Freepers sister in life or death situation-Florida-help please!! PRAYER REQUEST

me | December 9, 2003 | me

[Beach_Babe]

They moved my sister to the ICU unit at Ocala Regional Medical Center yesterday and she is scheduled for surgery today to drain the excessive adominal fluid. The surgery was originally scheduled for yesterday, but she's now developed a URI too.

She is very, very sick and so weak. Any prayers that can mustered up for her would be more than appreciated. Her name is Marilyn and she's 51 years old.

She has a rare spinal cord abscess. Usually, surgery is performed to lance the abscess. But she's not a canidate for surgery because, as a health care professional, she contracted Hepatitis C years ago which has caused extensive liver damage.

[Beach_Babe]

I've been in touch with attorneys re: guardianship. They said it would take anywhere from two weeks to a month and cost about $1,500.

[TexasCowboy]

Humm...different states, different laws, I assume.
My sis just signed a paper designating me as her guardian, had it notarized and that was that.
'Course that didn't contribute to an attorney's income so they probably prevented that in your state.

[TexasCowboy]

"I have in my possession an "Advance Directive for Health Care"...."

If you talk to an attorney, find out if that gives you the same rights and responsibilities as a Medical Power of Attorney.

[TexasCowboy]

While we're on the subject of "life support", the conditions imposed by the legal system in Florida concerning Terri Shiavo were ridiculous.
When my sis was dying the hospital staff asked me if I would consent to life support.
I asked what that consisted of, and I was told it meant artificial respirators and mechanisms to keep her heart functioning. There was never any mention of withholding food or water.
By Terri's "spouse's" definition it meant that if the building fell on her, no one was supposed to try to dig her out!

[Mustang]

Sending our prayers.

[bootless]

Prayers up!

[Houmatt]

My mother's name is Marilyn.

I will keep her lifted up in prayer.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

This is a brilliant idea. I'm praying so hard for you all!!! I know you are trying desperate means, but these are desperate times. I would do the same. I've been praying so HARD for you.

I just got off the phone with one of Marilyn's RN friends from New Jersey. She's on her way to help, she should be here by tomorrow.

Right now our plan is to get her released to hospice care --- at home.

Once we get her, we are going to drive her to Shands Emergency. They have to take her.

EXCELLENT IDEA!!!!

PRAYERS!!!!!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Thanks sweet friend. From your mouth to Gods ears!! We TRULY need a miracle!!

[EagleMamaMT]

Still praying ping.

[Peace4EarthNow]

I have sent up a prayer for Marilyn, that she may be granted healing, strength, and peace.

I also pray the Lord will continue to strengthen you, and guide you according to His will. You & Claudia have my very best wishes in getting done what needs taken care of.

You are a wonderful sister. Stay strong!!!

[Beach_Babe]

Mary Ann, once I heard from Claudia, I felt like a weight was lifted off me.

Maybe they won't be able to do anymore for Marilyn at Shands, but we are sure going to give it a try.

Today Marilyn was quiet, slept most of the time I was there. I told her that Claudia was coming and we were going to get her our of there --- she said 'good!".

I brought a power of attorney form to the hospital today, hoping to get Marilyn to sign it and have the notary there notarize it ... but the hospital said 'no' ... that she was not competent enough... that I'll have to go thru the probate court to get guardianship.

Mary Ann, I can't tell you how much I appreciate how you and all my other FReeper friends have reponded to this crisis.

I'll keep you posted.
Alice

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Last night she KNEW who YOU were, the Doc, the nurse. So how can they SAY she wasn't competent enough? Maybe she wasn't today. But they should tell you that they are willing to be on STANDBY in this situation, considering all that has happened.

They are NOT making this easy on you FRiend. I am so sorry.

Plus, if she isn't competent, and she NEEDS emergency surgery, then there HAS to be a WAY for YOU to sign for her, as her ONLY RELATIVE!!!

This is just all crazy.

IT CANNOT TAKE TWO WEEKS, FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS!

That doesn't make sense. There has to be a way. I'am going to ping TexaxCowboy to this too, as he seems very knowledgeable on this stuff due to his own situation. He is in Florida.

