Update from Jonah, 25 Oct

Hi, Everybody! Mom had the pleurodesis procedure repeated last night at 9:30. They turned her every 30 minutes and then every two hours. Had only one shot of morphine all night. She ate 99 grams of Jello from her breakfast tray, 20 cc of apple juice, and 20 cc of Ensure. Vitals are normal though the heart rate has been in the high 90s - was hovering around 85 most of yesterday. Nurse Amelia came with the meds including 2 mg of morphine. Mom didn't finish the applesauce. They decided to clean her up and changed her dressing before turning her to the right. Amelia manually checked her blood pressure because a reading earlier on her right arm was low. Dr Palacio came with his team. Dr Vu reported that the procedure last night was successful. Depending on an evaluation later today, the chest tube may be removed Saturday and there may not be a need for a pigtail catheter. Mom complained of itching. She finished the applesauce with the Benadryl. Dr Reisfield (Palliative Care) came. He thinks Mom is in a greater degree of discomfort. I asked him about a possible cortisone shot since Mom was regularly raising her right arm. Ing said that Mom tended to lower her right arm sooner when Ing massaged her right shoulder. Mom used to hit her left shoulder when she felt a constant pain in there. The cortisone shot to the left shoulder four weeks ago was supposed to be good for two to six weeks. Dr Reisfield said he wouldn't recommend it because it would be quite uncomfortable for Mom to get the shot and we are not sure it is the right shoulder is hurting. The two types of painkillers should be helping with the pain. Dr Reisfield increased the morphine dosage to 4 mg and the IV drip is at 100 ml per hour. Amelia contacted Nurse Practitioner Michelle who came and evaluated Mom. She ordered another (immediate) breathing treatment. She said that Mom will be experiencing increasing breathing difficulties and recommended her moving to a hospice sooner than later because they are experts in providing comfort care. Will find if Community Hospice will take Mom with the chest tube when Sue comes by at 2 pm. Take care. Love, jonah