Clara's Condition

Friday Feb. 8 Update

2008-02-08T21:44:00.001-08:00

Clara's lab results were negative for the viral bug in the Rehab Center. She reports she feels nauseated. If you visit, please be encouraged to wash your hands for a full minute before leaving the facility. Clara is aware of who we are, but may not stay awake long enough to visit.

Sunday Feb 3 Update

2008-02-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

Clara's motivation to get better is declining. She is combative when we attempt to encourage her to eat. She insists that she has never been a meat and potato gal. She does not like therapy and has not been participating since her gastro distress began. Richland Rehab still has the no vistor sign up, but we go in anyway, and no one confronts our presence. If you visit, be sure to wash your hands when you enter her room and again when you depart, just as a precaution to protect your self and Clara. Becki

January 31st Update

2008-01-31T21:38:00.000-08:00

Clara continues small progress. She got rid or her catheter yesterday. The Dr. has adjusted her meds, and she is not asking for pain medication as frequently. She remains confused at times. This can be from the pain medication and/or her body chemistry balance. She is not liking rehab at all. She will have a female therapist tomarrow, so we are hopeful she will be more cooperative. The Tri-Cities has started flu season. Richland Rehab has posted not visitor signs and they have stopped communal dining until further notice. Clara has diarhea but has not had the stomach nausea. They ran labs today, so we will know more when those results are back. She has taken calls. You have to talk slow and loud. If she has taken her pain meds recently, she may not be chatty. The number is 509-941-7745. Thank-You for all the cards, flowers and visits. Tom returns from Hondurus Sunday if all goes well, so you will likely hear from him next time. Bec

Clara Update

2008-01-25T21:59:00.000-08:00

Clara is making positive progress. She is slowing improving her caloric intake. Strawberry shakes are the standard. We continue to focus on encouraging her to eat more. Rehab has increased their demands on her. She totally wants to nap after therapy and her liquid lunch. Her pain is controlled, while she disapproves of how her meds make her feel. Recovery is a real balance act, to control her pain, while keeping her awake enough to build her stamina and appetite. She ate her lunch unaided today. Staff at the facility estimate her stay to last two months.

Tuesday Jan. 22 Update

2008-01-22T21:13:00.000-08:00

Clara continues to make small improvements. Today she ate breakfast unassisted except for verbal encouragement. She has therapy to practice standing and simple puzzles. Movement involving her hip is still painful. Her pain medication keeps her very sleepy. Thanks to all of you who have visited or sent cards and flowers. She will likely be at Richland Rehab for sixty days, or until she regains her strength and stamina to get in and out of bed unaided.

She Has Moved!

2008-01-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

Mom is now at Richland Rehab and Eagle Assisted Living.
1745 Pike Ave, Richland, WA
(509) 946-8095
Room 304

Mom is Moving!

2008-01-19T09:56:00.001-08:00

The doctor was just in an feels that they have the bleeding in Mom's hip stopped. She needs to get a lot better before she can qualify for inpatient rehab at the hospital, so the plan is to move her into a skilled nursing facility this morning. They think she will be able to be moved by ambulance this morning before noon.

The name of the facility is Richland Rehab and it is connected to Eagle Assisted Living. The hope is that if we lose her room at Richland Gardens she will be able to move into the Eagle Assisted Living after she is strong enough to do so. We don't have the address or phone number just yet but will post that when we can.

Mom's dear friend Michi Kawauchi came by the other day to visit her. I couldn't resist taking a photo of them so here it is. It was heartwarming to see the two of them together. They have been friends for 40 years or so....

Friday January 18th Update

2008-01-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

Mom is not getting much better, but not getting much worse either. She is on 5 liters of O2 now instead of 2 so that is a little troublesome. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, but wasn't able to sit up in the chair for long when the PT came in and wanted her to stay up. She is very weak....

Clara fell this morning

2008-01-12T10:04:00.001-08:00

Good Morning Everyone,

I have some troubling news. Mom fell this morning at the Assisted Living Center where she is staying. She evidently tripped over her oxygen hose and has broken her hip/pelvis. We are waiting to talk to the orthopedic to assess what the options are. The internist was just in and said they may want to do surgery to either pin the bones, or do a hip replacement.

Mom was in some pain when I got here but they put her on morphine and she is resting comfortably now.

In order to keep everyone updated either Becki or myself will update this blog when we have new information to share. If you would like talk to one of us my cell is 509.531.9790 and Becki's is 509.531.2005

Take Care!

Tom