Leenie’s Story
by Donna
Andy asked me to help him put together information so we can all try to understand what has happened to Eileen.
As you read this blog, if you have information that you would like to include or any comments to share, please use the comment section below each post.
Eileen had triple bypass surgery in 1997. It was a long recuperation but life was good. Now she and Andy have their grandbabies!
Fast forward to October 2007 when pain suddenly started in her feet followed by the tingling in her hands.
Eileen was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This completely puzzled her because of its sudden onset.
She hated the regimen of drugs that she needed to take and worried about their effects on her body.
Eileen felt it was more muscular head to toe; she did not feel it was in her joints. She took RA drugs and other drugs that I don’t remember their names (methotrexate, etc.), prednisone, had lab work and then more lab work, cortisone shots, surgery for carpel tunnel, trips to emergency rooms, but the pain and discomfort were unrelenting.
During her winter trip to Florida in 2009, she was in pain again and decided to see a doctor in Florida. He diagnosed her with polymyalgia rheumatica. He put her back on a regimen of prednisone and told her it may take two years to overcome this.
Back in Pittsburgh, she saw her doctors again, trying different medications because they all seemed to bother her. She was so afraid of what they were doing to her.
Leen missed Kelsey’s concert in early May because she just couldn’t do it.
Then she was admitted to Passavant Hospital two times within a month. After her second release from Passavant in late May, she went to a nursing home to recuperate for about two weeks then went home with hospital bed set up in her dining room, wheelchair, and a walker.
She was still not feeling any relief from the drugs that were prescribed and she was so weak and irritable. Her sed rate was over 100.
Then she started to bleed and was readmitted to Passavant on July 3. Now she has a fistula and they were considering a colostomy but she was not a candidate for surgery.
On Sunday night, Shanna, Kelsey and I visited her. She had a terrible pain in her neck.
On Monday morning, July 6 Leenie had three seizures and was placed in ICU. They said her sodium level had dropped. Her brain was swelled. All week long they have been doing xrays, MRIs, catscans, EEGs, a spinal tap. She developed pneumonia. Fortunattely, they were able to rule out a pulmonary embolism.
They tried to remove the tubes and not sedate her so that she could wake up. But within 24 hours had to intubate her again because her heart rate accelerated above 212 and blood pressure dropped.
It is now July 17 and she went from a ventilator to a trach tube.
Andy is waiting for the call to learn when Leen will be transported to either Cleveland Clinic or Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.
- July 6 2009 3 seizures
- sodium level dropped
- brain swelling – cytoxcan
- “unresponsive” after second seizure
- EEG & MRI
- Put on ventilator as preventive measure
- Blood pressure high
- Request Transfer to Cleveland Clinic
- Request approved; on waiting list – no beds available
- Must be lifeflighted
- July 7 2009
- Started thrashing, afraid she would pull tubes out, so they sedated her
- EEG & MRI show “concerning changes.” Could be caused by:
- Virus
- [there was one other possibility….]
- PRES: Posterior Reversible Encephalopath Syndrome
- Vasculitis
- Blood pressure very high
- Still waiting on Cleveland Clinic
- July 8 2009
- spinal tap/lumbar puncture
- result: not a virus
- Still waiting on Cleveland Clinic
- July 10 2009
- Reduced sedation; she woke up
- able to answer yes/no questions: blink once for “yes”, twice for “no”
- recognized people
- Still waiting on Cleveland Clinic
- July 12
- Removed ventilator/feeding tube
- Able to eat soft foods
- Able to talk (softly)
- Blood pressure high
- Still waiting on Cleveland Clinic, called to let them know she would not require ICU bed
- July 13
- Heart rate very high
- Lots of mucus in lungs
- xray/catscan reveal possible pneumonia or pulmonary embolism
- Still waiting on Cleveland Clinic (back in ICU)
- July 14
- Tuesday evening, she suddenly couldn’t breath.
- Suctioned her out, put back on ventilator
- Sedated, “unresponsive”
- Still waiting on Cleveland Clinic, also requesting transfer to John Hopkins (whichever we can get her to first)
- July 15
- No change, talk of tracheotomy
- July 16
- Tracheotomy placed. Procedure went “better than expected”
- Still sedated; will most likely remain sedated until transfer to CC/JH
Aunt Donna and Shan,
Thanks so much for taking the time to create and update this. I’m sure I can speak for my whole family when I tell you that we greatly appreciate being up to date on Aunt Eileen’s status. Our prayers are with her daily!
Thanks.
