Good morning. I am not sure who will see this, but it seems to be the easiest way to update everyone on my mom's health. For the last 3 months, Mom has been home and progressing well. She completed her in-home PT, was getting around the house without her walker, and had ventured out of the house successfully a few times as well. While her leg was still causing her pain (long term effects of the compartment syndrome-Dr. said could last a year), she was enjoying spending time with her grandchildren and seemed to be doing the best she could after all she had been through. However, things took a turn Christmas Eve morning..... 

Mom began vomiting Saturday night into Sunday morning. Around 7am Christmas Eve, she asked me to call an ambulance. Her pain was again unbearable and she felt faint. I was praying it was a stomach virus and she was just dehydrated. She went back to Jefferson Hospital in Washington Twp. Upon testing, it was determined her gallbladder was inflamed/infected, and would need to be removed. Unfortunately, what is typically a non- invasive surgery performed laparoscopically, this was not an option for Mom. The surgeon said due to her past surgeries and scar tissue, it would be too complicated, and the surgery would need to be done the "old fashioned way".  Mom was admitted Christmas Eve and we hoped surgery would be completed ASAP...  But, nothing in  Mom's health journey this year seems to be that easy. They immediately stopped the blood thinners she was on and then had to wait for her clotting levels to come up before they could do surgery. As of Tuesday, her levels were still too low. They then inserted a drain to relieve some of the fluid surrounding the gallbladder. The hope was that this would also help relieve some of the pain for Mom, and surgery would be completed in the next coming days. As of yesterday (Wednesday), it seems the plan is now for Mom to come home with the drain, and surgery will be completed in 4-6 weeks. I am not sure of all the exact details yet, I just know Mom has been through so much already, and this is not what we were hoping for. While we were sad Meemee missed Christmas, we are grateful she was able to have her annual gingerbread house night with her grandchildren earlier this month. They love their Meemee so much 💜. 

Thank you for being a source of strength and a community of support and prayers for my Mom. None of us know what the future holds, but I hope and pray 2024 brings all of us good health and more joyful memories with our families. I will update if anything changes or when there is a plan for her surgery. Thank you again and Happy New Year. 

Love, Jackelyn and Family