Hi, it’s Patrik Hutzel from INTENSIVECAREHOTLINE.COM , where we INSTANTLY improve the lives of Families of critically ill Patients in Intensive Care, so that you can have PEACE OF MIND, real power, real control and so that you can influence decision making FAST, even if you’re not a doctor or a nurse in Intensive Care!
This is another episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” and in last week’s episode I answered another question from our readers and the question last week was PART 1 of
“My AUNTY is in Intensive Care on ECMO for ARDS, we’re very worried she may die! Help!” (part1)
You can check out the answer to last week’s question by clicking on the link here.
In this week’s episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” I want to answer another question from one of our readers and the question this
week is PART 2 of
“My AUNTY is in Intensive Care on ECMO for ARDS, we’re very worried she may die! Help!” (part2)
Lee from the UK writes
Hi Patrik,
I have been to visit my auntie today again and when I arrived the Intensive Care team had reduced sedation and oxygen levels.
The Dialysis machine has also been taken off!
My auntie was alert to
us and could understand us!
Do you think she is over the worst?
Do you think she can speak with a tracheostomy in?
How long until the tracheostomy will be removed?
Thanks for all your help my mum has been listening to all your YouTube clips and is now really positive thanks!
Lee
Hi Lee,
I am glad to hear that your mother is staying positive as well!
Staying positive is often half of the battle and yet most families of critically ill Patients in Intensive Care struggle with staying positive because they are so far outside of their comfort zone!
Related article:
How to stay positive if your loved one is critically ill in Intensive Care
It's also good to hear that sedation as well as oxygen levels have been reduced. They are all encouraging signs, especially after ECMO and ARDS.
As a rule of thumb, nothing
happens fast in Intensive Care, especially after a severe critical illness in Intensive Care such as ARDS with ECMO.
It's
often two steps forward and one step back.
Keep looking for those small steps forward that your aunty is
making.
I don't think that your aunty is over the worst yet, especially since she is still ventilated with a Tracheostomy in! But reducing oxygen and sedation are good signs!
As far as your auntie's tracheostomy and ventilation goes, know this:
Weaning off the ventilator and
tracheostomy can be a fairly lengthy process, especially if the lungs are still "stiff" and it can be especially difficult and lengthy after ARDS and ECMO.
As long as your aunty is fully ventilator dependent
she won't be able to talk, however as soon as she can have time off the ventilator, they can try a speaking valve on the tracheostomy.
In the meantime, make sure your aunty can communicate with writing or with a letter board when she is more awake!
Here is a link to an article/video that explains all about ventilation and tracheostomy
Tracheostomy and weaning off the ventilator in Intensive Care, how long can it take?
Other recommended resources:
So stay positive and don't throw in the towel, even though your aunty may progress slowly. Critically ill Patients in Intensive Care recover in their own time, no matter how much we want to speed up the process!
Please let me know if you need any further help and we can still chat on Skype or over the phone if needed.
Thank you
Your friend
Patrik Hutzel
If you have a question you need answered, just hit reply to this email or send it to me at support@intensivecarehotline.com
Or if
you want to be featured on our PODCAST with your story, just email me at support@intensivecarehotline.com
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Your Friend
Patrik Hutzel
Critical Care Nurse
Founder& Editor
WWW.INTENSIVECAREHOTLINE.COM