Anyone else awake? Need a friend.

[AEJS]

My husband was admitted to ITU yesterday. He is really sick.
It’s 2am and I just can’t sleep. I don’t want to wake anyone up but was wondering if anyone else was awake for similar reasons. It would be good to hear from others in a similar position. Xx

Sorry to hear you're in the same boat @TheVanguardSix.

What can anyone say that helps? Not much really but hoping your man turns the corner soon and is home.

The dogs are just picking up that you're worried and upset, OP.

I'm sure he'll bounce back.

@AEJS and @TheVanguardSix @Rupertpenrysmistress virtual hugs to you all- my Dh is waiting on his next appointment to see what happens treatment wise for his cancer which is metastatic- know all about the not sleeping- I so hope everyone has positive news soon 💐

Hi AEJS,

I'm so sorry for what you're going through with your DH. Thinking of your whole family. I don't have any advice, I'm not in the same situation but just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you too.

Literally yesterday the news was reporting that they’ve identified two drugs which reduce the chance of death by 25%. He has the advantage of being young and healthy, plus the recent medical advances. Hope he comes home soon

@TheVanguardSix

I’m so sorry you are going through this too. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

Four days ago DH asked me to call him an ambulance. We have a sats monitor at home. They were 82. I called straight away. This is a man who never asks for help, ever. They came out to him and put their own sats monitor on which showed his sats as 90. They said that our monitor was probably broken. They acknowledged that he wasn’t well but he didn’t quite meet their criteria for taking to hospital.
The night before he was finally admitted he asked to try our machine again. It showed his sats as 59 and his heart rate as 130. I didn’t know that they could go so low while you were still conscious so we presumed the paramedics had been right and that it was broken. I know in my heart of hearts that the ambulance service is in an impossible position right now but I’m so angry they didn’t take him in 4 days ago.

Rupertpenrysmistress

I am so sorry to hear your ds has been so poorly. You must have been so scared. I’m glad you are home safe and I hope he is able to feel better soon.

@AEJS
So sorry to read what you're going through.
We had a close family member in hospital with it and family friend. Both seemingly fit and healthy pre covid. They went through hell and back BUT, they are home and well now. The first one was just as covid hit and they were figuring out how to treat this virus, took a while but he survived (aged 49) and the family friend went in with
O2% of 51 and home within a week (aged 55). Here to talk if you need anything / have questions.

I'm awake

Not for the same reason, but I'm here

Dogs know when you're upset 🐶 are they great smugglers - all of mine have been.

It sounds like he's getting all the good stuff! He's young & fit so there's every reason to be optimistic.

Had your boys been at school before Christmas? If they had, that seems the logical place to have picked it up from.

Hoping you're getting some sleep!

If not snuggle up with the dogs & focus on their breathing, try to match it, it's very soothing.

One of my daft dogs just fell off the bed! He is completely fine btw.
That prompted a trip to the garden to get over the shock, for him!, so now we are up.
I’m going to make a cuppa and watch some mindless TV and hope that not trying to sleep brings sleep.
Thank you, thank you for listening to me tonight.
Stay strong and safe. Xx

So sorry to hear your news and to anyone else going through similar. I hope he starts to improve and he can be back home with you all soon. I hope you have some help around.

Sorry to hear this. Sending my thoughts to you all. I hope your DH makes a quick and full recovery

If it is plasma exchange they are doing on your dh it is nothing short of miraculous. My then dh had 6 sessions to treat his MS, he had been admitted paralysed from the waist downwards, had high dose steroids that had failed to stop the relaps. After the second session he managed to walk to meet me in the corridor using a zimmer frame, by the sixth session he was able to walk unaided & couldn't sit still. It removes all inflammation from the body, the old plasma is thick like wallpaper paste & promotes healing.

To try to give you some hope, my Mum went in a month ago with COVID, very, very sick...she is 74 and has COPD which is a bad lung condition in addition to dementia. I was prepped for her dying but three weeks later and she's back home as lively as ever.

It's awful...but it can turn around quickly too.

just wanted to say that I am sorry that you have had such a dreadful time and you are not alone ...

X posted with you.

You're allowed to be angry that the NHS has been SO deprived of funds that they're forced to make decisions like that. On the NHS website they say to get medical help at a much higher rate 93/94 contact 111, 92 or less A&E immediately. (And this was published during the pandemic) but a specialist in the hospital said they're rationing the use of oxygen & keeping patients at 90 - which he said isnt idel, but it's adequate and they can help more people

It's great they have more people on CPAP, rather than more invasive options, but it uses a lot more oxygen.

It's natural to be angry they didn't take him
In 4 days ago, but fir your iwn sanity try to focus on the fact he's in Nike, getting all the treatment & maybe the new drugs too.

Hope you get an update soon.

@FortunesFave

To try to give you some hope, my Mum went in a month ago with COVID, very, very sick...she is 74 and has COPD which is a bad lung condition in addition to dementia. I was prepped for her dying but three weeks later and she's back home as lively as ever.

It's awful...but it can turn around quickly too.

That's brilliant to hear (obviously her recovery, not that she was so unwell!!) Thank you for sharing that 💐

@AEJS poor 🐶. Hope he's having a nice treat now. Mindless drivel sounds like a plan & there's an unlimited supply of it!!

Well I am watching old EastEnders from years ago! vanguard I am so sorry to hear about your DH to, I am a frontline NHS nurse and this terrifies me, I have seen a lot more colleagues test positive with 2 end up in ITU this time round, the rates are alarming in hospital. I hope your DH improves and you get him home soon.

Thinking of everyone going through tough times with relatives and wishing them a very speedy recovery. On the positive side recovery rates seem to improving I have cared for many older patients who on paper should not have done well but have recovered and gone home. My colleague is also out of ITU and whilst young he met a lot of the criteria to be high risk.

Sorry to hear about this but IM optimistic he’ll be fine .A colleagues husband was rushed in some days ago seemed very touch and go his in the very unhealthy categories with masssive health issues.
Yesterday we received very encouraging news his doIng well making rapid recovery.
lots of the treatments mentioned here have aided this.
Staff are working flat out to provide the best they can.
Wishing you and your family all the best .

There will always be someone awake, or (like me) the other side of the world where it's afternoon here, available for hand-holding.

Is it worth trying to call the hospital now? It may be quieter and a better time to have a conversation with a nurse.

Hi Op
Sorry to hear about your husbands sudden turn of worse health.
Hope his health improves significantly.
I am not in a similar position situation as yourselfs.
take care
xx

I am on the West Coast of Canada so it is only 7:30 pm. It is just so hard to be so worried. Sending healing thoughts.

The dogs know. I had surgery recently and my dog won't leave my side. I have nicknamed him Velcro dog he is so clingy.

Find out when shift change is for the nurses and try to call an hour either side. They are more available to talk then.

I am awake and holding your hand OP x

oh AEJS I'm so sorry, and everyone else on this thread whose loved ones are ill.
It's so terrifying - DH was in hospital in intensive care earlier in the year for an non-Covid condition, but I remember the sleepless nights worrying (and our lovely old dog on the bed!) well. Sending you love - I hope your husband makes a good recovery soon xxx