As some of you know, my mom had her colon removed on Nov. 30th. Initially, the surgery looked like it was successful, but then she made a turn. At first, they said she had shown all the signs of a pulmonary embolism, but they couldn't actually find the PE. Now they are saying she has an antibiotic resistant yeast infection. And now she is showing signs of bleeding internally. I have no idea what is wrong, and I am so scared. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. She was supposed to have the surgery and then be *better*, not fighting for her life. So, if anyone could possibly keep her in their thoughts, I would be so grateful. Right now, she needs all the help she can get. Those of you that pray, I am sure she would appreciate your prayers as well. While I am not religious, my mom is.

- Laura

Laura, I'm so sorry to hear that. I know that in the last couple of days you've been very hopeful that things were beginning to look better. I'm so sorry that this has happened, and I can understand that you're scared.

Hang in there. You know we're all thinking of you and hoping and praying that your mom will get better. And if you need company, you know where to find us.


Wendy

I hope things start to improve, Laura. I know how hard it is to deal with something like this, especially this close to the holidays.

I'll be keeping you and your mom in my prayers.

{{{{{{{{{{Laura}}}}}}}}}}

You know we're here for you. While I'm not religious either, I do have your mom in my thoughts.

Sara

((((((((Laura))))))))))))

Oh, dear. You know I truly wish that she gets better soon.

I hope we can all bring you some confort, sharing this with you. It isn't easy, but please be sure that we are all hoping for the best.

I do pray and be sure she will be on every one of them. She was before and she will keep there until she is finally better.

Hang on, Laura. You must be strong now. I know your father also needs you at this tough moment. So whenever you feel down, come and share it with us. We are here to make it easier for you if we can.

You´re in my thoughts and prayers too.

Wish you all the best,

MDL.

Thanks for your well wishes, everyone. I just got a phone call from my sister. My mom is going in for another surgery tonight at 11:00 -- so in less than an hour. It seems as though the feeding tube they gave her perforated something in her abdomen -- my sister wasn't exactly clear -- but they are going in for emergency surgery at 11:00.

Please, please, please keep her and my whole family in your thoughts.

- Laura

I'm so sorry to hear how things are going, Laura.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Laura}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I'll keep you both in my thoughts.

Julie

At least they've found out what the problem is. I'll be thinking of you and your mom. Do come and let us know how things go whenever you can.


Wendy

We are here, Laura. Hoping for the best.

At least now that they know what they're dealing with they have a better shot at treating your mom successfully. We're thinking of her, Laura.

Nan

I'm praying for you guys, Laura. I know how scary emergency surgeries are. Keep strength and hope in your heart. Together, you and your family can support each other. Let us know how things go...we're here for you.

Best
Jen

Laura! I'm so sorry that you, your mom and your family have to go through all this. I'm not especially religious although I do pray, and know that your mom (and you and your family) will be in my prayers.

Hang in there, don't lose faith! We're all rooting for her and we're all waiting for good news from you.

Mirage

Thank you, everyone, for your support. I can't even express how much it means to me. The surgery went well -- and they found out the reason for a lot of her problems. She had an ulcer in her stomach that was huge, apparently, and it was what perforated. So when that ripped open, it spilled bacteria and other bad things (acid, food stuff, etc) into her body. Now, hopefully, they fixed the perforation, and immediately her vital signs looked good. They are predicting at least a few more days on the ventillator, and quite a while longer in intensive care. I am still worried, but a little more optimistic.

Thanks again for your support. My mom's journey is far from over, but she might be on the upward track now that they know the root of a lot of her problems.

- Laura

Laura, I'm sorry I didn't post sooner - catching up at last. I'm glad your mom is getting better. Keep us updated on her progress, and hang in there. We're all thinking about you.

Kaethel

*hugs* I'm glad they found the problem and that she's doing better. I'll keep her in my thoughts, and I hope she continues to recover well.

Sending hugs, prayers, and healthy thoughts.

Sherry

Yellow Dart,

I'm so sorry I didn't see this sooner. I'm praying hard for you, your family, and your mom, most especially.

Hang in there,

CC

Same here - I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. My thoughts are with you and I hope everything improves. At least they found the root of the problem.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<hugs>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Glad to hear that they now seem to be on the ball, Laura, and taking decisive steps to hopefully solve the problem.

