That Hobbit Lady

This post is not about Mom…it’s about me. I haven’t been feeling well for almost a week now, and today finally I went to the doctor and discovered I have strep throat! So of course I have begun an antibiotic, and will have a couple days off work, so I feel like finally I will be on the mend. The annoying part is that when this began last Thursday, I said to myself, “Hmm…sudden sore throat and fever. Sounds like it could be strep. Maybe I should go to the doctor.” But instead, I went to the internet, where I read somewhere that if your sore throat and fever are accompanied by nasal congestion, then it’s *probably* not strep. So I didn’t go to the doctor. And it got worse. And I suffered with this for several days before getting the official word.

Now, before you think I am a dummy who suffers with worsening sore throat, nasal congestion and fever for several days before going to help, in my defense there have been moments when it seemed like I was on the mend, the fever left, and I felt better. But then I relapsed. It was after the relapse that I decided to go to the doctor.

Anyway, my final word on this situation is a Word of Warning: if you ever have a sudden sore throat and fever, don’t rely on an internet diagnosis. Go to a doctor and find out for sure if it’s strep. Your health is just too important to not know for sure.

At Barbara’s request, here is an update on Mom. I spoke with her yesterday morning. She is home from the hospital, and the pacemaker is working good. The main issue now seems to be this urinary tract infection she picked up, which she is fighting with antibiotics. In a few days she will be visiting her urologist to make sure everything is clearing up properly.

She is happy about how the pacemaker is working, but she is tired of “recovering.” It’s been four weeks since the initial operation, and she was hoping to be up and running a little better than she is right now. But hopefully, this will be the last hurdle.

All my best to everyone in the new year!

Mom was evaluated in the hospital and the decision was made to put in the pacemaker. She had it done this afternoon, and last I heard was in Recovery, and will be able to go home tomorrow.

Got this email from James last night:

I just wanted to send an email to let you all know that Mom is going back to the Hospital again. She’s having a very rough time recovering and is having trouble dealing with very low blood pressure and pulse. Her pulse is very frequently going down to the 40’s when it ideally should
be in the 80’s. She was thinking it may have to do with the
medications she was taking and when they were being taken but it’s continuing to get worse.

Dad just left with her at 4:25pm today so we may not know anything till much later tonight, since it takes Hospitals forever to admit someone.

Then, got this text from Terry this morning:

Just talked to mom. The pacemaker specialist is reveiwing her charts for the past few hours. They will put it in either today or tomorrow and most likely go home the next day. She sounded tired but optomistic.

Mom just called, she is back from the hospital! They adjusted her medicines, and for the time being the pacemaker talk has been tabled. She said she is feeling “nowhere near normal,” but she feels good, and is moving in the right direction. Home for the holidays! 🙂

I spoke to Mom today. She is still in the hospital but they are adjusting her medicines and two of the three doctors are hopeful that this is all she will need to get her heartbeat/blood pressure regulated, and that they won’t need to go to the pacemaker. She also said she has a couple of therapists that visit and are getting her to walk around.

As for the chest congestion, she says it is “water on the lungs,” par for the course after her kind of heart surgery, and they are treating it. It’s not pneumonia.

Her primary care doctor has once again resumed the duties for her primary care, and hopes to have her back home by Christmas, but wants her to stay in the hospital to get the best treatment and make the most progress on her recovery.

Terry sends this text:

I did not get to see Mom today. Dad said they are adjusting her medications and her pulse and blood pressure are leveling off. She has two doctors seeing her. One says put the pacemaker in, the other says do not. She says since she is leveling off, she will wait with it. She should be home by tomorrow.

I agree not to jump into something if all the doctors are not in agreement that it’s the best thing to do, especially if other methods are beginning to work. Sounds like time will tell. I’ll keep you posted.

Got a text from Terry last nite:

Mom’s pulse dropped very low today. Down to 42. Pressure very low also. All the meds are playing with her. The Dr. told her to go to the emergency room. They are evaluating her now. They will admit her and might have to put in the pacemaker the Dr. told her about to regulate everything.

Then this morning Terry she has not heard anything more, but she imagines they are doing tests and a lot might not get done today because it’s Sunday. Terry is hoping to see her later today. I’ll keep you updated as I hear more.

Last I’ve heard Mom is doing well. I will still continue to give updates as I get them, but in the meantime, the holidays are quickly upon us, so I offer up this for your amusement:

Mom has indeed been sent home from the hospital! I think she just got home a short while ago. Dad is running around to drugstores now, looking for some of the things she needs. I’ll let you know more when I hear it. Or please feel free to add anything you might know!