Perforated bowel/septic shock....now possible pneumonia!

My mother in law was rushed in to hospital with abdominal pain on 28th December. After a CT scan, it revealed her bowel perforated. Emergency surgery repaired the bowel and she was taken to ICU. She went into septic shock but luckily this was managed with IV antibiotics, blood pressure medication and mechanical ventilation. They have tried numerous times to take her off the ventilator but she hasn't been strong enough to breathe on her own. She now has a chest infection and I'm worried this will end up as pneumonia and be another epic battle she has to face. We are now 11 days in the ICU and doctors do not seem happy with her progress. They seem guarded in providing us with a prognosis or even with an action plan. It seems we're constantly chasing for information and when we do get it, it's vague. Are they doing this as they don't think she will make it? Or is it genuinely something that can go either way at any time? So sorry if this sounds a like a stupid question. After 11 days we thought she would at least show signs of something.

[stevet11753]

I was also in ICU after a bowel rupture; 11 days in an induced coma, four weeks on a ventilator. It took a long time to wean me off the ventilator because of lung congestion requiring regular suctioning. So I would say it's early days yet and not to become too despondent.

[Tsoula]

The same thing happened to my mum in october . She was in an induced coma for 3 weeks then ventilated longer. We were told her chances of survival were slim. She got home to her own house last week and although weak is doing ok. Its early days - keep hopeful. Hugs to you - i know how stressful this is x

[jenni-p]

I understand your anguish and my heart goes out to your family. My mum has been in ICU for 3 weeks now and we have run the gauntlet like your family. It is a really stressful time and a journey which needs to be viewed one day at a time. I know that is hard however we take comfort in the fact that those nurses and doctors treat our loved ones with the utmost care and expertise. Progress is on a very individual basis - there is no format . They can only give you information on a daily basis - they care for the patients on a 24/7 basis and take stats every 1/2 hour so their observations run on a different timeline to ours. I know as a concerned daughter I want to see my mum galloping forward - however when someone is in ICU it doesn't work that way. I have talked with other relatives and heard many inspiring stories about recovery Keep by her side and try to keep positive. Above all keep yourself healthy and strong. My Mum has encountered sepsis twice and has come through. One thing my sister and have learned through this journey is patience. Love and light to you and your family. Miracles happen all the time

Jenni

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