Caroline is One Year Old

Update on Mom

It has been a roller coaster ride, to say the least...juggling meds and doses to try to keep her out of a-fib (irregular heart rhythm), trying to keep her kidneys working and swelling down, trying to build up her stamina so her tolerance of activity improves and shortness of breath resolves. She is now in Cardiac Rehab. She has had good and bad days, but I think we finally got that tweeked to her level. Her main goals are to be able to drive again, go to church and the store and out to eat and play cards with her friends, and walk with a steady gait. Her spirits are good and she is moving forward since she began Cardiac Rehab. She is still in a-fib, but not symptomatic, and heart rate is under control, so she refused Cardioversion and the cardiologist was ok with that. They have to be careful how much they increase her dosage of her cardiac meds because if they succeed in getting her completely out of a-fib, she becomes very bradycardic (extremely low heart rate, i.e. 40's). I see her 3-4 times a week and Toby sees her on her days off. Her wound finally healed!!! She is off the walker and is using a quad cane. Phyllis is coming next Wednesday to stay with her while Toby and Jerry and John and I are in Florida. I know she'll enjoy that. Will try to keep you more up to date. It has been pretty busy on this end. Love to all! Vicki

A trip to the beach

Here is a pic of baby Caroline and daddy Jeff at the beach. Thought you'd enjoy. She is 10 months now and crawling, pulling up standing, walking around things and just a pure joy to all of us.

Jeff Doyle Family on Christmas

Here is a shot of Caroline, Jeff and Heather outside St. Patrick's on Christmas Day. One happy family.

Mom Home From Regency Place

Here is a shot of Mom home from Regency Place Rehab Center. Note her Rolator walker. Pretty fancy, huh?? The rate she is going in PT and OT, she probably won't need it too much longer.

I stayed with her the first 8 days home, now Phyllis is with her for a week. The nurse comes 3 times a week, PT and OT 3 times a week for first week or so.

She still has an open wound from her graft site that we are debriding and redressing
every day.

We are monitoring her heart rate (which has been extremely low (40's and 50's) and making adjustments to her heart and blood pressure meds as we keep in touch with the Cardiologist's office. We are also monitoring her weight on a daily basis because of the high dose of Lasix (water pill) she was on. We've got it down to 40 mg from 160 mg daily, and we've cut back on her Potassium as we have decreased her Lasix. We are in frequent contact with the Nephrologist in this regard. Phyllis is reporting vital signs and weight every day, so I can monitor it and get in touch with the doctors as needed.

She is doing more every day. This photo was taken on one of the two days in 6 weeks where she stayed in pj's and robe due to overdoing it the previous two days with Dr. visit, discharge home, and Christmas.