I can’t believe this is happening

MaNaAk

Registered User
Jun 19, 2016
11,748
0
Essex
Following my previous post about mum being admitted for assessment then contracting coronavirus on the ward, well this afternoon she became quite poorly and was transferred A&E .
Half an hour ago I got a call from an A&E doctor to say she has a high temperature and very low oxygen levels and she wanted to discuss resuscitation.
I really can’t believe this is happening.
My poor mum.

Dear @justme,

Thinking of both of you.

Hugs

MaNaAk
 

Duggies-girl

Registered User
Sep 6, 2017
3,620
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The ups and downs of this illness are awful and it must be so much worse if you can't be with your loved one or you don't get the information that you need.

I hope that you get some answers very soon.

Thinking of you.
 

Just me

Registered User
Nov 17, 2013
502
0
Thank you @Duggies-girl, @Bunpoots and @canary.

I had some positive news late on Tuesday, they’d reduced the amount of oxygen they were giving mum from 60% on admittance to 40% and even when she was taking her mask off she was stable and she was sitting up when I called.
The SALT Team had advised no food and would visit next day to review.

I haven’t had a proper update since then and it’s a nightmare getting through. I got PALS involved on Tuesday and even then didn’t receive a call, my finger was constantly on redial for 3 hours until I got through.

I got through this morning and was told there’s no change and she’s comfortable. When I stated asking for more detailed information I was told to ring later as the nurse was doing a drugs round.

I hope I don’t have the same problems getting through again.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes xx
 

Duggies-girl

Registered User
Sep 6, 2017
3,620
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@Just me What a relief for you. When these things happen it is traumatising for the carer. When dad was in hospital with pneumonia they called us in one night to say goodbye because he was unable to breath sufficiently. He was on oxygen too. He was okay by morning and I went home felling like I don't know what after a night of hell. I don't know where they get there strength from but they do.

Dad lasted another year even after he had been pulled down so much by the pneumonia and he was happy but the emotional toll for me was awful. Up and down and over again.

I hope things settle for both of your sakes and you are able to relax a bit.
 

Just me

Registered User
Nov 17, 2013
502
0
Thank you so much @Duggies-girl the stress is unbelievable. I’ve had pneumonia so I know what it’s like and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

I’m all up and down, functioning on adrenaline I think and the fact I can’t see mum and imagining how scared she must be is horrible.

Update on earlier message - I rang the ward back and asked to speak to a nurse for an update. I was put on hold then a doctor got on the line and asked what I wanted, so I told him.
He said he was in the middle of a ward round and could he ring me back when he finished and had read mums notes. He’s ringing back in about an hour.

I’m not comfortable with being pushy and try not to ring too much but someone’s got to be mums voice.
 

Palerider

Registered User
Aug 9, 2015
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56
North West
Thank you so much @Duggies-girl the stress is unbelievable. I’ve had pneumonia so I know what it’s like and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

I’m all up and down, functioning on adrenaline I think and the fact I can’t see mum and imagining how scared she must be is horrible.

Update on earlier message - I rang the ward back and asked to speak to a nurse for an update. I was put on hold then a doctor got on the line and asked what I wanted, so I told him.
He said he was in the middle of a ward round and could he ring me back when he finished and had read mums notes. He’s ringing back in about an hour.

I’m not comfortable with being pushy and try not to ring too much but someone’s got to be mums voice.

I don't think your being pushy @Just me -Many of us would be the same and being an advocate means you do have assert yourself sometimes.

I have been following and I can't imagine how difficult this is for you. Stay strong
 

Woo2

Registered User
Apr 30, 2019
3,652
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South East
I was wondering how things were going for you both and have been thinking of you. So pleased you have some positive news , hope the Dr is good to his word and calls you back and you get a more detailed report ? Can only imagine how you feel, you must be going through the motions on adrenaline ,take care .??
 

Just me

Registered User
Nov 17, 2013
502
0
Thank you @Palerider and @Woo2.

The doctor has just rang and mums saturation levels are 90% without the mask and 90% with it. The 7 day course of antibiotics ends tomorrow and they will be taking more bloods tomorrow to see if the parameters are normal or not.
They will then try and wean her off the oxygen and see if she can maintain normal levels on her own.
He said she’s sleepy, kind of stable but covid is unpredictable.
I said I’d ring on Sunday to find out the results etc and he said he’d make a note for someone to ring me when the blood results came back.


