My Mom and Dad left Texas and drove home to Iowa last week. They had planned on taking a couple of weeks to go home, but my mom had been complaining of neck and leg pain. So they got right home to take her to the doctor. She saw her primary care doctor in Pocahontas(Tuesday, March 23rd). Mom said the doctor ordered some blood work and found her white blood cell count to be low and her thyroid level to be high. The doctor increased her thyroid medication, put her on an antiobiotic and a muscle relaxant. I questioned why she was put on an antibiotic if her wbc was low, it would turn out that mom was wrong about that - she would find out in a few days that her wbc was actually high.
The next day (Wednesday, March 24), mom called the doctor as she was not any better and could not get the antiobiotic medication filled by Walmart until Monday. Walmart Pharmacy said she was getting the antiobiotic too soon because she had recently had one filled. She told them she had been out of state and not on any antibiotic. THEY MADE A MISTAKE! She got her medicine that day. Later that night, Dad took Mom to the E.R. at Trinity Regional Hospital, Fort Dodge. They worked her up pretty good. It turns out her white blood cell count was very high, not low like Mom originally thought. They did blood gases on her ~ those are no fun ~ very painful!!! They did say her kidneys are failing and are only working about 3/4 capacity.
They could not, however, find the source of her infection but did diagnose her with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Probably due all those years of smoking. Mom had already quit smoking "cold turkey" January 1st, 2010 and has not had one cigarette since then. Way to Go MOM! The doctor told her to follow-up with a pulmonologist and her family practioner.
Yesterday (Thursday, March 25), Mom went for the pulmonary testing required before seeing the doctor on Monday. The photo above was taken by my sister, Jenny who was able to go and stay with Mom. I have the best sister in the world!! Thanks for being there Jen, making sure Mom doesn't do too much and gets all the care she needs!
The next day (Wednesday, March 24), mom called the doctor as she was not any better and could not get the antiobiotic medication filled by Walmart until Monday. Walmart Pharmacy said she was getting the antiobiotic too soon because she had recently had one filled. She told them she had been out of state and not on any antibiotic. THEY MADE A MISTAKE! She got her medicine that day. Later that night, Dad took Mom to the E.R. at Trinity Regional Hospital, Fort Dodge. They worked her up pretty good. It turns out her white blood cell count was very high, not low like Mom originally thought. They did blood gases on her ~ those are no fun ~ very painful!!! They did say her kidneys are failing and are only working about 3/4 capacity.
They could not, however, find the source of her infection but did diagnose her with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Probably due all those years of smoking. Mom had already quit smoking "cold turkey" January 1st, 2010 and has not had one cigarette since then. Way to Go MOM! The doctor told her to follow-up with a pulmonologist and her family practioner.
Yesterday (Thursday, March 25), Mom went for the pulmonary testing required before seeing the doctor on Monday. The photo above was taken by my sister, Jenny who was able to go and stay with Mom. I have the best sister in the world!! Thanks for being there Jen, making sure Mom doesn't do too much and gets all the care she needs!
Today (Friday, March 26), Mom visited her primary care physician. She is concerned about the lump (moveable mass) at the base of her throat/neck. She wants her to have a CT scan to have it checked further. She will wait to order it until Monday to see what types of testing the pulmonologist may order.
Monday, March 29th, Mom will have her pulmonologist appt.
Monday, March 29th, Mom will have her pulmonologist appt.
More updates to come!
3 comments:
Thanks for the update, you are ALL in our prayers.. I keep your mom close to my heart~~~ Betty
Thinking about all you guys.
barney and dawn
Will be thinking of you guys and hope everything goes o.k.
Ruth
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