Asking for a handhold - DH in ICU

[peachgreen]

DH was taken into hospital last night with breathing difficulties. It was pretty minor, the paramedics weren't even going to take him in but we insisted. He's now in an induced coma on a ventilator. He's had 2 negative Covid tests so they don't think it's that but they don't know what it is.

I'm falling apart. He's my whole life. We have a 2 year old who is a complete Daddy's girl. I need him so much. I can't even be with him now because of COVID.

Generally they don’t deliver news over the phone, because when you go in the ICU consultant will likely talk to you and explain everything they can and be able to answer questions.

When I went in the first time I had had a similar issue, had the flu, struggled to breathe and by the time the ambulance arrived I was collapsed on the kitchen floor. I remember going into the ambulance and them turning on the sirens and then nothing. But when my mum called the hospital (my then thirteen year old had used Find my iPhone to track where I’d been taken,) so she called, and was told that yes, I was there, that they were breathing for me, and that was pretty much it. My mum was distraught because they couldn’t tell her any more. Even by the time my DS and DP, and then my parents, arrived at the hospital they were still stabilising me so there was very little they could say at that point other than that they were taking things hour by hour....

It was only after they’d conducted some tests that they could give more details. Turned out I had an underlying heart condition I never knew about and then acquired a couple more through the fact the flu had attacked my heart, but it took a number of scans/blood tests/ECG/echo to establish that for definite. Meanwhile they were breathing for me had me on IV antibiotics, on a kidney filter and so on (I was on full life support) and the rest became evident as the hours went by.

These discussions really are better had face to face, but the frustration is understandable.

Gosh, best of luck. Hoping you DH feels better soon

Goodness what a shock for you

Hope you get some answers soon x

Thinking of you both, you must be so very scared

Hand hold

I hope you get some answers when you go in and see him

Thinking of you and your DH OP.

Wishing you all the best.

Handhold for you

Still waiting at the ICU. Hellish. Cnat believe I'm updating here but there's literally nothing else I can do ad I'm going absolutely mad

Thinking of you and your DH

I'm so sorry. I hope he makes a really fast recovery.

I’m so sorry. Have you got someone supporting you. Please let us know how he gets on 💐💐

My DH was in I C U on ventilator after debulking cancer surgery.
Different I know, was very scary. The next day he was sitting in a chair. Remarkable how quick the situation can improve. Hand hold here ❤️

Thinking of you. This sounds awful
But icu is a good place to be if you are very ill so he will newell looked after

Keeping my fingers crossed you get some information soon.

Thinking of you

I hope you get some answers soon.

Thinking of you OP. Stay strong x

praying for your dh and hope you get some good news soon.

We are here for you darling.. sending huggs and strength
🙏❤️

Handhold and virtual hugs. I had my DH collapse and taken to hospital last week. I wasn't allowed to go with him. Luckily he's fine now.

Thinking of you OP. In my experience, doctors will not fluff things up and are surprisingly blunt. When dd1 was unexpectedly very very sick, they told us bluntly but kindly that she was unlikely to survive, and if she did the chances of brain damage were significant. I hope this gives you some reassurance that they will be honest with you (I’m saying this in relation to your comment about not knowing what his chances are).
Hope you know more soon and your DH makes a speedy recovery.

He has heart failure. I want to die.

What? That's terrible. I'm so sorry.

What stage is he at OP? Is it still at a reversible stage?