New room

Mom is in her new room. They have a new rehab floor at Boone Hospital, it is great. Mom is in a single room on floor 3 room 3202. Everything is new, wheel chair friendly and larger closet space. Every girl needs her closet space.

Well Christmas went great. Shawn, Kati and Lindsay got in Friday around 2:00pm. Dad came down as well and we all camped out at our house in Columbia. It worked out great, we put dad in the guest room and Shawn's crew took the down stairs. David and I fixed spaghetti and meat balls for dinner. We loaded up all the presents, food and off we all went to the hospital. We took over the larger waiting room. Lindsay was a trooper, she had a blast. She got all kinds of fun stuff.

Mom is starting to practice walking with the walker. She is getting strong in her upper body as well. She started off lifting 2lbs and is now up to 10lbs. The communication with the legs is still a struggle for her. I truly believe mom is getting better. Her spirit is great, seeing Lindsay and the whole crew made her day.

Thank you for your prayers.

Love the Davis family

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. If you are like us it is still going. Yesterday on Christmas morning. David (my husband to be in 15 days), Deva (the dog) and I went to see mom. Mom had her Christmas shirt on and looked pretty good. My Aunt Debbie and Uncle Paul came down to spend Christmas with mom and dad.
Wednesday mom did walk 75 feet along the parallel bars. She also did a lot of practice moving from the wheel chair to the bed. They try and stand her up everyday and work on transferring from the wheel chair to other surfaces.
Today is our big family Christmas my brother and his family are driving in from IA this morning. We are taking spaghetti and meatballs to the hospital and all our presents. Of course we are all excited to see my little niece Lindsay open her presents.

Tonight I went to see mom, she was in the small dinning room at the end of her floor. She was eating with two other woman on the floor. I thought she looked great. That is seeing her in the uncomfortable back brace and wheel chair. I can't believe this is real, I watched my mom wheel herself to her room. They told her today she would have another 4 weeks in rehab. She is trying so hard and not giving up at all. We are all so proud of her. I know every day is mentally and physically draining. All of us praying and sending her love is working. Thank you for your continued thoughts. Merry Christmas.

Here is the good and not so good. Mom was suffering from the severe pain in her lower back. They did a MRI Wednesday night and found another blood clot. That was the cause of the pain. The doctor said that the bones and infection was healing well. They are not going to do any other treatment for the blood clot since mom is already on medication for the prior blood clots.
Thursday mom was looking good. They got her medications regulated better to lessen her pain during therapy. I went with her to the gym and watched the different things they are working on. They are using a sliding board to have her move from the wheel chair to the bed. She was doing this mainly on her own. They also put a long length mirror in front of her so that she could see that the communication signals to move her feet need improvement.
Emotionally it has been rough for her and all of us. We are all thinking about Christmas and my wedding in 3 weeks. They moved mom to a single room for now. I thought that would be good especially when Shawn's family come in from IA the day after Christmas. We will decorate the meeting room down the hall and celebrate as a family.

Today when I went to visit mom she was still in a lot of pain. Her X-RAY results turn out to be good the doctor mentioned that all bones looked great. Dr. Irvin did have to increase her pain medication due to lower back pain.
They had a rehabilitation room come available that mom moved into this afternoon 4109. She does have a room mate in this room. In the rehab center mom will be doing 3 hours a day of physical therapy and then OT and speech therapy will visit as well. They will also help her learn how to get dress, put on make-up and do daily activities all over again. The communication with her muscles and nervous have to be retained in her legs and arms. The other thing is that she she will receive her IV antibiotics as well.
I think mom is excited yet nervous this is a big step. They mentioned that she should expect to be in the Rehabilitation center for 3 weeks.

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Hi, everyone sorry I haven't checked on lately. Mom had been doing great. She started to get 3 physical training sessions a day. They would also take her to the gym at the hospital. She is also receiving OT as well. There is talk of her moving to a rehabilitation bed when one becomes available at Boone Hospital.
Then yesterday when my dad came to visit he mentioned they did a routine X-Ray on her back. I have not heard the results yet. Dad also mentioned mom was in severe back pain again. When the doctor came in he decided to increase her pain medication again. I called around 8:00pm last night to check on her and the nurse said that they were trying to keep your comfortable. I asked if all doctors a were of what was going on as well. She replied yes.
Hopefully it is pain from all the work outs she has been through. Mom had decreased her pain medication as well so it might of all added up. We might know something tomorrow.
Mom has enjoyed all the wonderful Christmas decorations that friends and family have brought her. She has also enjoyed your company. We truly want to thank everyone for your prayer's most of all. Thank you to those of you who are helping out my father as well. This is a very hard and lonely time for him. Everyone has been so thoughtful. Thank you so much.

