My Aunt

On the 14th, my aunt came from Corpus Christi to Austin for her 82nd bday. She got sick on that day and went to Brackenridge ER. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted. She was released on Sunday night and stayed with my Mom until Wed. morning, when she drove back to Corpus. My Mom talked to her Friday, and her voice was very hoarse. She has had problems with her throat since radiation treatment for cancer many years ago, so it wasn't a huge concern. On Sunday, we couldn't reach her. Finally, Sunday night, we called the police to do a welfare check, and also started calling hospitals. We found her in ICU on a ventilator. She was apparently admitted on Friday night after a neighbor called EMS.

Anyway, the pneumonia is apparently very aggressive and continued to worsen in spite of the antibiotics. She's been moved to a long-term acute care hospital and is in ICU and in isolation there. My Mom, brother, and we are her only family, and are working to encourage her progress and also get a handle on her affairs. The Dr. has said that the best case scenario has her in the hospital for 6 weeks. Yesterday, her white blood cell count and pulse rate dropped, which is really the first good news we've had. This is her fourth day on the ventilator and they are keeping her pretty doped up. When she's coherent, she is agitated and wants the breathing tube out. We're taking it a day at a time... please send your good vibes, your prayers - whatever you've got to give - her way!