Not too much closer to a cause with Mom. I spoke to the neurologist this morning, another neurologist because the one we were dealing with is off this weekend. So, this means explaining everything all over again. This is the neurologist that requested a consultation with the infectious disease doctor, who also stopped by today. I didn't get to meet this new doctor, but Mom really liked him.
The neurologist said they are looking at the spinal fluid to see if there is cancer cells in it. The cerbrospinal fluid that is in your brain and spinal chord surrounds the nerves and if there is cancer somewhere, some of the cells may become detached and be in the fluid. They also want to look into things like viral meningitis, and (a big stretch, the Dr. admitted) West Nile Virus. Those test results will not come back for a few days. The initial results displayed a high level of inflammation, and they are just trying to see where that is coming from.
This neurologist ordered another MRI, specifically focusing on the brain stem, and they did that today. We will get the results to that tomorrow.
I was there for several hours in the morning, and right before I left, Dr. Hardy came in. He is just such a dear man...I am so thankful, that although this (strokes, vascular) is not his specialty, we have him to consult with. His bedside manner is simply wonderful, and makes the other doctor look like a big old jerk. Anyway, Dr. Hardy pulled up a chair and sat down, and explained to my Mom and I everything that was going on. He said that if they were not unable to find anything that caused this, they would likely consider that she had a microscopic stroke involving that cranial nerve #3 (C3). It would be so small, that the damage would not be seen on any test, but demonstrated in the paralysis or palsy of the eye muscles, due to the nerve damage. He said the nerves are very sensitive, and it doesn't take much to damage them. The good news about that, is most likely, the nerve will regenerate, and she will slowly get the use of her eye back. Maybe not all of it, but there are prescription lenses you can use to help an eye that has a weakness like this.
They said she will most likely go home tomorrow or Monday, unless they find something on one of these tests. At one point today, she had such an excruciating headache, I told the nurse "it is like she is getting worse in here!" They gave her some Dilaudid, she fell asleep, and felt pretty good when she woke up an hour or so later. She is so tired and sleepy. They have her on quite a bit of pain medication, but she will wake up from a dead sleep to tell me she is tired. I am not sure if that is a symptom, a reaction to all the medication, or just the fact that she has been burning the candle at both ends with my Dad for the past 3 months.
I did go see Dad for several hours today. They had just moved him back to his old room #37. It has all been remodeled and is gorgeous. I love the colors, and the dark hardwood floors and furniture. His TV has been moved from across the room, to the wall next to his bed. It is about a 15" flat screen on a swivel mount, so it is just perfect for his viewing. And it is on his weak side, so that should help him to continue to strengthen it. This room is so much quieter because in room 20, he was right next to the kitchen, and the banging of plates and silverware 3 times a day got old real fast.
He was good today. He asked about Mom, and what she was doing, and I told him she is sleeping a lot (not really a lie, right?), and getting better so she could come and see him soon. He seemed ok with that.
I brought him a chocolate peanut butter shake from Beef and Bun (his new favorite thing), and as we were sitting there talking, our friend Dennis came in. Dennis reminded us that the Aztec/Notre Dame game was being televised. They were in the third quarter and the Aztecs were ahead...As soon as we turned it on, the stupid mistakes started happening...Dropping the ball, unable to sufficiently cover the other team...Needless to say, SDSU lost. Sheesh...
I left Dad, and went back to see Mom. When I got there she had the bad headache, and after they gave her the pain meds, I went down to the cafeteria to grab dinner. One overcooked corn dog and an order tator tots later, I was back in with my Mom and she was sleeping...And I had a tummy ache...I will never learn...Too much fried food...
Anyway, when the nurses came to do the shift change, she woke up feeling pretty good. We reheated her dinner (the tiniest little piece of fish you ever did see, and 3 chunks of potato), but it had sat too long, so she ate most of it, but didn't really enjoy it.
I told her about seeing Dad, and she asked me to explain again what the doctors said. She seemed better tonight than she has in the past few days. I hope that means she is feeling better.
I will keep you all posted as to what is next. Please, if you go see my Dad, don't mention that Mom is in the hospital. I am not sure if we will ever tell him that she was this sick...The eye patch will require a creative storyline, but we should be able to come up with something so he won't worry.
Anyway, hope everyone is enjoying their weekend...Boy, it was a hot one today!
Much love.
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