Heidi's mom - Page 4

Chernabog · 05-20-2009, 09:16 PM

BJ and I are sending our prayers with you Heidi & Tom!

lashbear · 05-21-2009, 03:56 AM

Hugs and Wishes from Downunder.

blueerica · 05-21-2009, 05:55 AM

Oh H & T... been thinking about you lots lately. **hugs** I'll be keeping you in my thoughts during this difficult time.

Nephythys · 05-21-2009, 06:07 AM

Sorry to hear this news- I can't even imagine how difficult it must be.

Lots of love and support- *hugs*

SacTown Chronic · 05-21-2009, 06:29 AM

Love and positive vibes.

Motorboat Cruiser · 05-21-2009, 06:42 AM

Love and hugs from both of us.

Tom · 05-21-2009, 12:24 PM

Thanks to everyone for their love and support. An update with a bit of additional background:

Since early in her hospital stay, Heidi's mom has been on a CPAP machine - a machine that provides constant air pressure into someone's breathing track that is used with sleep apnea patients to stop their airways from closing as they sleep. However, with Heidi's mom's weakening lungs, it was found that the machine increased her breathing capacity, and it was left on 24 hours a day. Before the hospital gave it to her, carbon dioxide built in her blood, causing her to spend her first 24 hours in the hospital asleep, nearly comatose. While wearing the CPAP mask, however, she has regained her faculties, sleeping more normally and feeling better.

She has been removing the mask only for short periods to eat or visit with someone (the mask makes speaking difficult), but it was becoming clearer over time that she was not going to be able to breathe normally again without the machine. When she removed it for more than an hour or so, the sleepiness would start to return as her carbon dioxide levels rose. In essence, the CPAP machine has been acting as a kind of ventilator, but that was not in accordance with resuscitation wishes she has expressed. When the doctor told her that if she did not wear the CPAP mask, she would fall asleep, slip into a coma and pass away, she indicated that that was what she wanted.

That was a few days ago, and since then her two outstanding children have returned, and she has a steady stream of friends and relatives come through her hospital room to say goodbye. The last of these left a little while ago, and after that visit, she asked that we not put her mask back on, and we did not. Since that time, Heidi and her father, brother and sister have been around her mom's bed. They have shared stories and told jokes and sung songs. Heidi's mom has become more and more tired, but has not yet let herself slip into unconsciousness. That will come at some point very soon.

Mousey Girl · 05-21-2009, 12:38 PM

Thank you for the update. I am so sorry that you both are going through this. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

Not Afraid · 05-21-2009, 12:40 PM

Much love to you all there by her side. I'm glad you can be there with her. My wish is that her passing comes peacefully and painlessly. I'm glad she is at peace with this and hope the family can feel the same peace during this difficult time.

I am there with you in spirit.

Snowflake · 05-21-2009, 12:45 PM

Tom, thanks for taking the time to post the updates. I share in Lisa's wishes for a peaceful passing and peace and joy to the family. Big hugs to you and Heidi during this difficult time and hugs to Heidi's mom to take on her journey

05-20-2009, 09:16 PM	#1
Chernabog Biophage Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Moon Posts: 2,679	BJ and I are sending our prayers with you Heidi & Tom! __________________ And they say back then our universe Was a coal black egg Until the god inside Burst out and from its shattered shell He made what became the world we know ~ Bjork (Cosmogony)
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05-21-2009, 03:56 AM	#2
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	Hugs and Wishes from Downunder. __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
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05-21-2009, 05:55 AM	#3
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	Oh H & T... been thinking about you lots lately. hugs I'll be keeping you in my thoughts during this difficult time. __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
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05-21-2009, 06:07 AM	#4
Nephythys Yeah, that's about it- Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In a state of constant crap to get done Posts: 2,688	Sorry to hear this news- I can't even imagine how difficult it must be. Lots of love and support- hugs
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05-21-2009, 06:29 AM	#5
SacTown Chronic the myth of the dream Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,217	Love and positive vibes. __________________ Is it the fingers, or the brain that you're teaching a lesson?
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05-21-2009, 06:42 AM	#6
Motorboat Cruiser Cruiser of Motorboats Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,665	Love and hugs from both of us.
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05-21-2009, 12:24 PM	#7
Tom Valued member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 541	Thanks to everyone for their love and support. An update with a bit of additional background: Since early in her hospital stay, Heidi's mom has been on a CPAP machine - a machine that provides constant air pressure into someone's breathing track that is used with sleep apnea patients to stop their airways from closing as they sleep. However, with Heidi's mom's weakening lungs, it was found that the machine increased her breathing capacity, and it was left on 24 hours a day. Before the hospital gave it to her, carbon dioxide built in her blood, causing her to spend her first 24 hours in the hospital asleep, nearly comatose. While wearing the CPAP mask, however, she has regained her faculties, sleeping more normally and feeling better. She has been removing the mask only for short periods to eat or visit with someone (the mask makes speaking difficult), but it was becoming clearer over time that she was not going to be able to breathe normally again without the machine. When she removed it for more than an hour or so, the sleepiness would start to return as her carbon dioxide levels rose. In essence, the CPAP machine has been acting as a kind of ventilator, but that was not in accordance with resuscitation wishes she has expressed. When the doctor told her that if she did not wear the CPAP mask, she would fall asleep, slip into a coma and pass away, she indicated that that was what she wanted. That was a few days ago, and since then her two outstanding children have returned, and she has a steady stream of friends and relatives come through her hospital room to say goodbye. The last of these left a little while ago, and after that visit, she asked that we not put her mask back on, and we did not. Since that time, Heidi and her father, brother and sister have been around her mom's bed. They have shared stories and told jokes and sung songs. Heidi's mom has become more and more tired, but has not yet let herself slip into unconsciousness. That will come at some point very soon.
	Submit to Quotes

05-21-2009, 12:38 PM	#8
Mousey Girl Just Me Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In The Flagon With The Dragon Posts: 2,437	Thank you for the update. I am so sorry that you both are going through this. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
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05-21-2009, 12:40 PM	#9
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Much love to you all there by her side. I'm glad you can be there with her. My wish is that her passing comes peacefully and painlessly. I'm glad she is at peace with this and hope the family can feel the same peace during this difficult time. I am there with you in spirit.
	Submit to Quotes

05-21-2009, 12:45 PM	#10
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Tom, thanks for taking the time to post the updates. I share in Lisa's wishes for a peaceful passing and peace and joy to the family. Big hugs to you and Heidi during this difficult time and hugs to Heidi's mom to take on her journey
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