Sister back in ICU and on ventilator due to bleed possibly in stomach and possibly due to ulcer. Anyone with similar experience?

[Beanyynwa]

I know I have posted regularly over last few months but my distressed and concern is high and I am struggling to manage anxiety and worry.

My sister (age 55) is critically I'll again and back on the ventilator. Our Mum passed away due to coronavirus and resulting complicationson 8th February. On 26th Feb my sister was admitted to ICU due coronavirus which impacted massively on her lungs and she was on ventilator for 50 days in total with tracky for last 3 weeks but made good progress.

On Friday afternoon her tracky was removed and as she was doing well without ventilator. They moved her to a ward early evening in a side room. There is a no visiting policy on the ward so sister was really upset. I was able to see her for 10 mins yesterday (Saturday) afternoon but she was upset as she could not understand why I couldn't stay for longer. I told her it would be fine and that we would talk everyday and that we see her for one hour on her birthday on Tuesday. Unfortunately she had a massive bleed early evening and is back in ICU and on ventilator. They think the bleed is from her stomach and possible an ulcer but can't be sure. They asked us to come to the hospital and let us visit her last night at 10pm. They have managed to stabilise her but she remains critically ill. They will try to find where bleed is coming from in morning by gastrology doing a scope.

This morning she is reported to be 'okay'. There is minimal bleeding but her blood pressure is low and there are treating this.

Why and how can all this be happening again to my poor beautiful sister? Any posts would be helpful and appreciated 😢😢🙏🏼🙏🏼❤❤❤

[FamilyHistorian]

Sending positive thoughts. Try and be patient until you have abs answer. I know it’s easy for me to say that.

[Beanyynwa in reply to FamilyHistorian]

Thank you. I value your advice especially given your experience. It is hard for us emotionally and physically as over last year we have had three family members in ICU. We lost Mum in February and nearly lost sister and husband more recently. We are a resilient and strong group of people and will keep praying and fighting for and with our sister. 🙏🏼💗🌈

[Redsetter28]

No wonder your anxious and full of worry Beanyynwa, a devastating time for you. Sorry to hear the loss of your mum and having to deal with your sister too is just heartbreaking. Sounds like the ICU team are looking after your sister very well and keeping you updated which is great and I hope this brings you comfort. Look after yourself and try to take one day at a time. 🌸

[Beanyynwa in reply to Redsetter28]

Thanks so much. At hospital now. Sister is described as doing well and has been excubated - taken off ventilator and taken for CT scan. This might help identify cause of bleeding and if not endoscopy. I will be able to visit her soon. Thanks for your support.🙏🏼💗🌈💪🏽

[Sepsur in reply to Beanyynwa]

Thank god that is sounding much more positive.

[Beanyynwa in reply to Sepsur]

CT scan should no bleed in oesophagus so sister will go to theatre for endoscopy tommorrow. She is stable and on nebulisers.

Sister was very upset when recalling her experiences and events yesterday on ward when she began bring up large amounts of blood. She said she called for nurse who didn't respond for some time. Sister haemorrhage and ICU ward sister described her as having large amounts of blood coming from her mouth and all over her face. She needed 2 units of blood. Truly frightening and distressing. When she is ready for discharge from ICU, I will request meeting and discussion to plan move as sister is understandably anxious.

Praying that bleed can be identified and treated easily without further surgery or complications. Sister needs a break to heal and recover.

[Sepsur in reply to Beanyynwa]

Doesn’t she just

[Sepsur in reply to Beanyynwa]

Just at the point where I was going to drop Down to wards I picked up glandular fever.

I then started having horrendous bouts of vomiting- exorcist style.- I had had my trache out and remember thinking ( because of the hole in my throat) - I’ve come through all this and now I am now going to asphyxiated on my own vomit.

Within a few days I was getting ‘locked in’ & fitting - truly scary - it transpired I was chronically allergic to an antiviral I was taking.

I was so exhausted and did wonder if I would ever get out of there alive

[Beanyynwa in reply to Sepsur]

Omg. What a rollercoaster you survived. My sister is very frightened. She asked yesterday if she would live til her 56 Birthday which is tomorrow. I told her that she better had as we planned to celebrate with her. ❤🌈🥳😂

[Sepsur in reply to Beanyynwa]

Tell her there are loads of us who have experienced what she is going through - we have come out the other side and we are ok😊💪

[BabyRhino]

Hi Beanyynwa, I don't think I can say anything particularly useful for you right now, but my heart goes out to you and your family. I hope you can keeping finding those hidden pockets of strength to get you through another day 🌠

[Beanyynwa in reply to BabyRhino]

Thank you so much. We are a resilient bunch especially my sister. The support and advice of this group and weekly zoom meetings with Chester ICU steps has been invaluable. I could not have coped without you all. Thank you and sincere gratitude for the care and support. 🤗😘💗🌈

[Clarkegrove]

Keep us all posted - my brother had a serious heart attack 8 weeks ago but is now slowly recovering - it has been an emotional roller coaster ride -

Best Wishes 🌞

[Beanyynwa in reply to Clarkegrove]

Thanks. Sister remains in ICU but getting better. Main consultant does not want to do endoscopy due to the increased risks of general anesthetic as sister has recently been on ventilator and for long periods. He wishes to monitor sister's progress. Consultant explained that CT scan showed some bleeding from lungs but this did not account for the huge amounts when sister haemorrhaged on Saturday. He suspects that it is a bleed from stomach due to ulcer and is treating with omeprazole. ICU will monitor.

Sister's birthday today so ICU staff keen to celebrate this with her and us. 😘🥳❤🥂🎂

[Sepsur in reply to Beanyynwa]

Wishing her strength and good fortune.

[aspydoodle in reply to Beanyynwa]

This could be wise. Once she’s more stable, they can potentially do the scope with conscious sedation. I can’t imagine the difficulty of dealing with this during covid.

[Mimi407]

Oh beannynwa. Your family is so strong. I am so sorry for the loss of your mum. But i am praying for your sisters full recovery. Keep fighting stay strong. God does answer prayers 🙏

[aspydoodle]

My dad had this years ago. He had a perforated ulcer that they fixed with surgery. He was quite ill but had a host of other issues but recovered. He lost a lot of blood and it was painful. If it’s not perfed they may be able to fix with time. I suggest follow up with GI to make sure it doesn’t happen again like what drugs to avoid. Good wishes.

[Beanyynwa in reply to aspydoodle]

Thank you so much. Very helpful. 🤗👍🏼🙋🏽‍♀️