Goodness it is cold out side

Mom is doing pretty good today. She just got her new pic line in the right side. They started her on medication to thin her blood and fight the blood clot. Dr. Irvin is back in town and he thought things were looking up. Her protein levels which I understand can also measure the inflammation. They were at 11.75 and now at 6 and the doctor would like them at 1 so we are moving in the right way.
Looks like at some point mom will go next to Skilled Nursing unit of the Moberly Hospital then to rehab to gain strength and give her medication. The medication is through the pic line only.

Mom is doing pretty good today. She had an ultra sound done on her heart. They are also monitoring the heart at the front desk. Her heart beat has been a little fast but under control now. She also had therapy this morning and is having an X-ray this afternoon.
Well they found that she has a blood clot on her left side in the upper chest area now. Goodness it seems like one thing after another. The surgeon is going to come in pretty soon and make a decision on what to do. Most likely put her on blood thinners and then remove the pic line. They will have to put the pic line into the other arm. Mom has to receive her medications through it.
I also asked how they are monitoring her infection. The doctor basically told me that they look at her physical appearance and see how her body is reacting (no fevers). They also look at the X-rays to see if the bones are healing. Since mom has so much going on it is very hard to monitor the one thing because of the sjogrens syndrom, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and Streptococcus in the blood and then bone infection. Goodness that is a mouth full.

Mom moved out ot NSICU today.

Mom got out of NSICU today. She is now on the fourth floor in room 4110. She is still recovering and suffering from a lot of pain. I believe this is day 15 in the hospital. I think she is breaking records, mom has been in the hospital in the last few months a total of 25 days from the last time and this time. Wow she is a real trooper.

Today we thought mom might come out of NSICU but they are going to keep her there. It is good though because they can watch her a lot better. I was there when both doctors were in and they said that it will be a slow recovery. Dr. Johnson also mentioned that when they did the surgery the infection was still very alive so that means that the medication that she is taking to fight the infection would start over from day one Wednesday after after her surgery.
Mom and dad had planned a trip to go to Hawaii in the middle of February right now the doctor doesn't see that happening but still wants to play it by ear. Mom is just very weak.

Yesterday a couple of us went to see mom. They had her up in the chair for about 3 hours with her brace on early that morning. Any time she is 45 degrees she must be in a brace. That is a lot of work for mom at this point. When we got there we noticed that she was pretty tired. But good old Lindsay Grace sang for her grandma and gave her kisses that made her happy.
Then around 3:00pm we got a phone call from ICU that mom had fallen. She did not get injured, but of course it was a shock. This increased her heart rate and her blood pressure. They are concerned that her right leg is very weak.
Please keep praying. We appreciate all the love and support that you all have shown our family.

Mom is still in NSICU on the 4 floor she is doing pretty good and looking better. She was talking with us and drinking clear liquids. I feel that everything is going in the right direction. Mom has enjoyed seeing her granddaughter Lindsay that has brought many smiles to her face.

NSICU Boone Hospital Center

Mom went in for a major surgery yesterday morning. Dr. Bonderant did the surgery it took about 6 hours. The bone that is broken L9 in her back slipped and was resting on her spinal cord. This became very serious, that is why mom was in such serve pain. This could have effected her movement in her legs. So the Doctor wanted to operate as soon as possible. He put in 2 rods and 8 screws in her back.
Mom is now resting in ICU at Boone and will be there roughly 3 days. Shawn, my brother and his family came down yesterday morning right before mom went in for surgery. This is a tough time for our family, we are all praying for moms healthy recovery.

Mom has been busy this morning. They did an X-ray and put her pic line in. She is also in line for an MRI. She is getting fit for a back brace. Her pain is about the same and her level of mobility has not changed. So I'm not sure what the intentions of the back brace is. Just wait and see. The infection is responding to the infection so that is good as well.

Mom is still in a lot of pain. They did put a PAC on her so that she can control the medication. They are monitoring the infection of the blood stream everyday. The infection in her back is confirmed Group B Streptococcus. The one in her blood stream is streptococcus but they are not sure what family.
The blood cultures have to be negative for 5 days in a row and then they are going to put a pic line in to give her antibiotics to her. She is very weak and can not move on her own. Maybe towards the middle of the weak they will look into a skilled nursing unit then rehab when she is able. Mom has to be on antibiotics for 6 weeks through her pic line and of course a nurse must assist with that. I have a hard time with the skilled nursing but unfortunately that is the only way until she is stronger.
I think she is ready to have friends visit. If you would not mind just check in with me first shanna@familytreefinancial.net thank you. She is just in so much pain and then the medication makes her sleepy. I am headed over to the hospital to decorate for Christmas. Thank you for all your prayers.

