Elk County Forum

General Category => Religious/Spiritual => Topic started by: Ms Bear on March 18, 2008, 09:35:08 PM

Title: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Ms Bear on March 18, 2008, 09:35:08 PM
I know how positive and powerful the prayers from the Forum members are and today my mother needs your prayers.  My mother, Helen Draper will be 90 years old on the 2nd of May and this morning she fell while she was getting dressed and has a fractured hip.  She is in the hospital and the Dr wants a Cardiac Assessment because of her Congestive Heart Failure and then they will schedule the surgery for later tomorrow or Thursday.  She will be walking after the surgery and will go to Rehab after two or three days.  Hope things go the way he plans.

I had already left for work and when the Senior Center Van came to pick her up she didn't come out so the driver let herself in the house and found her laying on the floor.  She called an ambulance and then called me at work.  She is not in pain and was resting well, had eaten a good lunch and dinner and was comfortable when I left to come home at 9 pm.

Thank You
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: emptynest on March 18, 2008, 10:08:20 PM
Ms Bear,
I pray that God's direction be with your mother and with you. I am reminded of this scripture:
    "Trust  in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknoledge Him, and he shall direct your paths."    Proverbs 3:5-6

You never know what the day will bring, but the Lord does. A perfectly ordinary day may end with glory or grief, or it may end like a perfectly ordinary day usually ends.  All you can do is put your trust in the Lord, and live today and tomorrow in the belief that the Lord knows how everything will work out---even if you have no idea.  He will show you which way to turn. He will guide and protect your mother and you day after day after day. He has a plan and even if you don't know or understand it, just trust in Him. Blessings, peace, and grace to you and your mother.

Susan
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Teresa on March 18, 2008, 11:09:19 PM
Thank you Susan.
I just repeated that prayer and added a bot of my own at the end.

I hope your mom gets better Ms Bear.
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Bonnie M. on March 19, 2008, 11:35:16 AM
My prayers are with you, also. 
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Judy Harder on March 19, 2008, 01:00:36 PM
Mine too, are with you.
God bless you and your mother.
He will, you know.

I just know something good
is going to happen.
In His time.

Angels on your pillow    Lots of Warrior Angels
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Diane Amberg on March 19, 2008, 02:58:19 PM
Prayers from here also. My mom broke both hips within 11 months. They had her up and on a walker right after the surgery each time. With physical therapy, she did fine. Think positive thoughts. 
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: greatguns on March 19, 2008, 04:44:49 PM
Your Mother is in my prayers also.
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Roma Jean Turner on March 19, 2008, 07:11:54 PM
  I'll be praying for your Mom as well.  Keep us posted.
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Ms Bear on March 19, 2008, 08:49:38 PM
Thanks for all the prayers.  Didn't get to have the surgery today.  Had to wait for a Cardiac Assessment and then her Sodium was to low.  They finally rescheduled it for 6 am tomorrow and fed her dinner about 5 pm.  When the night nurse came on the blood work showed her Sodium was even lower so she was back on the phone with the Dr. and we will know in the morning if it has come up enough to go through with the surgery.  Right now it looks like it will be tomorrow but probably not early.

She is fairly comfortable for the most part.  Hasn't taken anything for pain yet.

We both appreciate your prayers and encouragement.

Ms Bear
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Ole Granny on March 19, 2008, 10:15:34 PM
Prayers for your mother continue.
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Ms Bear on March 20, 2008, 09:35:59 PM
We are still waiting on the surgery and she is getting anxious to get up.  She is ready to come home.  The sodium is still low and one Dr is wanting to move her to another hospital and get the surgery done but I am going with what the Cardioligist and the Surgeon feel is best.  At her age the surgery is risky without adding complications.  It looks like it will be Saturday or Sunday now.  The have ordered an air mattress and she is more comfortable.  Also the compression stockings, the swelling has gone down in her ankles today.

