Pray for Mom

As I type this post, I am more angry than you could ever imagine. Words can not express what I am feeling and yet I will try. First let me update you on why she needed the surgery and on what has happened this week.

• May 23, 2001 Mom had an aneurysm burst in her brain, the next day they removed a large portion of the right side of her skull.
• Six months later, December of 2001, they replaced that portion of bone.
• Six months later, June of 2002, they had to do another surgery to place a shunt in her head to allow the fluid to drain.
• At some point the natural bone deteriorated and was removed, I don't remember the month, but I do know that
• Sept of 2004 they put in a plastic bone flap. That only lasted for about six months and she was rejecting it. Her skin was breaking down. She was allergic to the plastic. She had large holes in her skin where the skin was opening up and separating. They had to take out the plastic piece right away. Feb of 2005, they removed the plastic piece.
• She was scheduled in August of 2005 to have a titanium plate put in but when she went to her pre op appt, they said that her skin had not healed enough to allow for the surgery right then so they rescheduled for February of 2006.
• We got a call just before her surgery in February that the titanium plate was not yet finished and her surgery was rescheduled for March.
• In March it was rescheduled for April.
• In April it was moved to May because the doctor went on vacation.
• In May it was rescheduled to July
  

On Wednesday July 5, Zachary and I rode down to San Francisco in the medical transport with Mom. She did pretty well on our trip down, I was surprised at how calm she was. Proof that prayer works!!

We arrived in time for her 9 am check in. They quickly got her into her gown and prepared for surgery. We waited and waited, but her surgery was delayed by seven hours!!! She was climbing the walls by then. She is just not good at waiting and waiting in one position laying in bed in a gown, well, none of us would be right? And she has a brain injury, so she is less calm.

We were told that her surgery went well and she was out of recovery at about 7:45 and we were finally able to see her. She looked good. The next day she was complaining of having a lot of pain. She said she needed to use the bathroom. We reminded her that she had a catheter in and that it was not possible for her to use the toilet. She said that she really needed to pee and it hurt a lot. She said things like "Ouch it hurts, I need to go to the bathroom right now, my pee pee hurts, ouch, help me..." non stop that entire day. No rest, no nap, just repeating that basic stuff over and over. The next day was the same, more pain, more insistence that she needed to use the bathroom.

Zach and I left on our Amtrak train Friday night. And waited to hear from Dad how Mom was doing. He called us Saturday morning to say that they tested her urine and she had a urinary tract infection. They started her on antibiotics. In a moment of frustration, mom tore off all of her bandages and pulled the drain tube out of her head. The doctors did not seemed concerned about this. Over and over all week dad has spoken with the doctors about updates on Mom's condition.

Then today, Monday July 10, five days AFTER her surgery, Dad asked the question. It seems like a harmless enough question. "How was it for you to work with titanium? Was it very different from working with plastic?"

The doctor's reply? You will be shocked, "We decided at the last minute to use plastic again."

WHAT??????????????????????????????????????????

She is allergic to PLASTIC!!!!!! She already rejected plastic!!! She went through months of danger of not having any protection over the huge hole in her head waiting for this titanium plate!!!! Why on Earth did they use plastic? Why is it now FIVE DAYS AFTER HER SURGERY before anyone told us?

What now? We don't know. We are so very angry and frightened for her health. Dad is speaking to his lawyer. What can be done about this? We just have no idea. I know that I am more angry than I knew possible. I am furious. How can doctors do this? What kind of a world do we live in?

I plan to be asking for help from my friends at some point. I will be asking for those willing to sign a petition or write a letter. Now is not the time, but the time is coming. If you are willing to be part of a chain of support, please let me know.

Thank you all so much

Jenny