[3Sapphires]

Just thought I'd give you an update as to what is going on.

My family when on a cruise the day after thanksgiving, and everyone was fine when they left. My dad had too much to drink and his pancreas started gettign inflamed. When they arrived stateside he was in so much pain, but wanted to go home, so they drove home, by the time they got to their hometown it was obvious he was very sick and went straight to the ER.

He had pancreatitus, they started him on IV fluids, but tuesday his body was under so much stress that he had a massive heart attack and needed to have his heart shocked. He was also intubated and put on a ventilator.

He is also in renal failure and while his kidneys have been improving slightly, they are considering dialysis.

Since being on the ventilator he has developed pnemonia.

My mom called me tuesday last week, and told me that if I could find a way out to see him, I should get out there, that it was time to say goodbye. So we of course threw our stuff together and drove over night out to see him.

When we got there Wednesday morning, we learned that one doctor was being very grave with his prognosis and had my mom in hysterics. Other doctors and nurses have assured her their is still hope for a recovery, they have seen it before.

My mom is now being faced with deciding on putting a tracheostomy in. She feels this is "hooking him up to machines" I am trying to explain to her that he is already "hooked up to machines" but the tube is just going in through his throat instead of through his mouth. He is already "hooked up". I sent her a bunch of info on all the positives for the procedure. I hope she doesn't give up just because she thinks this isn't the right way to go.

the list of positives is long, less sedation in needed, he will be able to take some food by mouth, not oral or voice damage, less likely to develop more pneumonia, faster weaning off the ventilator.

they have had him off the vent a few times, saturday he was off for an hour.

I think she is just in total despair and can't see the good stuff through all the bad, and now I can't be there to keep her level.

[aubers68]

Ami I will be thinking about you and your family. Keeping your father in my prayers. There are so many things people come back from when there's "no hope".... I will pray your father comes back from this.


I really know NOTHING about any of that^^^ But did all this begin just from the drinking? Or was there a underlying problem to begin with?

[yrlilangel]

Lots of positive thoughts your way that your dad .

KUP

[3Sapphires]

he does have a lot of medical problems, but none of them acute, the doctor said that the pancreatitus is normally brought on my big changes in diet, like excessive alcohol and diet change.

Everything from their domino-ed.

[MamaAnna]

I am so, so sorry. I hope your mom is able to pull together and be strong for him. And that the negative doctor STFU and stops making her worse. And that he recovers.

[*Manda*]

I *hate* negative doctors. It's like I told you before. If there is NO hope they will ALL tell you that. The fact that doctors think there is hope means there is still. So negative nelly needs to hush up. I hope things continue to improve and that your mom can open up her mind to ALL the doctors.

KUP hun, okay?

[~* Natasha *~]

I sure hope your Dad is on the road to recovery and I pray your Mom is able to find the strength she needs to face this situation.....

I understand doctors being real and all, but one Dr being all doom and gloom when others view it otherwise, well that's just un-called for!

Praying your Dad is much better very soon!

KUP on things!

[Sk8ermaiden]

Oh gosh, I am sorry. We went through the exact same thing with acute pancreatitis. My stepdad (now ex-sd) was in the hospital for it. I had to move home from (local) college to take care of my at the time 11 year old sister since mom was always at the hospital. It was only then I found out he was an alcoholic - he was sneaky and my mom had hidden it carefully for 13 years. They said if he ever had another drink he could easily die, and thankfully he's been sober now for...8 years?

But yeah, he was on the brink of death, and then a 50/50 shot, and then he miraculously pulled through and no long term complications. I hope your dad ends up similarly healthy. Prayers to you and your family.

[3Sapphires]

that is so reassuring! Thank you!

I don't know what my dad's odd are, my mom is keeping ALL info very close to her, I am kinda getting pissed with how much she isn't sharing.