I would like to sincerely thank everyone who sent their support, prayers, positive thoughts and kindness concerning my sister, Jade. In my previous post, I wrote how she very suddenly, within hours, went from being taken to hospital by ambulance, admitted to the ICU, to having sepsis and being put on a ventilator.
Progress is being made slowly. The doctors felt it was time to start to slowly take her off the ventilator and sedation but this is not without problems. She experienced and is still experiencing agitation, confusion, delirium and so she is re-sedated and provided with oxygen. She is not yet talking. I'm no expert, but the reading that I did tells me that this is not unheard of. I just hope that she eventually has no memory of this horrible time and that she fully recovers from this terrible ordeal. I don't know how long this will continue.
A definitive answer as to why she became so unwell in such a short period of time has still not been reached. It was found that she has pneumonia in one lung (but wasn't suffering from symptoms prior to this), but consensus hasn't been reached if that is what caused this or not.
As we come up to a major winter storm, I likely will not be seeing my sister in the next several days (she is in hospital a number of hours from me). Here, we have respect for words like "blizzard" and we frequently have road closures in situations like what is to come. But I am in daily contact with her two daughters and I have siblings who live in that same city, so she will not be alone (although she has a constant nurse with her).
I hope all of you have a contented, healthy Christmas, celebrating it in whatever way you choose. Thank you again for you good wishes.
As an aside, I will share our upcoming weather warnings with you, perhaps interesting for those of you who don’t experience winter the way we do:
Your sister may still be unwell, confused and delirious, but clearly she is a fighter. Sending healing wishes her way.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes she’s a fighter, very independent and doesn’t ask for help.
DeleteThank you so much for the update. I agree, ahe sounds like a fighter. Thank goodness she is getting good care. I know how hard it will be for you to not be with her. The weather will pass, ans you are wise to bow to it. Sending hugs my friend, and continued prayers for all of you.
ReplyDeleteShe is getting good care. Thank you!
DeleteICU staff are no strangers to confusion, agitation, and delirium in their patients. It's good that they're keeping her sedated to give her body time to heal without all the extra stress. Did I read this right, is she off the ventilator now? If so, that's excellent news.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're taking the weather seriously, and I hope the rest of the family and friends will do the same. Someone getting into an accident trying to go see her won't do her any good!
Sending her all my best wishes for a full recovery for her, and a happy holiday to you!
Yes, she is now off the ventilator ( it happened yesterday) but since then her agitation affects her oxygen uptake so they don’t want to risk having to put her back on the ventilator.
DeleteRe the weather, we are in lake effect, snow belt region and when the word blizzard is used, they mean it.
Thank you, Jennifer.
It seems your dear sister has the personality that will enable her to pull through this. Obviously, her agitation shows that on some level she's certainly not giving up! You are wise, Jenn, to stay in touch with all the loved ones that are supporting her in person just now, and stay safe at home during these nasty winter conditions. We're experiencing much of the same with the high winds until Saturday night but possibly not as much snow forecast as you. I'll keep sending positive vibes to you and your sister. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, I imagine this storm system will get you, too! Take care!
DeleteI am sending positive thoughts for Jade, Jenn. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel. It’s surreal. And so out of the blue.
DeleteMy thoughts are wih you at this time too,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. My thoughts have often been about you, lately! I’m glad you’re back in your home and doing better and writing blog posts!
DeleteI'm happy to hear Jade is making some progress, and wish her continued progress on her road to recovery.
ReplyDeleteDo stay safe and warm at home!
Thank you!
DeleteWishing Jade progress and definitely wise not to try to travel in bad conditions. You are best able to help Jade by staying strong and looking after yourself. Sending positive thoughts for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWonderful your sister is off the ventilator. Sounds like she is being carefully managed, slow and steady is always a good plan. Blizzard for us tomorrow. Possibly a pyjama day.
ReplyDeleteEvery little thing is being monitored and managed. I’m so grateful to the ICU people!
DeleteSending healing thoughts to Jade. Hope she recovers soon.
ReplyDeleteWe have bad weather coming also but hopefully all will be clear by Christmas Eve. Wishing safe travels to all.
Thank you for those healing thoughts.
DeleteThanks for the update. I'm not one to comment often but I did wonder this morning how your sister was doing. I'm glad you gave us an update.
ReplyDeleteThis blogging community is here for you.
Thank you. Everyone is incredibly kind.
DeleteGood to hear that your sister is making progress, albeit slowly. Your weather conditions sound awesome; in England we call a light flurry of snow a blizzard!
ReplyDeleteIn all fairness, we don’t often get these kinds of “Armageddon “ types of warnings but when we do… buckle up!
DeleteYour sister is making small forward strides with excellent care. I'm glad to hear the ICU is closely watching over her. The storm is going to be epic in your area. Hopefully the storm warnings will keep everyone home until the storm passes. You and Jade will continue to be in my thoughts. The storm is bringing high winds and rain with high tides and flooding on the Massachusetts coastline. Many of us are in for a weather event!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan. Thankfully my two brothers live in the same city where my sister in the hospital so she will have people with her when she is finally fully awake ( as well as her daughters) even if it is storming heavily.
DeleteThat's such good news that your sister is turning a corner, and I hope, too, she will have no recollection of this horrible time. Thank you for the weather warning - I shall never moan again about our dreary warm temperate "winter"! Wishing you and your lovely family a safe and peaceful Christmas, with good health on the way.
ReplyDeleteMy husband would love to be able to say we have a warm winter!
DeleteContinuing to send healing wishes your sister's way and strength to all of you. Every bit of progress is good news. Wishing you and yours a peaceful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha. I hope you also have a nice Christmas!
DeleteAll the best to your and Jades' families. Jade is a riser; I only feel her going up.
ReplyDeleteI forget how much deeper into these isobars you are than we, This storm will affect all of us deeply.
Thanks Joanne. I always think of you as a fighter and an independent woman. You must recognize that in others.
DeleteSending positive energy. I do hope she recovers quickly. Love
ReplyDeleteThank you. More positive info this morning ( Friday 23rd) regarding how her organs are functioning. Hope you’re having a merry time in Greece today!
DeleteI just finished making your Sweet Marie bars! They look and smell delicious! Hope they taste that way too! I will serve them tomorrow at our Christmas Eve gathering. I have them cut up and stored in the fridge right now and will take them out tomorrow before it is time to serve them. Is that what you do?
ReplyDeleteHi Ellen. Yes, I like them to be closer to room temperature to eat. I’m glad you gave them a try. My mom used to make them when we were kids, but I don’t think hers ever had the chocolate on top.
DeleteWell, your sister is lucky to have such good medical care. Sepsis is terrifyingly fast. As we age, not that your sister is old, but she's not twenty, everything is harder on our brains, including illness and medications. At least she has been extubated and she's in good hands. It will take time for her to recover but it sounds like the worst has passed, except for the recovery. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThis is true that sepsis is so fast! I knew nothing about it prior to all of this. Remarkably, she has said a few things today ( Friday) and a change in meds has reduced her delirium! Things are coming along well now!
DeleteI hope your sister is continuing to improve and I would like to wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and a better New Year xx
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on line to read blogs in a while, and was saddened to drop by to read your sad news. I am glad you are surround by Love and support here. Sepsis most of the time can't be located as to 'why' so best to treat it and do what needs doing. May sister and yours have a better 2023. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I read your sister was home before I read this one. So, that's good. And thanks for showing your blizzard warnings. What grim weather North America has had this Christmas. I hope you were all all right for the holiday. I've hardly touched the computer in over a week so Merry Winter Holidays and In-Between Week to you!
ReplyDelete