Showing posts with label Kim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kim. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Kim's home again
Everything turned out OK. She had the surgery to remove one of the stones, and has a stint in place. She still has more to deal with later, but for now she back on the road to recovery.
Kim had setback
Kim went in to the ER last night about 1am. She is having kidney stone issues again. They are checking her for sepsis before they do surgery, probably wont know anything until 8 to 10 am. A stone is lodged in the duct, causing great pain. More later.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Kim update
I realize that I havent updated about Kim. She is out of the hospital, and now at home. SHe is doing well, just tired and rundown. The doctors said that is to be expected considering what she has been through. She is going back to work, slowly ramping up her hours. SHe is still not her normal wild self, but improving slowly.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Kim-improving slowly
I went to see Kim after work, she seems to be doing better slowly. Her blood pressure is holding, which is good news. They are doing a lot of tests for kidney function, not sure when results will be in. She still sleeps a lot, but thats OK, its what she needs. Her biggest issue right now is her lung function. As soon as the oxygen is taken away, her oxygen level drops. She does not like the c-pap mask, finally convinced them to take it off of her last night. They also took her off the nasty pain med, and went to a less powerful one. We are definitely glad about that! She is DEFINITELY looking forward to coming home, thats for sure. We are all looking to the target of the end of the week.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Kim Update-better news
Just called Carle, They are moving her off of ICU to the 6th floor. She is still sleepy, and is still on c-pap, but the blood pressure is not as big an issue now.
Food for thought...There was a tremendous prayer surge from church members Wednesday night, Kim at least stabilized from near death. There was another strong prayer surge in service today, she improved enough to get off of ICU.
Food for thought...There was a tremendous prayer surge from church members Wednesday night, Kim at least stabilized from near death. There was another strong prayer surge in service today, she improved enough to get off of ICU.
Kim-still in ICU
We didnt update last night, too tired. Talked to the nurse this morning, her CO2 level is up, which means her lung function is still not good. They changed the c-pap a little and started putting medicine through the c-pap to try to break up the fluid. She is still real groggy, probably due to the low O2 levels. Her blood pressure is still not stable so that is another big issue. It dropped again, so more blood pressure medicine. It sound like her renal functions are doing better, so thats a good sign.
Yesterday, while Deb was with Kim, we were told Kim is now MRSA positive. When Deb called to let me know, there was some consternation and mild panic, since I had no clue what that meant for Kim and our family, since she is living with us. After talking to the Doc and a good friend that is familiar with dealing with MRSA, reasoning was restored. We just have to be religious about our hygene around here. We cant share cups, not eat after each other and so on, and frequent hand washing. ALso if we get a cold, or infected cut then we have to let doctors know we were exposed to MRSA.
Off to church now, then a big day in the yard and garden. We will update tonight if possible.
Yesterday, while Deb was with Kim, we were told Kim is now MRSA positive. When Deb called to let me know, there was some consternation and mild panic, since I had no clue what that meant for Kim and our family, since she is living with us. After talking to the Doc and a good friend that is familiar with dealing with MRSA, reasoning was restored. We just have to be religious about our hygene around here. We cant share cups, not eat after each other and so on, and frequent hand washing. ALso if we get a cold, or infected cut then we have to let doctors know we were exposed to MRSA.
Off to church now, then a big day in the yard and garden. We will update tonight if possible.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Kim-a setback last night
Kim had a setback last night. When she would try to sleep, her oxygen level would drop to 85, so back on c-pap and another day in ICU. Will update as conditions change.
Now out to plant garden, yard, trees, or cleaning to prepare for construction.
I picked up the tomatoes for the tomato tasting in September, have to get them planted soon.
Now out to plant garden, yard, trees, or cleaning to prepare for construction.
I picked up the tomatoes for the tomato tasting in September, have to get them planted soon.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Kim medical update
Kim is doing much better, and hopes to be out of ICU tomorrow. She is mainly off of the blood pressure medicine, and is off c-pap. She is taking some oxygen, but minimal. The Critical care doctor said her infection was e-coli, fairly common. He also felt the stones could have been a side effect from her migrane medicine. They still have more tests to run, but overall her condition is improving greatly. It will be nice when she is out of ICU, it will be easier for more family and friends to visit.
