Prayer Request...Updated Post #42

[TellerMorrow34]

My Mom is headed to an Emergency room in a New Mexico Hospital in the morning. Just over 6 years ago she survived an infection that should have taken her life. They are afraid the infection has returned. If it has she will be transferred to a hospital here in Tucson where she will undergo hyperbaric oxygen treatments.

My Mom is a fighter. She lost her right arm in a car accident that was attempted murder when I was 9. When I was 11 she developed rheumatoid arthritis that has literally deformed her one hand and both feet.

The infection was caused by a brown recluse spider bite. They had to open her left leg up from hip to knee and knee to ankle to remove the infection. It put her in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She can walk, but only short distances.

Not long after getting the wheelchair she had my young niece out for a ride and the battery died. Instead of finding a phone to call for help, she pushed the wheelchair and my niece home and broke her back in the process.

I know she is flat out tough, but I worry that she cannot take much more. I have offered to go to New Mexico tonight and get her to the Emergency room myself, or bring her back to Tucson to do it. She wants to do it her way, which is why she's going in the morning instead of right now. She's worried about paying a couple of bills and finding someone to take care of her dog. I told her I can do all that, but she insists.

Your prayers would be appreciated by me. Her name is Marty.

Thank you all. Just got off the phone with Mom. She is headed to the ER in 10 minutes with her nurse. There are 4 possible solutions.

1. The infection is not back and something else is wrong. Unlikely, but possible.

2. The infection is back, but can be controlled with normal antibiotics and her resting at home or with a brief stay in the hospital. Also unlikely, but this is what we are most hoping for. My Mom is very independent. That is why she lives in New Mexico even though all 3 of her kids live in Tucson. She is a private person. She has accepted the fact that she has to have daily nurses, but if she has to give up any more freedom she will probably give up.

3. The infection is back and she will need IV antibiotics, but can receive them in New Mexico. We believe this is the most likely scenario after her nurse's exam this morning. No fevers anywhere except the painful spots on her legs. It will depend on the toxicity levels they come up with when they examine the sores.

4. The infection is back and needs aggressive hyperbaric oxygen treatments and long term hospitalization in Tucson. If this is the case she will be brought by ambulance today. There is a possibility they would life flight her due to the need to attack this infection. She could lose her leg if this happens. That would mean no more living at home alone. She would have to be in a nursing home. There is no other solution. She is dreading this. So am I.

You all will be in my prayers and thoughts Hos. Stay strong.

 

[the kid 05]

holy shista your mom is more then tough hos, wishing for the best for her and you

 

[Hostile]

Update...

Got off the phone with my Mom. They are not going to transfer her to Tucson for now. They don't think it is her previous infection returning. She's going to see a wound specialist on Monday.

They have her on IV antibiotics right now, and she will be going home in the morning with new antibiotics.

So unless she doesn't improve at all, they do not feel she is a medical emergency at this point.

She is not out of the woods yet, but there is no panic. Thank you all so much.

 

[zrinkill]

Just seen this post Hos .... she is in my prayers.

 

[tomson75]

I'm glad to hear her prognosis has improved. It's always tough to lose loved ones...but to lose people of her type, from that era where people were tough, accountable, and capable...is a travesty. I've always felt that each generation gets further and further away from what is important in life...at least what I find to be important. The generation that is slowly leaving us now is a heartbreaking loss of a often overlooked resource.

I hope you have many more years to be well with her. Make sure she knows that she's loved and respected.

 

[Hostile]

When my Mom was near death from the infection, she was in ICU before they transferred her to a hospital in El Paso, Texas for the hyperbaric oxygen treatments. I credit those folks and that treatment with saving her life. She came to and saw me and my Uncle standing there. She said, "if you two are here I must be dying."

Hardest thing I have ever heard in my life. Mostly because she was.

I told my uncle that night that I wished I had a pair like my Mom. He said, "yeah she's got some brass ones down there." We both laughed.

When I was away playing college football my Mom broke her left ankle out at the ranch. She drove my sister the 18 miles to the bus stop so she could go to school. The bus stop was at the Fire Station where I used to work and they could have taken her to the hospital.

She decided to drive herself another 31 miles to the hospital. I should mention that her truck was a 5 speed Nissan. She drove it every day with one arm and shifting with her stump. Now she had to do it pushing a clutch with a broken ankle. Actually, had to is wrong. She chose to.

