3 times cardiac arrest

[shuritamoore6]

I just want to say thank you all for sharing your stories. They give me great hope! Three days ago my mom suffered cardiac arrest. She died three times. Once on the way in the ambulance, and twice at the hospital. I am so scared. They are saying when they bring down the sedation that she just stares. She is not responding and when the ventilator is turned down she gets agitated. I still have very little meaning behind that. I have looked everywhere for information and after finding all the scariest things, I decided to look for hope. Has anyone else survived having cardiac arrest 3 times back to back? How is your quality of life now? How was your recovery? Looking for hope and comfort.

[Ferham]

Hi, I can't comment on cardiac arrest x 3, but I'm sure we will have some members on here that have been in the dark place you are in and can support. How is your Mom today ?

[shuritamoore6 in reply to Ferham]

Unfortunately she did not make. I am so heartbroken right now. They called my father and I in to tell us that it looked as though she would code out again, even with her being fully sedated. They asked us if we still wanted them to do everything in their power to bring her back...and I said yes. Once I saw her however, i knew she was already gone. My mother who was so full of life, always laughing and making others smile...she was just a shell. She was unresponsive, they said she didn't even have a gag reflex. Her fever came back and she was super swollen, she looked pregnant. When i got the call a few hours later that she had coded out again and that they had been working on her for over 7 minutes...I couldn't take it. She fought a long battle. They said she wouldn't make it through the night but yet she held on for several. I am so proud of her, yet so sad that I've lost my best friend. I hate covid and the fact that i couldn't be by her bedside from day one until the end.

[FamilyHistorian in reply to shuritamoore6]

So sorry to hear your news. But you have memories and she will be with you every day!

[Ferham in reply to shuritamoore6]

I'm so desperately sorry for you loss. She fought a huge battle as much you are so right to be proud of her, she will live on in you forever , one day in the future , you will smile when you think of her laughter and zest for life . Covid has taken so much away from us and so many others . Once again please accept my condolences, I'm so sorry x

[FamilyHistorian]

Last November I was admitted to our local hospital and while waiting to be admitted to a ward had a heart attack. I caught pneumonia whilst there and was eventually moved to a cardiology ward where the discovered my artificial valve was rapidly deteriorating. I was sent home. Today is the anniversary of me returning to that hospital not only with pneumonia but also suspected sepsis. This time I got into cardiology a bit quicker and then transferred to Birmingham QE. I was very ill!!!!!!!! Just before Christmas I was admitted to icu operated on and then on sedation / ventilation for nearly 2 months. My family were called in twice because I wasn’t expected to make it. I did and recovery is another story. I came out mid March into lockdown.

The hospital will look after your mother and you must look after yourself.

There is loads of information on both ICUStepsChester and ICUSteps websites.

[Sepsur]

Wishing your Mom quick healing. I’m afraid I don’t have the experience that your Mom has had. Hopefully she will turn the corner soon

[Ferengiit]

My stepfather suffered a heart attack at the beginning of October and two cardiac arrests, in the ambulance and one at the hospital as he arrived . He was moved to William Harvey hospital where was on sedation/ventilation for 11 days. Every time they tried to reduce the sedation ,he would get very agitated .There was a point where they called us in and they said that they were not sure what the damaged had been due to the lack of oxygen during the cardiac arrests. The only option at that point was a tracheostomy in the hope that when they were trying to wake him up and without the tube down his throat ,could be of help. It did. He slowly woke up and was moved to cardiology after 10 days. There he caught COVID but was lucky to be asymptomatic. He is now at home, back to his normal self. He has a long journey as his body and his heart will need time to heal back but he made It through. The journey as a witness is never pleasant, a rollercoaster of emotions ..... Be positive and have hope .......Hope your mum recovers very soon. 🥰

[totallydonny]

Hi, sorry to hear about your mum and understand the worry you must be going through as a family. I suffered 3 cardiac arrests and 2 heart attacks back to back 11years ago at age 53, I was also in a induced coma for 11 days. When they first tried to reduce my sedation I too became agitated and was put back under,. I obviously don't know about your mum's situation as age etc. I was very lucky to survive it anyone would be, I unfortunately could not return to my job as I suffered from unexplained dizzy spells and muscle weakness after 3 months recovering in hospital but considering everything going through what I did entails I was still known as a little miracle by those in ICU I am very lucky to still be here 11 years later. Your mum's recovery could be similar to mine as there is always hope, I am sending my best and positive vibes to your mum and hope she makes it through too.