11/16/08
Dear Island Friends,
Just a quick update to let you know about Mama Pip's condition.
Last night and early today (Sunday 11/16) Mom's condition took
a little turn for the worse. Her blood pressure was very, very
low and her kidneys were not doing their jobs nearly well enough.
Because of this, when I arrived at the hospital around 8AM, she
was very, very weak, very cold and almost incoherent in her response
to me. Her fragile state was a shock and a terrible worriment.
I spoke with her nurses, who told me they were trying a different
medication which would, hopefully, help raise her scary blood
pressure and may stimulate her kidneys. Because her kidneys were
so sluggish, the pain medication which she had been given yesterday
mid-afternoon, was still, very much in her system and she was
just "out of it". Thankfully, by noontime, her kidney
output was better and her bloodpressure was rising. Slowly, her
icy hands and feet began to get lukewarm and I was told things
were turning around a bit better. They got her into a recliner,
where, with some prodding, she was able to use her spirometer
to help clear her lungs and she was able to eat some ice cream,
apple juice and a couple of spoonfuls of potato and squash. When
we all left tonight, she was back in the recliner again but was
so weak she could only whisper, "I love you". Dad's
constant attentiveness has been of great comfort to her. We continue
to ask for your prayers and support as the days and weeks to follow
may be tenuous and a bit scary. She is literally weak as an infant
and has a ways to go before they can even think of moving her
to a regular room. She is just too unstable for that right now.
She is well aware of all of the islanders' support, though she
has been too weak for me to read your cards to her. I am keeping
them all together and will take them to her, daily, until she
is ready to enjoy them all. Thank you all for such amazing support
and love from you all!
Love,
Bev and the Crew