Andrea Pearl Updates Jan 21, 2022
January 21st, 2022
Hello everyone,
This will be updated daily as to Andrea's progress. Thank you for all of your support.
January 22, 2022 Back in Neuro ICU
I spoke to Andrea briefly yesterday afternoon. She laughed when I told her she did not have to be so dramatic if she wanted attention. Though it was hard for me to understand her, she surely understood my joke. Later in the day she was not as alert and was sent for another CT scan. She needs more attentive care for now and was moved back to Neuro ICU last night. Her CT last night showed more bleeding in the brain and she needs to be monitored more closely than she would be outside the ICU. She had another CT scan early this morning and fortunately her condition has stabilized. She is being treated with 3% Saline IV fluids and Mannitol. The treatment is to reduce swelling and pressure in and around the brain. As long as she remains stable, she will continue to receive the treatments and it is expected she will be more alert once the brain swelling subsides. Ed and Laura are taking turns at the hospital so Pearl is not all alone. ...
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteQuick Start.
ReplyDeleteWed 1/19: Andrea Pearl (henceforth "AP") got up from a nap, had trouble speaking, was disoriented, and Ed thought her face looked weird. He took her to St. Clair where they ran some scans. Diagnosis: Hemorrhagic Stroke. This is not a blockage/clot, but rather a bleed, where a blood vessel has broken and blood is going into the brain or between the brain and its covering.
AP was then LifeFlighted to Allegheny General Hospital (AGH.) At AGH, AP put in Neuro ICU and given more scans. Also some meds to reduce blood pressure (BP).
Thu 1/20: AP conscious, somewhat oriented but not completely. BP at a nice low normal. She ate lunch and was able to chat about basic things but not more complicated. Doc said the bleeding had stopped. She was moved in the late afternoon to the regular neuro unit. In the evening she was able to move all her limbs very well except for right arm was a little weak.
Fri 1/21 More scans and tests, but AP not able to lie still long enough for the contrast dye angiograph, a detailed look at the brain. Our AP - they gave her a light sedative but it was not enough (the nurse said she was "a bit too feisty." Do I make a comment or just a smiley face?) So, they will wait until Monday 1/24 and run the scan while she is under anesthesia.
Ideally, if everything looks OK Monday, AP will be discharged to a Rehab Center, before she goes home.
HELPFUL INFO before you ask Q's:
• AHN only allows ONE visitor PER DAY. That then is Laura or Ed. So, no visit for YOU.
• AHN has an e-card service, they will print and deliver to patient. Link and info you need...
https://www.ahn.org/patients-visitors/visitors/ecard
-- Andrea Pearl Reisberg, Allegheny General Hospital, Room 723
• There 2 photos of AP in hospital (comforting just to see her). I don't know how to add them to this blog.
• This video of Ed & AP is from Mon 1/17 if you want to feel all sappy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOFrn6fyjy8
Thanks for the clarity Christine. AP remains in my thoughts and prayers for a full recovery! Ed/all, remain strong for her! 💕❤
DeleteHoping that AP gets better quickly and grateful that Ed was there to assess and bring her to the ER quickly. Sending my love to all of my cousins from Pittsburgh.
ReplyDeletethanks Mitchell!
DeleteGlad she got quick medical attention --- thank G-d for Ed.
ReplyDeleteIs there any way to alleviate Ed and Laura and someone else come and visit? I know hospital has strict rules for who can visit but can't we just say I'm another sister?
ReplyDelete