Chapter 1: The Hospital Journey

Life can often feel like a dramatic film, especially when it comes to family health issues. Recently, my mother faced a serious health crisis that required hospitalization.

I had initially planned to give a talk on self-editing tips, but due to feeling unwell, I requested a postponement. While the talk will occur later, the resources are available in my series at the end of this post.

Back to my mother. It feels like a scene from an old Saturday morning serial: “When we last saw our heroine…” she was being rushed to the hospital due to painful sores on her legs. Fortunately, it turned out that her condition was not diabetes or cellulitis but rather complications from congestive heart failure. Her heart, functioning at only 25% capacity and relying on medication, struggled to pump fluids effectively, leading to swelling in her legs and feet. It was painful to see her struggling to fit into her shoes.

My sister, her husband, our niece, and I gathered to keep her company. Her mood was surprisingly upbeat, and we enjoyed some wonderful visits. She was fully aware of her situation and displayed remarkable strength, even managing to walk during physical therapy sessions.

On Saturday, we brought her home and took turns assisting her with basic tasks. Initially, only my strong niece could help her stand, but with practice, my mother grew more capable. By the time my family left, she required only verbal reminders for safety, like locking the brakes on her wheelchair and positioning herself correctly before sitting down.

By the time I departed the following Wednesday, she was able to transfer herself, although she wasn't technically cleared to do so yet. Given her progress, I anticipated that her therapist would soon approve her independence.

Then, on Friday morning, the call came.

"Hello, Marilyn?"

"Yes?"

"This is Linda, the nurse at Creekside, where your mom resides. We did some lab work yesterday, and her magnesium levels are critically low. She requires IV treatment, but we can't administer that here. With the Heart Clinic closed, we’re sending her to the ER for care."

I was left to contemplate the implications of this news.

Not long after, I received another call.

"Hello, Marilyn?"

"Yes?"

"This is Pat, the Nurse Practitioner in the ER. Your mother isn't responding as we had hoped. We suspect a urinary tract infection and will admit her for a few days for hydration and tests."

I accepted this without much choice.

Urinalysis takes about 30 hours for bacterial culture results, so we spent the weekend waiting to see which antibiotic would be effective. Eventually, she was prescribed Kefflex, which was later switched to a stronger medication when her condition didn't improve.

My heart sank as I realized that her health was declining. I worried that she might be nearing the end of her life. When I inquired with her nurses about her prognosis, I received vague responses like, "We don't know," or comments about her long life.

Listening for Guidance

So, that night, I participated in an Inner Listening session at my church, conducted via Zoom. After a period of prayer, we ask questions of God or Spirit and listen for answers. I asked for insight about my mother’s condition. Here’s what I wrote down:

"Take a breath…and let go... She is on her journey, with angels by her side, watching over her. Fear not, for when she transitions, she will reunite with loved ones who have passed."

These words provided much-needed comfort. I shared them with my sister and niece, who felt similarly reassured that everything was unfolding as it should.

As my mother's condition remained concerning, her doctor requested a CAT scan to investigate further. To our dismay, it revealed fluid in her lungs, causing her coughing, and her urine was backed up in her kidneys. No wonder she felt so unwell.

At times, she appeared confused; at others, she expressed frustration at being bedridden and uncomfortable. She wanted to recover, to feel better.

As her treatment continued, including an IV and a catheter for draining urine, we received news that she would be moving to rehabilitation.

The rehab facility is conveniently located on the same campus as her assisted living. Our health advocate, Carrie, will ensure she has everything she needs during this transition.

Mom is excited, although she may not be thrilled when the physical therapist arrives to help her walk. However, physical activity is essential for her recovery; remaining inactive would lead to further deterioration, particularly at her age.

On May 23, the day she enters rehab, she will turn 94. Happy Birthday, Mom!

As for me, I’m managing COVID-19, which has been quite unpleasant. However, I anticipate a swift recovery. After spending much of the day resting, it feels great to sit up and write this.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Marilyn Flower is a SoulCollage® facilitator and a creative writer with decades of experience in addiction recovery. She has penned several works, including “Developing Characters: Fun Ways to Cast Your Fiction,” and is currently working on two novels.

Follow her journey through Sacred Foolishness or SoulCollage® for Writers, and stay connected!

Chapter 2: Facing the Unexpected

This video shares the poignant story of a Valley man whose mother tragically passed away in a rehabilitation facility shortly after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

In this video, a daughter expresses her concerns about her mother after patients at the rehab center test positive for COVID-19, highlighting the anxiety many families face during these times.