Mom has been having repeated "episodes" as the SNF staff call them. She will suddenly get weak, spike a fever and oxygen levels drop. One occurred early January then again early February. Negative for COVID/Flu, xray shows lungs are clear, blood work is normal, urine specimens return a 2+ bacteria initially but the extended cultures come back "contaminated". Not a UTI, right? Initial ultrasound of bladder in January showed a small lesion on her bladder. A second ultrasound on bladder and kidneys showed nothing abnormal in February. Antibiotic shot was administered in January, she rebounded in 24 hours. Two antibiotic shots administered in February but it has taken almost 10 days for her to get back to where she was prior. She was scheduled to see a urologist in January but cancelled the day before her appointment. Mom will soon be 90 and doesn't want any invasive procedures which I can understand. I'm at a loss of what this could be and if it may be something corrected with non-invasive means? Anyone had anything similar happen to a loved one?
It appears your mom’s care team believe the problem is one with her kidneys or bladder and mom doesn’t want to pursue that line of investigation by visiting a urologist or is it she doesn’t want to leave the facility for anything?
I had a mystery illness in the height of covid. Lots of tests, lengthy hospitalization. Nothing came of it except I got tests that show what I don’t have a problem with. Which was good to know. I know from personal experience. It is sometimes not easy to find the answer.
However, in your moms case, I think I would ask for a Urinalysis and culture in a few weeks to make sure she is clear of a UTI and not wait for it to make her so ill. After all they really didn’t get a definitive answer on the last one since it was contaminated.
Let us know what you find out. I’m hoping March is a better month for you and mom.
Perhaps her body is simply wearing out. They're not made to last forever. What worked once or twice for a mysterious illness wouldn't necessarily work a third.
We work so hard to find the causation of illnesses in our elderly LO's and often the answer is simply 'they're wearing out'.
Yet, I would also continue to pursue these odd symptoms.
She also strongly urged mom to use more care in hand-washing; I kept a look out and mom was just rinsing her fingers after using the toilet! Had EVERYONE in the family bring her easy to use liquid soap, which helped.
If she has another episode, try to figure out with the DON why they aren't getting a clean sample.