Kaggie's Kidney update September 16, 2010

Hello Dear Friends and family.
Here is an update on what we know and what is suspected but is as yet, to be confirmed.
I spoke with Mom's Nurse Karen, who related that mom was having an increase in renal output.
under normal circumstances a person usually creates around 30 - 35 cc's of urine, an hour. Earlier today, the goal was for mom to be able to produce 20 cc's an hour. At that time, she was putting out about 16-17. By this evening, She was producing high 70's and low 80's of cc's of urine. This is good!
They took her off several IV's. She ate lunch and Dinner. And her potassium levels had come down from 7 (very dangerous and not good for the heart) to a more normal 4.5 (above 5 is alarming).
They have her on what they call D10, which is Dextrose 10%. They are still working at getting her blood glucose levels into a normal range. As Merri stated, upon admittance to the ICU her Blood sugar was at 25. (they scarily followed that number with the phase "which is not conducive to life".
Before they kick me out for shift change her Glucose level was 40 or low 50. Normal (for you non-diabetics, is 80 -120.) Which leads me to what is believed to be the cause of the kidney failure.... It is believe, but not confirmed that there was an unintentional Overdose of an oral diabetic medication called Metformin. Since mom had been having tummy trauma - she was not eating normally. And Since she was not eating normally, she was not creating the high levels of blood sugar that we diabetics fight. However she was still vigilant in her medication routine. She was taking her prescribed dose of Metformin, which effectively lowers blood sugar. but her sugars were not high because of her altered food intake due to the tummy trauma. So the Metformin did its job by lowering her blood sugars. And did it too well. Karen the Nurse explained that the low sugar state shocks the kidneys. And the Metformin is processed through the kidneys and is expelled in the urine. since there was little to no urinary out put, the Metformin was able to brew like a stalled storm. So that is what is suspected as the cause.
The things we are still waiting for answers on would be: 1 - The results of the CAT scan they did to check her brain last night. And 2- the Results of the abdominal ultrasound they performed around 4:30 or 5 pm this evening.
Karen her nurse stated that if she keeps up this level of improvement, she should be out of the ICU sometime on Friday and moved to a standard care floor. During my time with mom and Karen, the possibility of dialysis was not mentioned. So I am not saying it is not still possible, probable or otherwise, I am stating it was not mentioned. Karen told mom several times she was proud of her terrific improvements.
Mom is tired, (as anyone who has experienced very low, or even slightly low blood sugar can relate to.) She needs to get up every 20 to 30 minutes to sit on the "pot" She is outputting lots of fluids there. And they measure it all!! They posted a portable commode near her bed so she can quickly access it as she needs to with out having to buzz the nurse to get to perma potty in the corner of the room. She still has an arterial line in her neck and a central line on her right arm. Plus the Urinary catheter, so she is still quite tethered.
Last night Merri stayed the night with her, and got ZERO sleep. Today Melanie was with her through the day and was able to cat nap on a pile of pillows in her room. Tonight Cory will be on mom watch. And I will relieve him At shift change time, until Mel can get there in the morning around 10 am. I cannot miss more than a couple hours of work, then back to the hospital to relieve Mel, until Barb comes in for the night shift at 8pm Friday night. I will spend Saturday day and night with her. And we will go from there.
So that is what we know at this point.
Thank you all for the continued Prayers and positive energies.

PS: For Local Family.... The Clara and Harvey Wolfe Reunion that was scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed to an undetermined date until we cross this hurdle.