Medical (Mortal) Saga Continues

Some moments there are no pictures for--but they are as real as sunsets and clouds and much more important than those in the eternities (well, clouds and sunsets play their parts in the whole world as a system and these are actually pictures of clouds in this post--- but you get the point)-- our relationships with each other--in our families and in our friendships are the most important things and sometimes it changes plans on a day or in a week.

Dad: It started first last Thursday with a text and then a phone call with Karla, my dad's wife, telling me that my dad was in the hospital.  He had had a fall and they decided that he needed to remain in the hospital for observation although his original tests had come back fine--no concussion or anything from the fall.  I had already made plans to visit with Dad that evening with my sister, Valerie who was in town for BYU Education Week.  Since dad was doing fine, I decided to wait to tell her and my other siblings until later that day so that Valerie could enjoy her day of classes and my other siblings could get home from work, etc.  Then Thursday evening, we were able to visit with him at the hospital for a couple of hours.

Ben:  I already had a medical appointment with Ben that afternoon with his gastroenterologist in Provo so we did that first.  His doctor had decided that there was no evidence that Ben had any significant blockage or constipation over the past 2 months and that the diarrhea was "primary" not as a result of constipation.  So, he took Ben off several medications and is hoping to change another one to help his bowels get more into balance/  He is still very much at risk for constipation due to the antipsychotics and other medications he is taking so it will always be a balancing act between the two.  Unfortunately, there was other bad news.  His liver enzymes especially ammonia are off again. As a result, the doctor has ordered a different scan of the liver which will be done at the end of September. 

In addition, he has gained 7 lbs in the past five weeks.  He continues to struggle with his slurred speech but it is improving.  It is likely due to the medication they added to reduce anxiety which has allowed him to go outside.  It is being reduced but likely will have to be stopped.  Ben is discouraged since he felt that medication had been very useful for him.  Ben can't seem to catch a break with medication.

Liam: While we were at the mission branch social on Friday night (more on that in a different post), I got a text from Jessica saying they were heading to Primary's with Liam.  He had been having "retractions" as he was breathing for about 3 days but didn't have any other signs of being sick.  Usually, it is caused by pneumonia or colds.  They reached out to his doctor on Friday and she responded by asking them to take him to the ER at Primary's.  Due to the history in the family of Chiari Malformation, there was the tiniest chance that he might be having symptoms of that.  Meanwhile.....

Elessia:  Elessia had had some blood work done as part of an overall health checkup and Friday afternoon, her doctor's office had called and said that her blood work was not good and showed some possible heart issues and she needed to be checked at an ER as well.  So now, Jessica had two family members to take to an ER.  She dropped Elessia off at the University of Utah Hospital ER and then went just down the hill to Primary's with Liam.  Elessia's niece who is a BYU student came up to watch the other kids.

When I got the message, I checked in with Jessica and Liam said he wanted me to come and stay with him and Jessica.  So, after dropping off Sister Cisneros and Gary and Jena, I headed to Primary's about 8:30 pm and hung out while they were running tests and making decisions.  Good news about him--he does not have Chiari.  His lungs were clear.  They decided that he was constipated which was causing his stomach to swell and push against his diaphragm and that was irritating his lungs. About midnight, he headed home with me while Jessica joined Elessia at U of U ER where there was a 4 hour wait to even be checked into a room.

After having an EKG and more blood tests, Elessia was cleared to leave the ER about 3:00 am. Everything looked back to normal and she needs to follow up with her doctor to make sure things stay that way.

So after all of that--good news for both of them.  And I guess, better safe than sorry!!  We are happy that they both are fine.

Liam thought it was fun to spend the night, but we had to leave early in the morning to take him home so that we could get the other things done that needed to be done.  We are putting lots of miles on our car these days.

Liam sleeping on our couch Saturday morning
Some time in the night he had put his glasses on.

Dad (con't):  On Friday, my dad was diagnosed with pneumonia and they also found fluid in the lining of the lungs.  These are common symptoms with congestive heart failure so not entirely unexpected although he didn't have a fever or other signs of infection which come with pneumonia. Over the weekend, I have spent time visiting with Dad and with Karla and Valerie.  We had the chance to meet the doctor and listen as he talked about options going forward.  He is suggesting talking to a palliative care team which was to happen today (Monday) but didn't for some reason.  Dad and Karla certainly don't want to spend their lives going back and forth to the hospital.

Dad is getting some strength back as medications seems to be reducing the fluid buildup in the lungs.  He is hoping to go home in a few days.  Hopefully, the right type of supports can be put together--whatever that looks like.

Going to visit Dad on Sunday--the clouds behind the hospital were stunning.  (He is on the 7th floor of the tall building on the left--IHC on 53rd Street in Murray, Utah.

I liked them so much that I slipped into the cafeteria to take some pictures out the windows there to the east.  They actually call the dining area "Windows on the Wasatch" so a perfect picture taking spot for clouds over the mountains.

A great reminder that life goes on even with these unexpected things and around most corners could be something beautiful if we take a moment and look!

Thanks, clouds, I needed that!