Wednesday Update

July 2, 2008

by Judy and Karen

 

When Judy and Carl arrived in the morning, the nurse informed them that Dr. Kachmann had been in and that he was recommending that Doreen begin rehabilitation in one of the Lutheran Hospital rehab facilities on the hospital campus. That would allow him to continue to monitor her for about a week to 10 days. It seemed that he was saying that she could be moved to that facility in the next few days, because she does not need the same level of nursing care as earlier, but she clearly needs to begin the therapy routine that will prepare her to move forward in her recovery. Dr. Kachmann is wanting to watch her progress over the next several days as she is given antibiotics, but he is not ready to do any more procedures with the shunt at this point.

 

The occupational and physical therapists came in together today. Doreen was alert, but several times during the session she said she really just wanted to lie down. This therapy is hard work! They did get her to sit on the edge of the bed, work on her balance, kick her legs, stand up, and use the walker to take a few steps and maneuver to the chair. She sat on the chair and stood up again a couple of times, and then she remained sitting for almost a half hour. She was worried about being nauseated, but she did not get sick. While she was working with these therapists, the speech therapist came in, but three therapists at once would probably create spontaneous combustion, so she said she would come back later. We did not see her the rest of the day, but hope she will come tomorrow.

 

Karen arrived around 3:30 and was very pleased to see Doreen more alert and responsive than when she left June 11. She is much easier to understand and conversations last much longer than they did 3 weeks ago. However, it was very clear to Karen that Doreen has lost quite a bit of weight. Eating is still a challenge. The dietitian is willing to try anything. Doreen has eaten very small amounts at each meal, but not enough to satisfy any of us, and probably not enough to satisfy her basic needs. Her best response was to watermelon and mandarine oranges, and she did have several sips of a root beer float. We want to start identifying some protein sources that are appetizing to her!