No new news on the grandson, which we believe is good news.
No new news on the grandson, which we believe is good news.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Update on medical emergencies
Kim is still not totally out of danger, but doing better. Doc pulled her off of the heart meds, but her blood pressure is dropping, if it drops much more, she will need to go back on. As of 945, her blood pressure is stabilizing, and hopefully will not have to go back on.
Deb and I finally got a better understanding of the whole situation. It was basically a perfect storm of issues causing an emergency. First, the migrane medication dulled the normal pain of a severe kidney infection. Also, because of her throat problems last week she was on steroids. These suppressed her immune system. When the infection started, it was able to increase unnoticed. Wednesday morning, when the pain was intense she went in to the ER. When tests were done, the tests came back slightly high, but didnt indicate the severity. The docs knew there was some infection so started an antibiotic. The antibiotics started killing the bacteria. Due to the dead bacterial bodies breaking down, this can cause a shock to the system. This started causing the issues with her breathing and heart. The docs indicated tonight that it was a gram negative bacteria, possibly a mutated e-coli or pseudomonas. They are running a LOT of tests, and have an infectious disease specialist on the case. What they DONT want to find is a bacteria that I cant remember the name of-starts with P-that is a stone causing bacteria. The bacteria forms a stone, and then other bacteria lives in the stone crystal lattices. If she has this it will be difficult for her kidneys to be "disinfected", and her recovery will be much slower. She may be in ICU for 24-72 hours, and in the hospital for at least a week. Due to the risk of a major backslide, she is still in critical to guarded condition but at least we are headed in the right direction.
Deb just found some statistics on gram negative sepsis. It accounts for 1% of admissions, but is fatal in 50-70% of the cases. The bacteria respond to antibiotics, but the system is overwhelmed and shuts down. This is what was happening to Kim, but we have hopes she has beaten it.
Now the grandson. We have a report that he is doing better, and there is hope that surgery will not be necessary.
2 for 2 looking up, we could not ask for better news. Maybe tonight we can get a good nights sleep.
Deb and I finally got a better understanding of the whole situation. It was basically a perfect storm of issues causing an emergency. First, the migrane medication dulled the normal pain of a severe kidney infection. Also, because of her throat problems last week she was on steroids. These suppressed her immune system. When the infection started, it was able to increase unnoticed. Wednesday morning, when the pain was intense she went in to the ER. When tests were done, the tests came back slightly high, but didnt indicate the severity. The docs knew there was some infection so started an antibiotic. The antibiotics started killing the bacteria. Due to the dead bacterial bodies breaking down, this can cause a shock to the system. This started causing the issues with her breathing and heart. The docs indicated tonight that it was a gram negative bacteria, possibly a mutated e-coli or pseudomonas. They are running a LOT of tests, and have an infectious disease specialist on the case. What they DONT want to find is a bacteria that I cant remember the name of-starts with P-that is a stone causing bacteria. The bacteria forms a stone, and then other bacteria lives in the stone crystal lattices. If she has this it will be difficult for her kidneys to be "disinfected", and her recovery will be much slower. She may be in ICU for 24-72 hours, and in the hospital for at least a week. Due to the risk of a major backslide, she is still in critical to guarded condition but at least we are headed in the right direction.
Deb just found some statistics on gram negative sepsis. It accounts for 1% of admissions, but is fatal in 50-70% of the cases. The bacteria respond to antibiotics, but the system is overwhelmed and shuts down. This is what was happening to Kim, but we have hopes she has beaten it.
Now the grandson. We have a report that he is doing better, and there is hope that surgery will not be necessary.
2 for 2 looking up, we could not ask for better news. Maybe tonight we can get a good nights sleep.
A scary and exhausting night
Wednesday, Kim had a lot of back pain, and went to Carle ER. Debby went there about noon, and Kim was found to have kidney stones, and was scheduled to have surgery at 5 pm to deal with them.
