My mom has been on a ventilator now for 17 days. Everyday they do the X-ray and there is no improvement on the consolidation and now shows a small pleural effusion on the left lung. She also has subcutaneous emphysema. Ventilator back to 100 and she’s saturating 93%.
I just really want her to turn the corner already and was hoping for that glimmer of hope from others experiences.
Wishing your Mom better health and that you get some good news soon.
Fingers crossed things improve soon! What tests have they done? Are the doctors communicating regularly with you?
They’ve only done daily labs, ABGs, and X-ray. It’s really hard to communicate with the doctors. Of the 18 days that she’s been intubated. They’ve only called me 4x and 2 of those times were to talk me into hospice and changing her code status to DNR. I just got off the phone with the nurse and she said she’s really concerned that she’s not responding or at least opening her eyes after 2 hours of no propofol only fentanyl. The most she’ll do is grimace when she pressed on her nail. She really feels bad for her and that she’s going through so much. She told me that her arms and legs are swollen and that her face reacted to the tape they used to intubate her so she developed wounds. After I spoke with the nurse, I could not help but fall on my knees and cry in prayer. I do not want her to suffer. She’s the sweetest person I know with the biggest heart and she doesn’t deserve this. Nobody does.
Seems like your mom and mine are on the same boat. Except that i can actually talk to her nurses anytime and the doctor calls me every day even if she’s the same. From what my moms doc has said to me is that there’s no major improvement on her lungs x ray. She’s been intubated 21 days today and she is still at 100% ventilator oxygen and saturating 92-93%. Also really swollen, non responsive. Only in proprofol. They want her to wake up and respond to pain but I’ve read a lot and just like Covid, every patient wakes up from sedatives so differently. There is no normal in these time. I made it clear that my mom is staying on the ventilator for as long as she needs to recover. I think they got my point because they haven’t brought up a Dnr or disconnecting her anymore. All I can advice you is to pray and pray. You will find patience, peace and faith in your heart when you truly believe. I know it’s hard, I’m going through those exact same feelings now and I call every morning and every night hoping for the smallest improvement. I too get desperate and I can’t help but cry every time I get the “she’s still fighting”. But then I pray and ask Jesus to give me the strength to keep strong. It’s hard to believe but it’s harder to think she can be gone. Hang in there. I think our moms are strong. They’re fighting. Where there is life, there is hope.
If you don't mind me asking, how old is your mom and are you from US? We are in California. I was really hoping they can give my mom convalescent plasma as I've heard some patients turn the corner after they've been given. Unfortunately the hospital where she is located won't give them because there's not enough research to back it up. They've only given her 2 rounds of remdesivir and steroids. I cannot count how many times I've read and re-read, the stories of people on this website. I do that to remind myself that there is hope. Thank you for responding and yes, will continue my prayers. Hoping this week brings better news for the both of us.
She is 57. We are in LA county. No underlying health conditions. My mom has been given a lot of steroids and convalescence plasma as well. She got 2 rounds and the doctor stopped it because he said they didn’t see any improvement. She also got the Remdesivir for 5 days and also didn’t show any improvement. Doctor explained it’s technically medication that is on trial. I decided to take the risk for mom since she was doing very very bad. According to him, the virus is over but now we’re dealing with the severe damage that it left in her lungs. She will be needing a g tube asap since her health is not improving as of now. But from experience with my mom, all the above didn’t really help. I guess it just depends on every patient. That’s what I keep hearing.
Oh wow, we are also from LA county but my mother was hospitalized in Simi Valley Adventist. I did hear it's a hit or miss for some people. They did mention g tube and trach for my mom but they're also concerned that her oxygen needs are still too high for them to be able to do a trach.
My mom coded while her trach was being done. They had to do CPR to bring her back. It’s very dangerous but it’s also needed. Her saturation dropped to 40s when they were doing hers. It was the worst feeling ever but I immediately Felt like that prayer I had been desperate for happened. My mom came back. Now they’re thinking brain damage because of the lack of oxygen.it was only 2 min but she’s now not opening her eyes or responsive. I do worry too, but honestly I pray so much and I have found the faith my heart needs to go through this. Doesn’t mean it stops worrying me or hurting me. It just means that I trust That Jesus has heard us and that his times are perfect. My best wishes for your mom and for all of you!
Chest infection and back on full ventilator - Covid 
Day 10 on ventilator 
Co-vid 19 - third week in ICU for Mum
Finally off the ventilator after 72 days 
