Mom started having issues about 3 days after leaving the hospital. Something wasn't quite right. It turns out she had C. diff from her hospital stay. If you're unfamiliar with C. diff, here's some information - C. diff
Vancomycin is the antibiotic of choice for a C. diff infection, and she took it religiously. She FINALLY started to feel better. Until she didn't.
By day 15 of taking the Vancomycin, Mom was violently ill and vomiting. When I got to their house, she looked gray and could barely stand up. Dr. Bahary's office recommended she go to their ER in Shadyside immediately.
This picture was taken as soon as we got to the ER:
Her bloodwork revealed that the infection was even worse. The Vancomycin treatment had failed, so they needed to add Flagyl and fluids to her regimen.
She was admitted to the hospital on May 6, under the direction of the ER oncologist Dr. Jung.
Dr. Jung also asked her what she wanted them to do in the event she coded. She had just been given IV Dilaudid and told them she'll sign a DNR.
I jerked my head up because she, and my dad, and I have had very long, difficult discussions about our wishes. A Do Not Resuscitate was not part of any discussion. It never dawned on me that Dialudid was making this new decision until 5am the following day after being up all night concerned she might code and they'd do nothing.
I got dressed and headed to the hospital. She hadn't even remembered saying she wanted a DNR. We went through the process of having that changed.
Over the course of the next 5 days, she was cared for by the incredible nursing staff on the 6th floor oncology unit. What an amazing group of professionals! They took the most wonderful care of my mom every step of the way. It didn't hurt that a friend of ours, Angela, used to be a nurse on that unit, so she was able to guide us through the process (and also call her old coworkers to ask that they give Mom a little extra TLC). Thanks Ange :)
Dr. David Weber, an Infectious Disease specialist, was watching her bloodwork during this time to see if the added Flagyl would help to fight the infection. Her hemoglobin and potassium were extremely low, and there was talk of a transfusion if it went any lower. Her liquid diet wasn't helping to add nutrients to her system, and we were told this could lead to cardiac issues.
She slowly started to feel slightly better, and they were able to send her home on Monday, May 10, 2021.
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