[elisa]

How would you help someone going through a difficult ICU stay (prolonged, cervical injury, still has a while yet to go...)? What helped you to cope (if you experienced ICU)? Answers from those injured in adolescence or young adulthood may be especially helpful.

Thanks so much to everyone who responds!

This post has been edited by elisa: 11 April 2009 - 11:11 PM

[Hikkakaru]

Lots of Versed and amnesiacs.

Seriously.

ICU wasn't difficult for me to conquer, because 1: I was so atrophied I could barely move to show resistance. 2: I was too drugged to care.

[LeeinNCUSA]

Hi Elise - I was 15 when I was in ICU with my SCI following a diving injury, C5-6, I was in a halo & respirator dependent for 1.5 months, I am 35 now & living a good life, graduate degree from UNC & a licensed therapist

The main things I remember as vital to getting me through were:

1. My family (Mom especially) filtering those who could see me, i.e. they only let in people who would help/really support me, not drain me or say insensitive things, people who were strong enough to give & not take

2. My inherent stength & patience, my Mom daily praised me for these talents, & said that watching me handle the situation with grace & patience made it easy for her

3. Advocacy with the docs - Mom made sure the docs knew me well & that I wasnt just another patient, she did a lot to humanize me to them. DONT BE AFRAID TO BE A PAIN IN THE BUTT & MAKE NOISE if you know something isnt being done that should, its my belief passive patients/families get the least care, but make sure you pick your battles carefully & that the medical staff sees your actions come from love (usually this will be self-evident)

4. Medical - food was withheld from me for TOO long for fear I would aspirate, & my body wated to nothing & had to be rebuilt, probably extended ICU by a week, thats just me, been 20 years & I still believe this was a mistake

5. DISTRACTIONS - surround them with movies, books, whatever it takes to transport their minds out of the room, soothing music was also very important for me

6. Praise - my Mom praised the hell out of me, very genuinely

7. Avoid toxic staffing/nursing - I had a few of these, do NOT be afraid to be vocal/complain, I can remember 2 nurses that were just plain passive, uncaring, & at times mean, acute recovery is no time to be surrounded with negative energy. They mean well, but burnout & overwork HAPPEN, try not to be a victim of it.

8. You as the CARETAKER - surround yourself with the best supports you have, find people you trust to stand guard with your loved one in SHIFTS when you are fatigued, rmember you cant help them unless you are rested & have reserves

Thats what comes to me off the top of my head, will type more if i think of it!

All the best to you in recovery

Lee

This post has been edited by LeeinNCUSA: 12 April 2009 - 03:05 AM

[ziggy]

I spent about two months in ICU, partly because i also had a collapsed lung and was on a respirator. I was drugged up a lot of the time on morphine, but the best thing for me was simply wanting to get out of ICU and into rehab. The scary part though was when they first took me off the respirator. I wish i had more advice to give beyond desire to get better.

[Denny]

elisa, on Apr 11 2009, 06:21 PM, said:

How would you help someone going through a difficult ICU stay (prolonged, cervical injury, still has a while yet to go...)? What helped you to cope (if you experienced ICU)? Answers from those injured in adolescence or young adulthood may be especially helpful.

Thanks so much to everyone who responds!

Hi,
I completely agree with the points Lee has put. One thing I would like to add is, try to not to sympathize about the situation, treat the person as he/she is rather than a person in ICU.

[BenjaminLucas]

I was only in the ICU for about four days. I had a JP drain next to my head and could smell my spinal fluid. It was the most disgusting smell I've ever come across.

I also had the internet to keep me company. And of course, the extensive IV pain meds.