This is the occasional guest blogger, Amy, filling
in because my mom hated to write this post.
Because we are so thankful for your surrounding love and prayers, here
goes…
On Monday, March 3rd, my mom was admitted
to the hospital and, after many tests and a heart catheterization, she received
the news that she is suffering from heart failure. She did not have a heart attack and has
absolutely no blockage in her heart (the good news!). In fact, she does not fit any of the usual
criteria for causes of heart failure (high blood pressure, previous heart
attack, smoking, heavy-drinking). She
falls into the rare category of cases with no explanation. This kind of rarity
and uniqueness seems to be a theme with my parents’ health lately, huh?
Heart failure is, put most simply, weakness in the
heart that prevents it from functioning fully.
It is a chronic, incurable condition.
In hindsight, Mom realizes she has been experiencing the symptoms of
heart failure for the past year – occasional shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat
– but they intensified in the last month to the degree that she clearly needed
to seek some answers about what was wrong.
The heart failure had caused 11 pounds of fluid to build up in her chest
cavity! This fluid was flushed out of
her system so she is breathing much easier now.
After spending two nights in the hospital, she came home on Wednesday
afternoon.
The way forward, which will improve her heart’s
functioning, will be all about learning to manage her condition so that she can
live fully and comfortably. This
management includes medication as well as lifestyle changes. Mom has switched to a very low-sodium diet
(she’d much rather have to give up sweets!) and will also be strengthening her
heart through exercise. While the last
days have certainly been scary and daunting, Mom is moving forward with her
customary courage and strength. I have
full confidence that there are better days ahead. (And not just because they could hardly get
any worse!)
My mom says she doesn’t want this post to be all
about her, so I’m happy to inform you that my dad continues to improve through
his therapies and with the independence of being home. In fact, he was able to stay alone with no
problems during my mom’s hospital stay. The current challenge regarding my dad’s care
is finding some alternative transportation to and from therapies, particularly
while my mom is unable to do the heavy lifting of the wheelchair. Dad, of
course, has surrounded my mom with encouragement and support. He might even give up salt too J.
I’m happy to be here with them (though I hope for
better circumstances for my next visit) and am learning a lot about low-sodium meals. My mom hasn’t been thrilled about my cooking
thus far, but she doesn’t take my son, Asher’s approach of greeting the meals
with the exclamation, “That looks disgusting!” so I haven’t had to put her in
time-out.
As always, we are all grateful for your cards,
calls, and prayers across the miles.
