I have so many funny little things I want to tell you but I'm just too tired and sad. I tried to tell Ernie about the day but I kept trailing off. I forget how this kind of thing exhausts you no matter how much sleep you get.
Ernie and I got to the hospital today hoping that Debbie had perhaps woken up or responded. That was not the case however. When they turn down her sedation she becomes more active, moving a bit, and almost opens her eyes now and then, but does not respond to commands.
The doctor I spoke to said it could be that there is still some swelling on the brain due to the DKA, in which case it might just be a matter of time. They will do a CAT scan to see if they see swelling or if they see anything else. They did do a CAT scan at the time of admission but did not see anything at that time.
I met with a Diabetic specialist...who was WONDERFUL....and she explained to me that DKA is not just diabetes undiagnosed but diabetes type ONE undiagnosed. That totally blew my mind. I didn't know an adult could get type 1. Evidently they can but it is very rare. She talked to me for a while about my mother's diabetes history and about other tests they will do to see if this could be the case for Debbie. She was wonderful because she asked me questions not just about physical issues but also about Debbie as a person, her support network, etc. But of course diabetes aside, that doesn't answer why she isn't waking up. Her blood levels etc are all normalized.
Then I had to go to admitting and sign some more paperwork. They gave me paperwork to fill out to see if she can qualify for reduced charges. To me at first glance however those appear to be state programs and of course she is not a state resident. I must admit that before I would sign anything I made sure this wasn't committing me to any fiscal responsibility. Sigh.
I've got to call her vet and see what Rodolfo's cost is up to. I will ask if they can waive any of the fees and I'll try to find out exactly what kind of care the cat needs....to see if any of her friends could take him in. I'm not sure though.
It kills me to leave her but I think I have to. The woman I liked so much, the diabetic specialist, told me that I had done my job, that I had saved her life and now it was up to them to help her. I just cried.
I think I'm rather scattered...sorry if this doesn't make sense. I'll leave you with some random thoughts:
1. If you are waiting for an ambulance, set aside your anxiety for a moment and put a bra on. You will feel MUCH better 7-8 hours later when you're still sitting in a waiting room and all the fresh morning people are coming in. Lesson learned.
2. Bring reading material! I spent hours reading several issues of US magazine, an InStyle and a couple of New Yorkers. I really needed something in the middle. I almost wept with jealousy when I saw someone pull out a novel.
3. Maybe it's exhaustion, maybe it's my juvenile mind, but every time I see something labeled 'main' in Maine it makes me giggle. I want them to change all the signs so that they say 'Maine Entrance' instead of 'main entrance.' I don't know why that amuses me.....it must speak to my state of mind.
4. People have been extraordinarily kind at the hospital. I feel as though she is getting great care, but also great kindness (take THAT Emory Hospital in Atlanta).
5. Oh, except for the cleaning woman who asked me if Debbie was my daughter. Earlier in the week I had regaled Debbie with the story of how once, when I was very sick in South Carolina, someone asked Judi if she was my mother. Debbie howled and said, "oh poor Judi." Poor Judi nothing....at least I was younger than Judi...
6. The kindness of my friends, both new and old, has been nothing short of extraordinary. Absolutely extraordinary. Thank you with all my heart.
7. Please keep Debbie in your prayers.