Alexandra’s sodium levels continued to be a concern, and she was given additional sodium supplementation. Her IV diurectics were also switched over, as the oral versions do not flush out as much of the sodium. Unfortunately, her chest x-ray did not show the improvement in the pleural effusions we were hoping for. She was awake more today and was not happy any time she was awake. She seemed to be in some sort of distress with occasional outbursts of screaming and crying and flailing around which is very upsetting to witness, especially when you’re going on almost no sleep in a week, and nothing you do gives her any relief.
We were able to get her, although reluctantly, into a wagon for numerous loops around the ICU. Eventually, she seemed to enjoy being out of her room at least for a little while.
Everything seemed to be going along just fine, and we went over to Ronald McDonald House for dinner. When we returned 1 1/2 hours later, we were hit with news from our day-time nurse that the doctors had come by and wanted to move Alexandra over to the CCU. We feel she is in no way ready to be moved, and her doctors today gave no indication that anything would happen until they were sure her sodium levels were up.
We ended up talking to the night doctor, and the more she talked, the more uncomfortable we felt about what she was saying. Basically, she told us that she didn’t know what the day team had discussed with us, but the night team reached a consensus that she should be moved. I’m not sure how new doctors could come on, not knowing what all had been discussed during the day and make such a significant decision! Also, she kept talking and happened to mention that there was a bed issue. Naturally, that really set us off, as it was a bed situation that led to the previous move fiasco we endured last week!
We had some pretty heated discussions with the doctor, and she said they would look at the labs once they were done. Eventually, we were told by Alexandra’s night nurse that we were staying put. Good thing because her lab work was not back until around 11 p.m., and her sodium levels were the same!
The good news is that Alexandra is resting comfortably at the moment, so I better catch some sleep before she wakes up!