Replies

I am so tired, I cannot even think of all the people to ping tonight. PLEASE ping your prayer warriors. Things went horribly today for Marilyn (Alice/Beach_Babe's sister). BUT WE ALSO NEED ADVICE!! SURGERY DID NOT HAPPEN ON TUESDAY!! (Also, see her MED list below. I know some of those meds are HARD on the LIVER!!)

Marilyn as you know is an RN who has HepC and has been hospitalized for a month with a spinal abcess that SHOULD have had surgey a month ago but didn't. She isn't getting the RIGHT KIND OF MEDICAL CARE, BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE INSURANCE. SO HER CONDITION HAS BEEN LEFT TO DETERIORATE.

Her liver disease was ignored, and they treated her spinal abcess with antibiotics all this time. A few weeks ago, they told Beach_Babe that they didn't treat Liver disease at this hospital when Beach_Babe asked if they were also taking care of her liver. That is simply an outrageous statement!! I would need to ask Beach_Babe, but I don't think she was having severe problems with her liver disease at the time of her hospitilization.

Had they done the surgery it would have been much better for her liver. Now she is in trouble with her liver disease. VERY serious trouble.

Today they needed to drain fluid off her abdomin, but Marilyn is now combative and wouldn't let them. (Which isn't an abnormal state when Liver patients are suffering from Encephalopathy) Things are in a really bad state, and below is a letter from Beach_Babe to all of us. She pinged it to "ALL" but it won't be seen by "ALL" unless it is pinged to someone. I know how exhausted she is, because she wrote to me by freepmail. I am heartsick for her.

TODAY THEY INFORMED Alice (Beach_Babe) THAT SHE NEEDS to become Marilyns Gaurdian, but she needs to know how she is supposed to do it. Are there any groups that will help this for people free of charge out there? The Doctor told Alice she needs to. Said something about going to court. Obviously Marilyn won't even let them do this very necessary medical proceedure. At this point, it seems as though it should happen post haste. Alice is exhausted as one might imagine. HECK, I'm exhausted, and I'm not even sitting in the hospital room worried sick every moment, and every day.

So, please, prayers and any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated. WE NEED HELP!! They mentioned a HOSPICE. Things are looking extremely dire, and this family could use not only our prayers, but some help.

BELOW IS Alice/Beach_Babe's letter. Thanks and God Bless!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you all for your continuing prayers. It's been a long, hard day and things didn't go as planned:

Here's the latest:

She refused the 'surgery' --- which was to bore into an area close to the liver and drain some of the fluid. Although they had her restrained, she was still moving around too much --- she wasn't cooperating --- the surgeon didn't feel comfortable about performing the procedure and it's been put on hold. From what I gather, fluid will continue to accumulate pushing into her lungs and heart. Her resp. numbers are in the mid-twenties, they told me the normal numbers are around twelve --- that she's laboring to breathe. Her BP is a bit low 113/64ish and she's running a fever of 101.something.

She was still restrained when I got to the hospital. They didn't want to undo them --- but did --- when I said I wanted to soak her fingers and cut her nails. They had her restrained because she is removing her oxygen thingie and her picc line. She also tried to take out her catherter while I was there. Said she was finished with it --- that she wanted to get out of there. She doesn't trust the hospital staff. She's been after me to get her out of there for a few days now, wants me to call 911 or even a taxi cab --- said the driver would carry her out if he was paid enough.

She's been in the surgical ICU for the past couple of days, but got moved to the 2nd floor tonight. They are going to restrain her again tonight, as they cannot get a 'sitter'. I can't stay there and leave Nanny (our 90 year old mom) home alone. And even if I could, I wouldn't be able to stay awake and watch her all night. I hate to see her like that, she can't reach for a tissue or a sip of water or scratch an itch. Wish I could afford a private nurse.

The doctor and ICU nurse came in and asked me if she had a 'living will' --- I said no. Then they asked her if she knew who I was, who the doctor was, who the nurse was and a few other questions. She knew the answers. They then asked her, if it came to a point her had to be put on a ventilator, did she want that. She said 'no' ... what's the use if she could never get out of the bed again. I think she's getting fed up with hospital life. They said something about a hospice.