Hard headed woman. She made it about half way to the hospital. Still managed to drive 33 miles with a broken ankle and shifting gears.

I drove my Mom home from the hospital in El Paso. She had been in the hospital for over 3 months. First place I had to take her was to her doctor. He said, "I can't believe I am looking at you. I really thought you were dead."

My Dad came over that evening. They were no longer married but they were friends again. I told him the same thing I told my Uncle. That I wish I had a pair like hers. My Dad said, "Mike, your pants wouldn't fit ya son."

The epitome of her toughness was brought home to me when she survived the attempted murder. They wouldn't allow us in the hospital, so she snuck out and a dear friend brought her to my grandma's house. I will never forget the sight. My Mom was very pretty before the wreck. I could scan a picture and you would all agree.

She had no teeth. They had all been knocked out by the steering wheel. Her eyes were black and her nose was broken. Her neck was broken and she had a big c-collar on. There were 15 stitches closing the gash in her head. Where her right arm used to be was a basketball sized bandage that was pretty bloody.

My younger brother refused to believe that was Mom. My baby sister was only 8 months old. Mom wanted to hold her baby. No one thought it was a good idea. She wasn't going to be denied. She rocked her to sleep and then gave her back to my Aunt. She was ready to go back to the hospital. She told me to take care of things. She would be home in 3 weeks. She was.

I want to emphasize that we had already been told she had a 20% chance of surviving.

You want to know why I won't back down? It's not in my makeup. I grew up seeing someone who will never back down. Not even from death.

I don't know why I shared this, but I'm kind of glad I did.

 

[tomson75]

I don't know why I shared this, but I'm kind of glad I did.

As am I.

 

[peplaw06]

Was praying while reading through this thread Hos.

My dad was also bit by a brown recluse years ago. That was scary. Those things are no joke.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'm glad to read the update that they're thinking it's going to be alright. I'm very happy for you and your family Hos.

Your mother sounds like she is one special woman. Thank you for sharing this all with us.

God bless you man.

 

[silverbear]

Update...

Got off the phone with my Mom. They are not going to transfer her to Tucson for now. They don't think it is her previous infection returning. She's going to see a wound specialist on Monday.

They have her on IV antibiotics right now, and she will be going home in the morning with new antibiotics.

So unless she doesn't improve at all, they do not feel she is a medical emergency at this point.

She is not out of the woods yet, but there is no panic. Thank you all so much.

Keep us updated, man...

 

[diehard2294]

I'm glad to hear her prognosis has improved. It's always tough to lose loved ones...but to lose people of her type, from that era where people were tough, accountable, and capable...is a travesty. I've always felt that each generation gets further and further away from what is important in life...at least what I find to be important. The generation that is slowly leaving us now is a heartbreaking loss of a often overlooked resource.

I hope you have many more years to be well with her. Make sure she knows that she's loved and respected.

amen, keep us updated hos

 

[daschoo]

i'm not a particularly religious man but you and your mum certainly have my best wishes.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Hos, I just now saw this thread. You know I am in prayer for your mom. I believe she will come through this and come through this STRONG.

James 5:16

 

[Hostile]

She's being checked out of the hospital at noon today. Going to see a wound specialist this week. Not sure when yet. Then my sister and I are going to try and get her over here to Tucson for a while so we can have her near the hyperbaric if the antibiotics aren't working.

She asked me to thank you all for the prayers.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

So sorry I came across this thread late. We will remember her in our prayers.

 

[vta]

That's pretty incredible over all. Those tough as nails women seem to be a by-gone condition of an advancing society. The last one remember was my maternal grandmother. An incredible woman.

God bless and keep your mother. Best wishes for your family.

 

[SDogo]

Have not forgotten Hos, thanks for the updates.

 

[Avaj]

^^^ Likewise.

 

[JustDezIt]

hope everything is still good

 

[the kid 05]

She's being checked out of the hospital at noon today. Going to see a wound specialist this week. Not sure when yet. Then my sister and I are going to try and get her over here to Tucson for a while so we can have her near the hyperbaric if the antibiotics aren't working.

She asked me to thank you all for the prayers.

least we could do for a chap like your self and your family