Topic: Well... Today was not fun at all

[addicted2dvd]

Thanks for all that!

Well... mom does indeed have lung disease. She was diagnosed with emphysema a few years back.... but just a day or 2 ago she was diagnosed with COPD... though I haven't had the chance to look that one up to know much anything about it.

[Kathy]

Emphysema and asthma are often grouped with COPD which stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It just means the lungs frequently have problems due to a variety of situations such as bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia etc. The lungs become overwhelmed with mucus or whatever and become blocked or inflamed and then they can't do their job efficiently. I had suspected your mom might have developed this with the problems she has had.

[addicted2dvd]

Thanks for the info Kathy.... I appreciate it.

[addicted2dvd]

Well I just got back from visiting with my mother. She got a blood transfusion last night (she is also anemic) That brought back some of her strength and coloring. They been having her on a high pressure oxygen mask... but shortly after we got there she was getting a lung treatment (medicine going directly to the lungs through her oxygen) and instead of putting her back on the high pressure oxygen mask they changed her over to a large nose version one so she could visit with us and talk with us. And she did right good with that as well.

She is really giving it her all... but I can tell she is worried about it all this time.

[Kathy]

Pete, you might want to see if your mom needs a short term anti anxiety agent. Stress, anxiety, hospitalization etc. can take a lot out of anyone and can have significant impact on people. Plus, the ICU environment causes sleep deprivation all of which can increase the consumption of oxygen in addition to other problems. A medication such as Xanax, Valium among others (the specific drug depends on many factors) may help your mom in her recovery. I would recommend you discuss this with your mom and her physician.

[addicted2dvd]

thanks Kathy... will do

[addicted2dvd]

No real update today... pretty much everything is about the same.

[addicted2dvd]

Just got back from visiting my mother... and got some more good news. her breathing is a bit better... so is her color... and they were even able to have her up out of bed for about 5min today.

And they are talking about getting her out of ICU this evening.   

[DJ Doena]

I'm glad for you. Hope she's getting better soon.

[addicted2dvd]

Thanks Karsten

[Achim]

I am also glad to hear that things are improving. Send ou regards to your mom and wish her well from us.

[addicted2dvd]

Thanks Achim... I will

[Kathy]

I'm so happy to hear your mom is improving.

Sorry to hijack the thread but...

Everyone who reads this needs to think about getting a Health Care Proxy (which is available free in the US) or equivalent. God forbid someone is in a car accident, has a stoke, etc. What do you want as far as your health care decisions are concerned? Does your family know your wishes? What if you are so sick that you can't be asked your thoughts? If you die do you want your organs donated?

As a critical care nurse I see people every day who come into the hospital and they are unable to make these decisions. Often the family has to make decisions without knowing what their loved one wants. This is unfair not only to the patient but the family also. Often the health care team, complete strangers, make those decisions. If there is a Health Care Proxy or Living Will etc. we are following your wishes. Otherwise we have no idea what you want...and everyone is different.

I want to know what YOU want. I want to take care of you according to YOUR wishes. In order to do this you must discuss a variety of uncomfortable situations with your family or whoever you delegate to make those decisions if you are unable to do so for whatever reason.

All a Health Care Proxy does is assign someone to speak for you ONLY if you can not. It is a legal form and it can be amended at any time by you. Communication is vital and needs to be done in calm manner, before a crisis in order to be most effective.

Things to discuss BEFORE a crisis:

Do you want to be put on a ventilator? Short term? Long term? How long? A ventilator is a machine that assists breathing. A tube is passed through the mouth into the lungs. The patient can not talk while this is place. A person can be put on a ventilator only for a short term. Long term use requires a tracheotomy. This is a tube that will go into a hole in the throat.

Do you want to be given food via a tube if you are unable to eat? Short term? Long term? How long? Liquid nourishment is given via a tube passed through the nose into the stomach. For long term use it is often placed through a hole in the stomach.

Pain medication has many side effects such as sedation or depressing the breathing. Is pain medication a priority? Would you rather be more alert and in some pain? Or sedated but pain free?

There are so many more topics you can discuss: Chemotherapy, surgeries, organ donation etc. Do not let fear or embarrassment prevent you from learning what you and your families thoughts are on a subject. I can only take care of you properly if I know what you do or do not want. And, I can only do so if your decision makers have that knowledge.

Talk to your family. Fill out a proxy or living will. Do it now before something happens.

Who should have a copy of your proxy? Doctor, family, lawyer, local hospitals. Keep one in your wallet. Keep one in your glove compartment.

If anyone has any questions or concerns let me know.

[Dragonfire]

That's wonderful that she is doing better.

[addicted2dvd]

Thanks everyone... she got her room around 7:30 last night. I think she was more happy about finally having a phone in her room then anything else!    In the ICU there was no phone... and visiting hours were limited quite a bit... so I know she was lonely.