Annointing of the Sick...

Mom's very early morning (3am-7am) was a little bit rough. She had a fever and her heart rate and respiratory rate were elevated. She was doing better by morning after medication (to treat and for pain) was administered. Her linens were changed and the CNA Naomi layed her on her side about 8:30am. She seemed to really like that and laid there comfortably until the physical therapist came in just before 11:00am.

Her physical therapy session was pretty intense and lasted about 20 minutes. She did better than yesterday in the way that she opened her eyes pretty wide and even held her head up a bit. She seemed to focus on dad and look in the direction of where he was standing. For some reason, her physical therapist had shut off the monitor which also shut off the feed to the main desk. When we put the monitor back on, her heart rate was elevated up to the 170's (normal range is about 60-100). An EKG was ordered and confirmed that she was having an episode of atrial fibrillation (afib).

She has been given a series of medications to treat her high heart rate.

• Metoprolol first, with no positive results.
• Diltiazem next, with no positive results and rate going up to the 180's.
• Then Amiodarone. This drug is administered in a different manner. First, they did what's called a "bolus" (which is a faster way to get the medication) over the first hour. For the next six hours it was administered via IV at a slower rate. And the next 18 hours at an even slower rate. By 6:30pm, it also had no positive results.

Dr. Waddell consulted with Dr. Solomon and added Diltiazem (again) to the administration order in addition to Ativan. This is where she currently is at. Her heart rate has come down to the 110 to 130's. Not where we want it to be, but closer. Her nurse has been asked to make sure her blood pressure does not get too low. If it does, they will treat with fluids. So far, it's been okay. She also has a fever of 100.9 which is being treated with Tylenol.

At the same time, she is being administered pain medication to make her as comfortable as possible.

We had another meeting with Dr. Waddell this evening and have made a decision to place mom on a "Limited DNR" order at this time, which means they will continue to treat her, but should her heart give out, we will not ask the medical team to try to resuscitate her electronically or with compressions.

Father Daniel Cardo came in this evening to administer the Annointing of the Sick (I'm sorry if that's not the correct terminology - I didn't even know that they no longer give last rights). We think it's what she would have wanted.

Dad especially wanted me to ask and thank you for your prayers.

xox,
Tommy