Wednesday, July 31
Wonderful
news. Dramatic improvement this morning confirms first diagnosis of
hydrocephalus. We are beginning a 24 hour urine collection test this morning
that will confirm diagnosis of the second problem. For this reason we will stay
at Deb's for another night, because I can't be gone all day preparing our room
to stay at home. We have an appointment tomorrow at 2:15 with a neurologist and
need to set up an appointment with his primary care physician. Progress.
Deborah’s
report continued:
Wrote a blog post
with a bit more info-- mostly from a phone conversation Mom had with Aunt Betty
that I overheard. Dad is now sleeping in the living room with a blanket over
his head. I'd be too hot! Mom is typing updates in various languages for the
various people she needs to update.
Deb’s
blog:
I don't think Dad really wanted me
to take his picture while they were eating breakfast, but I did anyway.
Okay, not the best picture, but
it's a picture. "Proof of life," I said. I mentioned I felt we hadn't
had enough updates lately. Mom said something like, "But I was updating
all the time." "It felt like that to you," I said.
Dad is talking a little more slowly
and deliberately than usual. He shared with me how tough it is when his legs
get tired. He said he goes into a deep squat and can't get up again so he falls
over. He said then people have to help him up, and that's hard. We talked about
what a blessing it is for people to help. When we serve others we love them
more. "That's why everyone loved you so much in the hospital," Mom told
him. "Even the second time when he wasn't as sick, the cleaning ladies
prayed for him."
Dad also shared how they came to
come home. His version was a little different than Mom's but basically the same
information. The first time Dad got sick the mission president wanted them to
stay, their home stake president felt good about them staying, and Mom and Dad
wanted to stay. The second time, Elder Nelson said, "Tell them to come
home." And the home stake president felt like that was the right thing to
do. Timing all worked out and was right. Mom mentioned yesterday wondering why
it was important to stay the first time. Then we talked about all the extra
missionary work they were able to do the second time they went to the hospital.
Mom just got off the phone with
Betty not too long ago. It was interesting to hear what she said. She mentioned
that they got to know a different set of people this last time in the hospital.
She said, "We did more missionary work in the eleven weeks we were in the
hospital than while we were in Victoria," but I could tell when she
thought about it she realized they did a lot there too. I'm sure the hospital
time was particularly intense.
She mentioned that the first time
Dad was at the hospital she couldn't sleep there. But it prepared her to be
able to stay for the five weeks where she did sleep at the hospital. If you can
call that sleep. She said it was important for her to be there to ensure that
Dad was getting the care he needed, to translate what his needs were, and to make
sure the medications were administered properly.
She explained to Betty about the
hydrocephalus like she mentioned on facebook. Apparently he's going to have to
drink only a liter of fluid a day to help with that. "I only gave him
about a fourth of a cup of orange juice this morning." Also, she mentioned
the second test is checking to see if certain hormones are deficient and
telling his body to get rid of salt. Mom was telling Betty how they brought the
records on cds and papers. The cds held images from all the tests. The doctors
at the U. of U. were able to get everything they needed right away and compare
yesterday's tests with the ones they had done in Chile. They also used a
translator to get the information they needed from everything. What a blessing
that all that happened so relatively quickly. What a blessing that Mom and Dad
were able to get some clear answers yesterday. Hopefully that trend will
continue.
Mom mentioned that Dad will need to
have some physical therapy. She said the parts of the brain that are having
trouble and giving his muscles trouble will be compensated for by other parts
of the brain. He just needs to reaffirm and strengthen those connections. She
also said that he very likely won't have to stay in the hospital for this. They
do everything they can from home as far as testing and administering of
antibiotics. He just has to return for appointments. Mom is confident that she
can take care of Dad at home.
She was telling Betty that when
they were going through customs when they arrived to the U.S., the officer
wasn't sure whether or not it was safe to let Dad in the country-- whether or
not he was contagious or healthy enough to be there. Mom showed him the
document they had that was in Spanish, but they couldn't read it. Plus Mom and
Dad were early enough that the medical people at the airport weren't in yet.
Mom and Dad were tired and had to catch a flight. They had Dr. Mikesell with
them. Dad looked okay. So the customs people sent him through. I just thought
that was interesting.
She mentioned that it shouldn't
take too long to get their rooms ready. She just needs to get the key and see
how things have held up in there. The rooms have been locked up and closed for
the time they have been gone. Mom said there may be a few piles she can move
into the spare bedroom. She just needs to go through things. With this test
that Dad needs to do, it's best if she isn't away from him too long. He's most
comfortable with her help. So having another day here to get that test done
will simplify things for them and give them that time.
I feel honored and blessed to be
able to help. I'm so glad things worked out so that John and Jen and family
could have their desired time in Provo and stay with Aunt Betty. It sounds like
they are having a lot of adventures-- climbing Timp this morning in the wee
hours!
I will continue to share whatever I
can remember to share. I know I would want to know all this if I didn't know
it.
I
wrote a letter to Dr. Mikesell, the mission doctor in Santiago to thank him for
accompanying us home and to give him a summary:
We
were in the emergency room for about 9 or 10 hours, but were not admitted to
the hospital. We met with a wonderful team of neurologists and different
doctors. The copied the CDs from Chile and went through all the paper records.
They did a Brain Scan and compared it with earlier ones. They diagnosed the
major problem as hyponatremia and identified two possible causes: hydrocephalus
and SIADH. Comparing the scans, the ventricles are enlarged. They did a lumbar
puncture to extract fluid and lessen pressure. Dramatic improvement this
morning confirms the hydrocephalus diagnosis.
They
also are convinced that he has SIADH Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic
hormone secretion. They will confirm this diagnosis with a 24 hour urine
collection test and then compare the sodium in the urine with the sodium level
in his blood. They are also restricting him to a maximum of one liter of
liquids a day. V8 juice and salty soups wouldn't count against him. Interesting
that they said Gatorade doesn't help and may make matters worse.
We
have an appointment with a neurologist on Thursday to bring in the urine bottle
and make plans for physical therapy to help different parts of the brain take
over the brain muscle connection and become habitual enough to be automatic.
They could put in a brain shut to take care of the hydrocephalus but will do
non surgical things first to try to take care of everything.
He
will also work directly with his primary care physician to deal with the asthma
etc. They were adamant that he not take the anti parasite meds. One doctor said
he didn't like the idea of the mission giving the meds to departing
missionaries without provision for followup medical at home. I took mine anyway
because I had already taken the first set of white pills.
The
stake president met us in the emergency room and had a sweet visit. He released
us from our mission and told us to leave on our missionary badges until we went
to bed. We spent the night at our daughter's home so she could feed us dinner
and we could go right to bed without worrying about getting our bedroom ready
at home. We feel at peace with coming home and very grateful for the time we
were able to spend in Chile.
You
would be amazed to see how well Elder Babcock did this morning. Without sitting
down. He walked and dressed and showered and ate. It is very exciting to see
potential for continued improvement.
Thank
you so much for everything.
Deborah’s
reports continued:
Dad is taking another nap
(downstairs this time). He was feeling "a little fuzzy in the head,"
was having trouble thinking clearly. But he played a game of Uno with Owen. Mom
has been over at the house getting things ready. Becca is helping. Dad wants
Mom to have the freedom she needs, so he doesn't want her to hurry back. Things
seem to be going okay.
Mom and Dad went for a short walk
this evening after dinner. Dad was walking pretty fast tonight-- still
shuffling a little still, but moving faster than earlier today. Seems really
alert tonight too. I'm glad he's feeling better.
