A request for thoughts and vibes and prayers (if that's your thing)

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I'd send all of you personal emails about this if I had the energy. I don't.

While Tom and I were visiting my parents in Michigan this weekend, my mother (http://www.xenarchy.com/LoT/showthread.php?p=26246#post26246) developed a terrible infection in her leg from a thorn on her rosebush. Why a woman with an auto-immune disease and diabetes would choose to prune a rosebush in her wheelchair isn't entirely clear. In any case, the wound wasn't healing and it sent her into shock. She initially wished to just let go, but we were able to, after several hours, convince her to go into the hospital. She's been there for the last three days, during which she's improved, or so we thought. While we were on the plane back to LAX yesterday, they found out that the infection has spread to her blood.

Whatever thoughts, prayers, or directed energy you can spare in her direction would be appreciated.

[MickeyD]

Heidi ~I'm so sorry to hear about this. You, your mother & your family are in my thoughts and prayers! {{{{{HUGS}}}}} ~Heather

[Not Afraid]

Heidi.......((((((((HUGS))))))))

I've been thinking about your family for a while now. You've been hit hard, is seems. I hope that your Mom can make it through this. My thoughts are definitey with her and your whole family.

[UvaGirl]

Sending thoughts your way.

[Baileykat]

Heidi...Prayers for you Mom and more prayers for you! Stay strong! I'll keep you in my thoughts!

Hugs~~~~~~~~

Dena

[MouseWife]

Sending prayers for health and mental strength, too.

{{{hugs}}}

[MerryPrankster]

Heidi~
I'm sending good thoughts and prayers to your Mom, you & Tom and all of your family. Ever since I read your wonderful story, I think about you and your Mom a lot. She is always in my prayers. Stay strong. {{{hugs}}} Really great Moms are hard to come by, and I know she's one of the best.
~Gayle

[SacTown Chronic]

Oh Heidi, I am so sorry to hear this. Good vibes and prayers headed your mom's way.

Hang in there, girl.

[libraryvixen]

Heidi, I know you know that I am sending your family all my prayers and good thoughts. (((HUGS)))

[blueerica]

Oh, and here I was just wondering how your trip went...

I'm sorry to hear that things with your mother aren't so hot. I hope she gets better, and that she can become well, or at least more well, if you know what I mean. I don't mean to make light of everything, but you know that I mean... and my family and I are going to be sending positive vibes her way.

{{{hugs}}}

Erica

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Heidi,

Matthew and I will send as many good vibes and positive thoughts as we can muster. I'm so sorry to hear this news. Stay strong and please don't hesitate to call if you want/need to talk.

[€uroMeinke]

How awful for you and your family, you can count on me sending out good thoughts and energy her way, and to you as well.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

You are in my thoughts! May everything turn out for the best. >hug<

[mousepod]

Big prayers and thoughts from this household. For your mom and you.

[scaeagles]

Health problems suck. So sorry to hear it. Good vibes and prayers headed her way.

[Jazzman]

I’m so sorry that you have to go through this. I worry about my own parents and their health a lot, and I can relate to what you must be feeling. I’ll also be sending thoughts, prayers, positive waves and all of the good vibes I can muster your way. I hope that everything works out.

Take care.

[wendybeth]

You and your family will most definitely be in my thoughts and prayers, Heidi.

[Gn2Dlnd]

My best thoughts that the penicillin does its job, and mom is home in time to talk about the Tonys with you.

[Mousey Girl]

((hugs))

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Thank you all for your energy and support. My family appreciates it, and I truly do as well.

We found out this morning that the particular strain of bacteria is called pseudomonas. It is, apparently, the bacteria most likely to mutate and therefore not respond to antibiotics. They have changed her IV to a cocktail of more aggresive medicines, and hopefully that will help.

Her leg continues to improve, and oddly enough, her blood platelet count is as high as it's been since she developed her auto-immune disease. We think it's possible that her immune system has been distracted from misguidedly killing blood cells, trumped by the need to kill the infection.

Spirits are shaky, and she wants to get the heck out of there-- especially since the nurses around her don't always listen to her. Yesterday she asked repeatedly not to be moved from her bed to a chair until my father arrived to help (he had waited for another elevator.) They refused to listen, and injured her arthritic knee just as she told them they would. They're also messing up her diabetic meals, just as they usually do when she's in this hospital. Argh. I know people are human, but sometimes I think they forget they're dealing with people who have needs and questions and know a lot about what can and won't help them. Fortunately, she recognizes that she's where she needs to be, and she'll be vigilant about how she allows herself to be treated.

On the up-side, the earlier part of the trip was very lovely. Everyone genuinely liked Tom, and the feeling was mutual. We even got to cook for them a few times before Mom got sick. For as stressful and upsetting as the trip eventually became, our time with my family was very pleasant.

Thanks again for all of your support. It's helping me through this time.

[Gemini Cricket]

Sending good vibes your way, Heidi! :)
((((((((HUGS)))))))))

[Prudence]

Urg, I don't even know what to say. I have a marked tendency toward gallows humor, but I don't know you well enough to fling it out here. So I guess just know that I'm sitting here thinking up wildly inappropriate comments meant with the absolutely bestest intentions and all the positive vibes I can muster.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I have a marked tendency toward gallows humor...

My mother would love you. As soon as she was making jokes about the situation, we knew she was feeling a little better. So there we were-- my siblings, Tom, and I-- at my mother's side. Making fun of her prior behavior and the debacle that had been forcing her into the hospital. Joking about the cutting off of underthings for catheder insertion, which lead to joking about perforated underwear for the kinky elderly, which lead to a discussion of the questionable sanitary conditions for ingesting edible underwear. She may not have much left, but if her mobility and her strength had to go, at least that sense of humor is still sticking around.

[Kels]

I'm glad to hear your mom's sounding like she's feeling better. That's good news. My thoughts are with you. Prayer all around. :)

[dsnylndmom]

Heidi, I'm late coming into this thread but I'm so glad to hear that your mom is feeling better. I hope she continues to have a speedy recovery. In the meantime she and YOU are in our thoughts and prayers!! HUGS

[Boss Radio]

My thoughts are with you during this trying time.

(You know, no matter what I come up with, it still sounds all Hallmark, so please forgive me. Just go ahead and take the positive vibes that are clumsily concealed within my somewhat mechanical auto-response.)

And tell her if she goes playing in the briar patch again, you'll kick her ass.