I used to watch the show “House”. Have you ever seen it? Loved the show. There was always a patient with symptoms that were difficult to diagnose – and until they could diagnose, the patient kept getting worse until the mystery test was done that finally revealed the diagnosis – that led to the prognosis.

I feel like I am stuck in an episode of “House”.

Amanda’s condition has swung like a pendulum today. From appearing to be chipper and back to her old self, to suddenly dropping like a wet noodle into glazed eye sleepiness. We’ve given antibiotics for the pneumonia and her chest x-ray looks improved but yet she is retaining CO2 and they are talking of re-intubating her. Her whole body has been bloated like a fat sausage and we thought that breathing would be easier if we could get that fluid gone. Well – they gave drugs for the fluid and she’s probably peed 2 liters. Things haven’t improved. Her heart rate has been as low as 78 today and recently was racing up around 140. Her heart echo showed no problems with her heart. This morning after waking they got her up in her wheelchair and she happily devoured breakfast. Then the nurse gave her her meds and within eight minutes she slumped. Her face got red and she went from bright to blurry like a switch was turned. The meds were looked at – but were mostly iron and multivitamin, Pepcid and protonix – stuff that never causes reactions. She slept for hours, then rallied and actually sucked down a container of KFC’s mac n cheese and was cheerfully talking to visiting friends. She got her evening meds … then crashed again.
We have a slew of tests, x-rays, and a CAT scan scheduled for tomorrow. Hopefully, we can use the tests to rule things out and find some answers.

Pray.

just Laurel