Here We Go Again

It's been pretty eventful these last few days. Mom's stay at Yale this time around was only about a week (which certainly beats over a month). Nothing significant happened in this week. Most of it was a hunt for nursing homes. I watched Mom and Rob comb through every possible review for potential nursing homes. There has been too much neglect in past homes to risk settling another time. The list had 16 potential facilities, some good and some bad. Of these 16, only one had a bed for my mom. She was moved to Westport Rehabilitation Complex on Monday afternoon. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This rehab facility is okay. The main problem we can see is one we have seen even in Yale: Understaffing, meaning that Mom's needs cannot be met in time for the effort to do any good (when a bedpan is called for, it should NEVER result in the patient wetting themselves and sitting in it over an hour). The technology there is severely outdated, but the therapy is wonderful. It is at least something. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday through Thursday was fairly smooth sailing. Mom has been on "isolation" for over six weeks. Her immune system is not great right now, so infection is a very serious thing to deal with. She has spent six weeks on IV antibiotics. For her sake and the sake of other immuno-compromised patients, visitors must wear yellow paper gowns and gloves when in her room, and must remove them when leaving. Six weeks is a very long time to battle an infection, but she must be six weeks infection free to have the surgery because the surgery requires immuno-suppressants. Well, she had her last dose of antibiotics yesterday, and is officially off isolation. BUT... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liver disease is ruthless. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Mom will never be in the clear--not until she has a new liver, and maybe even then. I received a phone call this morning. She vomited blood last night, and was transported to Norwalk Hospital to evaluate what is going on and most likely to get a paracenthesis ("belly tap") procedure. The doctors found several verices, which were the cause of the last time she vomited blood. We've been here before, watched her vomit blood and had to stand by and trust doctors. We are currently waiting to see if she will end up in Yale once again. We will make it through this and are ever-praying for a liver before it is too late. Asking always for prayers and good thoughts.

(Just a reminder, Mom is "strong like bull" and not planning to give up without a fight!)