My mum is about to 'wake up' out of sedation after 1 week today, tomorrow or in the week . Any advise what to say & how soon to be there?

[ellie2014]

[Kulta]

Good news. I needed a lot of reassurance and orientation when I came out of sedation. She may have experienced disturbing dreams or hallucinations which is commonplace. Lots of TLC and patience. She may stay awake for some time afterwards - I was too scared to sleep again and kept my eyes open for >36 hours. Reassurance and orientation, I can't say that too much. Explain what surrounds her, what is behind her - she is safe - as your mum may have imagined she was/is in all manner of random places during her hospitalisation. All the very best and good on you for being prepared and asking x

[ellie2014 in reply to Kulta]

Thank you. Her heart rate raises everytime they try so it is on hold again . Her temperature was high after ecmo as well so trying to get that down . Will keep you posted!

[Offcut]

My wife said it was all a bit strange when I was coming out of the coma. I tried to remove my traci and tubes. I do remember asking the nurse what country I was in? In my second life I had been to China. Korea, Germany and Brize Norton and Nottingham? I was even in a nuclear bomb medical centre disguised as a traffic island in my home town of Coventry?

Talk and reassure expect the unexpected but do not panic. It is the same from both sides of the sheets.

Be Well

[ellie2014 in reply to Offcut]

Thank you. Her heart rate raises everytime they try so it is on hold again . Her temperature was high after ecmo as well so trying to get that down . Will keep you posted!

[vianne]

Ellie I'm so pleased to hear your news, when I was woken up my daughters acted exactly the same as they usually do, they spoke to me normally and it made me feel as if all was well. On the subject of the various hallucinations, nightmares, etc, all you can do is to try to reassure her that she will be fine and the dreams etc will stop. It might be tough for you to hear some of the things she says but rest assured that it will be the drugs talking, whatever she says to you, don't take it personally, I said some terrible things to my husband and daughters and it really upset them (I found this out afterwards), but it was because I was so confused about the hallucinations and what was real and what wasn't. The fact that you are there for her will comfort her. Wishing you all the very best, keep us informed.

[ellie2014 in reply to vianne]

Thank you. Her heart rate raises everytime they try so it is on hold again . Her temperature was high after ecmo as well so trying to get that down . Will keep you posted!

[harvey8]

hi Ellie as someone in your mums position last year I think she just needs to know that you are there with her, that you love her and think that she is doing really well, i also think that she may have problems doing the most simple of things for herself, i could not even put on my glasses or read a book but you and she both need to know that this will all get better and to be patient, it takes time also the ICU STEPS booklet was a godsend to me and my family because if there was anything that we thought was not quite going to plan we would just get out this book and most times we found that it was normal and to be expected and this would set our minds at rest, my daughter called this her 'bible' as i said it has been just over a year for me now and most things have settled down, i am just still a little tired but then at 72 i think that this is not too bad considering how very ill i was and that my heart, lungs and kidneys had closed down but now i have bounced back and we are loving life

hope all go's well for you and your mum x keep us posted

[ellie2014 in reply to harvey8]

Aw thank you so much . Such a great help and comfort . Glad you are better . X

[ellie2014]

My mum looked more awake yesterday but not there yet . She's now had 2 heart shocks and temperature still high . I'm just in traffic jam on the way to see her . Hopefully she will make some progress today .

[harvey8 in reply to ellie2014]

I, like your mum had Pneumonia and septic shock and I was also bloated and my hands and feet were black where all the lines had been put in but these soon went back to normal when i was awake, they gave me light excercise to do with my hands and feet

[ellie2014]

They are doing a tracheostomy this afternoon now so will be sedated for a few more days yet ...

[harvey8 in reply to ellie2014]

I woke up this morning thinking about you because I know what my husband and daughter were going through at this stage, just wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. my first contact with my daughter was on the phone, she rang just to see how I was and they said she has had her tube out and is awake do you want to speak to her and it was the best feeling in the world for both of us, my husband was too scared to ring each day so my daughter rang for them both, so we do know how you feel and we are hoping that you get that good news very very soon x

[Karlacairns]

My sister is still in ICU ,she is now in her 90th day , everything that could go wrong has , it's been a living nightmare she had her Tracky took out 3 days ago we are just praying she still keeps fighting , she is a true mirical x

[harvey8 in reply to Karlacairns]

The staff in ICU truly do perform miracles so hang in there, talk to her, stroke her hand and as my family did when i was in there keep praying, so many people go through this and come out the other end xx