wedsnesday on the irt

 

Wednesday morning I had a ultrasound appointment before my walk with Pam. I arrived at the Ironton Rail Trail almost a half-hour early. When Pam arrived we headed out to do the 5.5 mile loop. Pam had ridden the loop before, but never walked, so she enjoyed exploring all the "stuff" on the trail.

There's a lot of new bridges on this trail. I was surprised. One already has graffiti.

 

Miles/Steps:  5.5 miles
Bathrooms:   At the parking lot and also at the half-way point a P-2.5. Both were handicapped
PPE Found:   none

Then I went home where I waited for information on my sister from the hospital. And then I waited some more. Mid-afternoon I found out that she spent most of the day still in ER since there were no beds available. When neurology called for her base activities (walking, talking, handles med and money, cooking ... ) she told me all the many -ologies had been in. I don’t remember them all. She was admitted to a room at about 4. 

Of course after waiting all day I left for a bit to pick up kraut at Bonnie's, and of course the doctor calls. He left a message, but had a thick accent, so I had to do multiple plays of the message to reveal that he'd call back later. He didn't.

Thursday I had to work Noon-4. I called the nurses desk. I just needed information. That report:

• She was alert and follows commands but she’s not talking and just stares
• Her heart rate is low, but higher 40-50s
• Good oxygen
• Low blood pressure 106/65
• Low temperature. She was back in the bear hug blanket. It was back up to the mid 90s

Doctor is supposed to call “later”. There was two messages on my machine when I got home. He left his cell phone number. I called him. He sounded glum. She had acute kidney failure and they thought maybe an infection because her temp keeps dropping. His biggest concern was that she was no longer alert and active. She just laid there and stared at the ceiling.

I was really worried. What will happen Friday?

Friday I worked all day. I tried the nurses desk after lunch but it just rang. I tried again around 3:30 and got some information. It was a little more hopeful. But sounded a whole like like the episode in March. They still don't know what's going on. Stop me if anything sounds familiar.

• She's a lot more awake today and responding to questions when asked, but a little confused. For example, she didn't realize she was in the hospital. She thought she was at someone's house.
• Her body temperature is still an issue. But at least now it's in the 90's. The bear hug is still being used to warm her up.
• They are hoping to transfer her out of cardiac ICU. (Wait. I didn't know she was in ICU.)
• Kidneys are improving
• Speech Therapist came by she's having some swallowing issues. Back to the soft/bite sized diet.(She calls it dog food.)
• Heart Rate still low, but not as low as before.
• Still doing tests, blood work
  

No contact with doctors today. No messages when I got home. I left my cell phone # again.