I have noticed posts lately concerning health problems for xchangers. I'd like to send my best wishes and prayers out to anybody going thru this. I see posts scattered here and there but never know where to look specifically to see how everyone is doing. So, if anybody wants to post here from time to time and let us know if there is a problem or anything, we can be sure to lend our support. I know we do anyway but I'd like to have a place I can check in and catch up. I think we all have issues whether it's ourselves or a family member. Anyway, feel free to vent any health probs. here. I'll check back frequently if I see new posts.

I agree! Totally! :D

I was in Chicago the week of the WTC attack to visit family and friends there. I brought my 78 year old mother down to Florida to stay and be taken care of by my wife and I. Unfortunitely, she has spent a total of one day in my house before we had to take her to the hospital emergency room after she was complaining about a headache, and found out the following day that she had a broken bone in her neck. She was in a hospital for six weeks in Chicago for a fall she took prior to us taking her home with us.

She spent 4 days in the hospital here in September after finding the break and the last 4 weeks in a nusing home for rehabilitation so that she could get used to walking with a halo surrounding her head.

My mother also has dialysis three times a week and had urinary bleeding during one session last week that had to be stopped, sent back to the hospital where she is still at, and to top it off, we found out yesterday that she suffered a mild heart attack earlier this week after another dialysis session.
The last session she had yesterday went well.

For the last couple of days she has been doing better, and may get her breathing tube out of her mouth tomorrow we hope.

Needless to say, I haven't had the time to post as often as I had in the past. I just read the forums and post to a few and my night is shot. I've also been painting two vacant apartments that I'm trying to get ready, so after I'm done with both of them I'll have much more time for posting.
Send some positive energy and prayers to MOM.

Sorry about what you're going through Sarg....I'll send positive energy your way!!! :)

Sarg, man! I am sending every vibe and prayer I have your way. It's a hard thing to watch your parents become ill. Been down that road myself. Best of wishes to your Mom. :)

Sarge, I am so sorry for what you are going thru. It is so hard when the responsibilty falls on you. It is the most helpless feeling when you can't make them feel better. I'm sure she is so thankful to have someone so loving there for her. That is the most important thing. Thanks for continuing to post here and share your thoughts with us. Please let us know how she is doing. She's been added to my prayers as well as your family!

Sarg, I am so sorry to hear about your mom's failing health!! Keep us informed, whenever it's convenient for you. I will be thinking of and praying for your family.

Thank You all for your kind words. I consider all of you my extended family. You're the best group of friends a person can want.

Update: Mom had her breathing tube removed sometime today and I visited her after work. She was hungry and was able to talk with a whisper, so we hope she will get better as the days go on. The problem is an infection called Merser (MRSR) that she has contracted. The doctor told me early this morning to prepare the family just in case. He said she is a very sick lady and if she flatlines they will not attempt to resuscitate her as per her wishes, and so we wait and pray for the best.

Thanks again for your concern.

SARG.. I am sorry to hear what is going on with your mother.
It is hard to see someone you love in pain. As kids we look up to our mothers as heroes someone that can defeat anything. But as we grow up we notice that mom is human just like everyone else. I would have to be in your shoes right now Sarg.
My prayers go to you and your mother.

Sarge I'm glad your mother is getting better. She is an amazing strong woman for going through diolysis. I'll say a prayer for your family this evening. You are a good son :)

Imsoosure thank-you for starting this :)

I know I'm late in here, but this is a good thread.

Sarg, I'm really sorry to hear what you've been going thru with your mom. I went thru a lot with my father, and both my husband's parents just last year, and I know how hard it is...mostly emotionally. You, your mom, and the rest of your family will be in my prayers. Hang in there. :)

My wife went to the hospital this afternoon to see my mother. Mom was moved from the MICU three days ago because she was doing better, and today the doctor told my wife that mom could be released later this week or early next week so she can come home to stay with us. The doctor also said that we're going to get her a new wheelchair and a hospital bed to help us out. It's going to be a big undertaking, but luckally my wife is willing to take on the task with me of taking care of her. My wife is a CNA and a Certified Home Health Care Specialist, so she knows what needs to be done, and is teaching me the tricks of the trade.

Wow Sarge, your mom is so lucky to have a loving family. I think what you're doing is so heroic. It is a major undertaking. Just knowing that you are making her comfortable and feel as good as possible is the greatest thing to her I'm sure.

Sarg, so glad to hear that you're mom's doing well enough to be released. You're very fortunate that your wife is so qualified and willing to help care for your mother. That says a lot about what a good mother and mother-in-law she is. :) It is a big thing to take on, but I know your mom will feel so loved being able to spend time with you.

My wife is the hero around here. I don't know what I'd do without her, and my mother looks to her as if she were her own daughter. They've always had a good relationship, and that love has only grown since they first met 31 years ago when my wife and I first started dating.

Sarg, I feel so bad somehow I had not seen this post earlier. I am glad to see your mother is doing better. It works out great that your wife is a CNA. I hope everything works out for you and your Mom.

Thanks Stacy, We're going to take it one day at a time and hopefully mom will get stronger the more we work with her. I'm sure she will feel much better after her Halo comes off of her head in another month or so.
Today we got a hospital style bed and new wheel chair delivered to the house, so those two items will be very helpful in taking care of her.

First of all Wow! 31 years that incredible :) Its great your wife is such a great support to you and your mom (her mom basically :) ) Just remember to take some time for just the two of you as well. Even if its a helper once a month so you can go to the movies, grab a coffee or just walk and look deeply into each other's eyes it will do wonders for you both :)

Keep us posted Sarge. I'm assuming she must be home with you guys now.

Thanks Zel, Yeah, moms been home with us for about eight days now. She has her good days and bad. Last tuesday and wednesday were very tough because she kept waking up at all hours of the night calling me for one reason or another. I was lucky if I got an hour and a half of sleep tuesday night. She didn't know if it was day or night. I dragged at work the next day. The next night my wife was off of work and mom was just about as bad as the night before.

We talked to her doctor and he told us to stop using two of her seven medicines and that seems to of helped, plus we give her Benadril before bedtime. At least she's been sleeping through the night the last few nights.