Day 2

Thursday

Hmm...what to say about today. The plan was to have a peg vent placed so that the fluid build up in her abdomen could be released. This was scheduled for 12:30. Anyone familiar with hospital time will know that 12:30 quickly turned into 3:30. Prior to the surgery she had to be given plasma. During plasma time, she was not allowed any pain meds...suffice it to say, she was a little cranky. Plus, she was cranky because she is sick of having to throw up this fluid! Well, as if things can ever go right for Marj, the surgery did not happen today. When they got her down there, Dr. Marj, said to the doctors, "Did we check my fluid levels?" Well, go figure...no they didn't and because there was such a fluid build-up they were unable to do the procedure. So, back upstairs she went with a vomit bucket in tow. Obviously, this angered her, as she is sick of dealing with this throwing up.

During the procedure, Martha, Laura, and I headed back to "the home" where we are staying, took naps and showered. "The home" is the Charter House where my grandma lives. We will be staying in her apartment, as she is in Hospice, Palliative, or Comfort Care (you pick which word you like best...I prefer Palliative because it makes me think that sure I can pallet what is going on, but its not really comfortable). Anyway, part of my grandma's monthly bill to live in the Charter House includes meals on the top floor. We had five tickets that had to be used before the end of the month, so Martha, Laura, Marsha, Mary, and I enjoyed dinner together. It was a nice time to tell stories about both grandma and mom, to catch up, and try to alleviate some stress. After dinner we headed back to the hospital. When we got there Marj was a little dejected from the procedure not happening and needing to throw up. It was hard to watch her be uncomfortable for like 45 mins just waiting for the throw up that she really has no control over, to happen. Understanding and noting her distress the nurses recommended placing a NG tube. I guess this was a thought previously, but they were hoping to have the PEG vent placed, so it was kind of passed over. However, once the vent didn't happen they broached it again. My mom agreed this time.

NG tube placement- This was definitely a highlight of the day. Not only did this provide relief to Marj, but it provided comic relief for us. My mom has many male nurses, which she enjoys giving a hard time. To place the NG tube, two of her male nurses came in together. There was quite a bit ribbing had by all. At one point, the nurse Jeff asked her if she was feeling relaxed. She couldn't believe they had snuck the meds in without her knowing. She kept saying, "No, I don't feel a thing." About 30 seconds after this we look over at her and she has her vomit bucket on her head and is saying, "I have my party hat on!" "Look at me are we ready to party?!" She was talking to Issac, the nurse and realized that Jeff, the nurse did not know it was party time. She said, "Hey, hey (of course she couldn't remember his name) I have my party hat on and are we ready to party?" At this point, they obviously decided she was good to go. They then placed the tube, which she complained about a little, but for the most part she was asleep. Once they turned on the suction, 800ml came out in about 30seconds! I must say it was quite amazing. We took a picture, but will spare you all. We left her sleeping very soundly, which will hopefully continue through the night.

Other than all that excitement, she was pretty tired today from all of the excitement of the daughters arrival and all of the phone calls yesterday. She says she enjoys the phone calls, but they definitely take a lot out of her. We of course want to thank you for all the kind words, thoughts, calls, flowers, and everything else. It helps immensely to know how many of you are out there thinking of us and would do anything for us!

After writing all of this today, I realized that I never even mentioned my grandma. I guess it is because there really hadn't been anything to update. However, in the last two days her health has declined. She is not responding to known voices and it hurts her to be touched, so she will not hold hands anymore. I guess they believe that she may have gout. Like many times before they think it will be soon, so we will see.

Oh...one more thing. We asked to meet with the social worker today that has been on my mom's case. They said that she won't be around for a few days, as she has been admitted to the hospital herself. I guess the social worker, who belongs to a bike club, had a bike accident and has broken a bone or two. So, new social worker has been appointed and we met her for a short time today. I believe that anyone that comes in contact with these Hayles ladies may be cursed.

Plan for tomorrow. Social Worker visit, tube placed, Marj's niece, my cousin Josie will be visiting, as well as my dad. It looks like family friends from North Dakota will be here early Saturday morning. Whew...guess that is all I got!