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Original poster

my dad is in intensive care with meningitis

44 replies

nowwearefour · 06/01/2008 06:46

he was rushed in an ambulance on friday and they diagnosed yesterday. he is in a drug induced coma, on life support. it is horrible. i dont know if he will live or die. i am up this early as we are staying at mums and the babies arent sleeping as well here. anyone else been through this??

OP posts:
Flllightattendant · 06/01/2008 06:57

Oh God, how awful for you, I wish I had some words of wisdom but all I can do is send you good thoughts, and wish your poor Dad well very soon.

Have you been to see him so far?

thegrowlygus · 06/01/2008 06:58

How awful. Nothing to add but wishing you all the very best and everything crossed for you Dad.

xx

Original poster
nowwearefour · 06/01/2008 06:59

Thanks. yes been in twice to see him and cant get the image out of my head. he looks awful with his mouth forced open and tubes/ wires everywhere. At least i know he is getting the best care he can get but he doesnt stir when you touch him or speak to him which is so unlike him- clearly he cant as he is being forced to sleep to let his body have the best chance of fighting off the infection. it is just all so shocking.

OP posts:
Flllightattendant · 06/01/2008 07:02

Yes it is good that he is in safe hands, whatever. I am sure they are doing all the right things for him.

It must be a huge shock for all of you.

thegrowlygus · 06/01/2008 07:03

viral or bacterial?

silkcushion · 06/01/2008 07:04

i'm so sorry . my thoughts are with you and yr family. no personal experience but a colleague's bil had this and was in intensive care - he did pull through. i don't know the details though. good luck

Original poster
nowwearefour · 06/01/2008 07:09

thegrowlygus: it must be bacterial as he is on anti biotics. unless there is a chance it is viral but they are giving them anyway...it is the pneumoccocal one excuse sp...thanks all support from here always helps

OP posts:
thegrowlygus · 06/01/2008 07:23

Pneumococcal is bacterial but not as bad as meningococcal. Which is a small glimmer of hope I guess (but both depend on how badly you have them I suppose).

My Dad was in intensive care after an op a couple of years ago. It is so scary seeing them lying there with all the tubes etc (even as a doc and having seen lots and lots of people like that, and knowing what all the tubes are doing it was scary). I think seeing someone who you are used to seeing being strong and (certainly for me) 'in charge' in such a vulnerable position is really very very scary indeed.

I hope he pulls through OK. What are the doctors saying at the moment? Are they hopeful to be getting him off the sedation anytime soon? Or is it a day at a time?

Flllightattendant · 06/01/2008 07:23

We're all thinking of you NWAF and let us know how he progresses today, I hope it is good news pet x

Original poster
nowwearefour · 06/01/2008 09:18

it is definitely one day at a time at the mo. doubt he will be coming off anytime soon is what they have indicated. but he had an ok night so no bad news must be good news at the moment i think. thanks for all your words of wisdom.

OP posts:
ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 06/01/2008 09:26

Thinking of you and your dd. Keep strong and stay positive xx

Original poster
nowwearefour · 06/01/2008 10:10

thanks

OP posts:
Biglips · 06/01/2008 10:12

oh im sorry to hear about your Dad..Thinking of you

Buda · 06/01/2008 10:28

How scary - thinking of you and hoping for good news.

hippipotami · 06/01/2008 10:43

Oh no, how scary...

Best wishes for your dad, stay strong.

Original poster
nowwearefour · 06/01/2008 20:09

There isnt much news from today. They said he is needing slightly less treatment for his heart (blood pressure assistance i am wondering?) but otherwise he is stable and nothing much has changed. We will continue to visit him each day and trust for a full recovery.

OP posts:
ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 06/01/2008 20:43

Sounds promising NWAF. Remember, if you are ever unsure what the Dr's are telling you, just ask them for more information. I think they forget that they are talking to non medical people sometimes.

littlelapin · 06/01/2008 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

amyjade · 07/01/2008 14:47

Sorry to hear about your dad nowearefour.
If you need any info on the disease or just need a chat have a look at this website, they have a 24hr helpline.
here
Sorry to correct you thegrowlygus but pneumococcal is the most serious form of bacterial meningitis.(don't want to scare you nowearefour). x

Original poster
nowwearefour · 09/01/2008 18:25

he is still critically ill, still being ventilated etc. though the sedation is less now and i totally sure he recognised me today and we saw him move all his limbs and move his eyes to whoever was talking so think he can see/ hear. so i am hopeful though they are keen to ay he is not out of the woods yet....

OP posts:
filthymindedvixen · 09/01/2008 18:29

I feel for you so much. My son had meningicoccal meningitis 6 years ago and was extremely ill - but survived fully.
But I know how horrendous this time must be for you and your family. Keeping everything crossed x

The meningisits research foundation's support line was a godsend to me in the darkest days

sallystrawberry · 09/01/2008 18:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fordfiesta · 09/01/2008 18:31

blimey you poor thing!!! Big hugs to you and your family hope things start to improve soon!

edam · 09/01/2008 18:40

Oh, nowwearefour, so sorry to hear about your dad. Will be thinking good thoughts for a speedy and full recovery.

Califrau · 09/01/2008 18:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.