To all:
Please know that Eileen has been, and continues to be, in my prayers for a full recovery from this terrible, debilitating illness.
I know how difficult it is for family and friends to deal with a loved one’s illness, and I also pray for strength for all of you.
Jenny
Thank you for this wonderful update on Eileen. I spoke with Andy last night and he mentioned trying to get Eileen to Cleveland Clinic. I did not know Eileen’s health was so severe. Thank God I read that Eileen is now at the Cleveland Clinic. My prayers are for Eileen’s full recovery and for all her family. I know how draining this must all be for her family. Blessings,
Donna Peduzzi
Hello Andy,
We are so sorry to hear about Eileen, please let her know that we are praying for her and think about her everyday. Miree has kept me posted and tonight she told me about this web site. Thanks for keeping us posted and stay strong.
Ruth and Gary Zurn
Morehead City, NC
Kay and i appreciate this website, thank you very much for sending. Eileen is in our hearts and in our prayers. May the recovery be quick and complete.
Love to all the family.
Thank you for the work you put in this beautiful website to keep us updated on Eileen.
Our thoughts, love, and prayers are with Eileen and her family every single day.
Andy,
I had no idea of what all was going on Eileen and just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in our thoughts as you go through this very difficult time… Please know that Our prayers for a quick and full recovery are with you both..
We are all missing you here at the Ridge and sending our prayers and wishes for Eileens complete recovery.
To know that…”I just love her”. She is a wonderful girlfriend!
Andy~
You and Eileen have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since Fran R. told me what was going on. I’m so grateful for this website and that Fran sent me the link to it so that I can continue to know how to pray. My heart goes out to you guys. I pray for Eileen’s recovery: that God’s arms will enfold her, His peace surround her, and His loving arms heal her. I pray also for strength and peace to all of her loved ones.
~In His Love,
Barb
To Dear Leenie, We believe in you and we believe you will be back chasing Ryder and Ethan and holding Brians new baby Aden in no time. Being aware and knowing God always works through us at the levels of our beliefs, we must all have a positive attitude and never give up!
Love you lots
Ree
xxxxx
Dear Eileen:
We’re keeping you in our prayers, knowing that you will be coming back soon. We’re so glad that now we can follow your status with ths blog — we think about you every day.
Love — Bub and Anne
This website is a wonderful gift from Eileen’s family to her and to all of us. It keeps us informed and lets us send our love and prayers to Eileen every day. Thank you!
everybody, thanks for doing this.
eileen has been so good to our family, she doesn’t deserve what is happening to her. we love her.
devon, craig and lottie
Dear Cuz:
I will see you next week. I hope you will be getting stronger and healthier every day. Can’t believe our hopes to get you to Cleveland Clinic came true! God works in wonderful ways. Candles are being lit and prayers are being said for you every day.
Love,
Cuz
Andy and family, hope things are well in the big city of Cleveland. We think of you often. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. take care of yourself….
the CCU Nurses at Passavant Hospital
Eileen and Andy,
I am back from my month in China and am able to get on this blog (China blocks blog sites). Pleased to see the report today that you are doing better. Many prayers and god wishes are sent to all of you. Rich and Ginna
What great news, continue to fight, we love you and think of you everyday. Our thoughts and prayers remain with you and with all your family
Dear Cuz:
So glad to hear you are improving every day. Can’t wait to see you. God Bless You! Keep getting better every day!! You are a real trooper!
Love,
Cuz (Kathy Fritz)
Eileen,
You’re never far from our hearts or minds and are in our prayers. Take care.
Roseanne, Tracey, Patty & Families
Delighted to hear promising news, we continue our prayers and will do so while on a trip to Oregon to visit Kathy.
All our love.
Andy,
So glad to hear things are looking better. Your entire family continues in my prayer. Please give my best to Eileen… and Rose.
Love to all or you,
John
We just remembered, Cleveland used to be called “the mistake – by the Lake”
So glad to hear you are improving Eileen, we love you and continue to have you in our thoughts every day.
Kay and I are so delighted that you are so much improvement. Eileen, hang in there and continue the fight, we love you.
Hi Eileen, Christopher Reeve said “a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to perserve and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” So hang in there “hero”. Or maybe that’s Andy when he finds out he’s playing Tiger.
Love yo you and all the family.
Hi Eileen, received Andy’s email today concerning the power of prayer, beautiful story, keep up the fight, you can do it. Love you
Donna, thank you for this latest posting, We were so moved by your narrative. We are re-doubling our prayers and our thoughts are with Elieen and the family.