Still no computer access so this is all one-finger typing on an I-Phone. Please excuse the brevity and typing errors. Estelle is marginally better today and the doctor discontinued her IV fluids. There is no active pneumonia on the chest x-Ray but it did show a slight worsening of her cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart) and a bit more area of plural effusion in her lungs. Both of these are indicitve of congestive heart failure which she was found to have back in (I think somewhere around) October when she was rushed to the hospital from the Manor.
I spoke at length to her doctor today and there's really nothing they can do that is not already being done. He's fine tuning her heart medications and keeping her on oxygen and breathing treatments for now but CHF is not a curable condition although it can be treated and the patient can be kept comfortable - which they are doing. It is, however, most likely going to be progressive. This is also what we were td by the cardiologist at CentraState Hospital last year.
Meanwhile, she seems more comfortable today and the raspy breathing is much better. The doctor also ordered a urine culture and we are going to start doing them whenever Dan or I notice she is getting more non-responsive when we visit. He agreed with us that there is a possible connection and it is worth looking into.
I wish there were better news to give everyone but this is not unexpected or insurmountable. It's just one more "thing" to be aware of and to try to keep on top of for family and staff.
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