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I didn't realize that I had the diary we kept on Mom here on this computer. Here is a chronology of teh beginning of her descent.

May 15, 1995 - Handwriting sample normal

May 15, 1995 - Dr. _______ - office visit complaining of wheezing: ECG, respiratory flow volume loop blood/urine tests (found and removed bloody mucus plugs in her nasal passages?)

May 22, 1995 - Dr. _______ biopsy roof of mouth

May 22, 1995 - Dr. _____ (pathologist) tissue exam

May 29, 1995 - Dr. _____ (pathologist) - tissue exam of mouth ulcer

Handwriting sample deteriorated somewhere during this time period

May 30, 1995 - Dr. _____ - another biopsy of roof of mouth

Jun 1, 1995 - Dr. _____ - office visit

Jun 30, 1995 - Dr. _____ - UCLA consult and laryngoscopy he prescribed Ketoconazole 200mG

July 3, 1995 - Fall at (retirement home), hit head on wall - Taken to _____ Hospital Emergency room complaining of shakiness and dizziness. Temperature 98.2. Pulse 77, BP 148/78. EKG was normal. Blood test indicated WBC=11.7 (high), RBC=3.26(low), HG=10.2(low), HC=29.4(low), and Lymphocytes=1%(extremly low). Neuro: Mom was observed to be "oriented" (not confused), with normal verbal and movement of extremeties. The possibility of stroke was not mentioned in the ER report. Mom was discharged in fair condition to her primary care physician. Attending: Dr. _____ .

Jul 7, 1995 - Dr. _____ - office visit

Jul 11, 1995 -Dr. _____ - Blood test - similar results to previous test, but with bands now=15(high)/were=1 last week, glucose=115(high), Ca=8(low), P=2.2(low), total protein=5.6(low), and albumin=3.1 (slightly low).

Jul 17, 1995 - Dr. _____

Jul 19, 1995 - Dr. _____ - CT Brain with contrast - at Valley Hospital, ordered by Dr. _____. Prominant Cisterna Magna vs. retrocerebellar fluid collection and/or cerebellar atrophy. Posterior horn of the left lateral ventricle larger than the right. Mild generalized ventricular enlargement. "These findings are nonspecific and can represent deep white matter changes of aging, although these findings are also sometimes associated with normal pressure hydrocephalus." MRI recommended if clinically indicated. Read by ______, radiologist. Weakness and Jaundice - transfer to _____ (SNF) Dr. _____- positive Hemocult - taken off all medication except estrogen and Xanax?

Jul 24, 1995 - Dr. ____ - office consultation

Jul 25, 1995 - Dr. _____

Jul 29, 1995 - Dr. _____ - Blood test - Colonoscopy?

Jul 31, 1995 - Dr. _____ - Blood test - Lower G.I.? - negative results

Aug 4, 1995 - Echocardiogram - negative results - ______ Hospital

Aug 5, 1995 - Blood test at _____ , ordered by Dr. _____

Aug 7, 1995 - Endoscopy ordered by Dr. _____ and performed at Valley Hospital - small ulcer found in stomach - Zantac prescribed.

Aug 8, 1995 - Mom was examined by Dr. _____ , a neurologist. No diagnosis was made. He was asked if mom should be taken off estrogen, and he said he would check with Dr. _____ on this, and talk with the radiologist regarding the CT brain.

Aug 8/9, 1995 - personality change. Mom became "nasty" and combative. She insisted that she be given her car keys and her checkbook so she could drive to _____ .

Aug 12, 1995 - Slip and fall at ______ (SNF) - examined by Dr. _____[the doctor who wouldn't give her the carotid ultrasound]- right leg bruised/sprained (later her right hip was found to have been broken).

Aug 15, 1995 - EEG at Dr. _____ office

Aug 16, 1995 - Office visit with Dr. _____- followup on endoscopy

Aug 17?, 1995 - Office visit with hemotologist, Dr._____. Blood taken and analyzed in his lab. He said Mom's blood was "getting better".

Aug 17, 1995 - Mom returned to (retirement home) from _____(SNF). Walking with her walker.

ug 21, 1995 - Mom had been complaining of pain all night (and making lots of phone calls to the front desk), and was taken to the ER, where it was determined that her right hip was broken when she fell on Aug 10th. Dr ______ recommended hip replacement. Dr. _____ examined Mom while at the hospital. Negative hemocult.

If you have an comments on this, I would like to hear them. I promise not to sue anybody ;-)