A family illness . . .

[DJGM]

In case any of you have been wondering where I've been over the last few days, well no, it's
nothing to do with certain comments relating to certain internet browsers in another
thread, but due to the fact that my mother has been seriously ill in hospital.

She had a fall at home on Friday afternoon, This was followed by a very frightnening and
nasty convulsion just over an hour or so later, requiring an ambulance to be called out.

My mother regained consciousness in the ambulance on the way up to A+E, and made
a gradual improvement as the evening progressed. The doctor in the A+E informed us
that she had broken her hip in the fall, and will need an op to fix it. Because of the
convulsion, it was considered too risky to adminster any anaestetics just yet.

My father and I left the hospital at about 22:30. We received a phonecall at about 06:00
from the hospital, and they said, unfortunately her condition had deteriorated during the
night. She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit yesterday morning, and was in a
coma throughout the day. Although my mother remains unconscious, she is making a
very slow progress. She did start to come around yesterday evening, and tried to
speak. But, the doctors wanted her to have a full nights sleep, and not to wake
up too quickly, so they administered some mild sedatives.

Thankfully, she is breathing by herself now, and is no longer reliant on the ventilator
to aid her breathing. But she is still partially unconscious due to the sedatives, which
they've started to reduce, and is still hooked up to various machines in the ICU.

Needless to say, I've been extremely worried by this turn of events, and I was very
upset, to see her in a near comatose state on Saturday morning. But, throughout
this ordeal, I've been constantly saying, that we should remain as optimistic and
as positive as we can. IMHO, if you fear the worst, then the worst may happen.

[Gavin Scott]

I know I won't be alone in sending my best wishes to your mum and you.

Not much more I can say, other than stay optimistic.

[DAS]

And I'm in a scarily similar situation to you at this very moment, so I know exactly how you're feeling. As Gavin said, keep positive.

[Katherine]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mother and the rest of your family. I know only too well how scary convulsions, hospitals and the like can be to others......

[Anonymous]

In case any of you have been wondering where I've been over the last few days, well no, it's
nothing to do with certain comments relating to certain internet browsers in another
thread, but due to the fact that my mother has been seriously ill in hospital.

She had a fall at home on Friday afternoon, This was followed by a very frightnening and
nasty convulsion just over an hour or so later, requiring an ambulance to be called out.

My mother regained consciousness in the ambulance on the way up to A+E, and made
a gradual improvement as the evening progressed. The doctor in the A+E informed us
that she had broken her hip in the fall, and will need an op to fix it. Because of the
convulsion, it was considered too risky to adminster any anaestetics just yet.

My father and I left the hospital at about 22:30. We received a phonecall at about 06:00
from the hospital, and they said, unfortunately her condition had deteriorated during the
night. She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit yesterday morning, and was in a
coma throughout the day. Although my mother remains unconscious, she is making a
very slow progress. She did start to come around yesterday evening, and tried to
speak. But, the doctors wanted her to have a full nights sleep, and not to wake
up too quickly, so they administered some mild sedatives.

Thankfully, she is breathing by herself now, and is no longer reliant on the ventilator
to aid her breathing. But she is still partially unconscious due to the sedatives, which
they've started to reduce, and is still hooked up to various machines in the ICU.

Needless to say, I've been extremely worried by this turn of events, and I was very
upset, to see her in a near comatose state on Saturday morning. But, throughout
this ordeal, I've been constantly saying, that we should remain as optimistic and
as positive as we can. IMHO, if you fear the worst, then the worst may happen.

Yikes, I hope your mum gets well soon

[Cheese Head]

I hope she gets well soon and the road to recovery isnt to rough. My mum is still recovering to a op she had at christmas.

[DJGM]

Progress Report:

My mother is still in ICU, and has had a trachyotomy (sp) to aid her breathing from the ventilator.
Her condition is stable, and she appears to taking all the medication well. One piece of relatively
good news is that the consultants have said that her broken hip may not need an op, and
could well be allowed to heal on it's own without any further medical intervention.

At this present time, she is still asleep and under mild sedation, but they've said that they will
try to take the sedation off later this morning (perhaps at around 08:00) and see if she starts
to wake up of her own accord. She has shown some signs of trying to wake up whilst under
sedation, so overall, I'm confident that she'll pull through, albeit most probably not 100%.

Thanks for all your best wishes. They are very much appreciated in this time of crisis.

[fusionlad]

I'd like to add my best wishes.

[DJGM]

Update . . .

My mother regained consciousness a few days ago, and is now mostly breathing on here own, albeit
with a bit of help from the ventilator. She's able to hear our voices and respond, but cannot speak yet.

Thankfully, she's getting a little bit better as each day goes by . . .

[DJGM]

Latest and final update . . .


Despite what I said in my earlier message, things have taken a turn for the worse . . .

Sadly, over the last week or so, after being moved from intensive care, to the high
dependency section, because she's had varying breathing problems and infections
over the last few years, her condition gradually deteriorated until the weekend
just gone, when her breathing had become so very shallow, due mostly to her
own agitation and pulling the respiratory tube out of her throat.

Since she pulled her tube out three times, the doctors were unable to put it back
in, unless they'd give her some sedative to ease the discomfort. It was decided
that her conditon was too poorly to undergo anymore sedation or anaesthetic,
so she was given a respiratory breathing mask instead.

One of the main doctors on the ward told that there was no way to drain all the
gunk from her lungs, and that she was at an extremely high risk of pnuemonia.

Today, we were informed while visiting the hospital, that she was now too weak,
and no longer responding to treatment. The medical registrar, then asked us if
we agree that since treatment is no longer having any effect, it would be the
kindest thing, if all remaining treatment and vital monitoring was removed.

We were told it would literally be only hours before the very last moment came.

We went back about 5 mins later, and every machine, monitors, wires, and
tubes were gone. A hospital vicar came to us, to say a few final prayers.

About 1 hour 30 mins after all the treatment and monitoring was withdrawn,
and at about 13:45 BST (two hours ago) she passed away peacefully . . .







Because of what has happened today, I may not be around here for a while.
Although, I'll pop by and read messages whenever I can get a few minutes.



Thanks for your attention and understanding at this very grievous time.

DJGM (aka Greg Mitchell)

[Gavin Scott]

Greg I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say. I'm not given to doing it as a rule, but I'll say a wee prayer for you tonight.

Take care.