I'm back from VA Beach

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2005
I'm back from VA Beach
6
Sun, 07-24-2005 - 5:38pm

Hi Everyone,


I just wanted to let you guys know that I am back from Virginia Beach. I got home late last night.


My step mom is doing ok for the time being.


She did have a burst aneurism the other night. Along with that came a massive heart attack. When she arrived to the ER the prognosis was that she would not live or the brain damage from the bleed would leave her with no brain activity.


I am happy to report that each day she beats the odds. She is still very very sick, but she is doing well in a lot of areas.


She does open her eyes and when I was there my dad said to her that I was there and she looked right at me at the end of the bed. She was moving her feet, but isn't any longer. She is still on life support machines but can breathe a little on her own. They have the machines set at 10 breaths per minute and she is taking 20 breaths per minute. She did spike a fever which I understand is part of the bleed, her bleed was at a category 5 which is the worst kind and she is still draining blood from her head. Yesterday, the nurses told her to wiggle her fingers and they showed my step mom what to do, my step mom responded doing the same thing. That was HUGE considering we were afraid that there wasn't any rhyme or reason to her movement. That proves that her movement is not just reflex, but actual controlled movement.


The doctors say that in 2-3 weeks they will see if she can breathe on her own, if she cannot, then they will have to make a difficult decision. Please pray for her recovery. I am learning that the difference between everyday can be good or bad. Good days and bad. Yesterday was a good day.


My father is still a mess. He isn't an emotional person but the other night after the hospital we went home and he was playing music for us. He was playing songs for her and songs that she loved. I could tell he was very sad. I think he misses her so much and the thought of what the future might bring is just unbearable. I am VERY worried about him. His financial situation is not good along with my step mom's health. It's just too much for one person to handle.


My step sister is staying down there a few weeks. I may go down again, but I will fly this time. It won't be for a couple of weeks though.......... I didn't want to leave him and he looked so sad that we were leaving.


Anyway, I just wanted to update you guys.


Hugs to all and I will be back posting tomorrow.


Angelena

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Sun, 07-24-2005 - 5:41pm
I'm glad you were able to go be with them. I hope she continues to improve, it really is a much better report than I was expecting to hear from you, and it all seems to be cautiously positive. I send prayers for her and your dad.

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Avatar for susieyippin
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Sun, 07-24-2005 - 6:13pm

Very large hugs to you Angelena! Hope your stepmom continues to beat the odds!

Susie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 07-24-2005 - 8:17pm
Welcome back. I will continue to pray for you step mother. Hugs, Brenda

Hugs, Brenda 

Avatar for momtojoeybear
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 07-24-2005 - 8:59pm

Angelena...

Thank you for the update... you and yours have been in my thoughts since you first posted and you will all continue to be in my prayers!

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 07-24-2005 - 10:55pm
You and your family are still in my prayers.

Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2005
Mon, 07-25-2005 - 8:17am

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and positive thoughts.


Dad emailed me this morning and said that she is now developing blood clots and they discovered a few in her legs. They cannot give her blood thinners because of the bleed in her brain. Dad said that they installed a "screen" to help filter the ones in her legs, those are traveling and will eventually end up in her lungs. They said if they didn't install that screen last night, she would not make it.


See what I mean, by good and bad days? I knew something was wrong when I did't hear from dad yesterday about her condition.


Lots and lots of prayers. Thank you guys.


Angelena