I'll be sending best wishes your way that your Christmas is happy and you get the healthy New Year for you and yours that you've been hoping for.

LabRat

Laura,

I really hope that your Mom gets better soon.

I don't know you or anyone on the boards very well and don't post that often but I know that you must be very worried and upset, so I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers over the next few weeks.

Sarah-Jayne

Oh, Laura, I'm so sorry to hear this. I've been off in my own little world the alst few days trying to get all my work done for the end of term, and I missed your first message. I'm glad to hear things are looking a little better today. Please know you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers, and feel free to call me if you need to talk or vent or whatever.

Take care, we're all with you
Kaylle

I wish you and your mom the best, Laura.

AnnaBtG.

I'm glad to hear your mom is getting better. I will hope for the best.

Oh dear - you must all have been so scared these last few days.

Laura, I've just read this thread and I'm so relieved to read that your mom is feeling better now and things are looking up for her.

Here's wishing her a speedy recovery. I hope she'll be able to go home in time for Christmas.

Ursie

Glad to hear things are looking up. At least the problem is pinpointed now. Keep us updated!

Best wishes to your mother and your family.. and of course you!


Sara

Thinking of you and your mom..keep your spirits up and I hope that thinking about all your friends here that are pulling for her helps you in a small way.
{{{{}}}}

~Liz

Laura, I'm chiming in late here too - I've been away from the boards for a couple of days. I'm glad to know that they've discovered the problem, and that your mom is already starting to improve. The unknown is often the scariest. Like others have said, please keep us updated when you can, and know that our thoughts are with you.

Kathy

Laura, sorry to be chiming in late here as well, just got back in town. I'm so sorry things have been going so rough for your mom with the surgery and complications. I'm very glad and relieved that they at least found what the complication was and were able to fix it. I know she and your family still have a long way to go, but I'm relieved that it's looking more optimistic.

You and your mom will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated on how things are going.

All the best,
Jill
(Please let me know if you need anything or if you need someone to talk to, please get in touch.)

Laura I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner.I hope your Mom gets better and the good thing now is that they found what was wrong and she is better now.

Hope she could be out of the hospital soon.

My prayers and best wishes for you and your Mom.
Take care

Karla

Thanks again for all of the well-wishes and prayers, everyone . My mom isn't really better . . . yet. Her fever is down -- but that could be because of the antibiotics. She's also off the blood pressure stabilizing medicine and has been for two days. So that's good. They tried to wean her off the ventillator today, but she wasn't ready yet, and she is still very highly sedated. I won't really feel that well until she's off the ventillator and fully-alert. I really hope it happens soon. In the mean time, my family really appreciates all of the support .

- Laura

Thanks for the update, Laura - I'd been wondering how the other night's surgery went. Hang in there - we're all still thinking of you and of your mom. Here's hoping that you'll get the Christmas present you most want this year!


Wendy

Laura, this is a very rough time you and your family are going through but I hope that things are now looking better for your mom and that she will soon be able to return home. Hang in there.

carol

Laura: I just saw this thread. All my positive thoughts are with you and your mother.

Jude

Laura, I've been out of town, sorry to hear that things are rough right now. I will definitely keep your mom and your family in my prayers. Please continue to let us know how things are going and know we are all thinking of you.

Jana

Thanks again, everyone! My mom is slowly getting a little bit better. They took her off the ventillator yesterday, but they may have to put her back on. Her recovery is going to be *very* long, but at least she is doing better than she was last Friday. Thank you for all of your kind thoughts and prayers, and she can really use all of your thoughts/prayers as her situation finally looks at least a little better.

- Laura

Laura, I will add her, and you and your sister, to my prayers. I know how precious a mother can be. Another stranger, thinking of you'all, praying for you'all. From the distance. - songbird

I hate to post again, begging for prayers and support, but my mom's ulcer broke open again, and she had a second emergency surgery today (third surgery over all). She has a very bad e-coli infection, and she needs to overcome that before they can even think of anything else. So, if you could, she'd really appreciate any more prayers and happy thoughts you'd be willing to give her. She is a very strong person, and has been figting this so hard, but I am so worried that this might be too much for even her to handle.

