Prayers Desperately Needed!

My prayers are with you.

What I great picture, and the diaper is too cute.  She looks like a very happy person, so I know it must be hard to see her feeling so ill.  I hope they can get her stabilized enough to do the heart cath tomorrow.  I'll continue to keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

Missy, I was hoping you'd post an update today.  I'm sure you and you're family are emotionally wrung out with the roller coaster of her condition worsening and improving everyday.  It sounds like they're keeping her stabilized and are feeling good about taking some time for her to improve even more.  Is she your maternal or paternal grandmother?  Your poor Mom and Dad must be wrecks.
I'll keep you all in my continued thoughts -- keep us updated as you can!
 
P.S. - The photo is very cute -- and I'm glad to know that Mamaw loved her granddog just as she does her grandkids!! My mother only has grand-animals, so she's the same way with gifts and such.

Thanks Denise... we still need all the prayers we can get.

And Thank You Cathy & Tracy for your comments on the photo - She is a very happy woman, we know if she's bothered when she doesn't smile.  I am going to try to attach a couple more photos this evening... we take photos during Christmas of all the kids with her and then all the grandkids with her and she'd always include FeFe. []  Tracy, she's my maternal grandmother & I think it's soooo cute that your mom does the same thing with her "grandanimals" [].  We're all emotionally exhausted.  Mom and her sisters have been staying at the hospital while the rest of us have been in and out - tending to Mamaw's house & bills (she does not like her bills to be paid late - no matter what).

The update is yesterday she had the heart catherzation.  There are no blockages  BUT there's damage.  Here's where I'm confused (and hope Mom can ask the doc about it) but they said there's only 35% of her heart that's working.  We know she has damage to the upper part of her heart and I wonder if that's the part that only has 35% working? Or if they mean 35% of her entire heart?  Am I reaching with that question or does it sound logical?   Earlier in the week, Broken Heart Syndrome was mentioned -- emotional stress causing heart damage.  I know she's been stressed by some of the family and when she comes home, that has got to stop. 

Mamaw is going to be weaned off of the respirator starting today... now that they know about the heart damage and there's no blockages, they're concentrating on the pneumonia & staph infection.  She is in my thoughts every waking second. 

Thank you guys for your continued prayers & thoughts.  She's our sunshine.  I just pray she can get through this so we can spend more time with her.

Earlier in the week, Broken Heart Syndrome was mentioned -- emotional stress causing heart damage.

 
You know, I didn't realize there was actually a medical term to describe this or that they could diagnose it.  I'm sure stress doesn't help, but I hope you or your family doesn't start feeling responsible for this.  It sounds like she's got other health issues, especially the diabetes, that likely contributed more than anything.  I hope that weaning her off the respirator goes well and they can get the infections cleared up.  At least they have the answers regarding the blockage, so that should be useful in deciding the course of treatment from now on.  I must be watching too much House these days, cause I'm starting to think they can cure anything and everything, but I know that's not the case.  When my dad was so sick, the Dr's really had very few answers for us and it was extremely frustrating.  I'll continue to pray for you and your family that your grandmother improves each day.

I must be watching too much House these days, cause I'm starting to think they can cure anything and everything, but I know that's not the case.

 
Same here!  Even in the back of my mind, I keep thinking 'they've got to be able to do something!'
 
I believe all of us didn't realize the stress that we might have been placing on Mamaw -- she takes all of our burdens to heart.  My cousin and I (she's like my sister) have been talking about it more since the Broken Heart Syndrome was mentioned that Mamaw needs a simple & happy life, not one that is loaded down with problems and disagreements.  Her girls tend to bicker a bit over silly stuff, try to make her choose a side and we know she simply cannot handle that. 
 
As you mentioned when your Dad was sick & the doctors had very few answers (btw, what happened? if you don't mind me asking?) that's how we have all been feeling lately.  When a doctor comes in to talk to us, they jump at him with so many questions (even tho I'd rather listen first and then ask questions) I feel as if he answers the bare minimum and hits the road.  She has always had issues because of Diabetes and her immune system has been very low for years.  Hoping to hear an update again today. 
 
