This is probably too soon to write, but after reading a few testimonials I have hope, so want to share my mother's story.
On June 28, 2000, my mother, Dorothy Lebrun, 79 years young, called me to come right away because she was having severe pain in her side. I took her to our local hospital. The doctor thought she had kidney stones, she was given pain medication. We suffered through 2 hours of pain while taking some x-rays of her abdomen, that showed nothing. After an ultrasound, a ruptured aortic aneurysm was discovered.
She was rushed to the Ottawa Civic Hospital for emergency vascular surgery. We were told that most people with her condition don't make to surgery but she came through it. For a few days she was being maintained with medications and a ventilator. She was then weaned off the medusa, she was maintaining her own blood pressure but an asthmatic condition was discovered. This is making it difficult to get her off the ventilator. They have tried once to remove it but she did not respond well. We are going to try again tomorrow (8 July, 2000).
She is responsive to us, when she is not heavily sedated. Today for the first time she was able to almost open her eyes. This was very encouraging. She is making progress, but there have been some plateaus which is very disheartening. Her kidneys are doing well, so that is a big plus. We are looking forward to getting her off the ventilator so she can get out of ICU, and maybe talk to us.
That is where we are at, please pray for her. I will give an update when we have got over our next hurdle.
Update 15 Jul 2000
All of your support and prayers have been very comforting, it is very much appreciated. Mom is still in ICU but is off the ventilator. She is having some breathing problems due to a minor heart attack suffered during the rupture, plus she has an asthma condition which was undiagnosed before her surgery. They are trying to wean her off the respirator but her progress has been slow. We feel confident she will recover fully, just a matter of time and healing.
I will write again when we get to take her home. Thanks again for your kind thoughts.
Update 22 Dec 2000
This is the time of year for being thankful so I would like to thank all who have asked about my mother's recovery. After 3 wks in ICU at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, and a few days in the step down ward, Mom was sent to our local hospital in Arnprior, where she spent another month. When eventually she was released, she was still very weak, and learned to get around with a walker. In only a few short weeks, she was able to get around on her own with no assistance. She still is not eating very well and has lost around 50 lbs. Her taste buds are not the same, which makes it difficult to find foods which she can eat. She is down to only 3 pills a day which also makes her very happy. She is in very good spirits and back to her old self.
Currently she is trying to pass her driving test so she can continue to drive after her 80th birthday which is Christmas Day. We certainly are very fortunate to have her with us for Christmas and able to celebrate her birthday.
Thanks again to everyone. Merry Christmas to all, thinking of you, and especially to all who have lost their loved ones this year.
God bless, Cindy