But take comfort in this: That's where you get the best care in the hospital. My joke about the CICU/ICU I was in was that when I got home I missed having the call light so I could yell "Snackies! chop chop!"
I'll be thinking of your grandma. It's hard to sleep in them things so I hope they give her goooood drugs.
I'm glad she has a good prognosis. It is worrisome when that happens to our grandparents, but some of mine have bounced back from a bout of pneumonia and been just great.
It's a tough wait for you and all those who love her, I know. Be well!
Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
She is in stable condition and on 50% rather than 100% O2, last I heard. I asked my parents to tell her that I'll be coming out there in August because I thought it might cheer her up.
Bad: the pneumonia has spread to her kidneys and she seems pretty much unconscious; she doesn't seem aware that anyone is around. Good: pneumonia is the only thing wrong with her, and she is comfortable. The doctor guessed she has a 60% or so chance of surviving this. 60% isn't great, but OTOH for an 84-year-old with pneumonia it's pretty good. I asked my parents and sister if I ought to come out there, and my parents said they would pay for me if I wanted to, but that it would be for me only; she wouldn't know I was there. So I'm going to wait. If she dies, we'll come out for the funeral. If she lives, we'll be out there in August anyhow for my birthday.
The waiting/watching for improvement is tough. It does sound like she is progressing and improving, which is great!
Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
Well, it seems the abx didn't knock out the infection, it has spread to her kidneys, and they don't have anything else in the arsenal. (She's at Emory Hospital so if they say they can't do anything else, they really can't.) They talked to my grandfather about it, and they're leaving the O2 mask on because it makes her more comfortable, but not re-starting the ventilator. They plan to move her to hospice or palliative care or whatever soon. My dad was concerned because, although she is heavily sedated and unconscious, I guess she is struggling to breathe and it sounds very uncomfortable to him, so I told him that when I had pulmonary edema and struggled to breathe I hardly felt it, because I was so out of it, even though it sounded awful.
take comfort in knowing your grandmother is getting everything she needs and being looked after well. If she's as comfortable as they can make her that's probably the most important thing at the moment, whatever the result. Must be hard for your grandfather to watch though, and exhausting too. Is someone making sure he is well looked after too?? A vigil like this is so draining.
thinking of you Becky - it isn't easy for you to not be there, but I think your parents have a point in that she wouldn't know you.
It seems they are taking her off of life support today. So she is expected to die today or tomorrow. Mom asked me about travel plans for the funeral, so I said let's wait until she actually dies. I know occasionally people hang on for a few extra days before they shut down altogether, so it doesn't really make sense to set a funeral date already!
Kerri, yes, almost all of that side of the family, including their three children (my father and his brothers) are in the area. They have been making sure my grandfather is well looked-after.
Okay, she died at about 8:30 pm eastern time. So I have to call around, arrange the catsitting, etc. and get a plane out there. Some of our friends who were coming over tonight cancelled (got sick) so only one friend came over, which was nice and cheered me up, and I didn't feel as though I needed to be "on" with just her and DH around.
Thanks all-- we all have happy memories of her. My dad said she died peacefully.
I can tell you from my short stay there that death is a very peaceful supportive "place." (Some day I'll write about it.) The grief is for those who remain behind. Your grandmother is with you always.
This is how my grandmother died, though her infection was not from pneumonia. FWIW she went very peacefully in her sleep and was not in pain. I hope for a better outcome for your grandmother.
Comments
I wouldn't wish the ICU on anyone
But take comfort in this: That's where you get the best care in the hospital. My joke about the CICU/ICU I was in was that when I got home I missed having the call light so I could yell "Snackies! chop chop!"
I'll be thinking of your grandma. It's hard to sleep in them things so I hope they give her goooood drugs.
Lynn Siprelle, Editor
So sorry, Becky
I'm glad she has a good prognosis. It is worrisome when that happens to our grandparents, but some of mine have bounced back from a bout of pneumonia and been just great.
Shaun
www.homeschoolblogger.com/shaunms
Thinking of your Grandmother, Becky
It's a tough wait for you and all those who love her, I know. Be well!
Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
Thinking of you
Hope things continue well for your grandmother.
Zillah
Let her see you smile
don't let her see any long faces from anyone and her recovery will be much quicker and less draining.
thinking of you...
Kerri.
thanks all!
She is in stable condition and on 50% rather than 100% O2, last I heard. I asked my parents to tell her that I'll be coming out there in August because I thought it might cheer her up.
