How my mother was FLOXED

Progress is slow, but progress none the less.

2012-03-01T10:47:00.000-06:00

Sorry this so far and few in between. As most of you know I've been dabbling in some other things. Mom is doing good. She still has bouts with the neuropathy and has progressed in her recovery. She is not yet walking on her own, BUT those muscles (that she lost use of) take a long time build up! I think she is doing great, even though a normal person might think she moves slowly to me she moves pretty darn good. She is able to get up and walk a little with the walker. It is a conscious effort and struggle, but she can do it. She is not quite independent, but she'll get there and I know she can't wait. She always says she feels like it's going to slow, but to go from having no muscle to where she is now in 1 year is amazing by anyone standards. This is my mom and dad with Jacob last Halloween. They got to go trick-or-treating with him and we had a very nice family holiday season, nothing compared to 2010. Thanks for following her story and I will continue post occasionally with her progress.

I also want to say thank you again to all our family and friends. We had a great support system during that time. I only wish that others who have been as unfortunate as my mom had the same.

Walking Tall

2011-07-29T17:09:00.000-05:00

I have some shocking news. My mom called today, she said "I have some good news. I walked today." I am still suprised. Thank you all for keeping up with her story and for letting us share. Sorry for not keeping up with the in between updates. Your support is much appreciated. Hope you all are doing well or making progress!

Benefit for Diane Garcia

2011-04-23T01:38:00.003-05:00

Benefit

2011-04-04T17:14:00.000-05:00

As you all know the benefit is this coming Saturday April 9th. My mom will be well enough to make it to the benefit. We do not know what time and it won't be all day, but as soon as I know I will post it. We hope to see you all there :)

March Madness

2011-03-17T10:38:00.000-05:00

This month has been very trying to say the least. Mom has made progress, she can wheel her wheelchair a pretty good distance, she has more mobility in her body and getting stronger. She still cannot move her body, stand up or walk. She was discharged from the hospital last night and is home. Now begins a new phase of continuing the care she needs. The hospital said they found a health provider that can provide outpatient rehabilitation. We also have to finish her approval with MetroLift, because the cost of Yellow Cab is high and we do not have a handicap van. Not sure what is going to happen now.

TOO MANY UPDATES-

2011-02-24T10:49:00.000-06:00

Okay, last week mom was taken off her nitro patch and her heart monitor. She has been off the oxygen, but they were going to continue her breathing treatments.

Monday she did her barium swallow test and passed with flying colors! They said she could have soft foods and that if she showed them she could eat well enough they would take the tube out. Late that night they moved her over the Tomball Regional Hospital-Rehab room 445. She was not supposed to be moved until Tuesday, but a bed became available.

Tuesday was not such a good day, she said she had a terrible nurse who wouldn't listen to her and Bobby was sick so he wasn't really able to help out.

Wednesday was a better day. There was an issue with the lift. They were trying to find one compatible with her sling and couldn't use ours because it wasn't "approved" by the hospital. I gave her a pedicure, which was much needed and she was very happy. She ate some eggs and hashbrowns for breakfast, then some soup and beef stew for lunch. Small amounts, but she didn't choke or anything. Later that night she called me and said they were taking the tube out! She was so happy and it went well.

Yummy Peaches

2011-02-17T10:02:00.000-06:00

Wednesday was a very good day. Mom did all of her PT/OT. She did very good in her speech exercises, she drank a full boost in 45 minutes and even ate a half cup of peaches! She had a little difficulty, but she did good. I think the swallowing will be much better once she has the NG tube out of her nose. She is going to be schedule for another swallow test on Monday. She got to hang out with her sister, who is right next door and I think they both enjoyed that.

In addition I have been trying since the first of January to get her medical records from Methodist Willowbrook. Yesterday they were finally ready! All 100 pages. The lady at the office faxed the necessary documents over to the disability office for review and Friday I pick up the total records. I can only imagine how much it would have cost if we had to pay for them. Now she is getting ready to move to the rehab soon, so I will have to deal with Triumph in getting her records. Great.

And then there were two

2011-02-15T20:28:00.001-06:00

Last Thursday my aunt became sick for an entirely different reason. She has been in the hospital next door, but this evening they moved her over to where mom is. Mom was very excited that she was there and will have some company for the time being.

My face hurts

2011-02-14T23:02:00.001-06:00

To top off everything, mom has had this feeling for a week like her face is tightening and hurts. She said her cheeks hurt and they only thing I can say is be strong it will pass. I wish I knew what was happening inside. She said her knee has also been hurting since Friday, she thinks from PT.

This past week

2011-02-14T22:47:00.000-06:00

This past week was not anything short of bad. Mom was confused by the case worker and thought she was going home the 22nd instead of rehab. She thought insurance was cutting her off, but it was only cutting her coverage for that type of care on the 22nd. She would then go to the rehab. Then found out hours later that family cannot stay with the patient at the rehab. It couldnt have been a worst day to tell her and made the weekend a hard one. She finally pulled out of the funk today and seemed to be doing better. I wish people would understand what a fragile state she is in, but you can't explain to them what they cant see i guess . . .

NG tube can come out when . . .

