my uncle's in ICU

[Raven]

Just got off the phone with my mom and she's pretty shook up. Her brother contracted a bad case of pneumonia this week and isn't doing well. He's now in ICU on a respirator and it's looking very grim because he also has a heart condition and it's a lot of stress. She's flying to Atlanta from Las Cruces tomorrow morning fearing the worst but hoping for the best. Some good vibes out there would be appreciated.


Thanks

[azlife4me]

He will be in our prayers. Take care.

[STBNE]

Raven....my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family...very sorry to hear this.

[Brighteyesue]

You got it

[motomac]

Prayers for your Uncle. Hope all turns out good.

[Herleman]

Raven -- you and your family are in my prayers tonight and at tomorrow's service. May God provide you and your family with the strength to deal with whatever may come.

...and you know you have all of us here at the zoo -- feel free to lean.

john

[Mellow]

You got some prayers from here.

[MGDaversa]

Count on it!

[John Anthony]

Included on our list as well.

John & Maggie

[BridgeMan]

Hopes and prayers with you, your mother and uncle.

[Don-STOC237]

Best wishes and good thoughts for a speed recovery!

[elk2112]

Best wishes from here as well!

[ChipSTer]

Prayers for you and yours are on the way! :pray1:
:cool:

[Mark]

Chipster has my answer too.... Prayers for you and yours...

Mark

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable!:(

Praying for you and your family and the strength for you uncle to pull through! This being on the edge of life thing can be very draining to all involved. May God smile kindly upon your family and decide that it's not his time...:pray1:

[EJ's 97ST]

Prayers said & sent Raven.....

Ed

[BigTom]

And also from here. Thoughts AND prayers.

[ToroGuy]

Raven...Prayers for your uncle, mother, and family. Hopefully, you mom is with her brother by now.

[Elmo]

You got'em (prayers) my friend. May God grant all of you peace and comfort.

Keep us posted.



Elmo

[NoBull]

Raven let us know how everyones doing, our prayers are with you...

[STrep]

Prayers and kind thoughts for your Uncle and your Mom

[Raven]

Mom made it to Atlanta. My Aunt is very happy to have her there.

My Uncle got transfered from Newton General Hospital to Emory University Medical Center where his heart doc is a specialist. He's still in ICU but the docs seem a little more optimistic (although I'm hesitant to write that as I sure don't want to jinx it). His heart seems to be a bit stronger and his BP and kidneys are good. They now think that he may have gotten influenza that led to bacterial pneumonia and are hoping that it isn't a resistant strain.

So, that's the latest.

Thanks for the good wishes and continued support.

[uptoblackwood]

Raven

I hope the "bug" he has isn't resistant. The antibiotics they have to use to hit the bad bugs with....are very tough on the heart.

Hope things continue to get better.

Best

Forest

[Winged_STer]

And from here also...

[jdaniels]

And from us as well.

[Tom B.]

uNBELIEVABLE!:noway

Raven! Thanks for the update! Good to hear that things are looking up! More prayers are on the way!!!

:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[sirepair]

Raven,
Good thoughts and prayers are headed your way!

[motomac]

Thanks for the update Raven. Prayers continue for the family!

[STBNE]

Raven...I just came back here to see if there was an update.It is good to hear that hope is still alive and that your Uncle is stabilizing.I to will continue to pray for his recovery and for your family to have the strength to carry on.

[Raven]

I stopped in Las Cruces on my way across country today and talked to my mom who'd just flown back in from Atlanta. Latest news on my uncle is he's stable but still in ICU and the pneumonia doesn't seem to be responding to the various cocktails they've tried. He seems to be in good spirits, so that's a positive.

So, keep the good vibes coming 'cause he still needs them.

Thanks everyone!

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable!:hat1:

Well, I guess stability is good! At least it's not going down hill. More prayers from S.W. Michigan!!

:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[STBNE]

I'll be sending a few more prayers out too...

[DAS]

Hope and pray your uncle recovers soon.

[MGDaversa]

Pneumonia is not something to be trifled with. I continue to keep you in my prayers.

