Barbara Taylor Barbara Taylor 2020

Thanks for caring about Mom's Covid situation.  How we got to this point:


Mom needed to move out of Independent Living but having her dog is very important to her so rather than Assisted Living we rented a house about 1.5 blocks from us with in-home caregivers.  (She's pictured celebrating her birthday in her new home.)  She only had 3 caregivers coming in, but the one who was there Nov. 4, got sick Nov. 6, with a positive test result Nov. 9.  I (Gail) got tested Nov. 10, with positive result Nov. 12.  My only symptoms were those of a mild cold.  Mom seemed to be mildly fatigued - but the Covid restrictions have depressed her since March and she's had other days of not wanting to get out of bed, so hard to know the cause.  I did talk to Mom's doctor who agreed that with no fever, or any other serious symptoms, there was no need to drag Mom out of the house for a Covid test. 


Some days Mom got up like normal, other days she ate from a tray taken to her in bed.  I began sleeping at the house to try to keep a closer eye on things.  I also began praying for some clear indication as to whether Mom needed medical care.  I began feeling much worse with nausea and weakness.  After Mom needed to be spoon fed over the weekend, Monday, Nov. 16, Mom got up for the caregiver and sat in the living room and fed herself breakfast.   She was up again on Tuesday, but much less responsive.  That evening she told the caregiver she wasn't going to get into bed, but just wanted to spend the night sleeping in the living room chair.


After the caregiver left, I tried to get Mom out of the chair (which was not an ok place to sleep because of how slumped over she was in the chair).  Mom ended up on the floor after I tried to pull her out of the chair.  I managed to get her back on her feet and into the bathroom, but then could not get her off the toilet.  I had to call David over to the house, who was recovering from rotator cuff surgery but used his one good arm to help me get Mom up and into bed.  We decided then that my health and strength had reached the end of my ability to care for Mom.  The next day we called Mom's doctor and were advised to call an ambulance for a non-emergency transport to the hospital for Covid evaluation.


She tested positive and was admitted.  Wednesday she was only on 2 liters of oxygen and was started on anti-virals.  Doctor did not think Mom was in serious enough condition to need convalescent plasma.  That changed by Thursday when Mom's oxygen need increased significantly and the doctor became very worried and asked permission to treat with the plasma.  She said the next 24 to 48 hours would be critical.  That night Mom's oxygen need went up to 15 liters and she was moved into a negative pressure room.  


As I write this, the 48 hours have passed and the various lab tests they've been doing are all showing improved numbers.  Mom is still described as lethargic and not very responsive, and they are having to feed her, but again, that follows with depression.  She doesn't remember or understand that she's not allowed visitors, so brief phone calls are poor substitutes.  The good news is though, at this point, the doctors are talking about the next steps after discharge - which would need to be to a rehab facility. 


Thank you for the prayers!