Challenges

Today has presented itself with numerous challenges.

1. Mary is in a tremendous amount of pain, which is barely managed by pain medication.
2. She has not moved in 24 hrs
3. There is concern that bed sores may arise, which could present a whole bunch of other issues.
4. She continues to be nauseous.
5. She isn't eating more than a bite of food a day
6. She refused physical therapy.
7. Her potassium is low and she doesn't want to take it in liquid form as it bothers her throat. The pill form isn't good    for her either as it's difficult to swallow.
8.  The Doctors would like to do a G.I test, but if it entails her lying flat on her back there is no way she can manage that with the amount of pain she's in.
9. She's extremely weak.

In order for her to be moved to transitional care, she needs to have all her iv's removed.  However, the Doctors can't get a true sense of Mary's pain levels.  As long as she doesn't sit up, her pain level is around a 3, but if she's moved at all the pain increases significantly.  Until they can figure out the amount of pain medication she needs, and are able to administer it in pill form, it sounds like she will remain in the hospital.

I apologize for the blunt nature of this blog.  There were so many obstacles today that I couldn't come up with a way in which to convey all the information.  Sometimes I try and sugar coat to make it more palatable for all of us, but today I just felt it best to lay out all the information as it truly sits on this day!  Both Mary and the Doctors are trying to do all they can but many of the options suggested are just so difficult for Mary to manage given the tremendous amount of pain she's in.

That is all for now.  We continue to ask that you lift Mary up in prayer and know we are reading her all the notes of love.  Please feel free to leave comments!

Karen