Disaster Averted....for now

Laura started calling Dr. M's office yesterday about Nana's midodrine prescription.  They called her back today, and, after speaking with Laura, Dr. M. called the prescription into The Pharmacy.  The Pharmacy at first said "No," but Dr. M can be very persuasive when necessary.

Laura went over about 5:45pm to pick up the prescription!  And we can get this prescription refilled twice!  Praise God!  This will allow Nana's blood pressure to be at a level where her kidneys will function (albeit at a lower-than-normal efficiency).

Now we won't have to fight this battle again for 90 days.  Sorry for the lousy cell phone shot...it was the quickest way to get a photo online.

All in all, Nana had a good day.  She had a visit from the nurse's aid, some friends came by to visit, and even our Pastor stopped by.  We're currently playing musical beds in prep for the hospice to deliver a hospital bed tomorrow.

A punch in the gut...

Well...more like a body blow followed by an upper-cut to the chin...

So the hospice doctor came out on Monday with a nurse to check up on Nana.  The visit went pretty well, and they discussed some options with Laura.  What Laura found out yesterday was not encouraging at all...

One of the medications that Nana receives to keep her blood pressure up (so that her kidneys are able to do their job) is midodrine.  Her supply runs out Thursday morning.  The nurse called the pharmacy and found out it's been pulled off the market, and that there are no meds to take its place.  We're going to do a bit of research in this, as it looks like the FDA called for it's withdrawal from the market in August 2010, and relented from this in September 2010.

If we aren't able to get in a supply of midodrine, Nana's blood pressure will drop.  The doctor said that a pacemaker would help, and possibly extend her life several extra months.  When Nana heard the cost of such a device (around $20K), she said she didn't want it.  :-(

Laura was saying that she thinks it might be time to start making some phone calls...