I'm sitting here in the CCU.

[leftofthedial]

My mother is on a ventilator, sedated into oblivion. She mostly sleeps, but about every ten minutes or so, she wakes up just enough to try to cough and gag the tube out. She's too weak to thrash much, but she tries. Scares the fuck out of me. The beepers all go off and her CVP spikes. My sister comes to sit with her in two and half hours, so I can go get some sleep. I need it.

The hospital has WIFI. When did they start doing that? And they let us use our cell phones. A couple of years ago, they told us using either would trash all their delicate equipment.

I'm a mess.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear leftofthedial...

Oh, sweetie...

Your words take me right back to my time working in CCU ...

I hope your mom gets better, and soonest...

I remember my patients coughing like that, and when you're not used to it, it is alarming...

Please take care of yourself, OK?

Mega vibes to you and your mom...

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[leftofthedial]

2. Thanks Peggy

:-)

[leftofthedial]

15. and Peggy,

you and all your present and former nurse family are wonderful. Thank you for that too.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. You're welcome!

I appreciate your very kind words...

[MANative]

3. Oh, dear, I really feel for you

My husband has been there twice, and thankfully came through OK, but there's nothing more horrible than watching someone you love in that situation. Sending all best wishes to your family and your mom. :hug:

[leftofthedial]

8. thank you.

she's much better now, with the ventilator in.

[hippywife]

4. Best wishes

for both of you and a good outcome for your mom. :hug:

[leftofthedial]

9. thanks, hippywife.

I'm just glad she can breathe again and is getting some rest.

[rockymountaindem]

5. I hope everything works out

Best wishes.

[leftofthedial]

10. thanks, rockymountaindem

I hope you and yours never need it, but if you ever do need emergency or critical care, go to Swedish. These people are terrific.

[rockymountaindem]

16. I'm sure they are, but alas they're rather far from the Springs n/t

[Connonym]

6. :hugs:

I've been there and I know what you're going through is ungodly hard. Do they have a pull out that you can try to doze on? They're generally not all that comfortable but it's better than nothing. It's a little easier if you're not too edgy from exhaustion. :hug: You know if we were all close by we'd be coming by to bring you food and distractions. We're there with you in spirit though.

[leftofthedial]

11. thank you, connonym

They have a weird little recliner chair thing, but I haven't tried it. I hope I can sleep when I get home.

[Ptah]

7. .

:hug:

[leftofthedial]

12. :-)

thanks

[FloridaJudy]

13. Here's hoping

You get some rest, and that things work out for your mother.

[leftofthedial]

14. thank you.

I feel like I'll sleep no problem, but you never know when you get exhausted.

My dog has been cooped up almost all day, so he'll want to play. Maybe I'll take him for a little walk/run and the oxygen will make me sleepy.

I think Mom will be fine. She just got too tired to keep breathing without help. A cold virus on top of COPD . . .