optimistic

I've been hanging with my mom today in the ICU, giving my dad a much needed break as he's been here pretty much every day this week from 8a to 8p. He has started to struggling with his own heart and health issues over all of this and he needs to rest himself. I've been struggling to sleep too, but I can handle it a bit better than my 70 year old dad.

My mom had a bit of a setback late last night and earlier today. She's back on the ventilator and medically sedated again fighting off a new fever, which peaked today at 103.7. Its now at 100.7 thanks to a couple rounds of tylenol.

She is suffering from a nasty return of significant pulmonary endema from the pneumonia and weak heart. But she's on two of the more powerful antibiotics (they still have many options above these if need be) to get the lung infection under control as well as probiotics, a feeding tube and a bile discharge, which is finally looking "the right color" (further detail is not worth discussing).

The doctor remains optimistic that she will recover. His worry is side complications like full heart failure, lung failure or infection that does not heal, septic issues, dementia (apparently she had some episodes of confusion yesterday I learned about today), or a whole laundry list of potential issues that could occur. It's a delicate situation and we've moved a little backwards earlier today. The good news is she seems to be responding well to the treatments since then and her vitals remain stable.

By Monday we should know where things stand better. If she is not seeing some solid recovery by then, we will be looking at a new approach and potentially a move to a new hospital in either Portland or Salem. That would mean things are pretty troubling. We aren't at any hospice scenarios by any means, but that could be a conversation Monday. I refuse to accept that tonight.

I've kept her company and told her stories and learned much from the exceptional nursing staff here. I shall remain vigilant that my mother will battle back to good health soon. Thanks again for all the well wishes and support. It means more than I can express. I intend to share all the comments and likes with my mom when she is awake again. It's time for a trip to the cafeteria. I'm starving.