Right after that a psycho-physician came in and talked to her. Later he told me that I have to get a lawyer and go to court and get guardianship papers, that she is not capable of handling her affairs. He noted her mistrust of the staff and said she'd eventually mistrust me too. He thinks coming home to family is better than an institution. I only have two bedrooms, somehow I'd have to get a hospital bed and set it up in the living room.

The six-week antibiotic course is due to end on December 27th. This is what she's on, some orally ('tho she's spitting them out now), some thru the picc line: ~hope I got the spelling right~

levaquin --- flagyl --- lactulose --- librium --- thyamine --- Vit K --- mycolog --- decadion --- ancef --- albrumin --- vancoil --- altacton --- vacotec --- vioxx --- K+ tabs.

That's all --- I'm tired and am going to bed.

Please keep praying!!!!

Beach Babe, I'm so very sorry about your trouble.
Of course, I'll continue to pray to our Holy Father to heal Marilyn and let her walk out of that hospital without pain.

I also believe that God expects us to do what is necessary so here's my take on the situation:

I've just been through this with my sister.
It's a living hell to watch your loved one in this condition. I understand.

First off, it's natural for Marilyn to distrust the staff of the hospital. She doesn't want to be there, and in her present mental state she equates them to her pain.
They're right that she will eventually distrust everyone.
That's not to say that they are doing their best to care for her. It sounds like they've let some things slide because of a lack of insurance funds.

It would appear that Marilyn is mentally competent to appoint Beach Babe the guardianship and to give Beach Babe her medical power of attorney. A doctor would have to verify that.
This is critical to carry out Marilyn's wishes.
You don't need an attorney for this - just four witnesses and Marilyn's signature. I gathered up people from the waiting room to witness.
Beach Babe, keep a copy of that POA with you at all times.

In spite of what we saw with Terri Shiavo, there are some good hospice hospitals, if it comes to that. The hospice staff I've seen are very kind and compassionate, and they can provide a twenty-four hour "sitter".

Marilyn is entitled to Medicare assistance. She paid taxes all her working life to be able to take advantage of it.
The guardian has to fill out a mound of paper work, but it's necessary.

First things first, Beach Babe:
Get the guardianship and the POA.

I will continue to pray for Marilyn and the family.
I know the heartache.
May God bless you.

Dear God in Heaven,

Father, things appear to be in a downward spiral in Marilyn's situation. Please, we beseech you to intercede. SHATTER, in the name of our Savior, all opposition to Marilyn's life! SHATTER all chaos, confusion, misperception, miscommunication, or any other source blocking the insight and wisdom on the part of the doctors and nurses in the proper treatment of Marilyn's condition!SHATTER the original cause and core behind this disease and darkness! Reverse those downward spirals, and let now the course of this be an upward, positive spiral!

Father, break the back of that Hepatitis C invasion! Break the back of the microbial invaders causing that spinal abscess! Break the back of the causes swelling the brain! Father, we ask that you will go to the microscopic levels of Marilyn's body and heal that liver! Heal that spine! Heal that brain swelling! Heal any and all ignorance and misperception of proper treatment on the part of the medical professionals! Father, we call forth your loving and gentle guidance of these who are caring for her.

We ask that you will bring your true peace into this situation. Bring your Will and ONLY your Will into this situation. Comfort Marilyn. We call forth the Truth! Make it very clear to all concerned if Marilyn is in the proper place for her treatment. Clear the way for the proper decisions to be made, either by her or on the part of those who legally take on that responsibility. Cut Marilyn free from any and all entanglements which are not in keeping with your Plan and design for her. O Lord, hear us and take command of Marilyn's case. We are grateful that you hear us and we lovingly pray for a Christmas miracle for this family.

All which we have called forth for Marilyn, we call forth for any and all who may be in a similar situation. Let only your Will be done!

Amen