Just KNOW that I think you are doing the right thing. I'd be doing the EXACT same thing at this point.

You're an AWESOME SISTER!!! Marilyn is so blessed to have you!

Prayers are continueing!!!!

Now I will add Claudia to my prayers too. It must be VERY comforting to know an RN is coming. She will know what they are giving her, and what to do.

What a relief!!!

Tons of prayers coming your way!! God Bless you sweetie!

I'll keep checking in. (((((Alice)))))))

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

An RN friend is coming down from NJ and they are going to check Marilyn out as a hospice patient, to take her home, then take her to Shands ER, where they cannot refuse to treat her!

Also, here is the latest update (link below). Alice is still having problems as far as gaurdianship and Power of Attorney. I don't know the answers to these problems. But praying someone will!!! Mary Ann/Vets_Wife

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1036800/posts?page=132#132

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

An RN friend is coming down from NJ and they are going to check Marilyn out as a hospice patient, to take her home, then take her to Shands ER, where they cannot refuse to treat her! THIS IS A RESCUE!! A LAST DITCH EFFORT TO SAVE HER LIFE!

Also, here is the latest update (link below). Alice is still having problems as far as gaurdianship and Power of Attorney. I don't know the answers to these problems. But praying someone will!!! Mary Ann/Vets_Wife

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1036800/posts?page=132#132

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

TexasCowboy, is that true? Does Beach_Babe NEED to have an attorney do the gaurdianship thing, and PAY 1500 dollars? OR can she have the hospital provide her with forms and find witnesses at the hospital and do it from there? OR is that only the POA?

I hate it when people are in situations like this,..and they feel like they are up against a wall.

[TexasCowboy]

First, I'm sorry if I said something that indicated that I was in Florida.
My experience is in Texas, and maybe they have different laws about this stuff in Texas.

I got the POA papers from the hospital, had them signed by witnesses and my sister designating me as having the Medical Power of Attorney.
It took about fifteen minutes.
The POA was all I ever needed during the hospital stay.
Before she was released, I got the General Power of Attorney which gave me control over all of her business.
It served the same purpose as a guardianship.
I would skip the guardianship idea and have an attorney draw up the General POA. This cost me about $200.

I don't know what is going on, but I know hospitals can be very obstinate. They sometimes get the idea that they can control you.
If she is responding to questions in a lucid manner, they have no right to declare her mentally incompetent.
This may be the time when you need an attorney, or at least the threat of a lawsuit.

This is sounding more and more like another Terri Shiavo scenario.

[msmagoo]

Beach_Babe, it's good to know Marilyn is coherent and happy to be leaving the hospital; you have a good plan going. Prayers were answered!

You may be able to have the next hospital assist you in filling out the forms for a healthcare surrogacy. I would try the social services dept. You do not need to establish a guardianship, a healthcare surrogacy is less complicated and she can revoke it when she gets well again. You may only need a notary. This link might explain more:
http://www.floridaguardians.com/terms.htm

Remember Terri Schaivo and Florida's draconian definition of life support - make sure you specifically EXclude food and water, in writing, from anything life-support related you sign. That will prevent them from pointing out an obscure clause later...in teeny tiny print.

Be well, and you and Marilyn are in my prayers.

[Pegita]

Thank you for transferring your Terri thread expertise to Marilyn's situation ...

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks that help for Marilyn is being provided ... I pray, Father God, that You will sustain Marilyn, both in body and in mind, that she can be released into the care she so desperately needs. Give wisdom and guidance through this maze of bureaucracy ... provide the necessary paperwork without undue financial burden. Bring a team of health care providers to her side who are committed to her care ... shield her from all those who do not have her best interests in mind. Grant rest and peace to her beloved sister this night, I pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen ...

[BykrBayb]

I've prayed for your sister, you and your family. I was very relieved when I read your post saying you're taking her to Shands. That is an excellent hospital. They saved my brother's life when it seemed impossible. My sister brought him to Shands because of their reputation, and they lived up to it. I prayed to God to thank Him for the progress you've made in your plans for Marilyn. I'll continue to pray for her.