Transferred to ICU

Mom has been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit.  Her physicians are concerned about the function of her kidneys, and she has reached a point where they felt she needed 1-to-1 care from her nurses.  A nephrologist (kidney doctor) is coming in this afternoon to assess her kidney function.  This is a big worry right now.  

The blood clot on her leg has not changed and is still painful for her.  She continues to be on heparin to keep it at bay.  Her liver is functioning ok, about as well as yesterday; that needs to improve.  Her abdomen wound is not looking very good, and there is talk that the wound-vac may have to go back on.  She has been placed on iv nutrients to get some protein and nutrients into her body as her blood protein levels are very low.  Without adequate protein, her body is having a hard time healing itself.  

Her red blood count is too low again, and she'll get 3 units of red cells today.  

She went for a CT scan this morning as there is a worry about internal bleeding.  They can't understand why her red count is low.  The scan results were negative - she is not hemorrhaging internally that they can see.  They had to do the scan 'without contrast' because her kidneys are not functioning properly enough to clear the dye needed for contrast.  The scan did not indicate bleeding in her head either.  

Obviously we are all concerned, as is she.  Her energy is low, but she was clearly upset at this news.  This is the best place for her right now, and we're glad she'll get such close attention, but our fears have been elevated a little.  Her cell phone has been turned off and her visitors are now limited.  Mom is really in a battle right now.