Update 11/08/2009

Mom's wound is healing nicely, though it is still there, and it's still painful. They are looking for a rehab facility that can give my mom the care she needs (IV, changing the bandages, etc.) and also give her the physical therapy that she needs. There are a handful of facilities that offer that service, but an available bed is few and far between.

Unfortunately, my mom is suffering from cabin fever which she got the last time she was in the hospital so long) and sometimes she is incoherent. That will pass once her surroundings are changed.

My Dad is doing well. I visited him last week, and he smiled when he saw me, and did not in any way seem distressed or upset. He is adapting very nicely, which is a weight off my shoulders. I'll visit him again on Tuesday.

Update October 18, 2009

Mom's healtlh has not changed significantly. The doctors are saying her wound is healing, slowly, but healing. They are having trouble finding the right anti-biotic. Her hip is healing, but they are now saying they might need to do another surgery sometime in the future.

We admitted my Dad into the assissted living facility last Wednesday. I visited him today, and he seemed comfortable, and calm. Bev made her prune cake, and I brought some for my Dad. He smiled from ear to ear and cleaned off the plate.....it's one of his favorite cakes. He didnt' know who I was, but did recognize me as someone he knew. Its heartbreaking.

Steve~~~

I haven't updated this blog in a few days. I'm sorry for that, it just slipped my mind. Mom is doing well in the hospital. She is still there because of the bed sore she has on her back. They are treating it the same way they would a burn, and debriding it every few days. This allows the wound to heal becuase the dead, infected skin is being removed. Her hip is healing fine, and if that was the only ailment, she would be in rehab today.

My Dad's condition is worsening every day. This is a fast acting dimentia, and it's horrible to watch him disappear before my eyes. We have found a place that can provide him with the care that he really needs. There is alot of paperwork that needs to be done.

So overall, not much has changed.

Steve~~~

Update 10/04/2009

Mom looked goood today, though she had a panic attack when they came to clean and re-dress her bed sore. He BP, heart rate, oxygen levels, temperature are all good. The pain in her hip is subsiding and pretty soon, depending on her bed sore, she will be transferred to rehab again. However, the earliest they can do that would be late next week...I spoke to the surgeon and he said they wanted to go in and debride the wound again some time next week.

Update 10/01/2009

Mom looked much better today, she was awake, and talking. She even ate some tomato soup for lunch.

I spoke with one of the doctors there who said they did NOT remove the hardware in the hip, they only made minor modifications.

The would in her back responded very well after the surgery yesterday. The doc said they would probably release her to a medical rehab facility where they will continue to administer IV antibiotics and other meds.

The doc said the would is so deep you could put your fingers into it. He said this type of wound could take months to heal.

Update 9/30/2009

My mom looks good, though she is exhausted, and was sleeping most of the time while we were visiting.

There are now teams of doctors caring for her various problems. I spoke with the wound care specialist today, and they were happy with the progress she is making. They were going to do another examination when the other teams are there because they will have to turn her to see her back. That hurts so much, they only want to do it once.

Update 9/29/2009

Mom went into surgery on schedule at 3:30pm. She was in surgery for about 3 hours and I got to see her just after she came out of recovery. She looks good, tired, but good.

The surgeon removed the hardware from her hip to help in the fight against any infection. They also debrided the dead skin around her bed sore.