Mom has been doing better & lab work (kidney function specifically) is steadily, although very slowly, getting back to “within normal limits.”  Physical therapy has started this week.  During the initial consult, they did a few exercises to see what Mom’s tolerance level is.  Her balance is great; it’s just a matter of getting her strength & endurance built back up.  She was so hoping to get to be able to go back to work really soon.

However, Mom has had this continuous, nagging back pain, which limited her somewhat during the PT consult.  It has been treated as muscle spasms & with a muscle relaxer (as it was thought the muscles were still recovering from the violent dry heaves she had for days when she first entered the hospital initially) but Mom has had increasing pain that is not resolving.  

She had a CT scan done of her back on Friday, July 27th.  We kept waiting & waiting on the results.  I kept calling the office for results, only to be told the scan hasn’t been read yet.  

The following Friday morning, Aug. 3rd, (a FULL WEEK later) I received a frantic call from Mom.  She was freaking out.  The CT scan results had been posted to her patient portal and included words like spinal tumor or mass on the spine.  An MRI was recommended for further evaluation.  Imagine our surprise when the report had stated that the ordering physician had received the verbal report, via telephone, on the SAME DAY as the scan.  I was rather upset with & for her.  I placed a call to that doctor’s office to inquire only to be told, “we don’t take telephone reports,” to excuses of, “well we are short staffed & only have 1 doctor working in our practice right now,” and “do you realize that we have lots of patients waiting on test results?”

I then received a call at 12:50 that afternoon from the ordering physician’s office stating that it was recommended that Mom have a STAT MRI.  I was told that her primary care physician’s office had not acknowledged the report information & they were not returning their telephone calls.  Due to the insurance through her employer, the PCP was required to make the appointment.  

I was livid!

I then called her Infectious Disease doctor at ARMC (who was one of her many doctors  during her hospital stay at ARMC.). I want you to know that within 30 minutes of calling his office, his CMA had spoken with the doctor & then had the following scheduled:
* STAT lab work to be done that day (Friday)
* the MRI scheduled (had we gotten the information before 12:00, they would have been able to do the MRI same day.). It was scheduled for Monday
* A follow up with the doctor on Tuesday morning

I still hadn’t heard back from her PCP’s office, so at 4:30 that afternoon, I called them to let them know of the appointments that were scheduled.  I wanted to keep them in the loop of information.

Fast forward to this past Tuesday.  We met with the doctor & received not-so-good news.  Mom has an active infection of the lining of her backbone.  He ordered a PICC placement & another dose of IV antibiotics for at least 6-8 weeks.  She will also be on oral antibiotics for at least 6 months for infection prevention following the IV antibiotics.  

We have wasted a whole day & a half waiting on insurance approval.  The doctor’s office has already applied for & received authorization for this new antibiotic.  What we are dealing with now is the home health agency for her PT does not follow patients for home IV antibiotic therapy.  On the flip side of that, the home health agency that is required to follow for that home IV antibiotic therapy does NOT provide PT.  As it stands right now, the PT will have to be cancelled in order to start her antibiotic, but we’re still waiting on authorization for the PICC placement & antibiotic.  

Mom is staying optimistically positive, but her back pain is setting her back just a bit as it’s limiting what she can do.  She’s so ready to be well & back to work.  

On top of all that going on with Mom, I had a doctor’s appointment today & found out that I have fractured my foot & have been placed in a cam walker boot for the next 3 weeks at least.

As always, prayers for Mom & our family is greatly appreciated!  Also thank you to all for the phone calls, texts, messages, visits & food; as well as those who have contributed to the GoFundMe.  I am in the process of planning a benefit dinner for her.  Please keep a lookout for details about that.  I will post information as soon as some details have been confirmed.

If you feel led to, you may donate to Mom’s GoFundMe page.  The link for that is:
https://www.gofundme.com/Helping-Crystal-Heal .

Thanks to All - Dalton