2011-02-10T13:06:00.000-06:00

Wednesday a few of mom's doctors came by to visit her. Since she wasn't able to have her feeding tube put in her stomach, they have her drinking small amounts of boost. He said two a day, but it's a little hard to work it in sometimes. The gastrointestinal doctor said if she can get up to drinking 4 a day he will take the NG tube out. He's aiming for next week, but we will see. When the NG tube comes out she can go to a more aggressive rehab!

Also yesterday she was able to move her leg from the knee. She hasn't been able to do that in months. She also wheeled her wheelchair about 25'. She was very excited and glad to she can see some progress now.

The masters of the obvious

2011-02-07T20:35:00.001-06:00

Today was a busy day, PT/OT/ST as usual. Today a few of the doctors came by and didn't even know that she didn't have her PEG tube in yet. One of the doctors said at this point she needs to start drinking 2 boost a day. She just started swallowing 3 weeks ago for the first time in almost 4 months. Her progress is VERY slow and she can swallow, but in tiny amounts. She is lucky to get down 1 a day starting. The doctor comes in and started insisting on how the day should go for her, when she should be up and out of bed. YEA I'm sure she'll jump right out of bed in the morning. Oh wait that's right she cant'!

Can the hospital staff please get it together

2011-02-05T11:43:00.000-06:00

Friday they took my mom over to have the PEG put in, after going back in forth because of the weather. They got her all the way over there and then could not do it because her throat was not open enough to intubate. SO she had to be taken back to the other hospital. I bet she was pissed.

PT OT

2011-02-03T21:00:00.000-06:00

Yesterday my had some major PT! They even took her down to the PT room and got to use some of their "toys". She even turned her wheelchair around herself. She still cannot life her arms from the shoulers or lift her legs, BUT she is building muscle. The reumatologists said he would like to see her walking by Spring . . . that got her pretty excited. I showed her the pic I put on here and she really likes it. Everytime the nurses or doctor comes in she tells me to show them her picture :) Well her surgery to put in the PEG tube is schedule for tomorrow at 10:15 at Tomball Regional Hospital. She's not really happy, but knows she needs to do it. The doctor said once she gets the PEG tube in she can go to a more aggressive rehab where she will get PT 3hrs in the morning and 3hrs in the afternoon. She was like "wow", but in a good way. She is ready to move and walk again. He mentioned Tomball rehab, but I gotta check it out. We want her somewhere that she will get the care she needs, not another place that's gonna give her the run around.

Re-evaluation

2011-02-02T01:36:00.000-06:00

Bobby said PT came and evaluated mom today. They said she is showing improvement and her muscles are moving. She can feel them trying and ordered another 4 weeks of PT then another evaluation.

She also got past 500ml on her breathing excercise AND painted her nails today herself while Bobby held the bottle. He sent me the best picture and wish I could post it, but I can't save it off my phone :( She has the biggest smile.

Why do I have to be mean?

2011-02-02T01:30:00.000-06:00

So things at the hospital haven't been going as smoothly as possible. Seems like there is always some issue. They try to treat my mom like they do the rest of the patients and well I don't think we are going to allow that. The PT people spoke with the CEO asst last week and she was suppose to come see my mom. Of course that didn't happen, so Monday I went to see the CEO and guess who popped out? Yes the asst and ready to listen to what I had to say. After about 15 minutes, she kindly told me they would make a schedule to accomodate my mom and that she will get therapy twice a day now instead of one. I mean do I really have to go there? I talked to nurse after nurse, supervisor after supervisor and the manager over the nurses and PT. Why is it that hard to do you JOB??? If you don't like it, maybe you are in the wrong career field. Just a thought. Oh and the funny part, when we were done she says "Well thank you for coming to me, I hate to say but I have to rush off now. Gotta finish up payroll". In mind I was thinking please, by all means go pay the people and while your at it make sure their actually working.

Make up your mind

2011-01-31T00:15:00.000-06:00

The doctor came by and said that my mom does need to have the PEG tube put in after all. I'm really worn out with them going back and forth on this issue. The reason was because her throat appeared to be "quivering" when she swallows. I hate when doctors make decisions, but don't fully explain why. Yes her throat is quivering. She just started swallowing again a week and a half ago for the first time in like 3 months. What are they expecting a miracle?? I guess I'm trying to figure out what their expectation were. You know because I'm a mind reader. Tomorrow I'm going to ask the doctor in what time frame were they expecting this to happpen, because a week ago he was on board for no PEG tube and 5 days later she must do it. Sorry to rant, but it's exhausting dealing with 6 different doctors who can't seem to get their stuff straight. All I can say is I feel for people that are doing this alone, but I guess they just find the strength and keep on going.

Quiet day

2011-01-28T20:19:00.000-06:00

Today was a quiet day. Mom was pretty tired. So Jacob and her took a nap.

Results

2011-01-28T20:12:00.000-06:00

Thursday we went down to have mom's tests and it went as well as possible. I really think it is rude that some people in the medical profession feel they can talk to you how they like because they have a few extra letters behind their name. Needless to say between the radiologist and his assistant I was about ready to open a can. Luckily all the PT people can with us to help mom and it made her feel a little better that we were there to support her. An esophagram may sound simple to some people, but take a person like her in her condition and it can be dangerous if all precautions are not taken.

