I just got back from the hospital. My mom is still in the ICU. She knew who I was, but does nothing but scream in pain and yell "Help me."

This am, she had a esophogeal scan to see if she has endocarditis, an infection of the heart valve. I heard that they saw a lesion on the valve, but the valve still appears to be working properly and her heart is pumping well, so they are discussing therapy options, which are 6-8 weeks of medical IV treatment or valve replacement.

She also has renal disease and came in with creatine levels of 4.4 and has stabilized at 2.1, which still isn't normal. The toxins from the kidney infection are making her delerious. She is being treated by a nephrologist, who says she is a very sick woman.

She also has blood and bowel infections and is being treated by an infectious disease specialist. I haven't had a serious discussion with her yet.

She now has all sorts of fungal and skin infections and a dermatologist is coming by tomorrow.

The neurologist told me that she has had some minor TIA's, but her brain functioning is still intact.

However, he told me that the the endocarditis meant that she could blow a clot at any time and it could lodge anywhere.

She also had very low blood pressure (80/40) and thyroid problems.

She also isn't eating and nutrition is a problem. If she doesn't eat soon, it will be feeding tubes. I know she didn't want this.

THe best course is to get her to NY where I can be close to make decisions and to get life back to as much normalcy as possible with Doug and Leigh.

Tomorrow, I meet with doctors and the social worker to get more answers and start to make some plans. In the PM, I have to try to find out where she keeps her money and figure out how to close up the house.

On a positive note, I will get to meet Donna tomorrow evening and Toby was a very good traveler on the plane. He is resting comfortably at my daughter's apartment. The poor fella spent almost two days alone with my mother lying unconscious. Then, he was left alone for two days, with the neighbors coming by three times a day to walk and feed him. Finally, two strangers entered his home and took him for all sorts of shots, packed him in a suitcase and took him on a plane (he traveled on my daughter's lap). Poor little thing. Next, she'll be dropping him off at yet another place where he must face sweet Maggie, who may not be so sweet when faced with competition. He is a terrific little dog...a SHITPOO...very mellow and bright.

So, while Doug and I deal with unchartered territory with our moms, Toby will deal with all sorts of new things too...grass...squirrels, deer, a new house, another dog and DOUG!

I'd like to thank you all personally for your kind thoughts and wishes.

Andi