[sandy]

Thoughts and prayers for you and your family

[Elmo]

Continued prayers from here...we're all pulling for your uncle.



Elmo

[STPaulK]

Prayers for your Uncle and the family!

[Sink]

Prayers from Nebraska for sure!

[Raven]

Another update:

My uncle is still in ICU (3 weeks now) and his vitals really went south yesterday afternoon but got stable in the evening. The docs still can't seem to figure out what's happening with the pneumonia and can't seem to get a bead on what strain it is. They basically have him intubated and sedated now to try and help him breathe. So, it's still very serious and prayers and thoughts are still appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable!:(

:( This sounds like a rough time for you and your family! More prayers will be offered up to the Lord for your Uncle's full recovery!:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[SupraSabre]

Sorry to hear about your uncle! Prayers from the left coast coming your way! :pray1:

[Elmo]

Your uncle is still in my prayers, Raven.

God is at large and in charge!



Elmo

[DAS]

Thinking and praying for your uncle. I like it when these threads get bumped once in a while because these things typically don't come around very quickly.

[Raven]

Unfortunately another bump.

Things are looking really grim and I'm so worried about my Aunt. She's just devastated. It's especially hard on her now that he's sedated almost all the time. Of course, my mom's pretty upset as well. Being back home and not there to support my Aunt and Uncle is hard on her as well.

Very, very worried. Y'all have no idea how much your thoughts and prayers mean for folks.

Blessings to you all.

[motomac]

Thanks for the update Raven, your family will continue to be on my prayer list.

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable!:(

Stay strong Raven! Prayers are abuntent from my neck of the woods too! (Silent praying as I type too!!!:pray1: :pray1: :pray1: )

[MGDaversa]

Still here, still praying. I am sorry things haven't gone better.

[Raven]

Another update.

The doctors have officially diagnosed ARDS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_respiratory_distress_syndrome) as a result of the pneumonia. As I'd posted earlier, he's been sedated and, from what I now understand, has basically been in a medically induced coma for the past several weeks. They're now ready to "wake him up" and anticipate that it will be rather traumatic as he's still intubated. They began the "wake up" yesterday but he never was very responsive, today should give quite a bit more information as he becomes more aware of his surroundings.

Thanks for the continued good thoughts and prayers.

[STBNE]

I'm still praying too...this looks all too familiar...but I pray your Uncle has a better outcome...:-|

[motomac]

Thanks for the update Raven. Your Aunt and Uncle remain on my prayer list.

[Tom B.]

uNBELIEVABLE!:(

Thanks for the update Raven. Your Aunt and Uncle remain on my prayer list.

+1!!!!:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[Raven]

Finally some good news. My uncle is finally coming 'round and responsive. He's down to 45% oxygen and is recognizing family members. Still not out of the woods but the docs feel like he's finally heading in the right direction.

Thank you, thank you. Don't let up yet 'cause he still has a long ways to go but, not nearly so far now as yesterday.
:bow1: :bow1: :bow1:

[STBNE]

Raven,with guarded optimism I am glad to hear this news...Thank The Lord He has heard our prayers...and may He continue to as well.I will continue to ask Him to hear our prayers for you and your family.:)

[Tom B.]

Oooommmmmmmmm........:pray1:
Oooommmmmmmmm........:pray1:
OOOHHHhhhhmmmmmmmmmm:pray1:
:o4:
You caught me! Unbelievable!:hat1:

I was just sending up another prayer for you, your Uncle and everyone else who is involved! Glad to hear the good news!!:clap2:

More on the way...

[motomac]

Thanks for keeping us informed. Your Uncle and Aunt remain on my prayer list.

[Elmo]

Raven,

It's great to hear the encouraging news!

We will continue to pray as long as necessary.



Elmo

[dmulk]

Hang in there Raven. You're in our thoughts...:/


<D>

[John Anthony]

Raven - thanks for the update and good news. Glad to hear that he's turning the corner. Keeping you all in our prayers.

John

[Raven]

Unfortunately, a turn for the worse today. 105° temp and blood pressure dropping. Apparently a secondary infection has set in and things are touch and go.

