[rayman002]

My husband got into a car accident back in May 2008. He suffered C5C6 spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He is now still in the ICU, vent dependent and having pneumonia. His doctor had told me that he will not be able to wean off the vent. Someone had told me that he should be able to breath on his own by now and be in the rehab center instead of the hospital. Does this mean he will not be able to make it? Are the doctors missing anything? I am trying to get him into Rancho Los Amigos in CA. Does anyone know anything about that hospital?

[evilmac64]

I was in hosp. for 4.5 months 2.5 of that was in icu. My injurey is t8 complete so its not as high but i had alot of other bad injuryes liver lungs legs ribs well you get the jest of it.I also had pneumomia and staff with bone infections the list goes on an on. What im trying to get acros is there is always hope he will make it.You just have to take it day by day and know that every day he makes it through makes him a little stronger. Know that you are in my prayers. Any way hope is all we need.

[rayman002]

Thank you so much for your response. A little encouragement goes a long way, especially from the one who's been there before. It's been an emotional rollercoaster for us the past 3 months. My heart jumps everytime the phone rings, thinking it's from the hospital calling me in to see him for the last time. It's not easy taking care of him and our 5 months old baby with a full time job.

[Dave Bishopstone]

Hi,

Obviously the priority with doctors at the moment I assume is to deal with the pneumonia and supporting his lung function is vital - rehab is not an immediate priority - Obviously a stressful and worrying time for you and my thoughts are with you and your husband - in the hope that he soon shows signs of recovery.

[rayman002]

His vent setting is at 80% oxygen and his SAT is only at 92. There's blood when the RT perform lung suction. His pressure ulcer just got upgraded to level 3. He's spiking a fever for the past week, his heart rate is 140, he's on 7 different kinds of antibiotic and his stomach is big and hard. Has anyone ever gotten to this condition and still make it?

[Dave Bishopstone]

rayman002, on Aug 27 2008, 09:47 PM, said:

His vent setting is at 80% oxygen and his SAT is only at 92. There's blood when the RT perform lung suction. His pressure ulcer just got upgraded to level 3. He's spiking a fever for the past week, his heart rate is 140, he's on 7 different kinds of antibiotic and his stomach is big and hard. Has anyone ever gotten to this condition and still make it?

Hi,

Obviously your husbands condition appears far from stable - my best suggestion is to have an open conversation with his treating doctors and pose the question to them that you pose on this website - they are really best placed to answer. You do need to make it clear however that you want an honest answer from them and not one they think you want to hear.

Whatever the outcome - may God be with you and those you love.

Dave

This post has been edited by Dave Bishopstone: 28 August 2008 - 08:16 AM

[rayman002]

His doctors just told me that they don't have "a good feeling" about his condition, but they still can't tell how much time he'll have left. I don't know how to break this to him or talk to him about it.

[Dave Bishopstone]

rayman002, on Aug 29 2008, 05:21 PM, said:

His doctors just told me that they don't have "a good feeling" about his condition, but they still can't tell how much time he'll have left. I don't know how to break this to him or talk to him about it.

I am so very sorry, news like that is never easy to hear and perhaps harder to accept. Make the most of whatever time together there may be left for you, don't concern yourself with telling him anything other than your feelings for him - that's the important thing - not his condition - he is an intelligent person and may already be aware within himself, let him raise the subject, if it need be raised at all.

God Bless

This post has been edited by Dave Bishopstone: 29 August 2008 - 07:26 PM

[elaine]

Hang in there we dont always know what the outcome will be my sis was in trama icu for 3 month.her accident was in 4/6/08 .She's home now.Doc didnt think she'd make it.she still uses the vent but not as often. she too had a bone and blood infection broken ribs&leg .I ask God to give you strength and endurance during this difficult time.peace elaine

[stephnz]

Hi there

My heart goes out to you and your family.

I don't know exactly what you are going thru, no one does, but I can relate as I went thru a similar situation earlier this year.

My husband also has a C5/C6 spinal cord injury, his accident happened on 11 Jan 2008, then a week later had fusion surgery which was fine, then a tracheostomy/ventillator, this is when things started to go drastically wrong, he then got a serious infection which combined with the tracheostomy eroded the innominate artery, severe internal bleeding and was rushed to emergency surgery (8 hours), lots of blood transfusions and dangerously low blood pressure, he was critically ill. He then also had many instances where his heart would beat very slow and then nothing, over the next few weeks and I was told by doctors "Expect the best, but prepare for the worst". They were not expecting him to survive. It is devastating to be told that, but I was determined that he was going to get well and hang on in there for me and our daughter (16 yrs) and son (13).