Finally, about 630pm, Kim was taken into surgery, so Deb and I went to grab a quick bite to eat. Around 715, the doctor came out to talk to us, and the news wasn't good. Doc said they could not even deal with the stone, there were much bigger issues to deal with. Kim had a raging bladder and kidney infection, and as bad as it was, it was a life threatening situation. Deb started making calls, and other family started arriving. The next news we got was even worse. Debby only was allowed to go back, things were spiraling out of control. Kims heart started racing, and her blood pressure fell to dangerously low levels. Also, she started swelling up, and her lungs were filling up with fluid. She was also coughing up blood. At this point Kims condition was unstable, we were told she was going into heart failure and her survival was in doubt. A few more calls, and all the family, plus Pastor Rich, Larry, and Larrys mom Chris came for support.
While the family was waiting for Deb to run in and out with updates, a lot of praying was done, and stories were told. Then it happened. I went to the bathroom and my zipper stuck. The middle of one of the scariest health emergencies any of my kids have faced, and I have no way to zip up. I had to walk back into the waiting room, holding my fly together, say my zipper was stuck, and throw a coat over my lap. Finally, a pair of pliers was borrowed, so I tied the coat around my waist backwards, and headed back to the bathroom to fix the zipper successfully. I've always been a great source of comic entertainment for the family, last night was no exception. The big laugh at my expense was just what was needed to break the tension, and was glad to oblige. I told Pastor he has sermon material for months.
In the middle of Kims crisis, we received a call that our grandson is in the hospital in Peoria dealing with his own health emergency. If he needs surgery, we may be making a trip to Peoria Thursday to see him before he is taken in.
The doctors were finally able to stabilize Kim enough where the family could see her 2 by 2 for short visits. Most of the family left by 10:30, but Deb and I stayed until around midnight. We felt she was stable enough for us to get home and get some sleep, which we did.
As of this writing, Kim is being pulled SLOWLY off the heart medicine, and her heart is staying stable. She is still in a lot of pain, and is still having breathing problems and coughing up blood. The doctors are cautiously optimistic that she will be out of ICU tomorrow, but has at least a week hospital stay ahead of her. The last we heard the stones may not be dealt with for 3 or 4 weeks down the road.
Finally, about 630pm, Kim was taken into surgery, so Deb and I went to grab a quick bite to eat. Around 715, the doctor came out to talk to us, and the news wasn't good. Doc said they could not even deal with the stone, there were much bigger issues to deal with. Kim had a raging bladder and kidney infection, and as bad as it was, it was a life threatening situation. Deb started making calls, and other family started arriving. The next news we got was even worse. Debby only was allowed to go back, things were spiraling out of control. Kims heart started racing, and her blood pressure fell to dangerously low levels. Also, she started swelling up, and her lungs were filling up with fluid. She was also coughing up blood. At this point Kims condition was unstable, we were told she was going into heart failure and her survival was in doubt. A few more calls, and all the family, plus Pastor Rich, Larry, and Larrys mom Chris came for support.
While the family was waiting for Deb to run in and out with updates, a lot of praying was done, and stories were told. Then it happened. I went to the bathroom and my zipper stuck. The middle of one of the scariest health emergencies any of my kids have faced, and I have no way to zip up. I had to walk back into the waiting room, holding my fly together, say my zipper was stuck, and throw a coat over my lap. Finally, a pair of pliers was borrowed, so I tied the coat around my waist backwards, and headed back to the bathroom to fix the zipper successfully. I've always been a great source of comic entertainment for the family, last night was no exception. The big laugh at my expense was just what was needed to break the tension, and was glad to oblige. I told Pastor he has sermon material for months.
In the middle of Kims crisis, we received a call that our grandson is in the hospital in Peoria dealing with his own health emergency. If he needs surgery, we may be making a trip to Peoria Thursday to see him before he is taken in.
The doctors were finally able to stabilize Kim enough where the family could see her 2 by 2 for short visits. Most of the family left by 10:30, but Deb and I stayed until around midnight. We felt she was stable enough for us to get home and get some sleep, which we did.
As of this writing, Kim is being pulled SLOWLY off the heart medicine, and her heart is staying stable. She is still in a lot of pain, and is still having breathing problems and coughing up blood. The doctors are cautiously optimistic that she will be out of ICU tomorrow, but has at least a week hospital stay ahead of her. The last we heard the stones may not be dealt with for 3 or 4 weeks down the road.
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