Lost my father in law just over two weeks ago.
My mom has been in hospital since mid December. She has suffered from severe arthritis for the last 20 years and has very little mobility. My dad got concerned as she had a bad cough and was also suffering confusion.
Upon being admitted to hospital she was diagnosed with a blood clot (DVT?) from the fact that she sits all day in a motorized chair or at the table. She has extremely limited mobility, and has for the last number of years.
Three weeks ago she got upgraded and moved from the ICU to a hospital that is more "maintenance care" driven. We visited her on Friday as it was her 69th Birthday. We had to put on gowns and gloves and masks as they now feared she may also have TB....
Well, call came yesterday. Being rushed back to the original hospital (main trauma hospital in our region) the ER trauma center to get care. Her heart rate was over 140 and and her blood pressure was incredibley low, like 40/30.
For the last couple of months she has not been able to produce enough red bood cells. She has been getting transfusions. The doctors can't figure out why she has this issue. She has other issues as well....
At any rate, we spent 6 hours waiting to see her in the trauma ward, but there were other critical cases comming in and out such that we could not be around while they were being admitted and cared for. Finally she was brought up to the High Acuity Care Unit. After another couple of hours we were able to see her.
There were 8 different IV bags hooked up to her. Doctors still don't know what is going on. She was pretty dosey, but my wife and I were able to have a reasonable conversation with her. Stuborn Italian woman was more concerned about my 9 year old son's 4 week trip to Chile that started today. Not going to lie, there was major stress amongst the nurses and doctor in the room, to the point I was surprised they let us stay in there.
Just got word that she is not doing any better, in fact they are having a difficult time controlling her BP and heart rate and oxygen levels.
I am good a lot of things, but medicine is not one of them
. Need an obscure issue with your car fixed, call me. Routine maintenance or engine build for your aircooled, call me. IMS bearing replacement, call me. You get the idea. Now I am on the other end, trusting the hands that are caring for her. They are treating her for septis (SP?) and think that caused the shock she was in yesterday. The doctor says if she does not improve in the next 24 hours they are going to operate in her stomach area to see just WTF is going on. She has a 30-40% chance of surviving that procedure. My dad is beside himself because he gave them the go-ahead to do that. I told him there is no choice in the matter, I support his choice 100%. She has had a number of CT scans etc and a ton of tests and they think that is the area causing the problem. I have no idea. If she was a car, I could fix her. Problem is, she is human, so I can't do anything.
So, long post, for which I apologize. I am not an overly religious person, but I have my beliefs. I don't ask for much help on this board, but feel I contribute in all of the forums where I can. Yes, I have picked a few fights here about hockey, and the odd one about personalities and politics. My wish is to ask for the strength of the members here to help me out, pray for my mom. I know everyone loves their mom, but my mom is beyond special. She is one of those people you wish your daughter would grow up like. Beyond that, quite frankly, I am not ready to say goodbye to her. We have too many things left to talk about, too many things I need to say her to her. I don't want to have to say them all tonight after I pick my sister up at the airport and we go back to the hospital.
I am saying a thanks in advance, something I hate, but I trust you guys to help me out here.
Hug your loved ones.