The results came back that she is swallowing, but still not enough for her to be eating. That is okay though, because she just started swallowing a week and a half ago . . .

Barium swallow and Esophagram

2011-01-27T00:47:00.000-06:00

Round 4 (DING)

Mom goes for her fourth swallow test and her 2nd esophagram tomorrow. Let hope all goes well. She seems okay about getting it done, usually she has alot of anxiety. I haven't seen her since Sunday so I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll be better and we can get back on our regular schedule. I'm usually there MWF and take my son to daycare. My brother, Bobby is usually there TTh, so he's been pulling the slack this week. Don't know what we would do without him and family support. On another note, the plans for the benefit are going well. So far getting things lined up without a hitch. Hope to have a date by this weekend so Bobby and I can get some flyers done! Mom doesn't know yet or my Dad because he will snitch me off. So once we have the plans finalized we will tell them. It's nice to see everyone pull together. My mom is very lucky to have the family and friends she does and we are lucky to have her.

FB chatted with a guy my age that re-posted my mom's blog. Chris I am so sorry. He has been devastated by this, but atleast he is fighting back!

Progressing

2011-01-26T12:15:00.002-06:00

Bobby is with mom at the hospital this week. He says she has been very chipper and much like her old self. Monday she had some water and ate some pudding. Yesterday she was able to push her chair out into the hall! It doesn't sound like much, but she was having a hell of a time getting over the bump at the door :) Today they put her on a table and have her elevated in a standing position. PT said she is progressing so well, they want her to try and get the feel for standing again, without actually doing it. Bobby said he was the Guinea pig and had to do it first. Then mom did it and said she is excited, she said "I'm ready to get out of this bed".

Finally a good nights rest

2011-01-23T12:09:00.001-06:00

We went to bed late last night, but mom finally had a good night sleep.

Saturday, just another day.

2011-01-22T12:11:00.000-06:00

So yesterday we spoke with her primary doctor about the PT she is receiving, or the lack thereof I should say. She is suppose to have 3 hrs of therapy a day. She does have a full hour of speech, but not physical therapy. Apparently the therapist time starts when they come in to get her out of bed to the time they put her back in bed. That alone takes 30 minutes or so and if you ask me is a load of crap. The doctor said because she has the NG tube she has to be in this kind of hospital so once we get the NG tube out she can be moved to an aggressive rehabilitation facility. Hoping she can get the tube out in a month or so.

She also had her official swallow test yesterday and she is able to swallow a little, but no food yet. The doctor said she can have sips of water or milk. I asked if she wanted some mineral water or something, but she said just water for now.

Going to stay up there tonight. Hope we get some rest . . . we shall see.

Swallow test

2011-01-21T13:07:00.000-06:00

We are going down for her swallow test at 130. Today has been pretty quiet . . .

God came to see me

2011-01-19T12:53:00.000-06:00

Today my mom's old friend Connie came to see her. She was so excited! She needed it, today has not been one of the good days. I heard my mom telling her that when she was at Methodist she thought God came to see her, she saw alot of white around her and she said she told him she wasn't ready.

I swear i dont think I can find the right words to express how I really feel about the drug manufacturer.

Really? You think?

2011-01-18T00:22:00.000-06:00

Today the Rheumatologist came by and told my mom she is not progressing as quickly as she should and he was going to write orders for more PT. Really? It took you 3 weeks to figure that out.

On a better note it took a bit of rockin and some time but she managed to moved her wheelchair a little over 4' today. I was so happy for her. I hope she stays positive.

Sunday, not a good day.

2011-01-16T18:49:00.000-06:00

Today we had family at my mom's house to take care of the house and Maggie, her baby bichon frise. Apparently she called to talk to my aunt that was there and it was very upsetting. She wanted to go home. She misses home, her family and her life.

Another Saturday

2011-01-15T13:27:00.000-06:00

Dad said mom was out of the bed and in her wheel chair via lift of course. I'm so glad, hopefully he can take her down to the waiting area and get some fresh air. I know its depressing being in that room everyday.

Diane's Story

2011-01-14T23:04:00.000-06:00

Sorry her story is not up yet, but we are working on it. I am getting help from her to put together a timeline and details, along with medical records, to make sure all the information is accurate. Her days are not as easy as a normal person, so it pretty much has to be worked into the day and depends on how she feels. Will be lengthy, but hoping to get it done soon.

Nice to hear your voice

2011-01-14T20:15:00.000-06:00

Today was the first time I heard my mom's voice since around Thanksgiving. It was a total surprise, even for her. It was nice. Now if we can just get her to swallow . . .

Silly me

2011-01-13T17:48:00.001-06:00

Also if you have a story to share please feel free to do so. I want to hear from you all.

New Blogger

2011-01-13T17:43:00.001-06:00

Hello there! If any of you are stopping by and it looks like there is nothing here you are right :) I am working on getting this blog up, but you can visit us on Twitter by clicking the link to the right or just come back later. Please!