Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Well, hopefully this will be my last post from Mayo Clinic. We are "busting" Mom out of here tomorrow (Thursday.) She will be transferred by ambulance to Manistique Hospital in the swing bed program.

She is more alert today, but is very, very weak. For those of you who plan to visit, please be aware that Mom CANNOT have any thing to drink or eat--it could result in aspirating her food. Hopefully, as she becomes stronger, this may change.

Ron and I had a long talk with the doctor this afternoon. It's hard to believe that in this huge, busy hospital, a doctor would take time just to "talk." He is also the doctor that came up and sat with me the day mom had such a time after the feeding tube was inserted. Uncle Ron ended by inviting him and his wife to visit and stay in one of his cabins!

Hopefully, in a few weeks (months?) Mom will be strong enough to come back and have the surgery to repair the Zenker's pouch in her throat. Until that time, she will require 24-hour care.

So family, I am going to need you more than ever now. Mom/Grandma has ALWAYS been there for us. Now is the time she needs us. One or two people cannot handle this. I need everyone to give up a few days and stay with her--24 hours a day. She will only be able to stay in the swing bed for a few weeks--if that. As some of you know, the swing bed unit DOES NOT provide total care. It is a transition to home. We have to assist. She must get dressed each day, and into a nightgown each night. Physical and occupational therapy will be provided. If the family cannot - or will not - help, then she will have to go to a nursing home. You decide.

It would be great if one of you would volunteer to make a schedule for the rest of us. Someone who can keep track of who is going to visit. She could use someone to visit her in the hospital at least twice a day. You grandkids--I need you, too. A day or a weekend spent with Grandma would ease some of the rest of us. The doctor just said that the key to Mom getting stronger is to have family around. At this time, she can barely lift her arm. I'm confident that by the time she goes home, she will be much stronger.

I guess I'm being rather blunt. But, I know you all want facts--not fluff. I do need to go back to work. I'm sure my kids miss me (not...!)

The paper work is a nightmare, but Mom has always been there for me, also. I appreciate all your kind words of encouragement, and your appreciative notes; however, I love Mom as much as you do, so this has not been a burden at all. It is the least I can do. No, I have not been put out--although I must admit, I do miss my hubby...

Questions? Please call, e-mail, squirrel mail. I love my big family, and I am so proud of each and every one of you. Mom and Dad did a super job--and I think all 8 of us did a super job. Take a look at this next generation--they are also doing a tremendous job of raising this new "batch" of kids.

Many of the grandkids have e-mailed me and called Grandma. I will close with a copy of an e-mail I just got from Mark and Lisa's daughter, Jessica, to Grandma.

"Hi aunt Jane this is Jessica. I just wanted you to tell great Grandma that I hope she gets feeling better and that today I had a cross country meet and I got 7th place out of the girls and over all I got 17th. Tell her that I got those places for her and that I was thinking of her. I love her and you bye.

Love,
Jessica"

Love,
Mom/Aunt/Sister/Niece

Tuesday, October 2

I have been a little busy with Mom the past few days, so have been unable to update this blog. Mom had a feeding tube inserted in her stomach yesterday (Monday) She had a very rough time after the procedure. Today she is doing a little better.

Today I have been fighting Medicare regarding the transportation back to Manistique in the Swing Bed Program. The Social Worker here at Mayo and the lady "downtown" who is in charge of medical transportation told me that Medicare would not pay for an ambulance to another hospital because of various reasons. Well, don't tell a good strong-willed Rushford "no"!!! I told them this was not acceptable, so I did what any techno-grandma would do! I first called Medicare direct, obtained a lot of valuable information, along with a website.

I then went to the Medicare website and spent an hour or two reading. BINGO! I found what I was looking for!! The criteria - in detail-that is necessary in order to have Medicare pay for the ambulance service. I then called the social worker and gave her the address. Hmmmm, she was a little surprised that I had the complete policy--not just the abbreviated version she had given me. So, I convinced her to 1) go to the site, 2) read the policy, 3) print it, 4) give the doctor a copy (because the doctor has to write a detailed letter stating the specific reasons for a medical transfer) and 5) LISTEN.

Now, I'm trying to convince Ron that he needs to take me to Washington D.C. to fight Medicare. YES!!! The 60's/70's again! Protesting!!! Jeanne needs to iron my hair, and Julie, find your bell-bottoms!

OK. Enough. Ron and I are headed to Walmart to buy certain necessities like beer and chips.

