The Great Escape Thwarted

Mary's physical well being is good enough to allow her to come home.  That action is being thwarted by the frailties of her body.

26-7 April

 26 April was a day like the last few.  Mary had worked hard on therapy and was looking forward to being released to go home on Friday.  Unfortunately she had a fever (101.2) in the morning and her blood work showed that she needed a transfusion. I was told of this on my way home (although only a block away) so I decided to return to be with Mary for the transfusion.  An ambulance took us to Scripps ER. After confirming blood tests, a transfusion was started (at 12:15) and the doctor told me that the blood tests also indicated the presence of an infection and that he wanted to admit Mary in order to confirm the presence or absence of an infection.  (Mary had had a serious staph infection earlier and they needed to confirm that it had not resurfaced.)  I went home briefly to take care of some daily details and then returned to Mary's side.

Mary was frustrated by the fact that she had not been sent home, but on the bright side her attending physician at Scripps was able to get the person in charge of rehab to evaluate Mary and he has recommended that she receive out patient rehab.  We now must wait for Blue Cross approval.  Mary does not understand having to wait for test results - she feels fine and wants to be at home.
 

28 April

 Mary has cabin fever.  She feels like she can do whatever she wants within reason, but the doctor is keeping her in the hospital awaiting the results of the blood culture. Matters are worse in that they are confining her to her room unless she wears a canary suit and she does not want to do that.

The bad news came about 5 PM .  The spot on Mary's back came back with staph as did her blood culture.  They put her on vancomycin immediately and are awaiting more details such as what drugs it reacts to. We will find out more tomorrow.
 

29 April

 The doctor informed us that he thinks that the blood infection is a false reading, a contaminant.  His concern is with the infection in the back at the site of the original operation.  An earlier culture showed nothing.  There was very little seepage from the site today and the CT scan of the site showed no abscess.  He will confer with a specialist tomorrow and they will make their decision as to whether to liberate Mary or not.  Wish her luck

When Mary comes home, I do not want people just dropping by.  Mary is still weak and will need her rest.  She has doctors appointments and therapy sessions that will occupy her time.  I would like to ask that anyone who wants to visit call ahead and then limit their visit as to not tire her.  I'm sure that when she is able to come home, that she will e mail as many people as she can.. 
 

30 April

 We celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary by escaping the confines of the hospital.  I had to go to the drug store to get ten prescriptions, although one is not covered by insurance and two are back ordered.  Mary is also supposed to get an IV daily.  I have that medicine in the refrigerator. Mary is supposed to have a nurse and therapist coming tomorrow.

 Please do not  just drop by.  Mary is still weak and needs her rest.  She has doctors appointments and therapy sessions that will occupy her time.  I would like to ask that anyone who wants to visit call ahead when I am home (after 3PM) and then limit their visit as to not tire her.  I'm sure that when she is able, that she will e mail as many people as she can..  Even e mail will be tiring for her.