- Laura

<i>I'm so sorry laura, be assured there are continued prayers, never be afraid to ask for them. I think most, of us know what its like to have loved ones going through rough times. And we appreciate the prayers that any can offer for them. For what long distance support means. Be assured that even though I won't be able to check in with the boards while I'm travelling and doing Christmas things. I will keep you and your family in my prayers, and thoughts. - songbird "kate"

Laura, I'm so sorry.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Irene

Oh, Laura, I do hope your mom will do better today. You are both in my thoughts.
take care

carol

Like I said on IRC, Laura, never apologise for coming back to ask for more support! We're all here for you and thinking of you. Keep us informed, okay?


Wendy

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Keep us updated; we're here for you. Like Wendy said, don't ever worry about asking us for support!

<hugs>

JD

Sorry, to hear that, Laura. Don't worry, you have all the support here you could ask for.

I'm keeping your mom in my thoughts.

Sara

Laura,

Again I am praying for your mom and your family. Please take care and know that we are all here for you.

Jana

I'm sorry to hear that. I will definitely pray for your mom.

So sorry that things took another bad turn for your mom, Laura. She continues to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Please keep us updated!

Jill

{{{Laura}}}

I haven't posted before, because I really wasn't sure what to say, but rest assured I've prayed for you and your family. I'll keep it up, too.

Let us know when you know anything...

PJ

Thanks again, everyone. My mom is doing a little better today, she is off the breathing tube, and she was talking, but she was a little out of it (the nurses said that she had visions of my being on the bed with her and she was talking to her vision of me like I was there). All of your thoughts and prayers are hopefully helping. Thank you so much.

- Laura

I keep thinking of you and your mom Laura..

Sending you positive vibes {{{{{}}}}}

~Liz

Talking is a good sign; it requires a lot of physical strength. I'm still with you 100%, Laura! Never be afraid to come back to ask for support, like Wendy said, and keep us posted, ok?

Mirage

Thanks, everyone, for your concern about my mom. Everyone has been so supportive of me in the midst of everything that has been going on.

I have been reluctant to post any updates because it has been a roller coaster. As soon as it looks like things are going well, she hits another set back.

Today was the day she was supposed to be released from the hospital. Yes, she is still in the hospital (has been since November 30, 2004). But they found another problem (possibly major) resulting from her surgery. I will save everyone the gory details (because it is really disgusting, honestly), but basically her surgery didn't work and stool is coming out of places it shouldn't rather than going through her colostomy bag. So since this problem did not fix itself, she might need as many as three more surgeries to correct all the problems. And since she is still on IV antibiotics to prevent another infection, she is still in the hospital.

So if I am sharper or more moody than usual, please forgive me. Thank you for your continued support.

- Laura

Oh Laura, that is so awful. Your poor Mom!

I'm sorry to hear that she's still so very ill. It must be hard for you and your family to see her in so much pain. I hope the doctors will be able to cure her. You'll just have to keep faith in that.

Sending only good thoughts your way,

Ursie

I'm thinking of you and your family.

Take care,
JD

{{{{{}}}}}

Hang in there Laura..

~Liz

My thoughts are with you and your mom.

I hope your mom gets better.

Laura, I know what it is to have major surgery and think all is going well only to have everything come crashing down around you. Stay strong! Your mom needs your support and your optimism more than you can know. You must help her get through each day feeling you are with her and helping her in afight she can win. All of us out here will keep her in our thoughts and focus on a positive outcome.

Jude

I'm sorry I haven't posted before! I only just found this thread. I know I don't know you very well but you are my friend so you have my love and support.

You and your family, especially your mum, will be in my thoughts and prayers. *hugs* hope your mum is better real soon!

I'm so sorry to hear things are still so difficult, Laura. We're all here if you need us.

Kaylle

/me sends thousands of well wishes towards Ohio!

((((((((Laura))))))))

Hang in there!

Sara

sorry this is late, hope your mom is doing better

Thanks, everyone for your support and well-wishes! My mom actually came home yesterday!!! She still has quite a few problems and still needs at least one more surgery and is still taking 3 antibiotics and still has the leak in her intestine, but she was well enough to come home!

- Laura

Yay!! She's home! Hope things continue to be more positive that not.
Best Wishes
Roo

That's great, Laura. May her improvement steadily continue.

That's GREAT, Laura!!! I hope she's back to her old self soon!!

Sara

I'm glad to hear that she's doing better.

I"m so glad she's home! I hope she continues to get better!

JD

Happy to know that your Mom is better and that is at home now.
Best Wishes

karla