(Most recent updates first)
First received Wednesday, May 20, 2020
For Dakini, a sixteen-year-old cat in Parker, Colorado with a damaged right eye, a mass on her thyroid, and high blood pressure who may not be strong enough for surgery to remove the eye or the cancer; and for her human family....[May 21] Dakini received a three-day pain shot and antibiotics on Wednesday. Her vet is recommending fluids to be administered at home to see if her kidney function could improve enough for surgery. She will go back to the vet for another pain shot on Friday. The vet has promised that Dakini's humans could be present for euthanasia (an exception to their coronavirus protocol) if that is what will be the best for Dakini...[May 27] Dakini has been receiving time-released pain shots for her eye every three days. Her vet advised seeking additional medical opinions. Dakini and her humans spent the afternoon today at a specialist vet. They were sent home with four kinds of eye drops and an appointment for surgery next Tuesday as long as Dakini can be seen by either a cardiologist and or an internal specialist to address her heart disease, blood pressure and possible thyroid tumor. The tumor seems to be the least concern at the moment as her thyroid levels are within normal range. Dakini has a good appetite and seems to be coping very well. The opthalmologist thinks it best to see if medication will regularize her blood pressure and heart rate so that Dakini can get through the anesthesia needed for the surgery to remove her damaged eye....[May 30] Dakini had an echo cardiogram at a veterinary specialist today who said that although Dakini's blood pressure is a bit elevated, her heart function is normal. The surgery to remove Dakini's right eye is scheduled for Tuesday morning, June 2, if an anesthesiologist is available. Continued support for Dakini and her humans as she receives her daily eye drops, medications and fluids.
Update Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Dakini made it through the surgery to remove her eye. She is at home and doing very well. Continued support for her during the next two weeks of recovery, after which she will return to see the ophthalmologist for a follow-up appointment.
First received Friday, May 29, 2020
For Nat P. of Ashley Falls, Massachusetts who is in the hospital in Great Barrington with colitis....[May 31] Nat has developed some complications with his kidneys. He has been transferred to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts where he will spend the next two or three days to resolve the issue.
Update Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Nat had a three-hour dialysis session which took care of his kidney problem. The doctors discovered that Nat has diverticulitis instead of colitis. He had colostomy surgery on June 2 and will be in the hospital for another week.
First received Sunday, May 31, 2020
For Mary Jane C. of Mansfield, Ohio with kidney surgery on June 3.
Update Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Mary Jane's surgery was cancelled because one of her medical providers didn't follow through on some paperwork. No new surgery date has been set.
First received Saturday, May 2, 2020
For Stephanie D. in Lancaster, California who is concerned about a lump in her groin area.
Update Sunday, May 31, 2020
Stephanie thinks she has an inguinal hernia. She is anxious and resting a lot.
First received Monday, May 25, 2020
For Sheryl C. in Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island who broke her hip in a fall on Sunday night and is having full hip-replacement surgery on May 27.
Update Friday, May 29, 2020
Sheryl had low blood pressure today and a difficult time recovering her strength. On Monday she will transfer to an acute rehab facility at Vanderbilt hospital in Newport. She is not well enough to go to a friend’s home for rehab.
First received Sunday, March 22, 2020
For Bryan C. in Tucson, Arizona with a recurring bile duct infection which requires a liver transplant which has been put on hold because of the pandemic....[April 25] Surgeons are still hoping to wait until the pandemic subsides before performing the transplant. Bryan recently moved from his Tucson home into a Phoenix hospital to await the transplant in May. He first must be stabilized....[May 3] Bryan has officially been placed on a transplant list. He may know the projected date at the beginning of this week.
Update Friday, May 29, 2020
Bryan is still awaiting his liver transplant in Phoenix. He has not been strong enough to undergo the operation. The hospital allowed his wife and mother, who are from Tucson, to visit for several days, which has helped Bryan enormously.
First received Saturday, May 23, 2020
For Pam in Mobile, Alabama who had emergency surgery today for a possible ruptured appendix....[May 24] Pam is in intensive care. Her condition has not improved.
Update Thursday, May 28, 2020
Pam is out of the ICU and recovering from sepsis.
First received Sunday, April 12, 2020
For Pamela H. in Salisbury Green, United Kingdom as she recovers from surgery for a broken hip...[April 26] Pamela's hip has been pinned and her broken wrist placed in a cast. A hospital physical therapist is helping her to improve balance and walking. She was tested today for coronavirus. If the test comes out negative, she will be transferred to a rehab facility for physical therapy...[May 13] Pamela's test for coronavirus was negative. She has been transferred to a rehabilitation hospital to improve her mobility skills.
