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Original poster

Need cheering up :(

91 replies

sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 12:27

Really could do with some cheering up right now. Step dad has been in hospital for about a week - ongoing problems with bronchitis. He had a bad turn the other night and is now in the high dependancy unit. We just thought that he would pull through and would just carry on as before. Mum went to visit him last night and was taken to a room and told that he was pretty bad and that if anything was to happen that they probably wouldn't try and resus him. This has really shocked us all and we are all feeling really numb right now. Staff have told us to take things day by day.

OP posts:
amynnixmum · 26/11/2004 12:30

Poor you sparkler1 - sending you a big hug!

dawnie1 · 26/11/2004 12:34

I'm sorry Sparkler. No words or advice to offer but just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and your family. Hope your stepfather improves and things get better [[[[[[[[[hugs]]]]]

x

Original poster
sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 12:36

Thanks. Makes me appreciate life more. You just don't know what's around the corner for any of us. Trying to be cheerful for the little ones and it's very hard, especially with Christmas on the way.

OP posts:
nailpolish · 26/11/2004 12:41

sparkler, it is hard, at christmas especially. my best wishes to you at this difficult time

Original poster
sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 12:43

Thanks nailpolish. Sorry to make you all feel my sadness but it's nice to know there is someone here I can chat to openly without upsetting the family. Thankyou Mumsnetters! xxxx

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Original poster
sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 13:58

Dm is finding it hard to visit him knowing all this and he doesn't know anything. I shall be going with her this evening and will have to do the same. We won't stay too long as he needs his rest.

OP posts:
amynnixmum · 26/11/2004 14:03

Good luck Sparkler. Will be thinking of you. Lots of hugs for you and family xx

cat82 · 26/11/2004 14:10

Sorry to hear this Sparkler1, thinking of you and your family. Take care of yourself {{{hugs}}}

XXX

MINNIE1 · 26/11/2004 14:13

sparkler1.....
Sending you and your family a {{{{{{massive hug}}}}} you must be up the walls.. Thinking of you and your family.. please lets us know how your step father is doing.. Best wishes xxxx

Hausfrau · 26/11/2004 14:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fostermum · 26/11/2004 15:56

kindest thoughts going out to you

Original poster
sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 21:02

Have been to visit him and I have to say, although the long term is not looking good, I feel so much better for seeing him tonight. Although it sounds awful, I was actually dreading going to visit him this evening as last time I saw him was about twelve or so hours after he had his bad turn. He looked about 10 years older. He has had a couple of days to rest and there is a considerable improvement. He was chatting and joking - him and I were having our usual wind up/joking conversations. Still feeling sad although happy as well in a funny kind of way. Thank you so much for your kind works - they really help

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Mum2girls · 26/11/2004 21:14

Good - I'm glad things are looking a bit better -
and I'm pleased you're valuing your time with him - I went through a similar experience earlier this year, so make sure you look after yourself too - as I know how draining it can all be.

x

Original poster
sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 21:27

Trying look after dm at the moment - she is really finding it hard. I have just taken to comfort eating - am on diet but saying to myself there's more to life than dieting right now.

OP posts:
Mum2girls · 26/11/2004 21:29

Definitely sparkler. Something like this requires virtually all your mental strength.

Be good to yourself.

Original poster
sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 21:32

Am trying. Tonight's visit has definitely given me more strength.

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nailpolish · 26/11/2004 22:05

sparkler - its good that he was sitting up chatting.

does he have oxygen all the time, has he been out of bed? have the nurses given you another update and have they revised the resus status?

im so glad that he is sounding better!

pedilia · 26/11/2004 22:09

lol and hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Original poster
sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 22:12

He is on oxygen constantly. It is quite a forceful dose as well as they still have to shift the carbon dioxide out. It feels to strong sometimes for him to breathe in but he has to have it. Things haven't changed on the resus side of things. The staff have told us all these things but I don't think they - let alone us know how long this will go on for. They are going to keep him on the HDU until Sunday and then review the situation. If things don't change they are going to put him on a normal ward and just give him oxygen as there isn't much else they can do. We are looking into how it would work if he was to come home and have oxygen there instead. They have said that it will involve 24 hours of homecare from nurses if he did.

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nailpolish · 26/11/2004 22:16

it would be 24 hr care, youre right. is he having physio and ivi antibiotics? i know what you mean by the forceful oxygen it can be hard work trying to breathe with it but at leasst he is able to talk.

oh sparkler im so sorry about all this. he sounds like a jolly soul who is not letting it get the better of him

Original poster
sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 22:20

He has had all these things but nothing seems to be helping him now.

OP posts:
Original poster
sparkler1 · 26/11/2004 22:21

I don't think he knows just how bad things have got. He knows that he is very ill but doesn't know anything else.

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cardigan · 26/11/2004 22:22

Lots of wishes to you & family at this time xxx

nailpolish · 26/11/2004 22:26

sorry spark dont mean to bombard you with questions. take things one day at a time

Mum2girls · 26/11/2004 22:27

Oh Sparkler, that's what happened to my Dad earlier this year - a different illness but in the end they could no longer treat him...they had the resus converstaion with me and his wife whilst he was sitting up in bed pondering his crossword - I was astounded, I even felt like I was betraying him, talking about him like that. But they were right..... and the time I spent with him in hospital was the most precious time, and I am so glad I was with him.

My heart truly goes out to you.