Tuesday, February 24

Beth and Jenny brought Faith home yesterday from the hospital. She says she's glad to be home. She's had a nurse come in as part of her at-home care. Jo went down to visit her today. Beth is planning on returning to Vermont tomorrow.

Sunday, Feb. 22

As of 7:30 tonight, Faith "thinks" she's going home tomorrow. The weather may be a factor. It has been raining, but just turned to snow. Could get 6 to 10 inches. But that is a weather forecast and you know how reliable they are!

Saturday, Feb. 21

Note from Beth:
I stayed in New Harbor yesterday. I did some errands, got the house ready for first floor living and did some school work. Back to Portland today. Mom is feeling good. They are guessing that Monday might be the day that she goes home. Nothing is for sure, however. If we have stormy weather tomorrow, I will probably stay put in New Harbor, so don't expect any email.

Thursday, February 19

A message from Beth:
Hi again,Here is the latest information at Maine Medical: Mom is going home for at least 2 weeks. They haven't told her exactly when, but I'm thinking Saturday or Sunday. Her creatin level came down - good news for all especially for the kidney doctors. The lung doctors did not see a change in the latest chest xrays that were taken yesterday. They want her to be on antibiotics for a longer period of time. That's why she's headed home. The lung folks say surgery in 4-6 weeks. Dr. Weldner (the surgeon) doesn't necessarily agree and is going to see Mom in Portland for a check on March 2. He then goes away to a conference for a few days, but if things look good and the lung doctors concur (they are calling the shots and of course will order another set of xrays and/or ct scan), Mom COULD have the surgery as early (ha,ha) as the second week in March. However, it may take longer for the lung to clear. All the docs still think that what is showing up on mom's right lung is an aspiration (some fluid that got in the lung). These aspirations do clear up but need time. The prednizone (sp?) they are giving mom for her arthritis pain is working for her and it is also relieving her of chest congestion. She feels much better today. Of course she is excited to go home. I will be taking her home when it is time and hanging out for a few days to make sure the transition is smooth and that she is ok to be on her own. She really wants to get back to her normal routine and get herself psyched up again about surgery. She feels she can do this better on her own. We have lined up home health services to come to the house as often as necessary to do blood work, PT (to get some strength back), check in on her, etc. I will make sure she has groceries and anything else she needs. She will be what they term as, "homebound." She is not interested in driving and until the home health nurse thinks mom can do stairs safely, she will be limited to the first floor. I will be getting a bed together in the livingroom for her like we did last June. There is plenty of family and friends willing to lend a hand- run errands, pop in for a visit, pick up mail and groceries, return and get library books, etc.- and I certainly will not leave Mom if I think it not safe, but we also want to respect her wishes about being on her own. Mom is in the same condition now as when she entered the hospital and the doctors feel she will be away from germs and get her strength back faster at home. She had a nice visit with Charlie and Catherine (her brother and his wife) yesterday and today. Martha left around noon for Vermont. Boy, I hope I have covered everything. Reply if you have questions or want more information. Beth

Wednesday, February 18

Charlie and Barbara Frost visited with Faith today. They are staying overnight and planning to stop in again on Thursday. Faith said she had some X-Rays today. Doesn't know any results yet.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Wendy and Beth took Jo down to see Faith today. As I understand it, we're still in a holding pattern. The next checkpoint seems to be late Thursday when they will do Xrays or a CAT scan of her lungs. Faith still has some problems with her lungs for which they are giving her antibiotics should she have a touch of pneumonia. The pulmonary doctors would like to see that cleared up before she has surgery given the very serious nature of the surgery. The surgeon came to see her again today and again went over all the work they will try to accomplish, which is extensive. Depending on the results they get Thursday, it is also possible that Faith will be sent home for a few days.
Cheryl Strohmeier stopped to see Faith today on her way home from Florida. Charlie and Barbara Frost plan to come up tomorrow to see her.

Monday, Feb. 16

Things are pretty much the same today. Jo will be visiting Faith tomorrow (tuesday).

Sunday, Feb. 15

Jo talked with Faith tonight. She seemed to be in good spirits. Very happy with her care, food, etc. Her kids are with her for support. Depending on how her lungs are, they might schedule surgery for the end of this coming week. However, still too soon to tell.
In other news, Cheryl Strohmeier is on her way back from Florida to Maine.

Valentines Day

Jo just talked to Faith in the hospital. Further complications that showed up on a cat scan have resulted in their scrubbing of her Tuesday surgery schedule. They've started her on antibiotics. We'll let you know if a new surgery date is set.

Faithy baby!

hi all this is heidi (skyler and peter too).
have heard the latest from jo. so sorry to hear about added delays and troubles.
beth & martha- please give aunty a hug kiss from us and tell her to keep up her sense of humor
inspite of the indiginties and invasions....whoo whoo's and all.
we love you all and are thinking of you all the time.
much love the nh behlings

Friday Update

Jo returned from Maine Med. this afternoon. As noted, Faith's surgery is now scheduled for Tuesday. The change was made because they found additional heart-related problems beyond the valves that need to be addressed, complicating what has to be done during surgery. Martha and Beth are with her at this point. Susan has gone back home but will be returning. Jo is planning on going back on Monday.
Please keep Faith in your prayers.

New News

Jo is staying at the hospital with Faith and she called this evening to say that Faith's surgery has been postponed until Tuesday. Jo is coming home tomorrow and will provide more details.

Hi Everyone, this is the first time I have blogged too. If you ladies need anything remember I am just a few hours away. Stacie and I had a great visit with Aunty Faith and Aunty Jo last weekend, and we are looking forward to the next time we decide to run a way from home. Dawn

Change in Plans

As a result of some tests of Faith's kidney function today (Wednesday), her doctor wants her admitted to Maine Med. today instead of tomorrow. Jo is driving her down.

Blog Access

Nice post, Beth! I just want to clarify access to this Blog. Anybody can read it. To post, however, you have to have me invite you. I've sent out several invitations already. If you want to be included, just e-mail me at frost-in@midcoast.com
and I'll see that it's done. (You'll get an e-mail with reference to Maine Update and an invite from Earl the Pearl.)

Earl

Well, I've never blogged before, so bear with me.

Just to let people know, Martha, Susan and I will be with Mom in Portland starting Thursday, Feb 12th. Jen will be in and out as well. We will take turns sleeping at the hospital and the motel (Hampton Inn in South Portland). Sharon and Wendy are on call for the last week in February and we'll figure out coverage beyond that when we know more. Mom may be in intensive care for a number of days and she wanted people to know that flowers are not allowed on that floor :) I will try to keep you all updated via this blog. My email is bethogden@yahoo.com and I will have my laptop with me. Feel free to contact me. Mom is in good spirits but gets tired and worn out very easily. She's taking it easy and gathering strength for the 13th. That's it for now.
Beth

Status

Faith is scheduled to have heart surgery on Friday, February 13 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland. It is anticipated that the surgery will take some 5 to 6 hours since they will be replacing or repairing three heart valves. Following surgery, she will be in the Cardiac Thoracic Intensive Care Unit. At that point, only immediate family can see her and only for a few minutes at a time.
Earl

Welcome

This Blog is set up to bring news from Maine. Right now we plan to use it as a way to keep track of Faith Ogden's upcoming surgery. Initially, we're leaving it as an open Blog so anybody can read or post on it. If this becomes a problem, we may restrict participation.
Earl