Update on LaDonna

We had the family reunion with travelers from near and far on November 9th. Unfortunately LaDonna missed the celebration. She was admitted to the hospital the day before. She came back to Terri's house briefly on Sunday, and then went back for treatment of the skin problem.

LaDonna has a new syndrome affecting her body. It is called SJS (Stevens Johnson Syndrome) and it is a reaction to the drugs she has been taking. Stevens Johnson Syndrome can begin with a fever, sore throat and headache and over a few days or minutes can turn into skin lesions and blisters. Stevens Johnson Syndrome is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, eyes and intestinal tract.

LaDonna has a rash both internally and externally. The doctors have been treating her since last Sunday in Sutter Davis.

She is back on the road to recovery. Her lungs are better, her kidneys are better and her blood work is looking pretty good. Terri picked her up this evening (Nov 18).

Let's pray for a rapid recovery.

LaDonna came home Friday (Oct 17)

LaDonna was released from the hospital last night. The home nurses set up a bed at Terri's house. She is still on oxygen, 7 medications and needs daily blood tests. Her hemoglobin is low. They are keeping an eye on her lungs, kidneys and clots.
Sherri says her mom is doing much better. She has more energy, and color in her cheeks. Of course, she is still very weak and needing to get stronger.
Everyone is taking it one day at a time.

LaDonna's week in the hospital

Please continue to pray for LaDonna's recovery. It has been almost a month since she was hospitalized.
This past week she has been given a series of tests and procedures. The good news is that she had lots of fluid removed from her lungs, which really helped her breathing. Good thing they have relatively tasty food at the hospital, because she has been able to eat. Physical therapy is also a part of her day, to get her up and moving.
The doctors found a couple of blood clots, one in her leg and one in her lung. Blood thinners are being administered to help eliminate the clots.
Everything is a delicate balance in her system right now.

Road to recovery for LaDonna

LaDonna ate two meals yesterday (Saturday) and sat up on the side of the bed. She still has pneumonia which causes difficulty breathing. They are scheduled to remove some of the excess fluid from the lungs today. She also is seeing sparkly spots, which she described as entertaining in her classical witty style. She is maintaining her composure although she is constantly being poked, prodded and is hooked up to all sorts of bags. This is a good thing, because she is feeling much less pain. The doctors must have figured out the right combination of treatment!

LaDonna is doing better!

I talked to LaDonna a few minutes ago. She is completely coherent, and feeling better, although still in serious condition. No diagnosis yet... Just the great news that she is awake, talking and her same feisty self.

She is at:

• Sutter General in Sacramento
• Rm 3310 ICU 3 East
• 916 454 2222

She goes for a detailed brain scan today (CT Angiogram). They are also waiting for the results of the MRI.

LaDonna in ICU at Sutter General Sacramento

LaDonna is in serious condition, due to two seizures she suffered on Wednesday Oct 1. She was getting better earlier this week (Tues) and was released to home and Terri on Wednesday morning. Something was just not right, but the nurses said her vitals were good and she could go home. Praise to God that she was home, because at home she was under constant surveillance by Terri and friends, which she did not have at the Convalescent Home. She had a seizure in the afternoon. They immediately called 911, and she had another seizure in the ambulance while traveling to the hospital (a short 2 block trip).
She was admitted to the hospital, and CT, blood work, spinal tap, etc. were done on her to determine the cause of the seizures. They are not sure why, her case remains a mystery for the doctors. She did not have a classic stroke, but the doctors thought the medication could have caused a blockage. The Lupus could be attacking her brain. She still has pneumonia. They installed a shunt to administer medication and IV fluids, her veins were bruised from so much intervention.
She was being transferred to Sutter General Sacramento ICU last night. (916 454 2222). After the seizures she was in a semi-conscious state for a period of time. The Sutter General hospital has specialists which she needs - Neurologist and Rheumatologist.
Please pray for LaDonna, family and family members who are not able to be with their Mom - and Terri and Sherri as they go through every step of this journey with their Mom.

LaDonna back in Sierra Davis - Convalescent

I talked to LaDonna tonight. She was transfered back to the center and is recovering. Thankfully the center offers physical therapy to get LaDonna back on her feet. Her main goal is to get back home as soon as possible. Please pray for her health, and ability to heal quickly. You can give her a call at : 530 756 4900
Mary

LaDonna has Lupus

The biopsy confirmed that LaDonna has Lupus which is a pretty serious autoimmune disease that attacks your body. Right now it is causing her to have kidney problems. The doctors are upping her dose of steroids to get her kidneys settled down. Unfortunately, that is a really uncomfortable procedure, since the steroids make a persons body swell up.
LaDonna will be in the hospital at least through Saturday. The address is:
Sutter Davis Hospital
2000 Sutter Pl
Davis, CA 95616
Please give her a call to wish her best and love:
530 756 6440 Rm 253

I will continue to update this forum, as I know more.
Love to all,
Mary

LaDonna back in Sutter Davis

LaDonna is back at Sutter Davis hospital. She was not progressing as well as expected at the convalescent home. She has inflammation in her upper kidneys, a fever and to top it off pneumonia. She was dehydrated and anemic when she arrived at the hospital today. The staff and doctors are taking good care of her. She is on oxygen and antibiotics. The biopsy results are coming in slowly. The kidney issue is new, and her condition is still a mystery to the doctors. She can take phone calls now, so please give her a call to wish her well - 530 756 6440 Rm 253.She has had Rheumatoid Arthritis for some time, and this may have caused her kidney problems, but it is an extremely rare occurrence. Please send prayers, love and best wishes.

LaDonna Young is getting better

9/19/08
LaDonna is getting better, better spirits and less swelling. She sees her doctor next week, to review results of the biopsy. We are going to visit tomorrow...

LaDonna Young

I wanted to let you know that LaDonna was hospitalized over this past weekend. She has been having physical problems with her kidneys for the past couple years, which have recently gotten worse. LaDonna is being well cared for by her doctors, daughters and group of friends. A biopsy of the kidneys was done on Sept 16. The results should be available in a few days. To top it off, she also has rheumatoid arthritis, and an ulcer. The hospital transferred her to a convalescence home while she gets stabilized, and they try to get to the root of the problem. She is able to get up and around, but not well enough to go home YET.
More to come... we are praying for good news.

Labor Day 2008

Glorious end-of-summer day. Duncan is off to his Freshman year at Feather River College. Alasdair started his Sophmore year at Las Lomas High School, and Corynn is in her last year of middle school at Diablo Vista.