[goldengirl]

My mother had a fall while traveling on Thursday, December 23rd. She refused to see a doctor & appeared to suffer only bruising & a small scratch above one eye. She is 79 years old. On New Year's Eve, while dressing for the day, she fell in the bathroom & my father discovered her unconscious on the floor immediately afterwards. She went to the hospital in an ambulance & regained consciousness about midway. She was very confused & disoriented. She had exacerbated the bruising & had a couple more lacerations - one on her cheek & one on her nose - none serious. She had no broken bones & no bleeding in the brain was detected.

We spent most of New Year's Eve in the ER & she was admitted about 7PM. Around 9PM, she suffered a grand mal seizure. She has a history of seizures, but has not had one to our knowledge since 2005

After all manner of testing and consultations with her neurologist and cardiologist, it appears that she suffered a mild heart attack at some point - either on December 23rd or on December 31st or on both occasions. No one can tell us whether the seizure was a result of the trauma or whether the seizure may have in some way precipitated the heart attack.

In any event, barring any unforeseen complications, she is scheduled to undergo a heart catherization sometime on Monday. That is all I know at this point. Both doctors assure us that she should be strong enough for the procedure and that it is necessary to prevent further problems. I will not know more until then. I hope you will be thinking positive thoughts for a complete recovery. She is a tough old bird & if anyone can do it, she's the one.

 

[Guest]

hi Barrie - your poor mum... will keep her in prayers & positive thought that it all goes well for her on Monday.

 

[Shanny]

(((Barrie))) This is really the pits. Love & prayers for you & your folks . . . I think the cath is uncomfortable, and there are always risks, but her docs prob'ly do hundreds of them, and that's what you want - docs who can do the procedure almost in their sleep.

One time as they moved my mom back to her room, the groin incision broke open as they moved her off the gurney, & blood spewed everywhere. You KNOW they're gonna instantly rip off all that super-sticky tape & they did - that was the most pain of the whole procedure - ripping that tape off.

 

[foxl]

Oh, Barrie, first, know I will be thinking of you through this.

Falls in the elderly are not good. My Mom started falling in the last years of her life. With good care, though, she fought it out for some time.

I hope your mother does well with good therapy and med-surg interventions!

Keep us posted.

 

[goldengirl]

Thanks, everyone! She had a very good night - rested very well most of the night. Hopefully, good rest & good care will help provide a full recovery.

 

[Shanny]

Positive thoughts for tomorrow's procedure. And encourage her to use at least a cane to get around - every little bit helps for balance.

My 92-year-old Dad & I are going a round or two over his walker . . . he's recovered admirably from a broken hip sustained this fall, but now he thinks he could get along with only his cane again. I'm about to smack him! Trying to make him understand that the fall that broke his hip wasn't while he did some amazing feat of derringdo - he just slipped getting out of the car & BAM! On the concrete - hip broken - not really his fault. BUT! Try to not let it happen again - use the damn walker. His physical therapists are praising his progress, but they shouldn't be letting him assume that he could go back to only a cane - especially during the blizzardy WINTER up there in Nebraskaland!

 

[jwags]

Barrie, We have been going through similar things with my mom. She is almost 91. She fell this summer and broke some ribs but ended up having to go to rehab. When she got out she became very confused and they think she now has dementia. Since September she has been in and out of the hospital about 4 times. She now suffers from multiple compression fractures due to osteoperosis, so the bones won't heal correctly. She also now has Parkinsons and congestive heart failure. She is a trooper hanging on, but I feel so helpless. She lives in Maine and I live in Ohio. My sisters are talking to her this weekend about a DNR order on her medical records because the doctor has told them if they ever use CPR on her they will break so many bones and she will be in horrendous pain. I hope your Mom is ok she is a lot younger than my mom and sounds healthier.

 

[Guest]

Shanny you're making me laugh as it reminds me of my own grandfather. Between my Aunt & I we are the only ones that visit him and take him out regularly (he's in residential care). He is 87 yo & he had a stroke about 4 years back so he doesn't have good balance. He has a walking stick, although he swings it & hits people with it rather than using it to assist with his walking. He often runs off on me and I have to catch him... he gets reprimanded. He is behaving more like a naughty boy lately... he doesn't have dementia thankfully.... he is quite bright and remembers lots of things. He often tells me what his schedule is (appts, etc). Bless him.
@Barrie - it's probably nearly time that your mum is going in for procedure (it's Tues here) so I'm sure everything will go well and those docs will do a superb job.

