so, here is the latest

Jr's mom was diagnosed with metabolic encephalopathy. Essentially, her liver does not work.. at all. instead of her liver filtering her blood, it is backing up into her stomach. When the stomach acids are combining with the blood, it is breaking it down into the protein ammonia. The ammonia then goes through her blood stream, and essentially, she is being poisoned. Last Thursday, she was hospitalized because she was delusional and combative (metabolic encephalopathy) and when she was admitted, they said she was comatose, and almost put her on life support. She began responding to treatment, and the doctors released her on Sunday. Jr and I drove home Monday, feeling good that she was back at home. However, just today, she was re-admitted to the ICU because she was combative and delusional again. They are a bit baffled, because she was on meds, and being monitored closely to prevent this from happening again. As you can imagine, JR is on edge, and goes back and forth on whether or not to go back to Michigan or not. I can honestly tell you this has been a fall/winter from hell, and I cannot wait for all of this to be over. As far as dad goes, he is not doing well either. He will most likely have to have a feeding tube put in Monday, and he sees this as a huge failure. He thinks this means the cancer is winning. We are just trying to keep ourselves, and our families in a positive place... but let me tell you.... that is just not an easy thing to do right now. Dad and his doctors will re-test the 1st or 2nd week of January to see how all of the treatments have effected him, and will determine a course after that. I just keep praying for good news! I just feel sometimes like I am in a really bad dream........... I wish I could wake up.

What an absolute nightmare

So, Yesterday I was having a wonderful time with my former co - workers form Edina. We were in the midst of a great conversation when I excused myself because my husband was calling me for the fifth time. I said hello, and all I heard was crying. I said, "Honey?" and he said, " My mom just had a stroke. They are taking her to the ER" needless to say, our lovely meeting was brought to an abrupt end, and I drove home to be with JR. as I am writing this right now, we are waiting in the Tires Plus lobby, because we had to have 3 new tires put on the car. We are making an emergency trip to Michigan. His mom is dying. Her liver is failing, and she has a build up of ammonium in her system. She is confused; doesn't recognize any familiar face, or know where she is. I will blog once I get there and we have more information. I just don't know how much more of this I can take..............