Well we found out the infection is in the bone and in the blood stream. It is a strep infection just like strep throat. I guess the strep infection has a large family from A-Z. Please DO NOT MISS UNDERSTAND it is NOT a staff infection.

They are treating her now. She has recommend that only family members visit and no guest or phone calls. She truly appreciates all of you but is in so much pain and needs her rest. Thank you for all your prayers.

Love
Davis family

We found out today that mom does have a broken bone in her back the L9. She does have an infection in the bone. She does have sjogrens syndrome. They are very puzzled why this is happening. Today they did a sample of the hand and we will have the results in the next few days. Mom is trying to get through all the pain. It has been tough but she is glad we are finally finding answers.

They will have to treat the infection in her back for about 6 weeks then look at repairing the bone after the infection is gone. So yes that means pain control for another 6 weeks.

Mom has been a trooper I don't know how she does it. Again thank you for all your prayers and kind support. We all appreciate it.

Love
Davis family

Mom is doing okay. She has been in serve pain in the middle of her back. Friday night they did an X-ray of the back. Saturday morning when Dr. Irvin came in her notified her that she has a broken vertebrae in her back. So that is the cause of all most of her back pain. This is a break with in the last 2 weeks. Mom has not fallen or physically injured her back. The doctor said it could have been a simple sneeze, we just don't know.

Saturday Dr. Bonoraunt came in and let her know that she needs to have a MRI done this morning. He is looking to see if there is anything effecting the spinal cord. Which could do further nerve damage which could effect the whole body. Basically by doing the MRI it can rule out other things.

The other thing that they want to do is biopsy her right hand. They are wanting to see if there is infection or tumor in the hand. So that could be done today as well.

They can't figure out why the sjogrens is not reacting to the high dosage of steroids that she has been on. Her ANA and SS-A blood test are not reducing. So that is still a mystery.

I will keep you all updated. Thank you for all your prayers.
Love
Davis family

Mom is at Boone Hospital room 2003 bed 2. We are hoping that she will get to leave Monday or Tuesday. She needs to take this time to rest. Thank you all very much.

Back in the Hospital 11/21/2008

Mom had a doctors appointment this morning. They are admitting her to Boone Hospital this morning as I type. Dad is with her right now I am in Moberly working. They wanted to admit her to do more testing. Dr. Yost said that she should not be in this much pain still. He is requesting more blood work and MRI to be done. I assume that Dr. Yost will be the admitting doctor. Please keep mom in your prayers.

Hi everyone, I thought I would give you a quick update. Mom has been in great spirits lately. She has been in a lot of pain with her back. That is where a lot of inflammation was on the lower part of the spine. Her hand still looks painful it has swelled up around the wrist. She has moved her next week doctors appointment up to this Friday. Due to all the pain she has been suffering from. Please keep you in your prayers. Mom loves the holidays and it is tough for her not being able to get out and shop and decorate the house. We are all trying our best. Dad has been wonderful. He has learned how to do laundry, clean, and go to work. No just kidding but it is a change for our whole family. Thanks again for all your support.

Update

Hi everyone, sorry for the late update. Mom is taking it day by day. She is having the PT & OT work with her throughout the week. She had a follow up last week and they did not reduce any medication. She goes to the doctor today to check more test. Thank you again for all your love and support.

Day 11 Mom is HOME THANK YOU LORD!!!

Today mom is home, she had a good night sleep. It was nice to call the house and have my mom answer the phone. Today she is meeting with the Home Care of Mid Missouri nurse and getting the PT set up. She is feeling better now and is trying to regain her strength. She will have to use a walker until she feels comfortable moving on her own. The hardest part is not letting her over-do-it. We have friends that are helping out with meals, which we greatly appreciate.

Day 10 Update

Mom just got back from the ultra sound on her legs. They were looking for a blood clots and all test were negative. Yeah so she gets to go home this afternoon. Ten days in the hospital is just crazy. Mom's strength is getting better. Thank you so very much for all the prayers, visits, flowers and cards. We truly believe in the power of prayer. We know when mom gets home there will still be several challenges.