Another positive phone call though I forgot to ask about the SALT assessment.

I’ve been catching up on posts while waiting for the call and I’m sorry your heart problems have re surfaced again @Palerider.
Reading the attachment, it seems a strong indication of all the stress you have been under and I know what you mean about strings and heart.
It’s a lovely photo of your mum and here’s hoping that the unbelievable decision about Christmas tree turns into a damp squid.

Sorry to hear about your mum @Woo2 and surprised that Mary seems to be actively looking for other jobs.
I noticed that mum was getting really tired after DC or if we went out say for lunch, she’s 87 so I don’t know if it was an age thing.
I think you’re sensible to keep the DC going, not only if Mary does leave but the activity and socialising will stimulate your mum rather than dozing during the day and you need to keep that time for you.p ??
 
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Woo2

Registered User
Apr 30, 2019
3,652
0
South East
So glad Dr called , great if they do call you Sunday too . Will keep fingers crossed for blood tests and weaning off ? Sleeping i see as good as she can conserve energy for fighting it off ,please try and rest yourself .

Thank you , I am surprised too by Mary but thankful she is honest with me .
 

Duggies-girl

Registered User
Sep 6, 2017
3,620
0
@Just me I never saw a Dr in all of the 3 weeks dad was in there and I went twice a day. My brother and SIL on the other hand who only visited a few times (on holiday for most of it) managed to speak to a Dr I can't imagine not being able to visit, I don't think I would have been able to cope so you are doing amazingly well but take care with the stress because it is not good for you at all.

Hoping for good news Sunday for you.
 

Just me

Registered User
Nov 17, 2013
502
0
So glad Dr called , great if they do call you Sunday too . Will keep fingers crossed for blood tests and weaning off ? Sleeping i see as good as she can conserve energy for fighting it off ,please try and rest yourself .

Thank you , I am surprised too by Mary but thankful she is honest with me .
Agree on both counts, sleeping helps you regenerate and I prefer folks who are straight with me xx
 

Just me

Registered User
Nov 17, 2013
502
0
@Just me I never saw a Dr in all of the 3 weeks dad was in there and I went twice a day. My brother and SIL on the other hand who only visited a few times (on holiday for most of it) managed to speak to a Dr I can't imagine not being able to visit, I don't think I would have been able to cope so you are doing amazingly well but take care with the stress because it is not good for you at all.

Hoping for good news Sunday for you.
Thank you. You’d would have been able to cope I know.
I’m not saying I’m not a little further round that bend.....
 

Just me

Registered User
Nov 17, 2013
502
0
Another rollercoaster few days.

I rang today for an update on the blood results but the doctor was reviewing them and I was asked to call back.

I asked the nurse how Mum was and she said she was alright, feisty. I said feisty how and she said Mum was grabbing out to hold hands. I’d been told she’d done this on the assessment ward and this was soon after being tested positive. I said she’d be confused and not know where she was, and the nurse said she knows her and that mum was a teddy bear.

Later I spoke to a doctor about the blood results. He said Mum was needing 25% oxygen yesterday but it’s increased to 35% today and the blood infection markers are going up which isn’t a good thing.

They are continuing antibiotics and doing another chest X-ray to see what’s going on. I said I was told Friday that the antibiotics has stopped but am now told she was on two, lots, one has stopped.

He also said her potassium levels are low but she looks well.

It’s nearly 5 weeks since I last saw her, shivering, upset and scared wearing a thin hospital nightie because her clothes were in the wash, 4weeks since she tested Covid-19 positive and14 days since she was taken to A&E then onto a covid ward.

I can’t imagine what state mum is in and how she’s feeling, nothing is familiar to her and she must think she’s been abandoned.

I keep trying to block thoughts of what it must be like for her but it’s getting harder.
 

Woo2

Registered User
Apr 30, 2019
3,652
0
South East
Different situation but my dad had pneumonia and he had to have 3 times the usual amount of iv antibiotics to get on top of infection , only then did his markers start to go down , it took a while but he got there . There are lots of ups and downs for you , it certainly is a rollercoaster . I’m glad you have managed to get a good update and hope they get on top of the infection soon . ? So hard for you , please take care and be kind and gentle with yourself . Thinking of you both . Sending hugs????
 
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