ICU (update 1/9)

Pennymac02
Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
WBC--up

Unknown source of infection

Deactivated from the transpant list

Vomited blood 3 times today, pooping old blood now, too.

3 different kinds of antibiotics, 3 seperate blood draws for cultures; two attemps at an NG tube; less than stellar nursing and MD staff on the weekends

Back in ICU.

I'm numb and quiet on the outside, but screaming at the top of my lungs in my head.

If God is going to take him, I hope He does it quick. Watching this and living it is agony.

Penny

Comments

  • cher8871
    cher8871 Member Posts: 64
    so very sorry
    penny, i pray for peace for you and your husband. no one should have to live like that! prayers for strength and grace,
    cheri
  • luz del lago
    luz del lago Member Posts: 449
    My heart is with you
    Penny,

    Will keep you both in my prayers all day long. I will pray for the best for your hubby, and I will pray for 1000 angels to surround you and comfort you in this time of agony for you.

    Lucy
  • Barbara53
    Barbara53 Member Posts: 652
    scream
    Oh, Penny, this is terrible news! It made me groan out loud, what the !#?!

    In an earlier thread you said your mother-in-law was there. Does that mean you have a car? I highly recommend a parked car in a movie theater or mall parking lot for screaming and uncontrolled tears.

    Praying for you all today and every day.
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    Back in helpless mode
    It sounds like you are back in that place where there's nothing you can do but wait and hope the doctors figure things out. I wish I could send a little packet of strength (going through my own crisis right now, but nothing like yours) by email; it's hard to be strong when you are so worn down, but I have to hope there's yet another turn for the better in your future.

    On the clinical side - the vomiting blood (and old blood in the stool) sounds like stomach ulcers (they can be caused by various meds and they go away when the meds are stopped; they can also be caused by chronic nausea/vomiting). I don't know how comfortable you'd be in asking if they've considered this, and if they can have a GI guy look at him - you can treat ulcers without changing the other meds.

    A high WBC is not always a sign of an active infection - if he is not running a fever and if they find nothing in the cultures, ask if they can put him back on the transplant list for now. The WBC can be up due to physical injury and stress (hello, like being in the hospital and getting stuck all the time?) or certain drugs (like prednisone) - if that's the case, he still fits the "clear of infections" rule for transplants.

    It's so hard for you right now - we're all really, really hoping it gets better soon.
  • ketziah35
    ketziah35 Member Posts: 1,145
    I am so sorry to hear this.
    I am so sorry to hear this. I am continueing to pray for you.
  • 3Mana
    3Mana Member Posts: 811
    Hard to hear this
    Penny,
    So sorry to hear that he's back in ICU again. Darn, whatever is going on I hope they clear it up and he can be put back on the transplant list. You have got to be so stressed out. If I lived near you, I'd come to sit with you. Try not to get too down, and if there's someone there to talk to for support do it. Please keep us posted. And tell your hubby to keep fighting!!! "Carole"
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    your news
    Penny, prayers for you and your husband during this time. I know this is so hard for you.

    Wish I could be there to help = please know that you and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Hugs always.
  • skipper85
    skipper85 Member Posts: 229
    My thoughts are wih you & your husband

    Penny

    I was disheartened to see your post. I was hoping everything was going smoothly. We all seem to be on a rollercoaster these days. Don't be afraid to vent. You certainly have the right. Scream out your lungs. I am hoping this is just a small setback and your husband will be back on the transplant list again very soon. Doctor's get a little carried away sometimes. They are just covering their butts so they don't get sued. Just know that we are all praying for you and your husband. Hang in there girl. You've been doing a wonderful job. You've definitely earned my respect. Prayers, hugs and love going out to both of you.

    (((MEGA HUGS)))

    Skipper
  • mswijiknyc
    mswijiknyc Member Posts: 421
    well. . .
    I know very well the place you're in. I'm glad the fam took the (not so subtle) hint and stayed home. Wish I could come down and just sit with you for a while.
  • Pennymac02
    Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member

    well. . .
    I know very well the place you're in. I'm glad the fam took the (not so subtle) hint and stayed home. Wish I could come down and just sit with you for a while.

    Me too
    I wish you could, too, April. I'd come over your house and catch your laundry up and get cleaning done for you in NYC. I actually clean real well when I'm under stress.

    After your house is clean, Pats having a good day, and Mikes got his liver, we'll go to a nice girly lunch, shop for shoes, and get a pedicure.....
  • ketziah35
    ketziah35 Member Posts: 1,145

    Me too
    I wish you could, too, April. I'd come over your house and catch your laundry up and get cleaning done for you in NYC. I actually clean real well when I'm under stress.

    After your house is clean, Pats having a good day, and Mikes got his liver, we'll go to a nice girly lunch, shop for shoes, and get a pedicure.....

    Wish I could send you all on
    Wish I could send you all on cruises to Greece! Have you seen Hope0310?
  • hope0310
    hope0310 Member Posts: 320
    ketziah35 said:

    Wish I could send you all on
    Wish I could send you all on cruises to Greece! Have you seen Hope0310?

    Here I am....
    Thanks Ketz...

    Don't forget me on that Grecian cruise....heck at this point, I will go with Penny to clean Aprils house and go out for the pedi!!!

    Much love to all of you, hoping for a week for Pat and Mike....you guys are always on my mind.

    Elysia
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member

    Me too
    I wish you could, too, April. I'd come over your house and catch your laundry up and get cleaning done for you in NYC. I actually clean real well when I'm under stress.

    After your house is clean, Pats having a good day, and Mikes got his liver, we'll go to a nice girly lunch, shop for shoes, and get a pedicure.....

    Thinking of You
    hey Penny
    Phew! Took me awhile to catch up! Hugs to you and Mike. Glad to hear he is once again out of ICU and in a regular room. Now you are both some fighters to say the least! God is definitely in your corner. Where in Virginia are you? Have you tried contacting the American Cancer Society to ask them about hospice? Hope that works out for you. Hospice does not mean this is the end, actually....they can help you both cope and understand what you are going through and what to expect. Many many prayers are being said, there is power in prayer! Keep us up to date. Good job chasing off the wicked sil's!!!
    Tina in Va
  • ketziah35
    ketziah35 Member Posts: 1,145

    Thinking of You
    hey Penny
    Phew! Took me awhile to catch up! Hugs to you and Mike. Glad to hear he is once again out of ICU and in a regular room. Now you are both some fighters to say the least! God is definitely in your corner. Where in Virginia are you? Have you tried contacting the American Cancer Society to ask them about hospice? Hope that works out for you. Hospice does not mean this is the end, actually....they can help you both cope and understand what you are going through and what to expect. Many many prayers are being said, there is power in prayer! Keep us up to date. Good job chasing off the wicked sil's!!!
    Tina in Va

    What part of Va are you in?

    What part of Va are you in?