Thank you for continuing to keep us all in your prayers, Cathy.  And thanks to all of you reading this who might be saying a silent prayer.

As you mentioned when your Dad was sick & the doctors had very few answers (btw, what happened? if you don't mind me asking?)

 
He went from being independent and fully-functioning to having a dizzy spell at home that scared him so bad he called an ambulance.  It was downhill from there.  They thought it might've been a mini-stroke, but never were sure.  He would never get up and walk again - it was really bizarre, but I can only guess that he was afraid he'd fall.  They moved him to a nursing home for occupational therapy, and he continued to slip away mentally.  Within a few months, he had severe dementia, including paranoia, anger, etc.  I'd visit him one day and he was fine and coherent and the next day he was rambling and didn't know who I was.  It was heartbreaking and as I said, the Dr's could never say why.  He ended up getting pneumonia and passed away a year ago in January.  His passing was a blessing because I know he would've never wanted to continue living like he was, but it was still very sad. 
 
I agree with you in regards to your grandmother deserving to live life now free of problems and bickering, so I know that must be hard to watch.  She does sound blessed with so much family there to care for her.  Maybe this will be the catalyst for some eople to change their behavior [] 

Your grandmother just looks so beautiful and happy in that pic w/FeFe.  I'm so sorry she is suffering right now, but glad to hear the doctor's intervention is working, even if they can't explain why.  Sending more supportive thoughts to her, to shield her from any added stress of bickering family, etc... Praying for thoughts like early spring, where hope and renewed life sprouts in the tiny crevices (like crocuses thru the snow) until spring just keeps expanding right along with her health and she's back in full bloom.
(((hugs))) to you and your family - may your patience and caring give you answers soon, and restored health to your mamaw.

Missy, your Mamaw looks so happy in that photo with FeFe...
I, too, love the diaper...
Continued prayers....

Cathy, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad.   I couldn't imagine watching someone I love be fine one day to fully dependent the next.  Bless his heart... and bless yours too.  I'm sorry you had to go through it with your Dad.  We saw it with my aunt that passed away in December.  She fought so hard against lung cancer but once she broke her hip, everything went by so quickly it was a blur. 

Paige, Thank You for sending more supportive thoughts to Mamaw.  It's difficult to listen to the bickering and negative thoughts -- even when she's not responsive, I still feel she can HEAR everything and does not like negativity.  As Cathy said, maybe this will be a catalyst for some to change their behaviors.  Maria, Thank You for your continued prayers.  (by the way, glad you liked the diaper too [])

They're still trying to wean her from the respirator.  We thought there was success early this morning when she had only what they called a T bar (not ositive what that is) but she was in pain and having a hard time breathing so they put her back on the respirator.  They only try to remove her from it once a day.  At least on Friday, they were able to drain fluid from her lungs.  Mamaw has shown more of her personality, mostly in the early visitations.  Winking, nodding her head, etc.  I know she's fighting as hard as she can... we all thank you guys for the prayers you're sending her way (and our way).  I hope to update soon that she's off the respirator. 

Thank you all again. 

Hey Missy, how's your grandmother doing?  I hope things have been improving.

Hi Cathy... things are pretty much at a standstill.  They tried this morning to take her off of the respirator but as soon as it was turned off, her heart rate and blood pressure shot thru the roof.  A surgeon will be in this evening to consult about a tracheotomy - that's the only option they're mentioning right now.  I just don't understand why everything seems to be going at a snail's pace.  We were told over the weekend that her pneumonia is worse but the good news is her heart has improved from 35% to 61%. 
 
Thanks for asking about Mamaw.  Please keep her in your prayers. 

I will keep her in my prayers and I wish that things were already better.  This must be so frustrating waiting everyday for some improvement and some answers.  It's difficult not to get frustrated at the Dr.'s.  I know when my dad was sick, I wanted to say "hey look, can you please get together and figure this out?"  I just felt so helpless and I know you must too.  Hang in there, and I hope things take a turn for the better soon [].

Missy, I keep praying and lifting her (and your family) up -- holler if you need to.  *hugs*

I knew I needed a new prayer candle for idoggers.  I'm sorry your family is still in the midst of this worry.  Hoping she's comfortable in the meantime.  Hugs to you!