top of page

Catch 22

For those of you who know what I'm going through currently, you'll understand this title. For those of you who don't know me...well you'll have to wait YEARS.





My sweet boy made this for me. He got it from the gift shop and was so excited to color it and write on it. He gave it to me with wonder in hoping that I would wake up.


SEE?! HE PRAYED FOR ME!!


This is just one of the many good qualities I raised my boys having. Compassion and empathy for others. And simply just loving them.


I have a feeling today is going to be an interesting day!!


I slept for about 5 hours...which is better than the 4 the night before.


With PT today, we worked on my gait training. I did well with it but needed PLENTY of rest breaks. At one point, my heart rate increased to the 140s but my O2 was good! So, we rested until my heart rate went back into the 120s. I definitely fatigued rapidly this session, but overall, we are looking at the positives! I did it!


OT was wonderful today!! I could figure out the puzzles well, but my left upper extremities were providing a little of a challenge. And guess what friends...


I CAN WRITE MY NAME!!!!!!!


It's the little things at this point. Next up...Disability Rating Scale!! Who's ready?!


Disability Rating Scale (DRS)

DRS- Eye Opening: 0 - Spontaneous

DRS- Communication Ability: 1 - Confused

DRS Trach/Dysarthria: Trach, Dysarthria

DRS- Motor Response: 0 - Obeying

DRS- Feeding (Cog Ability): 2 - Minimal

DRS- Toileting: 3 - None

DRS- Grooming: 2 - Minimal

DRS- Level of Functioning: 4 - Markedly dependent

DRS- Employability: 3 - Not employable

DRS Total: 15

Rancho Level of Cognitive Functioning: 5 - confused, inappropriate, non-agitated


Here is my medical list of problematic things going on in my body right now.


Problem List/Past Medical History

Ongoing

Acute respiratory failure

Cerebellar stroke

Cerebral edema

Coma

Deep vein thrombosis

Depression

Empyema

Fracture of parietal bone of skull

Frontal skull fracture

Migraine

Occipital bone fracture

Parapneumonic effusion

Pneumonia

Seizure

Tachycardia

Trauma

Traumatic brain injury

Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage


With the hyponatremia, they have done more lab work. Here is what they found or didn't find...


Hyponatremia, acute asymptomatic- Resolved -

Possibly lab artifact, with serum osm 310 patient and patient appearing clinically euvolemic. Urine Na of 36, which does not make sense. - Other potential cause could also be SIADH or Cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS), however less likely as patient is euvolemic. -Would also consult nephrology if persistent hyponatremia or patient becomes symptomatic.


At this point they are saying 'no' to hyponatremia. But they will keep watching over me and making sure it's not that or it doesn't become something else.


With SLP today I scored a 19 out of 30 on the orientation log. My teeth were clenched, and I said my jaw felt tight, which interfered with some of the facial exercises. I could not purse my lips to use a straw or to blow into the machine. I still can't do that! Just recently I tried blowing a straw wrapper at my husband at dinner and I couldn't purse my lips, so I just blew at him. It was a great time! Not to get off track here, but Katherine did say that during my session I started to shake, and she had to call the nursing team and MD team to come right away and check me out.


This is what they had to say about the seizure-like activity:


And afternoon had repeated episodes of seizure-like behavior eyes rolling back with some myoclonic jerking and shaking, patient unaware of this taking place when asked about it each episode lasting about 5 seconds -Gave Valtoco 7.5 mg x 1 intranasally for acute seizures, will start Keppra 500 twice daily. Stop amantadine is unlikely to be benefiting significantly longer from this. Guanfacine start half milligram twice a day for autonomic disturbance, continue intensive inpatient therapy.


Right now, in present day, I am still on Keppra and still take two tablets a night. My Neurologist said that since I haven't had any seizures while being home, there is no point in taking me off the Keppra. It's obviously working!


Minus the seizures, today I would say, was a good day! Another wonderful day to add to the books.


I will end this with jewelry my son makes me. He's a special one and one day he will make any lady happy. Just how I've raised him to be!




So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

-Matthew 10:31

Comments


It Is Well

Rockingham, VA 22802

  • White Facebook Icon
  • White Yelp Icon

Opening Hours:

Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm 

​​Saturday: 8am - 6pm ​

Sunday: Closed

CONTACT

Thanks for submitting!

© 2020 by It Is Well. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page