The main condition that Mom has that is causing problems is called pancytopenia, where the counts for red blood cells (rbc), white blood cells (wbc), and platelets are all lower than normal. In Mom’s case her rbc was at 6.0 (normal range 11 or higher), wbc 1.1 (range 5.0-10.0), and platelets 12 (range 150-300). Secondary conditions are congestive heart failure and an insufficient tricuspid valve (heart murmur).
No tests were done today to help figure out the cause of the pancytopenia; the holiday schedule is delaying both of the tests that they would like to do. It looks like the echocardiogram will be done tomorrow (Monday) and the bone marrow biopsy will be on Tuesday, which means she won’t be going to the Big Island. But that sounds like a safer plan for Mom. Her wbc count is so low they are concerned about her getting an infection and being unable to fight it off. All visitors must wear a mask and sanitize their hands before coming in to her room, she is not allowed to have flowers or plants in her room, and she can’t have any raw food. The doctor and nurses must also wear a mask and use gloves when examining her. They even wipe down their stethoscope with alcohol wipes before examining her. They also removed the catheter since that is a potential source of infection; since her rbc count is back to normal she is no longer out of breath just getting out of bed to go to the bathroom, so that’s okay.
The stress of these conditions on her body is making her memory worse. She is having great difficulty remembering what she said a few minutes earlier. We have taken to writing several things on the white board in her room. Like, “Push the red button to get help to go to the bathroom or get out of bed.” She’s got so many wires attached to her its a major production just to get out of bed! Less than an hour after Dad visited her, she could not remember that he had been there.
Here's a zen garden in the middle of the hospital.
Happy Birthday to Marvetta and Michael!
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