Mom is resting better. She cannot have anything by mouth until she can have surgery after she is stronger, because of the fear of her choking and/or aspirating. A swallowing test was done today, and it showed that foods and liquids were not going where they should. But, she is starting to get nourishment through the tube.

More later--must get to Walmart...

Jane/Mom/auntie/whatever...

Saturday, September 29 4:15 pm

Mom is being a sleepy head today. She cannot have anything by mouth because the doctors are fearful that she may aspirate foods into her lungs, causing pneumonia again. The feeding tube has been in since last evening. This will provide her with some much needed nutrition.

It rained here this morning, so while Mom slept, I went back to the motel and washed some clothes for us. She is worried about running out of clean underwear! She's also concerned about how her hair looks! I guess my vanity comes naturally!

Jane/Mom/auntie

Friday, September 28 6:45 p.m.

Well, two steps forward, one back. Mom is at the present time getting a "picc" feeding tube. This is through her arm, into her chest. My understanding is that she can receive nourishment through this tube in addition to blood draws. Perhaps you nurses out there can post a comment and explain further... She is scheduled for a permanent feeding tube in her stomach on Monday. I guess this will result in us coming home a couple of days later. We are both getting pretty anxious to get home. The plan is still to transfer her to a swing-bed unit at Manistique. Hopefully, this will work out.

More info later.

Friday, September 28 - noon

Well,

Things are looking up! I talked to the doctors and the nutritionists this morning. The plan is to place a permanent feeding tube in mom's stomach HOPEFULLY this afternoon. She is doing much better today, but surgery on her throat to remove the Zenker's is not an option at this time as mom is definitely not strong enough for surgery.

The hospital Social worker met with me a little while ago. We are going to try to get mom transferred back to Manistique in the "swingbed"program for a while until she can go home. When she gets home, she will definitely have to have 24-hour care for a while, otherwise she will have to go to a nursing home.

If all goes well, we hope to have her transferred by next Wednesday or Thursday. I have decided to stay with her as I know her meds, and her medical history, plus we just like 'hanging out'!!

Mom is taking (another) nap, so I'm going for a walk. I always have my cell phone on, so if anyone wants to talk or has questions, do not hesitate to call (906-235-8760) Also, please share these messages with other family members who do not have computers.

Jane/Mom/Auntie - and niece!

Thursday, September 27 6:45 pm

Mom looks better this evening. She is trying to eat some mashed potatoes/gravy, jello, applesauce, and lemon pie! Naturally, she wants a 'little night cap' (see where I get it...) but for some reason they frown on moonshine in the hospital...

I just got an e-mail from Jason. He and Scott are sitting on the plane to go to Beijing. Scott left for Shanghai last Saturday to stay with Jason, Vu, and Brycen for two weeks. China will never be the same after my two sons "party their way through!" I've asked them for some pictures to post. For those of you who know Jason very well, let's hope he doesn't discover a karaoke bar somewhere... We might have to ask cousin Dawn in Denmark to go and bail him out!

Thursday, September 27, 4:30 p.m.

Well, I wish I had better news to report. Mom had a rough night last night. She has developed some pneumonia in her lungs. The doctors said this is very common due to her medical problems and particularly her swallowing difficulties. She is being treated with antibiotics. In addition, she has been given potassium through an IV for several hours. This is very painful because it burns badly. The nurses are great--they slowed down the IV so the potassium was given more slowly.

More bad news. Doctors attempted to put a temporary feeding tube through her nose because she is getting very little nourishment. This was not successful. A permanent feeding tube will most likely be done later on, but she cannot undergo surgery right now. It seems like it is two steps back and one forward these days.

She is very weak, yet her sense of humor has not diminished. Yesterday, the nurse needed to give her some medicine. She asked Mom to spell her name. Mom was very sleepy and did not respond. The nurse asked her again to spell her name. Finally, Mom said to her, "Why? Don't YOU know how to spell it?"

A little while ago Mom looked at me and said, "Well, at least I DON'T have 'walking pneumonia'!!!" I told her that Jenny continues to can tomatoes and tomato juice. Mom said, "I forgot to share my secret about canning tomato juice with Jenny." So I must call Jenny tonight and share "Grandma's canning secrets!"

She keeps me going! I think we can all learn lots from Mom. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going!" She seldoms complains. Thank you for all your prayers, and I love reading the posts. Hopefully, I'll have some photos to post soon.