It was a long and scary week

White Crane

Last Thursday, January 9th, MC called and said my DH was very ill and an x-ray showed he had bronchitis and pneumonia and needed immediate medical attention. They sent him by ambulance to the ER. We were digging out from a blizzard that had dumped over a foot of snow on our area and I was still not able to get out. A friend came and drove me to the hospital. I called another friend and she came to the ER. DH was terribly ill and shaking all over when I arrived. His color was pale and he had dark circles under his eyes and was not fully awake. He had also fallen that morning at the MC and hit his head and hip. After tests and x-rays and CT scans I was told he definitely had pneumonia and they thought the shaking might be seizure activity. The next thing I knew, they were bringing a lot of equiptment into the room and the ER doctor said they wanted to insert a breathing tube to help him breath. She also said that if something wasn't done soon his heart was going to stop due to the strain of the heavy coughing and seizure activity! I was blindsided! She said the breathing tube would lessen the strain on his lungs and they would sedate him to ease the seizures. My friend spoke up and told me that what they were talking about was putting him on a ventilator! No! They said he probably would not survive without it and the doctor was right there getting ready to do it! He told me that DH might never come off the ventilator once on it! I told them I had to talk to my family. I was shaking and felt like I might pass out when an aide led me to a private room to call my kids. This really blindsided me! He has had pneumonia before but never the seizure activity and no one ever mentioned a ventilator before. After talking to my youngest son who is a pastor, I knew I didn't want him on a ventilator. I went back to the ER room and told them no ventilator. We were going to let nature take its course and put him in God's hands. They didn't argue. I also called my second son and DH's sister. They agreed with my decision. Another doctor came in and said they were going to admit him and start antibiotics and antiseuzure medication. God is so good. DH was discharged yesterday back to MC. He has made an amazing recovery. He surprised the doctors and nurses. It was a day and a half before he opened his eyes. Yesterday, before discharge, we were playing rummy and he was breathing on his own and looked amazingly well for what he had been through. He is back at MC now and I will go check on him this afternoon. I am so grateful to God for sparing his life. At the same time, if it had been his time, I know that he would have wanted me to let him go.

Brenda

midge333

Brenda:

I am sorry you and your husband had to go through that. I think you made a good decision for your husband's care.

Russinator

((Hugs))

blacksparky

What an uplifting message. God is so good and has a plan for each and everyone of us.

fmb

You are right, God is not finished with him yet. You made the right decision. I'm so sorry you, he, and your family had to go through this. ((hugs))

SDianeL

so sorry Brenda. It’s so scary. You made the right decision. 💜

MobbyGirl

White Crane, God is good. Thank you for sharing your story.

Kat63

Surprising in the moment how it hits us (blindsided) even though we try to prepare ourselves for what may come with this disease. Good that you were able to talk with others and make the right decision for you and your DH. Agree God is good and happy you still have your DH to play rummy with.

Biggles

White Crane sending love and hugs, It is so very scary and so sad.

trottingalong

sending hugs your way. Quite the ordeal. You made the right choice.

psg712

So scary, and so courageous of you to make that decision under fearful pressure. Blessings to your family for supporting you.

Victoriaredux

It's really important that if you have your or your loved ones wishes known— that your AHCD or whatever is used in your area is available and will go to the ER with either of you.

In my area they suggest a refrig magnet and a folder with the directive inside.

I'm also going to try to have the document added to the medical record of the closest hospital where an ambulance would go . [Choice of hospital for voluntary stuff is 30 miles away - so our Doctor has on file there].

If a breathing tube or feeding tube goes in in the fast paced ER if wishes aren't known you may have to go to court to get it removed or even have to fight the hospital trying to take over.

Check every few months that your PWD's AL or MC has the document for them ready to be sent along to the hospital ER if something comes up.

mrsdee13

Thank goodness he's alright. I am so sorry to hear of this difficult situation. I'm glad your decision was right for you and your husband. Very Blessed. I hope he continues to recover

Joe C.

Brenda, Such difficult decisions to make under pressure and anguish. I’m glad your husband pulled through. Hang in there.

CampCarol

My thoughts and prayers are with you for his continued recovery. Very happy you took a beat to think this through; clearly you made the right decision 🙏