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.

[TEXOKIE]

"We need to address this as a nation. " That is precisely my point. I am simply pointing out that because nurses are on the front line, and they are therefore visible, it is all to easy for those unfamiliar with the health care system to place all blame for the things that go wrong on the nurses. I do NOT suggest that a nurse should ever leave her shift with tasks not done...but I'm also pointing out that with burn-out and numbing tiredness after long shifts, things are sometimes overlooked...and the nurse IS accountable! Our system has put nurses in an untenable position in all too many cases.

"Hospitals need to hire more medical assistants to answer call lights for bedpans and to give baths, etc. We need to put an END to the sue happy madness that has dis-allowed volunteers to answer call lights!! Candy stripers used to be able to assist nurses!! I did so as a teenager! There are a multitude of answers, if we honestly looked for solutions. "

Amen.

"But to NOT give vital care to a patient like Marilyn, then to continue to say "our poor nurses".. "it isn't their fault".. " is inately UNFAIR to patients, and is even cruel when a patient like Marilyn is lying there in PAIN!! "

Again, as I said in my post,"It is an outrage that Marilyn or anyone has to be subjected to such poor care, but I certainly have empathy for the nurses as well..." Poor care is unacceptable, and I'm sorry if my comments could be taken as cruelty by a patient. They were not intended as such. I offer my apologies if I have offended. I was simply trying to point out that nurses ARE meeting themselves coming in many hospitals and it is all too easy to blame them for all the ills we are faced with in our health care system, for they are the most visible....and the most missed if they are not there.


"I also think patients could be dying because of neglect like this. "

I'm certain of it. And it breaks my heart. These things ought not to be.

"Beach_Babe must continue to insist on the proper care for Marilyn. She should find out the extension of the nursing supervisor and call her if Marilyn isn't getting proper pain control, or if the Picc line isn't put in after all these days. Orders from Marilyns physicians, should be filled in a timely manner. "

No argument. I concur with this.

"No offense meant TEX,.. "
None taken. I hope I have been able to clarify where I was coming from.

"but Marilyn needs her problems fixed, and that won't happen if her doctors orders aren't being filled. "

No argument. I concur with this.

Thank you for your kind words, VHAW, I'm so grateful that you have been such a staunch prayer warrior and advocate in the forum.

[dandelion]

I lift up Marilyn, Father! You know her name; You crafted her when in her mother's womb; You gave her life. Father, I lift her up to You. In Jesus' name, heal her...

[Alamo-Girl]

I join in your prayer for Marilyn!

[JustPiper]

Well, the sounds coming from her remind me of those cows. Constant --- continual gutteral groaning for hours on end.

My heart is just aching for Marilyn and what you must feel. Please, please Dear God I beg you to help Marilyn.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[blackie]

Prayers on the way ~ Amen ~ So Mote It Be.

[Quix]

Have prayed.

Blessings, peace, wholeness, health, comfort to her and you.

[fatima]

JustPiper,Marilyn is in my prayer,I have been watching this tread,fatima

[Beach_Babe]

It's been a long two days. I got a call from Shands early yesterday morning, they wanted to meet with me. I called Claudia who lives in Orlando (about 2 hours south) and she rushed up here.

Basically, they said that due to the weakened state Marilyn is in and the progression of the liver failure, they didn't think they could do anything for her.

Arrangements for hospice were made. Marilyn arrived at the hospice house this afternoon. They do have her medicated, so at least she isn't in pain or agitated.

Last week, the day she was released from Ocala Regional Medical Center, they told me that she had about three weeks to live. The hospice people now think she will pass sooner. One of the hospice nurses is a former co-worker of Claudia's ... which is nice.

There's a VCR in Marilyn's room and I'm going to bring down some of our family movies tomorrow and maybe a radio, so she can listen to Christmas music.

I want to thank you and all the other FReepers for your many, many prayers during this awful time. I don't think she ever knew she had HepC. She went to the doctor in October for a back ache.

[TexasCowboy]

Oh, hon, I'm sooo very sorry!
I know this has got to be so very painful for you.
A healthy, vibrant woman goes into the doctor for a backache, and two months later she's dying!
That's hard to accept.

Dear gracious, Heavenly Father, we come to you on bended knees asking for your mercy.
If it is in your plan, dear Lord, please save Marilyn's life. Please heal her, dear Lord.
If that is not your will, sweet Lord, please ease her way Home.
Please send your angels to guide her way, and comfort her.
Give her your strength, dear Lord, and ease her pain.
Please let her know she's loved.
In Jesus name, Amen.

[DLfromthedesert]

No words I can say can make you feel better, but your beautiful sister and you will be in my heart and prayers this Christmas.

Soon she will be in the arms of the Lord. Christmas music is perfect for the occasion; play it every day for her, so the angels will stay close at hand.

God Bless you, sweetie. You've been through soooo much.


Love,

Donna

[McGavin999]

Prayers are on the way Beach_Babe.

[185JHP]

Prayed.

[McGavin999]

I'm sorry you're going through this, the movies are a wonderful idea and they are bound to fill her as well as you with wonderful memories.

May God strengthen you and grant her peace.

[Brad’s Gramma]

I'm so VERY sorry. I ask our Lord too, to help ALL of you through this.

PLEASE know that we're all here for you.

[HiJinx]

I wish I could be there...or someone else who has been through this could be there with you...

Let the hospice people help as much as they can, they know.

Cherish every moment you have with her, it will mean all the world to both of you.

May our Heavenly Father in His Wisdom and Grace grant you strength and peace in the days ahead. In Jesus' Most Holy Name I pray, Amen.

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks that in Your hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. We bow before You, knowing that Marilyn is in Your hand, and that no one can take her from You. We continue to pray that this illness within her would subside, for You are the Great Physician. We are reluctant to let her go, O God, for such is the love You have given us one for another. Thank You that You have given Your children all of eternity in which to worship and praise You and to be again with our loved ones gone before. Count our tears of sorrow until such time as they will be tears of joy, for I pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen ...

[Soaring Feather]

Lord we pray for a healing or easing of pain for this child of yours..

Amen

[JustAmy]

You and your family have my prayers.

Please, Father, ease Marilyn's pain and comfort her as she makes her journey home. Please be with the family at this time; let them feel your love and give them strength. Please bless and comfort Marilyn and her family. We ask this in Jesus Name. Amen

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I'm so sorry. I will pray for both of you.