So glad to have all your prayers
Ms Bear
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: sixdogsmom on March 20, 2008, 10:01:56 PM
This could become a long drawn out thing. Be sure to take care of yourself! Many breaks and special treats are in order. God bless you both, prayers from Moline also!
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Ms Bear on March 26, 2008, 04:43:06 PM
Finaly got to have surgery on Monday and she did fine, ate some broth later in the day and was pretty perky.  Tuesday morning she didn't want to wake up and stay awake so they cut down on the morphine and finally stopped it completely.  She is still wanting to sleep, not wanting to eat anything or drink anything.  Her blood pressure is up and sodium down and the blood work is low so they started a transfusion this afternoon and her blood pressure went up and they had to stop the transfusion.  She is not as disoriented as she was but not doing well.   They have moved her to a room by herself and have asked me to stay with her at night.  It really does not look good so please keep us in your prayers.

Pat
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Diane Amberg on March 27, 2008, 04:20:49 PM
Special prayers for you all. Hold on tight.
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Ms Bear on March 27, 2008, 08:41:22 PM
They were able to finish giving Mother the first unit of blood and waited about 4 hours and gave her another one and today she is calling us by our names, responding to the nurses and Drs. and except for eating is doing really good.  The therapist got her out of bed and sat her in a chair for 30 minutes.  She was accepted at HealthSouth Rehab Center and they transported her this afternoon.  It was hard to leave her but I know they will take good care of her.  I will be able to visit her tomorrow and Sunday and then go by after work everyday.

I know the prayers made a big difference for her and gave me strength.

Thank you,
Pat
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: sixdogsmom on March 27, 2008, 08:47:18 PM
Very good news indeed! Prayers continue!
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Diane Amberg on March 28, 2008, 09:16:18 AM
Prayer continue from here also.
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Ms Bear on April 19, 2008, 08:27:35 AM
I am so grateful for all your prayers and thoughts and I wish I had good news but I don't.  I was so hopeful that I would be bringing Mother home by now but because of the stress and strange surroundings the Alzheimers and Dementa have taken over.  She still in not eating very well and doesn't try to feed herself, some days she knows who I am and others she doesn't.  Wants so bad to get up to go to the bathroom and to walk but all they have done is sit her in a wheel chair for up to six hours.

She has a blood clot in her leg and the Dr ordered 48 hours bed rest and they got her up 36 hours later and gave her a shower and sat her in the wheel chair.  When I asked the Dr about her being up he said "Well, they didn't follow my orders".  I called the Cardiaoligist and he had her moved to the hospital on Wednesday night.  He called me Thursday and told me that they will have to send her to a Nursing Home now.  She has been accepted at a very good one about 12 miles from where I live and I am sure she will be staying there.

I knew that routine and security was very important and the last overnight trip we took was last September when we came to Howard was probably the last one because she was stressed when she woke up during the night and the bathroom and light switches weren't where they normally were.  I am so thankful I have been able to make the last 7 years happy and secure for her.  Thankyou all for the prayers.
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: sixdogsmom on April 19, 2008, 10:06:38 AM
I am saddened to hear this news. My prayers continue.
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Diane Amberg on April 19, 2008, 11:05:23 AM
More prayers from here too. Be sure she's getting enough fluids. Lack of thirst can cause dehydration, which can make dementia worse. Too much fluid can cause  cardiac overload. It's a delicate balance.
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Ms Bear on April 19, 2008, 06:13:53 PM
I just home from the hospital and she was sleeping and was resting very well, the Nurse was concerned because that is all she wants to do but they have her on (question the spelling) Restinal. to help her anxiety and she was concerned so she didn't give it to her this morning.  Will give it once a day instead of twice a day and see if she will wake up.  They gave her a shot of Ativan to relax her hoping to be able to do a MRI and it helped but don't know if they were able to get enough pictures to tell if she has had some mini strokes.  She is in a private room and for the past two weeks has been in a room with a very noisy patient that was still yelling for pain meds when she was asleep so Mother hasn't had much sleep.  Her color is good and her hands and feet are warm which they usually weren't while at rehab.

I am sure I will never get to bring her home but would like for her to be able to enjoy the rest of the time she has left.

Thank you
Title: Re: Prayers needed in Texas
Post by: Ole Granny on April 19, 2008, 10:20:47 PM
I will be praying for you and your mother.  Such a difficult time.