Day 10

Mom didn't sleep at all last night. But this morning she was sitting up regarding her cards. She walked around the floor twice so that is great. Shows that she is getting stronger. Dr. Johnson is the infection doctor he came in and excused himself from the case. He did say he is always available but there is no infection and for expense purpose there is not a reason for him to stay on. We are still waiting on a visit from Dr. Irvin. So I will let you know.

Day 9

This morning mom is feeling pretty good. She got to take a shower. She walked around the floor with the PT. Dr. Irvin mention he is having a specialist look at the MRI of the back if he doesn't find anything and does not request any more test. She might go home tomorrow but was not sure. She is still pretty weak so I think home is going to be a challenge.

Day 8 update

Dr. Irvin just left the room. He mentioned she does have the sjogrens syndrome and they are waiting on more blood test to come back. She has taken over 400 blood test. WOW we are off to MRI.

Day 8 in Boone County Hospital

This morning mom is sitting up in the chair. I think she looks my lively. Her coloring in her face looks better as well. The swelling in her right arm is better. She has more movement in the right arm this morning. Today she has an MRI to look at the right upper leg. We are waiting for a visit from the doctor. I think we are on the right track. Check in later, again thank you everyone for all your prayers, visits, and cards. Mom likes to hear the cards and see you is on the blog.

We have been here a week now, WOW!

Mom slept a little bit last night. I think the MU game put her to sleep. She is still having a lot of trouble with the sharp pains in her leg. Her head ache is back as well. The good news is that the swelling in her arm has decreased. The side effects from the steroid is making her face swell a little bit and her body aches. She has been running a slight fever about 100.2 so they are keeping watch on that. Dr. Jost came in this morning. He requested that an MRI be done on the sharp pains in her right leg. Mom is really scared of the MRI so they will knock her out, so that's good. It is a small hole and you have to lay there stiff for 30 minutes, no fun. Mom spoke with Shawn this morning, it's his birthday today.

Mom is now having bad charley horses in her leg the upper right side. She has been in a lot of pain. The pain is under control and she is up in the chair. She is loving the visits from all of her friends and family. Thank you everyone for your support.

Here is a link if you are wondering what Sjogren's Syndrome is:
http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/721/main.html#DefinitionofSjogren

Dr. Irvin just left the room he diagnosed her with Sjogren's Syndrome. She is able to have a food now, she is going on a 90mg. prednisone. This is a high dosages, she they have to keep her in the hospital over the weekend. We are not in the clear so please keep her in your prayers. The great thing is they are treating her, they increase her pain medications to keep her comfortable. They have requested more blood test to see if anything else is going on. Dr. Jost is the doctor over the weekend.

Diane Davis

As most of you know, our mom Diane Davis has been in the Hospital since Sunday Oct. 12, 2008. On September 22, 2008 mom came down with a horrible back ache in her lower spine. She went to the doctor Dr. Conley and had an injection and MRI on the lower back. At that time Dr. gave her prednisone and pain killer. Then 2 days later the pain also went into the hip so they requested another MRI on the hip. Dr. Conley's office did blood test as well. Then 1 day later the pain started in her right hand. She then went back to the doctor he then sent her to the Rheumatologist in Mexico. That doctor ran more blood test had no clue what was going on, that was Friday Oct. 10,,2008. Friday morning she got a phone call from Dr. Conley's office that her hypothpothyroid was very bad, so she got on medication for that. She came home from Mexico and had a headache. It would not go away she then ended up in the ER Saturday 10/11/2008 at Boone Hospital. They gave her pain medication, doubled checked the blood test and sent her home. Then Sunday the 10/12/2008 the headache had came back and she was back in the ER and then they admitted her at that time. She is in room 2002 on second floor under Mary Diane Davis we appreicate your support but are trying to limit visitors to allow mom to rest. They have Dr. Irvin was is her admitting Dr. (Rheumatologist). Dr. Irvin is over seeing her case. On the case is Dr. Shenker (neurologist), Dr. Johnson (infection specialist), Dr. Bondurant (neurosurgen). We have the best of the best trying to figure out what is going on.
Currently they are just doing more test. She has had CT-brain, chest, stomach-(they didn't show anything). She has MRI of back, hip, arm(showed inflammation) we are still waiting on the results. They took fluid off the lower back sent it off for testing-it was inflammation only. They continue to do more blood test everyday.
I feel like they are getting close. Yesterday her blood pressure spiked to 185/152 so now she is on medication for that. Other than that the doctors don't want to treat the unknown. We don't have a report today. I will let everyone know what comes next.
Thank you for all your love and prayers. Please pass this website on. This helps out friends and family on the communication.