Good to hear Becky.
Good to hear Becky. Thinking of you and your family.
Hope she has a speedy
Hope she has a speedy recovery!
mixed news
Bad: the pneumonia has spread to her kidneys and she seems pretty much unconscious; she doesn't seem aware that anyone is around. Good: pneumonia is the only thing wrong with her, and she is comfortable. The doctor guessed she has a 60% or so chance of surviving this. 60% isn't great, but OTOH for an 84-year-old with pneumonia it's pretty good. I asked my parents and sister if I ought to come out there, and my parents said they would pay for me if I wanted to, but that it would be for me only; she wouldn't know I was there. So I'm going to wait. If she dies, we'll come out for the funeral. If she lives, we'll be out there in August anyhow for my birthday.
let's hope for August then
hang in there Becky...
Kerri.
(((Becky)))
Thinking of you and the family, and wishing your grandmother well.
some progress
She is off the ventilator and on only an O2 mask, which is a hopeful sign. She is pretty heavily sedated.
Thinking of you
I hope you will continue to hear about her progress.
Shaun
www.homeschoolblogger.com/shaunms
Hang in there, Becky!
The waiting/watching for improvement is tough. It does sound like she is progressing and improving, which is great!
Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
turn for the worse
Well, it seems the abx didn't knock out the infection, it has spread to her kidneys, and they don't have anything else in the arsenal. (She's at Emory Hospital so if they say they can't do anything else, they really can't.) They talked to my grandfather about it, and they're leaving the O2 mask on because it makes her more comfortable, but not re-starting the ventilator. They plan to move her to hospice or palliative care or whatever soon. My dad was concerned because, although she is heavily sedated and unconscious, I guess she is struggling to breathe and it sounds very uncomfortable to him, so I told him that when I had pulmonary edema and struggled to breathe I hardly felt it, because I was so out of it, even though it sounded awful.
best possible care
take comfort in knowing your grandmother is getting everything she needs and being looked after well. If she's as comfortable as they can make her that's probably the most important thing at the moment, whatever the result. Must be hard for your grandfather to watch though, and exhausting too. Is someone making sure he is well looked after too?? A vigil like this is so draining.
thinking of you Becky - it isn't easy for you to not be there, but I think your parents have a point in that she wouldn't know you.
Kerri.
end of the road
It seems they are taking her off of life support today. So she is expected to die today or tomorrow. Mom asked me about travel plans for the funeral, so I said let's wait until she actually dies. I know occasionally people hang on for a few extra days before they shut down altogether, so it doesn't really make sense to set a funeral date already!
Kerri, yes, almost all of that side of the family, including their three children (my father and his brothers) are in the area. They have been making sure my grandfather is well looked-after.
So sorry
I'm so sorry Becky.
love,
Honey x
So Sorry
Becky, I am so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. My thoughts and prayers are with her and your whole family as you go through this.
Andrea
Thank you all!
Okay, she died at about 8:30 pm eastern time. So I have to call around, arrange the catsitting, etc. and get a plane out there. Some of our friends who were coming over tonight cancelled (got sick) so only one friend came over, which was nice and cheered me up, and I didn't feel as though I needed to be "on" with just her and DH around.
Thanks all-- we all have happy memories of her. My dad said she died peacefully.
Sorry, Becky
My thoughts are with you.
Love,
Rose
Very sorry for your family's
Very sorry for your family's loss. Have a safe trip.
So sorry
So sorry to hear about your grandmother. Take care of yourself.
Blessings, Becky
I can tell you from my short stay there that death is a very peaceful supportive "place." (Some day I'll write about it.) The grief is for those who remain behind. Your grandmother is with you always.
xo,
Lynn Siprelle, Editor
In my thoughts
You and your family are in my thoughts.
Angel
have a safe trip Becky
saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy, but hopefully being with the rest of your family will make it less hard.
(((hugs)))
Kerri.
thinking of you
My sympathies are with you Becky. I'm glad you can go to be with your family.
Andrea
Thinking of you
Hope your trip and farewells are as straightforward and calm as possible.
Zillah
so sorry
This is how my grandmother died, though her infection was not from pneumonia. FWIW she went very peacefully in her sleep and was not in pain. I hope for a better outcome for your grandmother.
Lynn Siprelle, Editor
hugs
I'm sorry, Becky.
Lynn Siprelle, Editor
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