Quote:
Originally posted by Moneyguy1
Thanx guys...
My primiary concern would be the point at which the drugs are no longer assisting and become supporting.
Moses....I am concerned that part of MY problem is impatience. Given the emergency nature of the situation (Doctor error; emergency surgery, abdominal infection), am I being too impatient after only 12 days? No looking for a diagnosis ere, just some basic guidance.
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I just got back from a trip to Chicago and saw your post. I'm so sorry. It sounds awful.
I may not have the story straight so correct me if I'm wrong. Your wife had a colon perforation during a colonoscopy and subsequently had an open surgery to repair or remove the injured bowel segment. Because of the spill of intestinal bacteria into the abdomen, she developed peritonitis (abdominal infection) and likely a blood infection. Serious blood infections cause blood pressure collaspe and can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome.
If I have this approximately right, the doctors are right. In the first 48 hours after ARDS develops, the mortality can be quite high. The fact that your wife's oxygen requirement is decreasing is fantastic news. Her lungs will recover beautifully if the cause of the respiratory failure can be controlled. All the medications being used to control your wifes BP are very important. When your wifes body has recovered sufficiently to self regulate her BP and breathing they will no longer be necessary. Don't worry about how long she's been on the meds. Not really important. What IS important is that she is responsive (meaning that the chances of hypoxic brain damage is much less) and that her oxygen requirements are decreasing.
If I can offer any helpful advice it would be to recommend that you have an infectious disease specialist consulted on your wifes case. If she has an unusual or resistant bacterial infection it could jeopardize her recovery if not treated properly.
Twelve days IS a long time, but the steady improvement is very encouraging. Feel free to keep us updated with information as you get it.
I'll keep you and your wife in my thoughts and prayers.