We’re home. 

Medically speaking Mom is stable.  Emotionally speaking Mom is ecstatiic.  We all are.  

The past week has been a whirlwind of emotions.   Mom’s feeding tube came out on Tuesday and she was placed on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday dialysis schedule.   We were told we were getting closer to going home. Until Dr.  Muster arrived.  

Dr. Muster is the nephrologist (kidney doctor) who was instrumental in getting us to the U of M to begin with.   On May 7th she recognized the window of opportunity we had to get Mom to a higher level of care and made it happen.   In her personal life, Dr. Muster is married to Dr.  Mohn, Mom’s cardiologist at St. Luke’s.   

On Tuesday morning I was delighted to introduce Dr. Muster to Mom as the last time they met Mom was sedated and dying.   We had a long talk with Dr.  Muster that day and found clarity for all that has been happening.   Such as:  Mom’s

heart valve issues are volume related.   So when she’s properly fluid-managed her valves are good.  When she’s not, her valves look leaky.   She has a 50% blockage in her left main which has to be fixed but right now her kidneys can’t handle contrast needed for the procedure to fix her heart.  Right now that contrast would kill Mom’s kidneys and leave her on permanent dialysis.   Eventually, fixing her hear with stents will improve her blood flow and help manage her fluid processing.  The hope is her kidneys will bounce back and then they’ll be able to handle the contrast.    Dialysis fixes volume issues too and balances electrolytes. So.... Dr.. Mohn can do her stenting in Duluth and Dr. Muster will forever be involved in her kidneys.   She does not need open heart surgery.  

Dr. Muster asked if Dr. Mohn was aware of all that had gone on in the U and what the plan was.  Thinking the answer was no, she reached out to “James” and they discussed Mom’s case extensively.   That led to conference calls between Duluth and Minneapolis that I would’ve loved to listen to.   It also led to us being told on Wednesday morning that we would have to stay at the U for a few more weeks while they fixed Mom’s heart.   Three hours later we were told they wouldn’t be fixing her heart at this time and that we could resume looking for a rehab center with dialysis “up North” for Mom.   

Thursday brought three denials from three rehabs in Superior and Duluth due to Mom’s “medical complexities”.  It also brought word that St Luke’s was considering accepting Mom but they needed to know she could work intensely on PT and OT.   If you’ve ever had dialysis you know it is the equivalent to running a marathon on your body.   If you’ve ever had dialysis and then been asked to participate in Physical Therapy you know it’s very easy to say “I’ll do it tomorrow”.  Yesterday Mom’s physical therapist pushed Mom and she did more than expected.   

This morning the plan was I would go to the hospital and Mom and I would spend time outside, which we did on Tuesday and Thursday.  But... after getting out of the shower my phone rang and the social worker gladly announced that St. Luke’s accepted Mom plus she can do her dialysis right there.  Thinking it might be later next week or so that we could head to St. Luke’s, I asked what the conditions were.  I was told there weren’t any and we could go home today! 

After excitedly explaining to Uncle Jim I tried to call Mom.  Voicemail.   Redial.  Voicemail.  Redial. Voicemail.  Call the hospital number.  

Mom answers and said she was in her OT session.  I told her okay, that I was on my way over and how about if we skipped going outside and went home instead.   She was confused.  I explained that instead of going to the courtyard I could just take her to the car.   Still confused.  I told her St. Luke’s accepted her and we were going home.  Today.  Happy tears and shouts of thanks to God erupted.   A little more time with UJ and about a half hour and we were on our way!   

And we’re here!   

Mom is tucked in safely at St. Luke’s and I am laying in my bed snuggling my dogs.   Trish and family are home in their beds and UJ is most likely in his bed.   Our world is much happier.    

For the past two days when I parked at the U, there was a little bird who kept sitting on the concrete ledge by my parking spot.   It was even  there when I left that spot for the final time today.  Earlier when I left the hospital there was a LifeFlight “bird” coming in for a landing which I thought was ironic since Mom’s exit from here a month ago was on a “bird” too.   I guess all these flying things were simple reminders that someone is looking out for Mom’s recovery and our family as a whole.   I think they were also signs that after the long road Mom has had there is always a time to get stronger and soar.   

And her time is now.   

Much love from all of us for your love and support.