Update Monday, May 25, 2020
Pamela has been transferred to a care home near her relatives. She will be quarantined for two weeks. Her rehabilitation is ongoing.
First received Tuesday, May 19, 2020
For ninety-year-old Helen E. in Charlotte, North Carolina who is withdrawn, confused and refusing to eat or drink.
Update Saturday, May 23, 2020
Helen is now in hospice, bedridden, not eating and unable to take medications. Support requested as she moves toward transition.
First received Wednesday, April 1, 2020
For Marion B. in Wien, Austria who is in the hospital after surgery on her digestive organs, and for her three daughters, two of whom would like to visit her but are in a different country....[April 15] Marion's daughters have figured out how to visit her in Wien when she is home from the hospital. Her body is not strong enough for chemotherapy...[April 20] Marion has transferred from the hospital to her home. Her three daughters arrived yesterday. Those who came from other countries will now be in quarantine for two weeks...[May 19] Marion’s daughters and extended family are with her. Marion is having a difficult time communicating and appears to be nearing her transition.
Update Saturday, May 23, 2020
Marion made a peaceful transition today.
First received Friday, March 27, 2020
For Anne K. in Rickmansworth, United Kingdom who lives in a nursing home and was feeling unwell yesterday evening, and for her family....[April 6] Anne has developed a cough, but it is not thought to be coronavirus at this stage. Her chest and lungs have underlying weakness. Her family members are unable to visit... [April 19] Anne was gasping for breath and needing oxygen. She was taken to Watford Hospital where she tested positive for coronavirus. She has been moved to an Acute Admissions Unit...[April 29]
The hospital is planning to remove her from oxygen today. Anne's condition has stabilized and this needs to be maintained...[May 13]
The hospital is planning to move Anne to a halfway house today. This facility is for those returning to care homes who are stable but still testing positive for coronavirus.
Update Friday, May 22, 2020
Anne is still in the recuperation hospital. Her son, John, was able to visit and speak through the window, which was uplifting for her. She has a sore on her left ankle which due to her diabetic condition is slow to heal. She really wants to return to her care home.
First received Sunday, May 17, 2020
For RuthAnn L. in Belle River, Ontario, Canada with multiple health problems including severe stomach pain, pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Update Monday, May 18, 2020
RuthAnn had a perforated bowel and made her transition this evening. Support also for her family.
First received Monday, April 27, 2020
For Ann M. in Orlando, Florida who will have a biopsy for several masses in her abdomen.
Update Sunday, May 17, 2020
Ann has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which has spread to her liver and stomach. She will be receiving infusions of chemotherapy three consecutive days each month. Her first round of treatment will take place this week and she will then have a procedure to implant a port.
First received Saturday, May 16, 2020
For Anton H. in Vienna, Austria who has been ill for a long time and is now in the emergency room.
Update Sunday, May 17, 2020
Anton had emergency surgery yesterday and is having another surgery today. Support also for his wife, Ingrid.
First received Wednesday, January 8, 2020
For ninety-two-year-old Shirley J. in Mounds View, Minnesota who fell and fractured her leg and will have surgery on January 9...[January 10] Shirley's surgery went well. She now has a rod and screws in her right femur.
