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.