hours and he was back up in his room early afternoon.
I actually spoke with Curt this morning. He pretty much sounds like himself, but he wasn't quite up to joke telling. He said he was up quite a bit last night but is fairly comfortable. He's completely coherent. And, hugging the heck out of his heart pillow.
His nurse said that he is doing very well. He was removed from the ventilator yesterday and is still on oxygen, but his levels are great and normal. The oxygen is simply a formality right now.
They had him sitting up last night and he dangled is legs over the side of the bed. Today they will actually get him up and walking a few steps.
Curt thinks he'll be moved out of ICU today and into telemetry but the nurse wasn't quite so sure that would happen today. Guess it never hurts to have positive thinking, does it?
I'll be in touch soon....
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Curt's turn
Well, I bring news about Curt this time.
Curt will be having double, possibly triple bypass surgery on Monday morning at St. Joseph's hospital in St. Paul.
Here's the condensed history with a disclaimer that I am describing what is happening the best I can and without any medical background. Suzie should probably dictate to me for future postings so that I can be as accurate as possible about the situation.
How this started...
Curt has been extremely tired lately, so tired that some days he can hardly keep his head up. His blood pressure has also been very high and hasn't been controllable even with medication.
In trying to diagnose the problem, doctors discovered that Curt has an aneurysm on the thorax, which leads to the heart. This aneurysm requires a surgery where they insert a stint to help ease the aneurysm and prevent it from going off (going off is probably not a proper medical term). This type of aneurysm is the same thing that John Ritter died of a few years back but his was undetected.
In preparation of this surgery, blockage was discovered which brings us to yesterday (7/12) when Curt went for an angiogram.
During the angiogram, the doctor discovered that the right side of his heart probably NEVER worked properly and more than likely has been 100% blocked since birth. However, there is no damage to this side of the heart because the heart developed collateral feeders on it's own. The input of these veins are all well developed.
The left side of the heart, also known as the "death artery" has two blockages. Because the blockage is in this side, it was considered too dangerous to perform an angioplasty yesterday, as death is probable if it doesn't go just right.
This means he will be having bypass surgery on Monday morning. The way I understand it, this will definitely be a double and possibly a triple bypass.
What we know so far...
Myra will stay with Matt & Tess Sunday night. Matt and Myra will pick up Curt very early Monday morning. Curt has to get checked in and prepped at 5:30 a.m.
If you would like to talk to Curt or Myra this weekend, email me and I'll get you their phone numbers. I will keep this blog updated so you know how the surgery went, prognosis, etc.
P.S. If you're wondering why Myra can't stay at home this weekend, it's due to the fact that she still requires more physical care than Curt is able to provide this weekend and obviously after the bypass. For instance, she's at dialysis right now and that requires getting downstairs, into the car, into dialysis, back into the car, back home again and up the stairs.
Please put Curt & Myra in your prayers this weekend.
I'll be in touch.
Curt will be having double, possibly triple bypass surgery on Monday morning at St. Joseph's hospital in St. Paul.
Here's the condensed history with a disclaimer that I am describing what is happening the best I can and without any medical background. Suzie should probably dictate to me for future postings so that I can be as accurate as possible about the situation.
How this started...
Curt has been extremely tired lately, so tired that some days he can hardly keep his head up. His blood pressure has also been very high and hasn't been controllable even with medication.
In trying to diagnose the problem, doctors discovered that Curt has an aneurysm on the thorax, which leads to the heart. This aneurysm requires a surgery where they insert a stint to help ease the aneurysm and prevent it from going off (going off is probably not a proper medical term). This type of aneurysm is the same thing that John Ritter died of a few years back but his was undetected.
In preparation of this surgery, blockage was discovered which brings us to yesterday (7/12) when Curt went for an angiogram.
During the angiogram, the doctor discovered that the right side of his heart probably NEVER worked properly and more than likely has been 100% blocked since birth. However, there is no damage to this side of the heart because the heart developed collateral feeders on it's own. The input of these veins are all well developed.
The left side of the heart, also known as the "death artery" has two blockages. Because the blockage is in this side, it was considered too dangerous to perform an angioplasty yesterday, as death is probable if it doesn't go just right.
This means he will be having bypass surgery on Monday morning. The way I understand it, this will definitely be a double and possibly a triple bypass.
What we know so far...
- Doctors have performed this surgery 'millions' of times. Curt's doctor happens to be the chief of cardiology and has been in the cardiology field for 30 years, so that level of expertise and skill provides some comfort.
- the surgery is expected to last 4-5 hours
- at this point, Curt will be hospitalized for 7-10 days
- once home, he can't lift anything over 10 pounds
- no driving for 1 month
Myra will stay with Matt & Tess Sunday night. Matt and Myra will pick up Curt very early Monday morning. Curt has to get checked in and prepped at 5:30 a.m.
If you would like to talk to Curt or Myra this weekend, email me and I'll get you their phone numbers. I will keep this blog updated so you know how the surgery went, prognosis, etc.
P.S. If you're wondering why Myra can't stay at home this weekend, it's due to the fact that she still requires more physical care than Curt is able to provide this weekend and obviously after the bypass. For instance, she's at dialysis right now and that requires getting downstairs, into the car, into dialysis, back into the car, back home again and up the stairs.
Please put Curt & Myra in your prayers this weekend.
I'll be in touch.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
6/2
Greetings!
Myra resumes her physical tomorrow, hopefully putting her a step closer to receiving a new kidney! I'll keep you posted as we know more.
Hope you all are having a nice summer. Can't believe it's June already.
Myra resumes her physical tomorrow, hopefully putting her a step closer to receiving a new kidney! I'll keep you posted as we know more.
Hope you all are having a nice summer. Can't believe it's June already.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
5/6
Great News!
The transplant team agreed that Myra should be put back on the kidney transplant list!
She will resume the physical that is required for the transplant. If you recall, she started this physical in November and that is how the breast cancer was found.
Time lines are unknown right now but she has taken a step in the right direction!
The transplant team agreed that Myra should be put back on the kidney transplant list!
She will resume the physical that is required for the transplant. If you recall, she started this physical in November and that is how the breast cancer was found.
Time lines are unknown right now but she has taken a step in the right direction!
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