He was in ICU for 2 1/2 months then in a respiratory ward for a further 2 months and during this time there were lots of complications, infections, high temperatures, low oxygen sats, low heart rate. There were some doctors who were unsure whether he would be able to be weaned off the ventillator, but finally 2 weeks before being discharged he had his trachey removed. It was a huge milestone. After 4 1/2 months in hosp (end May 2008) was then discharged to the South Auckland Spinal Unit, New Zealand, where he is currently, undergoing physio etc and hopefully in another month will be home. By that time it will have been 9 months since he has been home.

I hope I haven't gone on too long but I just wanted to let you know that things are possible even when it seems the opposite and that there is hope. I used to talk to my husband in the ICU all of the time even when he wasn't conscious, talking about everyday things, my work, our children, it was helpful to me and I hoped it would be for him.

All my thoughts are with you, your husband and family. Stay strong.

Stephanie

[tessa]

rayman002, on Aug 20 2008, 10:36 PM, said:

My husband got into a car accident back in May 2008. He suffered C5C6 spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He is now still in the ICU, vent dependent and having pneumonia. His doctor had told me that he will not be able to wean off the vent. Someone had told me that he should be able to breath on his own by now and be in the rehab center instead of the hospital. Does this mean he will not be able to make it? Are the doctors missing anything? I am trying to get him into Rancho Los Amigos in CA. Does anyone know anything about that hospital?

Hi,
I'm very sorry to hear what happened to your husband. It's so hard to see loved ones going through so much pain.
Sorry I can't give you any opinion on his condition, I just wanted to wish you all the best for your husband, your baby and yourself!!! Try to be around him as often as you can. You can give a lot of strength by simply being right beside him.

God bless!

[rayman002]

Thank you so much for sharing your stories and encouragements. You have given me hope that he can still survive regardless of how the doctors and everyone else think. His parents were already talking to me about his funeral plan, pushing me to make decision and watch how I would react. They blamed me for his condition because I can't be there 24/7. It's hard enough to deal with his condition, with our 6 months old baby, with work and with the uncertainty of the future; I have to deal with them and their criticizing. They're pushing me to a major nervous breakdown, and I don't know what to do to get them off my back.

[topperf]

His parents is apparently in some kind of a shock, putting blame on you, on top of what you're already going through is... unbearable beyond unbearable.

my thoughts are with you.

t.

[Travelling Blackbird]

I'm very sorry to hear his parents are reacting like this, putting their shock and stress into such negative comments and adding to your stress. Is there someone you could get to go with you to talk to them, someone who'd be there as moral support? It's horrible that they are doing that to you. You have a baby to look after, you're going through as much stress and worry as them, and above all, this is not your fault. They have no right to blame you.

My thoughts go out to you and your family.

[rayman002]

I guess we're not one of the lucky people who survived SCI. His doctor just told me that his kidneys are failing. They'll need to do dialysis for him daily. I just signed the DNR paperwork. It breaks my heart to see him suffering so much now. Eventhough he is not responsive, I can still tell he's in pain from the look on his face. I don't have the gut to pull the plug; but if he decided to go, I won't be pulling him back anymore. It is the worst thing ever to watch your loved one die day by day and there is nothing you can do about it.

[disjointed]

rayman002, on Sep 11 2008, 06:52 PM, said:

I guess we're not one of the lucky people who survived SCI. His doctor just told me that his kidneys are failing. They'll need to do dialysis for him daily. I just signed the DNR paperwork. It breaks my heart to see him suffering so much now. Eventhough he is not responsive, I can still tell he's in pain from the look on his face. I don't have the gut to pull the plug; but if he decided to go, I won't be pulling him back anymore. It is the worst thing ever to watch your loved one die day by day and there is nothing you can do about it.

Your post just tore my guts out.
I don't know what to say. He is lucky to have your love, he is aware of it, and he will always be with you. I can't describe how I admire you and how my heart is breaking for you.

[evilmac64]

I wish things were going beter for him and you. Cant think of anything helpful to say wish i could. Your in my thoughts and prayers.

[REASON2BLIEVE]

I am so sorry to hear all that you are having to go through. We will keep you in our prayers.