[motomac]

Sorry to hear this Raven, more prayers sent and will continue.

[Tom B.]

Sorry to hear this Raven, more prayers sent and will continue.

+1 w/Mac!

With the Lord's help, hopefully this will be a short term issue and all will turn around soon.:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[Raven]

not the answer we'd hoped for.......

Today the doctors recommend removing life support. While it will certainly relieve the suffering, it's not really in the way we'd hoped. I don't yet know what my Aunt and my cousins have decided but I suspect, knowing my Uncle, they'll let him go.

Thanks so much for raising them up.

[motomac]

One never knows until its over Raven. He may have a miraculous turn around. However my kids know not to even think about putting me on life support.

[Mellow]

Sorry to hear that Dace, I'm passing some prayers and good wishes on to you and your family during this tough time.

[STill Fiddlin]

Sorry for the news Raven. There's not many things harder than having to be in the room deciding to remove life support.

(Mac, I hear what you're saying, but it's not always that cut and dried for the kids.)

[Raven]

Yep, life support is a weird thing. Usually you get put on a respirator because you're NOT dying but your body needs a chance to regain strength. By the time you ARE dying (or potentially dying), you're already on the respirator and then comes the big decision of to stop or not. Unfortunately, medicine, while a science, is not an exact science. When my Uncle first went in with pneumonia, they decided the respirator was a good treatment option with a good prognosis for aiding recovery, especially with already having a heart condition.....

So far today, he seems to be holding stable. There will likely be no decision until tomorrow or the next. Folks haven't slept in weeks while he's been hospitalized so tonight is the "sleep on it" night, so to speak.

More updates as I know them. Meanwhile, I'm spending an extra day with my mom so I'm still in Las Cruces (even though I really wanted to make it home today - I'll head out tomorrow morning for the last 4 hours of riding and then maybe a little down time for family stuff).

Thanks again everyone.

[UNTMatt]

Dee and I will continue our prayers for your family. Ride safe!

[John Anthony]

Maggie and I will continue to keep you and your family in our prayers.

John

[uptoblackwood]

Sorry Raven...I hope things improve.

Forest

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable!:(

Well, I guess now is the time to see where the Lord is going with all this praying! I'll be adding more as aften as I can remember to send them. Keep up your spirits!!

Silent :pray1: in progress!!!

[ToroGuy]

Prayers ongoing. This part of life is certainly no fun.

[MGDaversa]

My dad, sisters and I went through the life support thing when my mom had her stroke almost two years ago. She had made her intentions clear while she was healthy (didn't want to be put on machines), but it was still a hard directive to give. Less than 24 hours later, her vitals were clearly in decline, so we upheld her wishes and gave the order. Sometimes when bad things happen, it brings a family closer. That's what happened in my case. More thoughts and prayers going your way.
--MGD

[FLSTRDR]

Still in prayer for you all.
Sonny

[Elmo]

You and your family continue to be in my prayers.



Elmo

[Sink]

Prayers still headed your way.

[Raven]

Keep the prayers coming.

My Aunt and cousins were all prepared to remove life support but the past two days have been good ones (I'm almost afraid to type it so's not to jinx it). My Uncle's vitals have stabilized and he's been responsive. The doctors have been able to lower the oxygen saturation and are amazed at the turn around. Let's hope it keeps going up.

Thanks again.

[John Anthony]

Raven,

Thanks for the update. Always great to have some good news.

John

[Tom B.]

unbelievable!:hat1:

Thanks for the good read! Ahh the power of the Lord thru prayer!

More comin at you!!:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[Raven]

So far my uncle's holding on and seems to be coming around (coming up on a week now since the doctors where recommending removing life support). He's responsive and his vitals continue to improve. The doctors are starting the process of weaning him off the ventilator and my Aunt and cousins are looking into rehabilitation places for him to transfer to once he's out of ICU.

Thanks again everyone. I'll continue to keep you posted as I hear more.

[motomac]

Thanks for the update Raven. He will remain on my prayer list.

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable!:hat1:

Sounds like all the prayers are doing their stuff! God is certainly smiling upon him! I'll keep praying too!!

:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[uptoblackwood]

Good news! Hope he continues to do well.

Forest

[Raven]

My Uncle's been moved out of ICU and into the rehabilitative center of the hospital where he's being weaned off the vent and receiving physical therapy to regain the use of his muscles. He's mentally responsive and, despite the circumstances, is reported to be in good spirits. So far no prognosis on how long before he'll be able to regain mobility but definitely headed in the right direction.

thanks everyone.

[Gonzo]

We wish only the best for your uncle and you. Strength for all of you.
gonzo

[motomac]

Great news Raven. He will remain on my prayer list.

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable!:hat1:

Grreat read to end the work day with! Thanks and more prayers on the way!!!:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[MGDaversa]

That's great news! Thank you for keeping us updated.

[Raven]

Thanks to everyone for keeping my family and uncle in your thoughts and prayers. He's much improved. He's been weaned of the respirator and is beginning to be able to eat a little on his own. He's actually been able to not only sit up but able to hobble across the room, with help, to sit in the chair.

Still a long road back to full health but so much better than it was!

[BigTom]

Hooray! That is truly good news.

[Brighteyesue]

:woo:clap2:

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable:hat1:

Great news! Sounds like he's out of the woods!! I'll keep praying though!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[motomac]

Thanks for the update Raven. Hope he continues to improve. My prayers will continue, I have had a good feeling about this one.

[MGDaversa]

That's excellent! Thanks for the update.
--MGD

[Elmo]

Raven,

I've been away for a couple of weeks and am just now getting caught up on all posts. It's always good to hear encouraging news!

Continued prayers to your uncle and the rest of the family.



Elmo

[STBNE]

I have been busy and not too active here the past few wks but i am still offering my continued prayers for your Uncle and your family.Take care;)

[FLSTRDR]

Still praying. We have a Awsome God!
Sonny

[Raven]

My uncle has been working really hard in rehab and can now eat and walk with a walker (this is huge considering he was at death's door 2 months ago). He called my mom today (this is also huge since he spent most of the past four months on a respirator in a semi-coma state) to tell her the doctors are thinking about letting him go home on Thursday! He's still got a ways to go to get back to fully healthy but his recovery so far has been nothing short of miraculous.

Thanks again for everyone who's sent good wishes to me and lifted my family up in your thoughts.

[motomac]

As I said my prayers last night, I wondered how he was doing. Thanks for the update. I jsut had a feeling about this when you first posted. Glad things are going well and continue prayers for him.

[John Anthony]

Woo hooooooo!!! That's great news. Just to hear the docs talking about discharge has to be a huge boost to everyone's morale. Kick butt and take numbers!!

John

[STBNE]

Great News...Its good to win won for a change...Thank God:bow1:

[Tom B.]

UNBELIEVABLE!~:hat1: :woo :wave1: :toot1:

Thanks for the update! Great news! I'll keep praying though as you can never get enough of em!!:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[Elmo]

AWESOME NEWS!!!

GOD IS GOOD!!!

:bow1:



Elmo

[Raven]

SHAZAMMMMM!!!!!!

(as ACL would say)

Just got off the phone with my mom who was in tears of joy. My uncle (whilst sitting on his back porch eating a sandwich) had just called her to say he was home! The doctors let him out this morning.

Thanks to everyone here. Follow-up thoughts and prayers are still in order but we're definitely at the edge of the woods if not completely out of them!

You guys are the beST!!!!

[motomac]

Woooo Hoooo!!!!!!!

[ST1300 Alicia]

Sounds like he had a Good Respiratory Therapist! Kay and I are so happy for you and yours. We will continue to Pray or All Concerned!

[SupraSabre]

That is great news, sounds like it's time to Party! :wine2:
:wine2::toot1: :toot1: :woo
:wave1: :wave1:

[MGDaversa]

Hey, miracles really do happen all the time, if one will only see them. Fantastic news, indeed!
--MGD

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable!:hat1:

Great news! The Lord is good....

More prayers just ib case. :pray1: :pray1: :pray1:

[Elmo]

That is absolutely great news!



Elmo