 

[jwags]

My mom doesn't like to use her walker either and sometimes forgets that she needs to use it and trys to walk without it. That is where the problem comes in. Because of the Parkinsons she has her balance is bad and sometimes her muscles don't move the right way.

 

[Jen]

Barrie - I hope things are going well for your Mom. Look out for yourself too...my thoughts are with you!

Jen

 

[goldengirl]

It is just so hard to respect their independence & still try to care for them! Mom's doctor had a stern warning about being checked out anytime she falls. I hope she will heed it. She uses a walker most of the time due to arthritis. That, at least, is one battle we don't have to fight. Good luck with your Dad. I so understand.

-B

Positive thoughts for tomorrow's procedure. And encourage her to use at least a cane to get around - every little bit helps for balance.

My 92-year-old Dad & I are going a round or two over his walker . . . he's recovered admirably from a broken hip sustained this fall, but now he thinks he could get along with only his cane again. I'm about to smack him! Trying to make him understand that the fall that broke his hip wasn't while he did some amazing feat of derringdo - he just slipped getting out of the car & BAM! On the concrete - hip broken - not really his fault. BUT! Try to not let it happen again - use the damn walker. His physical therapists are praising his progress, but they shouldn't be letting him assume that he could go back to only a cane - especially during the blizzardy WINTER up there in Nebraskaland!

 

[goldengirl]

Jeanne, she has some great numbers on her bloodwork, although she has arthritis pretty badly & that hampers her mobility. She has a healthcare POA & living will - both of which are up to date - & we try to stay current on all her meds & any potential interactions. Fortunately, I live just across a pasture from my folks so I'm not trying to take care of her from a distance. That makes a HUGE difference! Good luck with your Mom!

Barrie, We have been going through similar things with my mom. She is almost 91. She fell this summer and broke some ribs but ended up having to go to rehab. When she got out she became very confused and they think she now has dementia. Since September she has been in and out of the hospital about 4 times. She now suffers from multiple compression fractures due to osteoperosis, so the bones won't heal correctly. She also now has Parkinsons and congestive heart failure. She is a trooper hanging on, but I feel so helpless. She lives in Maine and I live in Ohio. My sisters are talking to her this weekend about a DNR order on her medical records because the doctor has told them if they ever use CPR on her they will break so many bones and she will be in horrendous pain. I hope your Mom is ok she is a lot younger than my mom and sounds healthier.

 

[goldengirl]

Thanks, Jen. We are doing our best for her & taking care of each other, too. Fortunately, there are enough family members nearby that we have good support.

Barrie - I hope things are going well for your Mom. Look out for yourself too...my thoughts are with you!

Jen

 

[goldengirl]

Update

Mama Doris' heart cath turned up nothing serious - no blockages that required a stent, angioplasty, or bypass - nothing that isn't entirely normal for a 79 year old woman. Great news!

She spiked a low grade fever this evening, which may be a roadblock to coming home tomorrow. Otherwise, all is well.

 

[Shanny]

That IS great news! Here's to another restful night & being discharged tomorrow.

 

[onaughmae]

Mama Doris' heart cath turned up nothing serious - no blockages that required a stent, angioplasty, or bypass - nothing that isn't entirely normal for a 79 year old woman. Great news!

She spiked a low grade fever this evening, which may be a roadblock to coming home tomorrow. Otherwise, all is well.

So glad to hear this! I know that must be a relief to you all. Sending continued good wishes for her and you all!

 

[goldengirl]

Unfortunately, Mom is still running a low grade fever. So, she'll be there at least one more day. They do think it's a urinary tract infection, but will know for sure tomorrow. She's getting an antibiotic by IV so it'll kick in soonest.

The good news is that she may be discharged to a rehab center instead of home to work with some physical therapists to build up her strength. We're worried about my Dad getting depressed. If she can get stronger first, it'll be a better transition, I think, putting a little less pressure on him. We'll see ...

 

[goldengirl]

update

Mom was transferred yesterday afternoon from the hospital to a rehab center. She has started her physical therapy program to get her back on her feet!

 

[Shanny]

Yippee! So glad to hear it!