Tuesday - And Headed Home
A typical day - and difficult to capture in words. Pam had a bad day today. By the time we got to the doctor's appointment this afternoon she was really struggling - blood pressure off the chart and breathing very poor. She alarmed the nurses and had a breathing treatment started almost the moment the doctor walked in the exam room. Not good, but at least I (and Pam) was able to point at Pam and say this is what it is like - one day out of three. And at least this episode came today instead of tomorrow. Now the doctor saw it for herself and yes, I think it made a big difference - not only for Pam's asthma but our discouragment.
The primary diagnosis is "Bad Steroid Dependant Asthma" plus a number of other contributing or resultant factors/diagnoses (I counted 7 on the doctor's notes we have with us). Not all of the tests results are back, nor have all the needed tests been done. When we get back home we will meet with Pam's primary care physician, go over the results from NJC, their recommendations, and schedule additional tests that we could not squeeze into the week here.
Meanwhile, Pam is now on a host of new medications (I counted 8 new prescriptions to fill) and following a lot of new instructions. We have hope for a turn-around, but are fully aware as we leave that this is not even close to over yet. At best, Dr. Lent has advised us that it will be a month before we know if the new approaches are working or beginning to work. Then if all goes well it is going to take time to get Pam off steroids, get her lungs healthy again, and start rehab. Dr. Lent believes Pam is going to get better and will be able to resume life. We have to admit it is hard to believe on days like today.
We will begin the drive home tomorrow and hope to arrive sometime on Thursday.
A final word before signing off - thanks. Thanks for the prayers, for your comments on the blog, for the notes sent here to the hotel.
The primary diagnosis is "Bad Steroid Dependant Asthma" plus a number of other contributing or resultant factors/diagnoses (I counted 7 on the doctor's notes we have with us). Not all of the tests results are back, nor have all the needed tests been done. When we get back home we will meet with Pam's primary care physician, go over the results from NJC, their recommendations, and schedule additional tests that we could not squeeze into the week here.
Meanwhile, Pam is now on a host of new medications (I counted 8 new prescriptions to fill) and following a lot of new instructions. We have hope for a turn-around, but are fully aware as we leave that this is not even close to over yet. At best, Dr. Lent has advised us that it will be a month before we know if the new approaches are working or beginning to work. Then if all goes well it is going to take time to get Pam off steroids, get her lungs healthy again, and start rehab. Dr. Lent believes Pam is going to get better and will be able to resume life. We have to admit it is hard to believe on days like today.
We will begin the drive home tomorrow and hope to arrive sometime on Thursday.
A final word before signing off - thanks. Thanks for the prayers, for your comments on the blog, for the notes sent here to the hotel.
posted by Glenn Pemberton at 5:34 PM
2 Comments:
Thanks for the update, Glenn. We're glad to hear about every little tiny bit of progress. I'm glad you guys are about to head home. I miss y'all, and I know T'auna and the dogs do too. :)
Have a safe trip! YOu'll continue to be in my prayers.
chip
Post a Comment
<< Home