Dear Jeannie:
On Ground Hogs Day my mom passed out and was rushed to the hospital in Port Richie. She was there for 3 weeks and they couldn't find anything wrong. Since she was in the hospital so long she became very weak so she went to rehab. She was there 13 days and fell the last 3 out of 4 days because she kept passing out. This hospital was near our home so all of her regular doctors were able to see her -- in fact he happened to be passing by while she was in the emergency room and sent Jeff his asst. to see her. They discovered she had an irregular heart beat and that is what causes her to lose consciousness. They cannot do anything for this problem.
In addition, she has ulcers on her toes from not wearing socks with leather shoes. These are healing very slowly and are a constant source of infection. They wanted to remove her leg above the knee because she has no large veins below the knee and the odds of the sores healing are almost nothing. She refuses to have this done.
My mom is in very ill health. The doctor originally thought she might survive until Christmas but now feels based on her deterioration this past week that her survival will be about 2 months. She says that she will be at Christine's medical school graduation in 2010 and you know how stubborn she is!!
She does not know how ill she is and that she will probably live out her final days in the Manor Care Center. We brought her home Saturday and then again on Sunday - it was like we tortured her. She was so exhausted that all she did was sleep the entire time she was here. On Sunday she told Gerri that she couldn't come home again until she was stronger. She will not be getting stronger -- only weaker as the strain on her heart continues to cause further deterioration.
Our bottom line is that we do not want her in pain and we want her to be as comfortable as possible for as long as she is with us. I wish I had better news to send to you but this is not the case. I will try to keep you updated and I will send her address and soon as soon as I know it. Please let everyone who should be informed from your group of friends and coworkers that should know -- they can contact me at this email address. My phone number is (727) 942-6558.
Please keep her in your prayers
Carole (Josephines daughter)
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