There should be a sign above Nancy’s door.
While in the Ellensburg ER a test revealed an anemic condition so a unit of blood was started before they transported her to Yakima Regional. She also had a high white cell count.
The latter is likely caused by a bladder infection – now being treated. The cause of the low red-cell count is thought to be internal bleeding. Why is not known. An upper gastrointestinal (GI) exam is planned, as is a colonoscopy. With all that is going on with her body the INR (blood clotting test) reading is high so that has to be brought down before any invasive procedure. That is being worked on. When that reading is where they want it, then those tests can be done.
An echocardiogram or ‘echo’ revealed something on her heart valve, possibly a bacterial growth (she had this last year). A blood culture revealed two strains of bacteria in her blood so they started a 3-drug cocktail that may be adjusted when the exact strains of the little devils are known. However, to get a better look at the valve and its hitchhikers they scheduled a transesophageal echocardiogram or TEE, where the echo transducer (sound producer) is placed in the esophagus or food pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach. This gives a much clearer “picture” of the inner heart as the waves do not have to travel into the body from the surface. See:
http://www.heartsite.com/html/tee.html
So with all that has been done and all that will be done on Thursday there is a steady stream of nurses, doctors and more doctors, blood takers, blood infusionist, menu bringers, cleaners, and others lining up at the door to get in and question, prod, poke, stick, listen, and so on. They get in each other’s way. She needs that sign.
Take a number.