Family member in ICU after heart attack

[Hotel_California]

Hi everyone, I’m new here and have had whirlwind of a week. We have a family member in ICU at present and under sedation, there are a lot of complications too. We are hoping that they will regain some strength to then have a heart repair operation.

we’ve been told that it will be a long road to recovery and I totally understand that we are now at the very start of a long journey. I’m just trying to see if there is any advice on how to help close family members deal with the constant roller coaster of hope and despair?

I’m trying to hold everyone together and myself at the same time. I’m ok at the moment, I’ve distanced my self a little emotionally to remain objective and to keep some stability in the lives of the people around me. I’m keeping an eye on myself and have already reached out to an employer counselling service the company I work for provides.

is there any advice or wisdom that people who have either been through the same journey, or are currently further down the road can give, that may help the people around me that I really want to help and support?

thank you and sorry for such a long post.

[Sepsur]

we run a virtual on line drop-in meeting for relatives every Tues at 20.00 U.K. time.

We have had many American participants over the last few years

The link explains all 😊

cc-sn.org/drop-in-meetings

[Hotel_California in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you, I’ll have a look and see if I can get to that meeting. Would really help to speak with people.

We’re actually in Scotland, the username may be a bit misleading 😬 It was the only one I tried that was t taken.

[Sepsur in reply to Hotel_California]

- there you are - I was jumping to conclusions - 20.00 it is then. Many of our group have found it unbelievably helpful to be able to talk candidly about what is going on & hearing other people’s experiences and how they have overcome all of the terrible twists & turns of critical illness & care

[LeopardGecko in reply to Sepsur]

I would thoroughly recommend trying to get to the relatives meeting - I found them incredibly helpful when my husband was in ICU.

[Grant_za]

Definately join the group meeting as suggested by Sepsur, you'll gain plenty by talking, listening and sharing.You are definitely on a roller-coaster, and as advised, it will be a long ride - peaks & troughs are a constant.

For now, your loved one is probably getting and increased protein intake via a tube feed. Very often a product called Fresubin is used for about a week prior to surgery for more "frail" patients. Once protein / pre-albumin levels are good, the surgeon would be prepared to operate (surgical risk is reduced). Keep speaking to the medical team so you understand what may be planned / happening, and why - including the nurses.

Uncertainty & lack of understanding is a family's worst enemy.

Be sure to take proper care of your own health, physical & mental. Only if you are in good shape can you provide support and stability to others.

[Ashfilm]

Yes the doctors are right , when a person is placed in ICU its is a very long journey . I have recently gone through this experience myself with a relative . Unfortunly in my case it did not end happily and my relative has recently passed away. The only advice I can really give you is that the next while is going to be full of ups and downs, so it is important to make sure you get enough rest when you can , eat well and look after your stress levels as best you can . Also know that the doctors will always give the worst case scenario so as not to give false hope. I wish you and your relative the best.