Family member #1: My mother in law went into diabetic coma, experienced a heart attack, and her body temp was 91 when the paramedics arrived. She has other health challenges including severe asthma and her kidneys are failing (she's refusing dialysis). She's 81 and her treatment possibilities are limited. You can figure out her time frame from there I imagine...
Family member #2: My step father was taken to the hospital due to chest pain. He had a stent and pacemaker installed last summer. Now he needs a valve replacement (Jan 9 scheduled). He's a *young* 79 w/o the heart problems - we're hopeful.
Family member #3: My brother in law came home from the hospital today - yeah! He had a hip replacement and is doing quite well...says the post surgery pain is far less than the pre surgery pain. :o)
Thank you again for all you do. The detailed appreciation would take oodles of space.
We're 12 days out from my husband's hip replacement due to aseptic necrosis. He's limped for 30 years, but it didn't bother him until early this year.
I have a new hate for TED hose.
I'm sorry, I forgot to express my condolences for your mother-in-law, and hopes for your step father and brother-in-law.
As a nurse, I find it extremely difficult to find the words that will bring the most hope and comfort to someone whose loved one is brought to me on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in critical condition. What can one say at such a time? Words fail. Sometimes the fear and sorrow is beyond expression, and words would poison the moment.
In those times, the best I can do is just be there, and to try to convey all the depth with which I care through the way that I provide care for the loved one and for them. I must confess that those are very sobering and uncomfortable times for me. I am reminded that for all my education, training, and experience, there is a time when a patient or family member will look at me for an answer, and I will have none.