Day 11 in the ICU

Hoping to get a few things done here on the computer before we head back to the hospital for day 11 or 12 (think I might have lost track of which day it is). Yesterday was a more peaceful day. They elected not to drain the other side of the lung due to the possible complications of it. They may still; but are holding off. Likewise they did not yet do the eletrocard, they did do another chest x-ray. We know she has fluid still around the lungs and some around the heart. She appeared to be a little better yesterday with regard to vital signs; but no real results yet of all the cultures done on the fluid removed from the lung the previous day.

The ICU is such a sad place, so many critical patients and sad families. We've gotten to be an odd group there. We don't really know each others names, but we all ask each other each day how the loved ones are doing. Some are doing better, some not, it seems such an up and down yoyo for so many of us. Many of us stood a good part of the day, as the waiting room was so very crowded with families comforting each other. Some folks chat, some play cards, some read, some watch TV, I knit and or crochet as we share the day. We take turns visiting when it's permitted.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. I do hope to come visiting.

Sandy

I would love the diversion of you all visiting and commenting on my travel blog, it helps to take my mind to other place.

Respirator

Two days ago, they put the respirator make in Mom. She couldn't breath and was wearing herself out trying. She's had more blood work, x-rays and several other procedures. The last couple of days have gone backward, considerably so, rather than forward. Yesterday they put in another Arterial Line, removed 700 cc of fluid from one side of her lung. We were there about 14 hours yesterday and left last night feeling very low. The plan for today is to remove more fluid from the opposite side of her lung. They now question if she has fluid around her heart as well. It's almost visiting hours, and so I need to get ready. A brief call tells us she has improved; specifics though are not known.

Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. My apologies for not being able to visit, or keep very current here. I'm behind on The Bridge (perhaps I'll get to do that later). I did manage to update Traveling Suitcase, I needed a diversion. Please visit, comment, rate. I look forward to your visits.

Tough Day, & Followers??? The changes?

A tough day at the hospital. Mom is not feeling better; in fact she feels worse. She had less activity today; but had more pain and needed more medication. She's very frustrated and isn't shy about letting her frustrations out...on whomever is around be they family or hospital staff. Her breathing continues to be very labored. She is still in ICU, she is still holding too much fluid in lungs and elsewhere. Vitals are not what we'd like them to be. In a handfull of hours, she'll hit the 1 full week in ICU. I don't know what to expect of tomorrow, but am hopeful she'll be rested and doing better tomorrow.

I'm lost here on blogger...what happened to our followers section? Why did they change it? Do we have an option to change it back to the way it was? I see no reason to go through the motions of inviting everyone as a friend when we're already connected? It's time consuming for one and then I assume we'll have yet another list on our blogs? I already have my list of links that I visit, as do most of you. The other time consuming thing is when you click on the head/avatar you used to go to the person page which was great...now you don't. Now you have to sign in a 2nd time? What a pain, and then if you scroll down without signing in you get this whole long paragraph about the person, part of their bio which takes up space...all the stuff one would see if you went to their profile page. Then you have to pick a link before you finally go to their page. All of these steps slow down the works, plus it would seem use up bandwith? Doesn't that slow the whole net down? Then once you do that, you can't see anyone else on your followers list without yet another step...refreshing. I really dislike this, can someone tell me what I'm missing here? Why, when it began, and can we get rid of it?

Thanks

Another cold day here in Central Ohio, I've updated my travel blog to help us all get through the winter...pop over no packing necessary.

A light at the end of the tunnel!

Mom is still in ICU, though several tubes have been removed. Breathing is still quite labored with the aid of oxygen; but the ventilator has been removed. We've been very pleased with the nursing care she's received and are very grateful for all the prayers and good wishes from you all. It's possible she may be moved from ICU tomorrow to a less critical care unit. We're taking one day at a time. The highlight of her day today was getting a pop sicle! She is still being feed through a feeding tube and I've not heard anything about it coming out anytime soon, so the pop sicle is more of a treat and pick me up then food at this point.

She's more comfortable today than she was yesterday and so we're hoping tomorrow brings more good news.

My best to you all, and again many thanks for your support.
Sandy
(I did another mini update over on The Bridge, please pop over)

Projects in the works:
Baby Booties
2 preemie blankets
Opal ghan (I've not been able to work on this in 2 wks)
Completed 2 scarfs which will go to the Bridge (maybe I'll get pics up tomorrow)
Candy Corn Ghan (I've not been able to work on this in several wks)

Emergency Surgery

I've neglected all my wonderful blogging friends here of late. Initially I was out of town on vacation, and then once I returned have been spending most of my time at the hospital. My Mom has had a hernia for some time; that has now escalated. She was sick, over 24 hours at home and things were not subsiding. When you vomit that long and hard you get dehydrated and ultimately she ended up in the ER. Through x-rays and cat scans it was determined she needed emergency surgery. Her stomach and colon were twisted and up inside her diaphram. This is a very major surgery. Part of her stomach and colon have been removed. She has IV's, and drains-tubes everywhere you look. She's on a ventilator, has a G-tube, a colostomy, foley, central line, arterial line, and I think one other that I can think what it's called. She's in Intensive Care. She is alert, and knows we're there; though with the ventilator is unable to speak. She's got a very long hard road ahead and is listed as critical but stable.

They've turned of the ventilator a couple of times to see how she does breathing on her own; and that's quite a labor for her. As I understand it, she'll remain in ICU until they're able to remove the ventilator. The surgeon initially told us she could be in ICU a day or a month, he wasn't able to give us a time table; it all just depended on how she did. He said this is a major surgery for someone half her age. We feel like each day she's a tiny bit better, but they keep telling us she's not out of the woods; still much can happen so it's an hour by hour, day by day thing.

Since only 2 can visit at one time, and hours are restricted in ICU, we have lots of time sitting in the waiting room and I have taken yarn with me. It's nice to have something to work on, also helps to occupy my mind a bit. I've managed to finish the scarf I was knitting and have a 2nd one going; switching off a bit to work on a preemie blanket. Gotta keep mind and fingers busy, helps not to worry as much.

I'm behind updating The Bridge, but am chipping away, so please do swing over and check things out.

When things calm down, I'll come visiting.

My head hurts!

Can any of you, I know you're out there...more tech savy people than me. Can anyone out there explain to me the difference, importance of google ranking vs Alexa? I've posted the widgets...look on the right in the sidebar.......and now that I've done so, what do they mean? Clueless back in cold Columbus.

I managed to knit 3 pair of booties and a hat (pictures posted in here), while we were out of town. Got back last night and did an update over on The Bridge Blog today. PLEASE, check it out. Pass on your thanks, and or see if you can help.

I spent the bulk of the day unpacking, doing laundry, and putting stuff away. I did post a travel rant, not sure that can really be counted as a traveling suitcase update. Although........some good advice there.

**My 2 cents worth for today**
"Our time on earth is what we make it, so get ready and cook something up!"

WIP (for you non knitters and crocheters), works in progress:
Christmas Ghan (crocheted)
Opal Ghan (crocheted)
Candy Corn Ghan (crocheted)
Scarlet & Grey Scarf (knitted)
*****Packing box for womans shelter in Michigan, Caring House which includes, hats, booties, sweaters for wee ones, toiletries (shampoo), conditioner, lotion, soap for women in need. This box will go out tomorrow*******