A New Concern

My immediate family was pleased to celebrate Mother’s Day at home this year. We were unsure if we would be back in time to enjoy this special holiday. We really didn’t do anything special just enjoyed time together. There were no fancy meals, although Ernie did make up a delicious combination of pork, onions and potatoes. Mother ate a small amount as her nausea has continued to maintain control over her getting back to normal nutritional consumption and activity. Some of our family and friends called and came by for a short visit.

Today has brought a new set of challenges. The home health nurse came by and took a blood trough. Later in the day the pharmacist called and had real concerns about mom’s creatinine levels. They have steadily increased over the last week and are at an alarming level. We have stopped all I-V antibiotic use till at least Friday. Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body. When creatinine levels increase it is an indicator of kidney function or failure. Unfortunately June’s creatinine levels have prompted immediate concern and she will need to see the doctor in the morning. June’s lack of appetite and inability to tolerate much more than small amounts of food and water is not helping the situation.

I called Dr. Thornton at her home in Lexington . She was kind enough to call back almost immediately, asked a few questions and said she would call right back. Dr. Thornton confirmed that the lab results were disturbing. I suggested we start a saline infusion at a rate of 50 ml/hour. She concurred. It just so happened we had a bag of sodium chloride solution in the refrigerator. I told Dr. Thornton I could have the I-V started in fifteen minutes. She asked if I knew how to do that? I assured her that it was no problem and I started the infusion as soon as the solution was at room temperature.

June and Ernie were very upset after they received the phone call from the pharmacist. They felt a little more at ease after conferring with the doctor and after some prayer from our local pastor. Tomorrow June has a doctor’s appointment at 8:50am. I’m sure we will know more about what the situation is and what may become of it. In the mean time we are calling on all of you powerful and faithful prayer warriors to seek God’s healing powers to reduce the creatinine levels and as always seek His healing hand in curing and comforting mom during this new battle.