7 January 2026
Today's episode at the SNF included a change of doctors and an IV drip.
When I informed the desk of the surgery time and arranged for transport, I discovered her doctor had been changed from Dr. Dimaano to Dr. Mamaclay, who has responsibility for wounds.
I had emailed Dr. Dimaano yesterday afternoon about Joyce's high creatinine level. Dr. Holland thought it was low enough to treat with an IV before surgery, if it doesn't improve.
Apparently Dr. Mamaclay (or Joanne the Nurse Practitioner working with her) didn't want to risk that. So Joyce was put on an IV drip this afternoon. She'll get two liters of saline solution by the morning when she'll have another blood test to measure her creatinine again.
Binita got the IV going. Joyce was bewildered through it all. She thought it peculiar to watch the drip from the bag but not see or feel the fluid going into her arm.
I tried to explain the tube was full of fluid. If she saw an air bubble, it would be a problem, I remembered from when I gave her antibiotics at home via IV. If the fluid were blue, she'd see the tube full of blue fluid, I said. But it's clear so she can't see it.
I didn't convince her.
I sat with her a while to make sure she was comfortable with the drip. Then I went grocery shopping. "I keep running out of food," I told her.
"Because you're eating it," she said.
℘
SHE WALKED around the unit with her trekking pole today. The physical therapists accompanied her with the chair. I wanted her to use the pole instead of the walker because if we make the podiatrist appointment tomorrow (depending on whether she still needs the IV drip), it's easier to navigate the small office with the pole.
She was terrified and screamed that she couldn't do it and needed to sit but she kept walking, faster than usual with even steps and better posture. So she did really well. The therapists only had to lead cheers.
Then she did three sets of 125 steps on the SciFit. So she got some exercise in before she had lunch and got the IV drip.
When I see her tomorrow, I'll pack things up for her hospital stay. On Friday, I'll get to the hospital on the bus as the sun comes up to see her in pre-op. And I'll hang around to talk to Dr. Holland until she's in recovery and sent to a room. Not via the Emergency Department this time.
That is, if all goes according to plan.
Then I'll go home and see what there is to eat. The kitchen has been successfully restocked. Temporarily.