Update on Mom
I just got the update on my mom. After numerous CAT scans, MRIs, blood work and xrays they have determined she does not have endocarditis (infection in heart) or a brain infection. However - she has a patch of infection in her spinal column and one in her abdomen. Apparently when the tooth infection drained that bacteria went searching for a new home in her body and settled in her spine. This is serious - if not treated, it will cause permanent paralysis - but it has been caught early and will be treated asap.
She will have two surgeries today. One will be on her back where they remove a small portion of her spinal column (he didn't say cord, just column). They will drain out the infection the best they can and then give her powerful antibiotics. This will be a very painful surgery - not without risks, but the risks are pretty remote. It's called a laminectomy and she should recover fully from it and not be disabled or have permanent pain or anything. The problem will be the time immediately following the surgery - this procedure causes extreme pain, so she will be taking demerol or morphine. I don't know how long the hospitalization or recovery times will be.
The other surgery will be going in from the front to get at the infection in her abdomen. It is in the general area of her appendix, but was more vague on the MRIs so this will be more of an exploratory type surgery.
Apparently with this much infection in the body it can't be taken care of with antibiotics and has to be removed surgically. Both surgeries are mandatory and happening today. I'll let you know more when I find out (after the surgeries). She is exhausted and scared and falling asleep mid-sentence. The only people in the world who can do anything to help her are scrubbing in right now to do it. Please pray God will guide their hands, and that the surgery will go well with few or no complications and her recovery will be swift and easy.
My mom has always been such a rock in my life - so steady and secure. Please pray that God will be her rock as she's been mine.
Thanks and love,
Jen
She will have two surgeries today. One will be on her back where they remove a small portion of her spinal column (he didn't say cord, just column). They will drain out the infection the best they can and then give her powerful antibiotics. This will be a very painful surgery - not without risks, but the risks are pretty remote. It's called a laminectomy and she should recover fully from it and not be disabled or have permanent pain or anything. The problem will be the time immediately following the surgery - this procedure causes extreme pain, so she will be taking demerol or morphine. I don't know how long the hospitalization or recovery times will be.
The other surgery will be going in from the front to get at the infection in her abdomen. It is in the general area of her appendix, but was more vague on the MRIs so this will be more of an exploratory type surgery.
Apparently with this much infection in the body it can't be taken care of with antibiotics and has to be removed surgically. Both surgeries are mandatory and happening today. I'll let you know more when I find out (after the surgeries). She is exhausted and scared and falling asleep mid-sentence. The only people in the world who can do anything to help her are scrubbing in right now to do it. Please pray God will guide their hands, and that the surgery will go well with few or no complications and her recovery will be swift and easy.
My mom has always been such a rock in my life - so steady and secure. Please pray that God will be her rock as she's been mine.
Thanks and love,
Jen
posted by Jen at 11:16 AM
5 Comments:
Oh, wow, Jen. Prayers for you, your mom and the doctor & staff in the surgery.
*more hugs*
I am really glad to hear it's not in her brain or heart - that's good news. Taking this bit by bit. Tell your mom that we're pulling for her!!
Well, at least it's not in her heart or her brain, and it's good that they caught this early. Our prayers are with you.
Sorry Jen to hear of this, Will be praying for her! Please take care! Hugs!
I'm just seeing this today and I hope she is doing okay.
You are in my thoughts.
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