I know this thread's a week old, but I'm updating.
I took Mom to the Urologist today and he told her that her left kidney is useless. He said at this point it's nothing more than a sack of water and infection, and he wants to remove it. He said both ureters are inflamed, and to preserve the right kidney, which he says is functioning very well, he wants to remove the left one. He wants to take another look at the bladder and see if it's functioning properly, because he thinks that may be at the root of the problem. So this Thursday I'm taking her up to the hospital to get a Nuclear scan of some kind, I forgot the term, and then he'll see what to do from there. He said if he has to, he can remove the bladder and put in place a system where she would have a bag on her side. He told her that yes, it sounds daunting, but he feels she will be much healthier by taking this course of action, because on her current path, she's in dire trouble if nothing is done soon.
She is taking it very well, and is positive that she will come through this victorious. My mom has a will of iron, so I don't doubt it.