Last post Tue, Aug 12 2008 8:41 AM by kim. 31 replies.
My 25 year old daughter was rushed into hospital with a fractured skull on Thursday night
she was transferred to a neuroloigal ICU some hours later and the next morning had a craniology,
which we are told has saved her life in the short term
after another crisis with her lungs she is now classed as severe rather than critical and we are told the long term prognosis may be very bad
it is the right side of her head that is afftected and she is being kept in PTA till the brain swelling goes down
what I'd like to know - we are braced for the worst -
is if it is not the worst - if my daughter pulls through this - what we are to expect and what can we do to help her?
I have no information that would help with your situation, Sumbossdodger. I just wanted to let you know that my thoughts are with you and yours.
Ms. Jessie
Thanks for the replies and I'm applying to join the group
they tried to reduce the meds yesterday to see if she would 'wake'
she did but was very agitated - so they resedated her and have added another drug because she may have alcholohl / nicotine and other withdrawals kicking in
but before she went out I'm convinced and so was the ICU nurse that she knew my voice and her brothers
she also nipped me and it was deliberate lol
we have a little hope - it was awful to see her in the agitated state though
When I was in the hospital it was the psychiatrist who gave me the best medical advice..he said "Nobody can tell you anything because they don't know." The body is a wonderful and mysterious thing...it also has a self-healing mechanism. Doctors predict the worst so they can't be held to blame, and they hesitate to offer hope for the same reason. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go thru this most difficult time. I'm sure you will find much comfort and solace and fellowship here at Disaboom. I know I have. Shalom
Wishing you and yours well, Sumbossdodger! :)
Bless you,
I WILL KEEP YOU IN THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Your Daughter and her loved ones are in my prayers.
Bit of progress - well a lot really
she's off the breathing machine and on HDU ... she's opening one eye slightly
and I'm getting the impression that there's someone at home
I asked her to squeeze my hand this afternoon and she did
her lips are terribly chapped and her eye matted - and she keeps putting her head (injury side) on the bed rails
I keep wondering if there's anything practical I can do to help her be more comfy
gentle massage of her hands / feet maybe ?
SO GLAD to hear your daughter has made progress. A bit of honey on her lips would help with the chapping. Tell her gently where she is and what happened to her. Hand holding is always a comfort. Be thankful she is young and resilient! What is HDU?
It seems to be a comfort to her
HDU is High Dependency Unit
it's a step down from Intensive Care Unit
and the visiting is now restricted to 2 sets of 2 hours daily
I've been told to pace myself as it will be a long haul they say and so i'm here at work today
instead of the hospital, it feels weird and selfish but then I have to get the pennies in, I'm self-employed so if I dont work we're in trouble
My husband is disabled and waiting on more knee surgery and my son's getting married end of April - they need me too
My son had a very well paid job in the army but not so much wages now he's back in civilian life - he's a salesman
his fiancee is lovely and has been a total rock so far to me with transport and other little kindnesses
so am still on auto pilot _ I didnt sleep - laid awake thinking REALLY stupid things like will Jenn need a single bed or a double
and what colour curtains should I get her room and will we need a stannah stairlift
for crying out loud ...
Bless you for that
She's had pneumonia and has MRSA in the left knee and is coming round very agitated
but hey ho she's alive and on the mend ...
Sumbossdodger, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter, and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.I'm sorry I don't have any first hand experience with any of what your going through. Here you are seeking advice and help and it sucks for me, I wish I had some magic advice etc. You are doing what any great mother would though, your right by her side, she knows she isn't alone there. I wish you and your daughter the very best!
