Pocket McDeb - The Personal in PDA

Saturday, January 3, 2004 05:38 PM

Mom's Story

This post is for everyone who has been keeping up with my Mom's illness and her progress. I just wanted to take some time to thank all of you who continue to offer prayers and kind words of support. The emails continue to pour in everyday. I'm so grateful to all of you.

First, a brief re-cap and then I'll fill you in on where we are today. 45 days ago my 61 year old Mother (aka McMom) was admitted to her local hospital with some trouble breathing. Before we knew it, she was in the intensive care unit, on a ventilator and then lifeflighted to another hospital in critical condition. The doctors had a very difficult time figuring out what type of infection was causing the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). While battling this illness, Mom's kidneys failed and her blood pressure dropped dangerously low. She was placed in a chemically induced coma, paralysed and we were terrified. Things were looking very grim for a long time. Later, another serious infection settled in and things were just getting worse. We were told that she had little chance for survival.

Well, Mom is one determined strong woman. She has made it. She has been off the ventilator now for over 24 hours and is breathing on her own! She has a tracheostomy, so until now it had been impossible for her to talk. Yesterday she was given a speaking valve and we were able to hear her voice for the first time in 6 weeks. What a wonderful sound that is. Mom is now out of the ICU and is waiting transfer to a long-term physical rehabilitation facility. Her muscles have completely wasted so she has a long road ahead to get strong. She will need to learn to walk all over again. But, I know she can do it. It's still a little soon to tell if there has been any brain damage from this ordeal. She's very confused right now. We continue to pray that the confusion is temporary. Mom's state of mind seems a little better today than it was yesterday. I'm optimistic.

What a roller-coaster ride this has been. The past 6 weeks have changed mine and my family's lives in many ways. It's amazing how many of the little things we take for granted. An experience like this can certainly open your eyes. Mom is my hero. I am so proud of her strength, faith and determination. She is an incredible person.

Thanks again everyone. Hopefully my next Mom update will announce that we have brought her home!

Posted by at 5:38 PM

Comments

Hi Deb! Thank you for the update on McMom. You are so lucky to live near your mother. I don't know what I would do if my 84 year old mother became as ill as yours, since we live 1200 miles away.

With your mother's determination, I'm sure her rehab will be successful. Please continue to keep us posted.

Posted by: Elaine at January 3, 2004 6:23 PM

Thank you, Deb, for the update about McMom. Every single day I come to your site and check to see if anything has been posted, even tho I have e-mail notification!!! I know from first hand experience how this has and will affect you and your life. And I know that you all still need many, many thoughts and prayers and you still have mine. Don't forget to take care of yourself or let someone else take care of you every once in a while, also!! OK?

Posted by: Margarette at January 3, 2004 6:46 PM

Hi Deb... I am a "lurker".... so great to hear that your Mom pulled through... send her our best!

Posted by: Jen at January 3, 2004 10:14 PM

Oh, Deb, this is such good news. What a wonderful feeling to hear her voice again. This type of experience surely does rearrange priorities. You and your family have been in my prayers since this started. And all through it you've given us such wonderful skins for our PDA's. You are one great lady!!

Best wishes for the new year,
Anna

Posted by: Anna at January 3, 2004 10:15 PM

Debbie
I'm so glad that your mother is on the mend. She is young and I'm sure will have a wonderful recovery. She has the support of a terrific family and with that, God, and physical therapy she will be writing comments on your site in short time Remember to take care of yourself along with your mom. Happy New Year and God Bless.

Posted by: Cheryl at January 4, 2004 12:54 AM

Praise the Lord! So happy that your McMom is improving! Good for her, bless her heart...what a fighter! And bless yours, too....your love and devotion sure shows in your update note. Sounds to me like you are both fantastically wonderful people who deserve each other and all the best life has to offer!

I am first time visitor, but my roomie has told me about your wonderful site. She just bought a new PDA and gave me her "old" one, (Compaq 3955, a real beaut!) so I came here to poke around.

Be assured that I will be back daily to check on your dear mom, and have tucked her (and you and all her loved ones and family) into my heart, and will be praying for all of you daily. She is just one year older than me, so this really hits home with me, bless her dear heart.

Give her a big ol' kiss on the cheek for me and tell her there are many out here in cyberspace cheering her on and praying her through this ordeal!

See ya in my prayers,
Paula

Posted by: Paula at January 4, 2004 4:30 AM

Thanks everyone.

Posted by: McDeb at January 4, 2004 6:20 PM

Great news Deb - mom is obviously a real fighter

Take care of all of you

DavidM & PN

Posted by: DavidM & PN at January 8, 2004 4:00 AM

have you considered acupunture and such. It might help your mom further.

Posted by: Evolution at January 10, 2004 7:49 PM

Hello everyone its me, McMom! I could not help but place a comment after reading all your heartfelt and wonderful comments and prayers. No wonder I made it I had all of you praying for me.You are wonderful people thank you so much I love you all dearly and I thank God for you all.

Posted by: McMom at December 27, 2004 10:27 PM