Post by Marty on Aug 16, 2020 12:55:50 GMT -5
Marty please edit as you like. This went to family last night. See note at end. Thanks a million for doing this. Kind of maxed out right now.
Hi Everybody. Thank you Suzanne for doing this. Things are so crazy here that it is difficult to touch base with everyone, especially without power still and doing so before my cell runs down.
Dr Capella came in this afternoon late and explained a few things. Mark's health issues are:
1. Pneumonia- possibly cause by age related aspiration, meaning particles of food going down his wind pipe to the lungs instead of down his esophagus.
2. Mark will need to work on the swallowing or pneumonia may come back.
3. A mass or lesion has shown up in his lungs on the upper right side. He said he really doesn't know if it is cancer or something else. He said Mark's PCP will need to do follow-up in 3 months to see if the mass changes.
4. Mark is still very weak and still has breathing problems. He can't talk very easily since he can't get enough breath to finish a sentence. He continues to have a temperature on and off, and chills that make him shake all over. Aspirin helps. Capella said his lungs sounded more clear today.
5. He is on oxygen all day and night unless on the CPAP.
6. Evidently his Prescription for his thyroid issues is too strong. If he was hyper now he is hypo, or the other way around. Not sure. But too much of that medicine will make him very weak too. Capella changed that medication to a lower dose.
7. He is on IV antibiotics for the pneumonia and is now classed as an inpatient and they expect most costs will be covered by insurance. Initially he was considered as being admitted per his choice for observation and they told us insurance covered less of the expenses. A relief there since they think he will remain in Mercy for some
days to come.
8. He is receiving Nebulizer treatments to help his breathing get better.
9. He has lost about 10 pounds in the last 2-3 weeks while continuing to eat about the same amount and variety of foods. No explanation for that, but Mark thinks he's dehydrated it off. Could be, since his potassium was so low they gave it to him via IV. He is now taking a higher dose daily. Low potassium will cause weakness and bad muscle spasms.
10. He is also anemic and getting iron pills in hopes they won't have to do it via IV.
All these issues were probably present when we saw the PCP three weeks ago but she merely said his emphysema was acting up and sent him home with a powder inhaler. She's got some 'splainin' to do!
That's about all I know at the moment. I was finally able to help him shower today since they are short handed and Covid is really making services difficult for all patients. Most of you knew most of this, but at least ya'all know all of it now.
You can call Mark but might be better for him if you text him. Bear with us, cell phone service is screwy here too.
Daughter Kate is here and that has been wonderful for both of us. Gives me a chance to deal with the storm devastation at home and everywhere all over Cedar Rapids. Once power is returned it will help so much. We will be able to buy food and gas and traffic signals will return so it doesn't seem like a war zone going to and from the hospital. It's all overwhelming, so Kate being here is just wonderful! He has even gotten to speak to Daughter Manda too, but cell service has affected that too, sadly for him. Hopefully tomorrow.
No more long winded messages like this but we wanted you to know., so thanks for bearing with me. We love you all!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Update
Going home today. Neighbors ran a chord to someone’s generator to allow us power till power comes on. Thank God. They need his room. He’s not great bad better than the last 3 weeks. More later as able.
Hi Everybody. Thank you Suzanne for doing this. Things are so crazy here that it is difficult to touch base with everyone, especially without power still and doing so before my cell runs down.
Dr Capella came in this afternoon late and explained a few things. Mark's health issues are:
1. Pneumonia- possibly cause by age related aspiration, meaning particles of food going down his wind pipe to the lungs instead of down his esophagus.
2. Mark will need to work on the swallowing or pneumonia may come back.
3. A mass or lesion has shown up in his lungs on the upper right side. He said he really doesn't know if it is cancer or something else. He said Mark's PCP will need to do follow-up in 3 months to see if the mass changes.
4. Mark is still very weak and still has breathing problems. He can't talk very easily since he can't get enough breath to finish a sentence. He continues to have a temperature on and off, and chills that make him shake all over. Aspirin helps. Capella said his lungs sounded more clear today.
5. He is on oxygen all day and night unless on the CPAP.
6. Evidently his Prescription for his thyroid issues is too strong. If he was hyper now he is hypo, or the other way around. Not sure. But too much of that medicine will make him very weak too. Capella changed that medication to a lower dose.
7. He is on IV antibiotics for the pneumonia and is now classed as an inpatient and they expect most costs will be covered by insurance. Initially he was considered as being admitted per his choice for observation and they told us insurance covered less of the expenses. A relief there since they think he will remain in Mercy for some
days to come.
8. He is receiving Nebulizer treatments to help his breathing get better.
9. He has lost about 10 pounds in the last 2-3 weeks while continuing to eat about the same amount and variety of foods. No explanation for that, but Mark thinks he's dehydrated it off. Could be, since his potassium was so low they gave it to him via IV. He is now taking a higher dose daily. Low potassium will cause weakness and bad muscle spasms.
10. He is also anemic and getting iron pills in hopes they won't have to do it via IV.
All these issues were probably present when we saw the PCP three weeks ago but she merely said his emphysema was acting up and sent him home with a powder inhaler. She's got some 'splainin' to do!
That's about all I know at the moment. I was finally able to help him shower today since they are short handed and Covid is really making services difficult for all patients. Most of you knew most of this, but at least ya'all know all of it now.
You can call Mark but might be better for him if you text him. Bear with us, cell phone service is screwy here too.
Daughter Kate is here and that has been wonderful for both of us. Gives me a chance to deal with the storm devastation at home and everywhere all over Cedar Rapids. Once power is returned it will help so much. We will be able to buy food and gas and traffic signals will return so it doesn't seem like a war zone going to and from the hospital. It's all overwhelming, so Kate being here is just wonderful! He has even gotten to speak to Daughter Manda too, but cell service has affected that too, sadly for him. Hopefully tomorrow.
No more long winded messages like this but we wanted you to know., so thanks for bearing with me. We love you all!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Update
Going home today. Neighbors ran a chord to someone’s generator to allow us power till power comes on. Thank God. They need his room. He’s not great bad better than the last 3 weeks. More later as able.
