Mom Update

[susandennis]

Polly called me about 12:30 to say that they were going to admit Mom so she could be seen by an orthopedic surgeon.

She called again about 3:30 with more details.  None of them any good.  She was clearly stressed.  Of course, having to make all the decisions and having the responsibility for someone who's not yours will do that to you.  Mom had been admitted and her shoulder had been wrapped up and taped up and she was fairly comfortable.

The ER people said that she broke her shoulder and it was a nasty break.  Mom has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder.  Basically breathing is not her best talent.  This makes her a really bad candidate for surgery. Translation:  surgery will probably kill her. One of the nurses in the ER also explained to Polly that the location of her injury will make breathing painful so she won't try as hard which will probably kill her. 

And Polly was worried that DNR instructions had not followed Mom and were not on her chart.  And that Mom's doctor is not on call until Sunday.  And she wanted one of us (family member) there. 

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Polly just called with an update and things are sounding MUCH better.  And Polly sounds better.  Whew.  Meanwhile my brother has offered up my sister-in-law who's out of town right now.  He checked flights and knows that as soon as she hears the news she will want to be on a plane.  She is the kind of person that Mom is most comfortable around when she needs health help.  My sister finally chimed in just now to say that she would go if need be.

But, the main news is that there may be a reason that one or both can really be of help (and not just to clean up the pieces)!

The orthopedic surgeon is very optimistic that he can fix her without killing her.  Ya gotta love that attitude in your surgeon.  He explained it all to Mom and told her that he could do the surgery on Monday and she said 'Let's do it!'.  They have taken her off her blood thinner so she'll be all ready.  He told her she would be the second surgery on Monday.  According to Polly, she piped right up with 'well, who's first?!  you tell my daughter and she'll fix that and I'll be first!'  Polly said she had the surgeon, the nurse and the nurses aid rolling on the floor.

The DNR thing is fixed.  Polly is going over to get the legal papers (power of attorney, etc) today and Mom's favorite hospital blanket. 

I talked to Mom myself and she sounded groggy but in full possession of all her marbles.  She said she did not have this in her plans but that they would fix it and she'd get better and it will just take time.  I asked her if she wanted me to share her phone number with everyone - if I send it in email to my brother and sister and sister-in-law, they will all want to call and was she up for that and she said that would be fine but thanks for asking. 

I inherited her thin, crappy hair, her pair shape, her sense of humor.  I did not inherit her patience with all this medical crap, her patience with people in general, her desire to keep on keepin' on regardless of what it takes.  (I also did not inherit her tennis skills but that's a different list.)

So things are looking much better... I'm thinking all those great LJ comments made a huge dif.  Thanks.

Comments

[frl.livejournal.com]

Oh wow....I am sorry that she has to go through all this, but so very glad she has such good care. I hope everything goes well and my thoughts and prayers will be with both you and her.

*hugs*

Thanks for the update!

[susandennis]

Thank you.

[angelamermaid.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad! To hear that she can be fixed without it killing her.

'well, who's first?! you tell my daughter and she'll fix that and I'll be first!'

Somehow I don't think she meant your sister. :-)

[susandennis]

You are probably right :)

Oh my!

[spiritgirl.livejournal.com]

How awful! I'll offer belated prayers for continued comfort, patience, and good surgery on Monday. Wow.....this stinks!

Re: Oh my!

[susandennis]

Stinks is right. But, her resiliance is amazing.

[vasilatos]

Oh boy! Glad to hear this is getting better, after such a roller coaster with probably a bit more roller coaster left. Phew! Fingers crossed, and lots of good thoughts your way, and for your Mom...

[susandennis]

Yeah, I suspect that the rollar coaster is maybe just now crankin' up. Thanks for your good thoughts.

[kyrielle]

I'm still sorry she has to go through this but I'm glad it's looking better - and as always, I love your Mom's sense of humor. :)

[susandennis]

I think if I had to pick one thing to inherit it would have been the sense of humor. I'm glad I got at least some of it.

[geordie.livejournal.com]

Good news and bad news then. Well, I hope she does well on Monday. It's not nice to think of her in pain, but it's nice to hear she's just looking forward to it being over and her being better. She doesn't sound like she's on her last legs, so I expect she'll come through it OK.

[susandennis]

Thanks... sorry to hear you wasted a day of your time home being sick but isn't it something how Mom's can pull the fix out of their bag o' tricks?

[lilactime.livejournal.com]

Your mom sounds like a trooper. Crappy way to start the new year, but it sounds as if she'll manage. Good wishes to her (and you) - being broken sucks, no matter how patient your demeanor.

[susandennis]

Thank you. It does suck but maybe it will suck less soon. At least she lives in a place where she has people to do for her all the stuff that drove you so nuts with your arm in a sling.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it is under control for now. Polly is a wonder.

Mom sounds like she is doing pretty well, all things considered.

I will be thinking of her. Since I lost my mom many years ago, I tend to adopt other peoples mom's.

[susandennis]

I have no idea how we would manage without Polly. The very idea of not having her makes me panic! I'm so grateful that we do.

[pinkrose70.livejournal.com]

I'll be watching for continued updates and progress and cheering on for your Mom's stamina.

[susandennis]

Thank you...

[(Anonymous)]

Heh, I have a mom who also has to ask "Will I stop breathing?" every time she has surgery, and it's scary stuff. =/ I'm glad the reports are sounding better and that it sounds like she's going to be ok!

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

Your mom is so amazing and so is Polly!

*sending lots of good thoughts your mom's way this weekend and Monday*

[susandennis]

Thanks so much.

[melodysk.livejournal.com]

I am thinking of you Susan ..and of Mom as well *hugs*

[susandennis]

Thank you so much.

[teasdale.livejournal.com]

I'll be keeping you and your Mom in my thoughts.

[susandennis]

Thanks... (personally, I think she needs a kitten :) )

[minimac.livejournal.com]

My Mom broke her shoulder a year or so ago and walked around for two weeks insisting nothing was wrong until we insisted that she get it checked out...and she's 85. She was lucky in that the fracture was such that there really wasn't anything to do but let it heal itself.
Bottom line: Susan Dennis' Mom's have stamina!

[susandennis]

Must be because of their amazing daughters :)!

[ms-hackman.livejournal.com]

Good to hear things are better. I can't imagine having to deal with all this stuff long distance. All strength to everyone involved.

[susandennis]

Thanks. Actually, sometimes the long distance is the savior!

[pookfreak.livejournal.com]

I went to Shabbat service this morning at temple and there's a point where they name people who have been or are ill - to wish them health and if we have names to add who weren't on the list the rabbi looks around and we raise our hand or catch his eye.

Well today I named my sister's Mother-in-Law who has made it through her first chemo from a reoccurence (after 20 years) of breast cancer. The rabbi went on and I said quietly "and Susan Dennis' Mom in S.C. please" which made the nice older woman to my right smile with amusement.

Anyway just wanted you to know she is in my prayers and I'm happy to hear things are going well.

[susandennis]

That's just so wonderful of you. Thanks.

[pookfreak.livejournal.com]

It's not much but I'll do what I can. I'm sure your Mom is doing all of the work. We're just giving her the energy to do it.