So sorry to hear about your partner x. I would of thought the same as yourself that if they were stable that there is a good chance of coming out of it. Have they tried bringing them out of coma? And most importantly have you asked the question of why they want to switch life support off? I know it's a hard question but it may help you and family make an informed decision
I was in an induced coma for two months - over that period they tried to wake me & take me off various pieces of life support. The problem was that I became unstable as soon as they did this and I was put back on the machines. Eventually I pulled through and stopped picking up secondary infections
I believe I was placed in an induced coma to enable them to get on with saving my life unimpeded by either my actions or my family's. My body went through unimaginable stresses from all the different machinery keeping my lungs working, my kidneys, heart etc. I was intubated & fed by tube - all uncomfortable, I had catheters for bladder, bowel & lower body circulation. Dialysis, proned - plummeting blood pressure, heart failure - you name it. They then were having to pack me in ice to control massive fevers - it went on and on.
I don't remember having trachy ( again a very unpleasant procedure if conscious) I don't remember being proned 4 x, my wife said this for her was one of the many awful moments. I don't remember dialysis or clearing my lungs, I don't remember all the spikes and drains being moved around my neck, chest & groin to reduce chance of infection. I woke up on ventilator and catheters - all were pretty grim and gladly removed within a few weeks.
They desperately fought to stabilise me - but for a long time they couldnt manage it.
My family saw me being removed from life-support and having a trachy, as positive - which it proved to be.
You poor soul, and Im feeling what your wife was seeing, it literally is heartbreaking and the fact we have no control over it is one of the hardest things I have had to go thru.
Is scary when the phone rings as you dont no if its going to be a good or bad call.
Now knowing what you have been through gives me hope!!
Xx.
Ps- do you no how long you can actually be in an induced coma for?
Have a look at intensivecarehotline.com - you may find answers there. My wife had atleast 8 episodes where they said I wouldnt survive night - including telephone calls in the night. There maybe an ICUsteps meeting near you - you'll find lots of people have experienced what you have and have come out the other side. I hope all improves for you both - most people survive ICU.
Im in australia. I will look i to that hotline here!
Oh wow 8 episodes! Im just abit lost and she is an induced coma and stabke then next statement is we should consider taking off life support. It just didnt make sense and still doesnt.
My wife went through Trachy today successfully and with the plan to be off sedation tomorrow. But yesterday after some hours of sedation withdrawal she started yawning and later in the night having silent coughing. What does this imply? Is this a sign that she's gradually waking up after two weeks of sedation? Please advise me on this
Some of the nurses called me Lazarus or miracle man - a nurse, later, said to my best friend - that it was the force of my personality that pulled me through. The ICU staff can only keep your loved one alive - long enough for them to do the hard work themselves, you have to be able to stand on your own two feet, metaphorically speaking, for recovery to be sustainable. Each one of us that survives deep trauma - proves that it is possible. We have a Facebook page - ICUsteps Chester - we have tried to put useful articles for expatients & relatives.
I believe your classed as critical if your still on a ventilator as that's breathing for you/ helping you to breath, my brother spent 8 days in a coma after a severe head injury he is still not fully conscious yet but is starting to try and pull the tracky out moving arms on request blinking etc , your partner has been sleeping a long time but try and look at it that she is healing , talk to her don't stop play her favourite music don't give up hope my brothers heart rate always shot up on the monitor when we used to talk to him and his eyes would move behind his eyelids, I believe they can hear you! I am sending prayers your way I hope she opens her eyes soon
I was in an induced coma for 15 day and when I woke up my family told me things they said to me while I was asleep that rang bells . When I put 2 and 2 together I realised I thought I was dreaming. Turns out I could hear them
I was in an induced coma for 5 weeks, my husband visited twice a day but my children probably once a week. I remember 'dreams' where my children were lost in the hospital. I believe that's because I heard my husbands voice more often than my children.
As @Leab2017 said also - keep talking. Many of the people that featured in my dreams were those sitting around my bedside. I would 'wake up' to my daughter's voice.
Hi..I was in Australia in Queensland actually...on life support...for a month,some years ago now.I wasn't expected to make it, but I did.I had Sepsis and ARDS..my lungs shut down.I heard people yes indeed. Hang in there please.There is hope.I'm living,walking hope.I was in ICU a month.Yes I had to walk and talk again, but I did it.I survived, when I wasn't meant to.
If your in ICU your status is very critical anyhow, because of where you are...but it sounds like things are going okay you know...
They have much medication to help these days..and nurses 12 hourly for us...our own nurses to watch over us, like Angels...I had a teddy bear brought in, I named it Angel and was fiercely protective of her when I came out of my Induced Coma...lol
I was very combative too. Pulling at my tubes,i put up a big fight.
Talk to your loved on,touch your loved one,gently and nice soft voice too...we hear, we do.You must know we hear..mostly,,play their music they love, not too loud though...it has to be a gentle atmosphere okay...talk,laugh..everything..
Let them know what's happening cause I didn't know what really was going on..my mum didn't explain nor talk...so now I'm out of the induced coma, I know what would have worked and more so.
I wish you the best...Music,gentle voice,touch,gentle reassurance.Smells,familiar smells...
Be yourself,and the more you say all will be ok, the better it will turn out..I know that..
When I knew nothing I was scared..Now I know what I know..I know one must communicate with love and reassurance....
I'm really good now..no problems and survived and wasn't ever expected to..
I Pray for you both..hang on to hope and faith..my favourite words,throughout my time awake in ICU, then back in the coma, I heard the Drs and Nurses talking...
I live today, with Hope and Faith, as I have different struggles..I know I will and can get through these...because I got through this incredibly hard time,I survived this....Hang on to the Hope and Faith.....okay.....
Take good care...and God will take care of the rest....βΊππππ
Just to let you know..I have Cirrhosis of the liver....you CAN, regrow a liver.,it's the largest organ inthe body..well 2nd largest..skin is first.The liver is amazing,,it can regrow...or there's Transplants...You can actually live without a spleen..and get injections as platelets drop, and truly one can live without a spleen...no problems..I know all this cause of my end stage liver disease...so one can rest in the induced coma...whilst the best surgeons work on all that..
I know so..
I trust in God too....things sound good of what Drs are saying..and because I have been in ICU on life support and I now suffer from Liver Disease..and a Splenic Artery Aneurysm.
I wish nothing but the best..I know your scared...but I believe things will turn out okay....by what the Drs are saying..Gee they were good to me in Queensland ICU in Aussie...somhang in there tight okay....God Bless βΊπππππ
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.