My Husband was admitted to hospital and currently on ICU.

[JMusin]

My husband has been in ICU for the last 9 days. We have been told he is critical. His kidneys have failed and he is on dialysis. He is on a ventilator and on 100% oxygen. We feel so deflated after a phone call from the doctors. We understand they do not want to give us false hope but wanted to very kindly hear other people's positive experiences.

[Sepsur]

Welcome @JMusin - this is a forum I’m sure you would never wanted yourself becoming a part of.

When you can concentrate on reading, I would really recommend you have a look at the intensive care guide for patients & relatives

icusteps.org/assets/files/t...

It gives you a picture of a usual critical care journey - although ‘usual’ isn’t a word to use in these circumstances.

I was on dialysis for 7weeks after suffering multiple organ failure brought on by sepsis & septic shock - following avian flu & double pneumonia. I was ventilated for 2 1/2 months and in an induced coma for 57 days.

I live fairly normally now & have minimal living issues from that critical illness - full mobility etc etc. I do have to pace myself & appreciate that I have lost strength & stamina.

When it comes to the doctors & nursing staff - you’ll get to realise that some have very poor HR skills - but others there are those that can communicate in a reasoned and compassionate fashion, so try and liaise through them when you can.

[JMusin in reply to Sepsur]

Hi Sepsur , thank you so much for getting back to me. I greatly appreciate it!

Your story is incredible. Thank you for sharing your journey. Your words are really comforting. Such stories really give me hope.

You are so right, people will have different skills and telephone manners etc. Thank you for your advice.

[Jbujanda82]

My father had been in the hospital and on ventilator for 3 weeks. His kidneys started to fail after the 1st week. He had dialysis done about 4 times. His kidneys started functioning again and has not needed it anymore. The doctor told us he would have to go to a specialist once he got home for a check up, but that they looked good. The ventilator settings are now at 40% and peep at 5, he had a tracheostomy done two days ago. He is now heading to long term acute care to help with the weaning off the ventilator. Hang in there it seems hopeless at times but we just have to be patient and take it day by day.

[Blur2019]

Hi

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. It really is a very scary and bewildering experience. It is almost a year now since my mum was taken into ICU with pneumonia and septic shock. She was on 100 oxygen on a ventilator from 2 days in and had 2 failed extubations during her long ICU stay. The Drs will always be on the very cautious side in everything they say. I was always looking for a positive glimmer but never got one from them. A year on my mum is now almost back to normal. I really hope your husband turns a corner soon.

Debbie

[12857-_]

God has the last word. My sis day 7 vent icu crit condition right now but don’t stop praying this is the second time and first time she was given less than one percent chance of living pray pray pray all we did and are doing

[12857-_]

I worked at a vent/dialysis rehab and I walked many patients to the front door after they had rehabilitation for months some even after years! All came in very bad shape to us but we got them going again! Many as in 100sof discharches home per year

[Claret1882]

So sorry to hear your news, you are in my thoughts Steven x

[Copse77]

I am so sorry to hear your husband is critically ill. My brother was in that situation also on a ventilator and requiring dialysis. The kidneys are usually the last organs to start to work so please don’t be dismayed. My brother was unconscious on a ventilator for a month before he started to wake up. It was helpful advice to us to keep a timeline noting any small improvements for days when you have difficult news to focus in those small positives. I hope your husband starts to improve.