Nancy Christensen

Friday, 9/29:
Great news today! Nancy has been released from the hospital  and is comfortably ensconced in the health care wing of Westhills Village (River Run corridor, room 30).  She will start occupational, physical and speech therapy on Monday.  Medicare will cover up to a 20-day stay, which should be sufficient based on how well she appears to be doing.  The final hospital diagnosis was severe shortage of potassium, phosphates and magnesium.  She will have a follow up next week with her regular internist.  The reading material we've been provided suggests this is a diet issue and may also be connected to over-the-counter supplements she takes.  She left the hospital with orders to stop several of the supplements. 


She has her cell phone with her and visitors are allowed here.  Our updates will be less frequent, as we're on fast uphill trail! Will let you know when she moves from rehab. 



Thursday, 9/28:
Hi Family & Friends:
This is an update from Marci and Vicki.  


The headline is that Nancy continues to improve.  Those of you who saw her at the Perkovich reunion would be amazed at how much more alert she is.  She is sitting up all day and has taken several walks.  Her rebellious streak is back demonstrated by the fact that she thinks she ought to be able to maneuver with a walker by herself.  And, in another "she's b-a-a-a-a-c-c-c-k sign" I got a "damned media" comment this morning!  


The doctors continue to probe for the source of this incident.  We had a new hospitalist today, Dr. Arenas, who spent far more time answering questions. All of her various, previously described,  tests have come back negative.  Nothing has grown in blood or spinal tap cultures.  Yesterday, they screened for phosphate levels.  They came back as "undetectable" or less than 1.  Normal is 2.6 and above.  He said that alone could cause weakness and altered mental status.   In addition, they are also continuing to give her potassium as it had dropped from 3.4 to 3.2 overnight.  
Why these mineral levels drop is still a mystery.  They are doing to do some urine tests to see if her body is expelling more than it should.


We asked about when they might release  her to Westhills Health Care.  It sounds like it could be the next few days, but they do want the minerals to stabllize.   






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Wed. 9/28:

Hi Friends & Family;
Nancy was admitted to the hospital Sunday after being found unresponsive in her apartment. She is being treated for infection  and low potassium. After many tests, they can find no source of the infection. 


The good news is that she is improving. There has been significant improvement in her speech and cognition. Potassium is back in abnormal range.  Still in IV antibiotic regimen. 


It's expected she'll be here for another day or two.  Please check the comment sections, too, as that is where people with her at the hospital will provide updates. 


Thanks for all your love, calls, texts & concern!