She did limited walking today. She previously walked with a cane and will now have to use a walker. She will go to a rehabilitation facility for several weeks on Monday or Tuesday...[January 11] Shirley is in pain, continues
to need IV fluids, and needs assistance when walking. She is very tired and resting as much as possible... [January 18] Shirley was moved to rehab five days ago and is doing well. Her pain is slowly decreasing, she is walking
fifteen feet with a walker each day, and started to use a stationary bicycle for ten minutes each day on January 17. She is slowly getting her strength back and continues to need a lot of rest. She is receiving excellent care,
good food, and is impressing the staff with her mental clarity, excellent outlook and humor....[January 21] Shirley will have the staples removed from her incision on January 22. She is increasing her walking each day and she is very tired after her therapy...[January 31] Shirley will be going home on February 3. She will be receiving occupational and physical therapy at home. She is mastering her walker and her pain has decreased. She is ready to go home.... [February 24] Shirley's right leg is healing slower than they had hoped. She also has a pressure sore on her right heel which is slowly healing. She is to continue doing exercises and will see her doctor on March 18....[March 11] Shirley's pressure sore is still not healing and she cannot wear shoes....[March 18] Shirley had a minor stroke on March 18 and is in the hospital. Her carotid artery is 80% blocked. She will transfer to a different hospital tomorrow to have a stent put in the artery...[March 19] Shirley came through her surgery well. She will be evaluated to determine if she needs to spend time in rehab to regain her strength....[March 21] Shirley is still hospitalized. She is having trouble talking due to the intubation for her surgery. It is difficult to get information from the hospital or speak to her...[March 23] Shirley was released from the hospital late Saturday, March 21. She is tired and weary. Her hospital stay was very frightening as she had limited contact with her family. No visitors were allowed due to coronavirus concerns. It was difficult for her to talk due to the intubation and the side effects from anesthesia so she could rarely use a phone. She will need some time to recover from the surgery and the hospital experience.... [April 1] "Shirley's voice and energy level are greatly improved. She has painful lumps in her face from the position she was in for the two-hour carotid artery surgery. It will take weeks for these to disappear. She is still unable to wear shoes due to a pressure sore on the leg she broke. She is able to do limited walking. She has a great attitude and was able to bake cookies today."...[April 25] Shirley is having memory problems and intermittently slurring her words. She will have a phone consultation with her doctor in two weeks.
Update Thursday, May 14, 2020
Shirley's doctor thinks the slurring of words should diminish over time and is hopeful her memory will improve. She had no memory issues prior to carotid artery surgery. Her pressure sore continues to heal, but is too painful to wear shoes. An x-ray of her leg is needed to determine the healing status. State virus conditions must improve before this can be done.
First received Thursday, January 2, 2020
For Gary S. in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the process of getting medical care for himself and his wife...[February 3] Gary has an appointment for a lower gastrointestinal procedure on February 6 at 2:30 P.M...[February 6] Before Gary could have the scheduled colonoscopy, he was admitted to the hospital in serious condition and is in intensive care...[February 8] After spending two days in the hospital and having nine liters of his urine examined, Gary will have Home Health Care and will make an appointment to see a urologist. The cause of his condition is yet unknown... [February 11] Gary was released from the hospital with a catheter. He has an appointment with a urologist on Wednesday morning. No one knows what caused his urine to back up. Support for his wife who is now Gary's chauffeur and caregiver...[February 15] Gary's bladder was severely stretched by whatever caused the blockage. His next appointment is on February 21 when they will examine the bladder...[February 27]The recent tests did not see any reason for the blockage that created the backup of urine in his bladder. He will now always need the catheter...[March 22] An ultrasound of Gary's kidneys was normal and showed no bladder involvement. Gary will have a consultation with his urologist to discuss options.
Update Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Gary went to the emergency room last night and has now been admitted to the hospital. Support also for his wife, Ann.
First received Tuesday, March 3, 2020
For Dean K. in Louisville, Kentucky who fell and broke his right humerus...[March 13] Dean’s two-week checkup on his arm is Monday, March 16...[March 17] Dean's healing is on track. He will continue to use the sling for supporting his right arm. His next checkup will be Monday, April 6. He has had very little pain...[April 6] Dean's arm is getting stronger every day and the swelling is decreasing. He has very little pain. In the checkup today by teleconferencing, the orthopedic doctor noted that Dean's arm flexibility is "ahead of schedule" and assigned him a new shoulder exercise. The next teleconference appointment will be April 21...[April 21] Dean's healing process continues ahead of schedule. He no longer uses a sling. His orthopedic doctor added several more flexibility and range of motion exercises to his daily routine. The next teleconference appointment is May 12.
Update Tuesday, May 12, 2020
"Dean's range of motion from using the prescribed exercises is now nearly perfect. The doctor has released him with no prescription for physical therapy. Dean will keep up certain physical exercises. He has the option of asking for physical therapy should the need arise."
First received Saturday, May 2, 2020
For Lori P. in Mattituck, New York with a high fever who is being tested for coronavirus, and for her daughter, work colleagues and the family for whom she is a caregiver.
Update Friday, May 8, 2020
Lori's test came back negative. Her doctor now thinks her symptoms were caused by a flare-up of Lyme disease. Although her fever is down, she is still feeling very achy and exhausted.
First received Monday, May 4, 2020
For Don G. in Wanatah, Indiana who is in hospice care at home for terminal prostate cancer.
Update Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Don made his transition yesterday afternoon.
First received Saturday, May 2, 2020
For Judy K. in El Cajon, California with a swollen left leg.
Update Monday, May 4, 2020
Judy is being taken to the hospital as she is ill and dehydrated.