86 Year Old Aunt Is In The Hospital

[Guest Katrina Reann]

Hi all,

My last Aunt on my mom's side is very sick right now and she is 86 years old.She has not been healthy at all for the past year. Seems like every time she would get rid of one infection she would catch something else and she has lost about 50 pounds in the last few months. In the past couple of week she has had it coming out both ends and just a few days ago started passing blood in her stool. She has been in the hospital now for just over two full days. She is very weak and seems to be getting weaker. When my cousins took her to the ER they did do some blood work which came back normal and they also did xrays of her chest. The Drs saw something in one of her lungs that had them concerned enough to admit her. Yesterday they had her on IV's the first day because the want to do more testing and gave her her first full meal yesterday and it came out both ends again and today she has been on a liquid diet and are preparing her for endoscopy a colonoscopy tommorow. Tonight she her stools are like water, so far no blood, but she is so weak her kids are starting to stay with her all night and calling all the family to let us know they are very worried and really don't know at this point if she is going to make it. She has had the scopes before and she gets very sick after drinking all that chalky stuff you have to have before the procedure. And that could very be enough take what little fight she may have left at this point. As for the spot on her lung we are sure what is happening. They did do an ultra sound on her abdomen yesterday and where going to take more xrays of her chest but for some reason they have put that off. From the ER xrays they did say it could be pneumonia and really didn't think it was cancer. This woman has a very hard life gone through 3 abusive husbands and her children are always feuding with one another They use her, abused her, and tried to bleed her dry of money. They are a very dysfunctional family. On top of all this she also has some dementia and it too has gotten worse and worse this past year. So at thi we are just praying for God's will to be done and if He wants to take her home then take her

And please remember my mom and our family in all this. Mom is pretty sick right now with a nasty sisnus infection that is spilling over into one of her ears. And when she gets infections like this she too starts showing signs of dementia.This her last sibling evryone else in her family is gone and March 11th is coming up which is the day when my dad passed away 7 years ago. So there is the possibility that my Aunt could pass away on that day. So in general it is a very difficult time and situation we are in. My Aunt lives in Arkansas and we live in Illinios and with mom being sick right now we cant go down regardless of what happens. Mom says she is okay with that because she knew last year when she went down for a visit she knew it might be the last time she would be able to go, because of her own health and age. And they did have a long talk about that. But it will still be very difficult to deal with. I will keep you all posted in this thread as to how things are going with both my mom and Aunt.

As for me all things considered I am doing pretty good and holding up well. I tend to deal with illnesses and passing's pretty well this one does have that added possiblity that could make things rougher than usual if it happens on the 11th. I am preparing myself for that possibility while taking things one day at a time and not worrying about it.

I am totally exhausted right now though because it has been a long day and I have been up since 5 30 this morning. So nightie night all....Huggsss galore to all of you~~

[Paula ult]

Katrina hon,

I am sorry to hear about your aunt, i hope they find out what is wrong and can resolve what ever it is, and i hope your mother feels better soon too.

HUGS!!!

Paula

[Carolyn Marie]

Katrina, I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. It sounds like things have been really rough for her. I think sometimes its better if someone doesn't

linger and suffer too long, but in the end its whatever is the will of the Goddess. All you can do is give her all the love you can.

I hope too that your mother feels better soon. You have a lot on your mind, so go take care of the ones you love, and if you need us, we'll be

here for you. You know you can always PM me or another Mod or a friend, and we will give you a shoulder to cry on if you need one.

((HUGGSS))

Carolyn Marie

[Guest viv]

Katrina, my thoughts are with you now Hun ,,I hope with all my heart

your Aunt does not go through too much , luv,viv

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Kartrina

You are the definition of having a full plate! MY GOODNESS.

My wife lights candles for those who are sick, especially the elder ones. I will have her do so for your grandmother. She can also light a candle for your mother and for your family. Keep us posted.

Lizzy

[Guest scooby]

Katrina-

im thinking of you all!

Scooby x

[Guest BeckyTG]

Dearest Katrina,

I offer you my deepest sympathy, girlfriend. You're getting tested beyond what any normal person should and I know how tough you are. No one should have to go through that, but, as you know, the choice is not ours to make.

It sounds like you've accepted that, however it comes out, it's for the best. That's all we can do as mortals.

I'm praying for you and your Aunt, sweetheart. Here's a big, long, warm hug for you girlfriend--huuuuuggggg.

More hugs,

Becky

[Sally]

I understand how you are feeling right now, I have in the past lost my Grandmother and her sister within a week and an Uncle and his wife within a few hours of each other all four from lingering illnesses so I do know the toll that it can ake on you.

You have got to remind yourself that if this is the end for your Aunt that her suffering will end and it seems that she has suffered for quite a while.

I will keep you, your aunt and your mother in my prayers.

Take good care of your mother for this is a very difficult time for her as well.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Donna Jean]

Katrina......

I'm sending love and positive energy to you and yours...I understand that it's a difficult itme for you right now..

All the best wishes in the world to you...

Hang in there

LOVE

Donna Jean

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Katrina, I will keep you and your family in my prayers during this difficult time.

Hugs,

Suzie

[Guest Katrina Reann]

Thank you ALL so very much for your support, prayers, thoughts, and well wishes. It means so much to me. More than many of you may realize or know.

My Aunt had the test run and is now resting somewhat. They did find several things. She has some type of a yeast infection in her esophagus form throwing up so much. She also has a hernia with severely bleeding ulcers and has divaticulotis or whatever it is that causes major diarrhea. So for an 86 year old she is a mess. We still don't know anything about the spot on her lungs though.

Lizzy, you are right I do have a very full plate right now.

This morning I realized just how much everything is weighing on me. I have bipolar disorder which under normal circumstances is very well managed with meds. But all this stress has push me to my very limits of having another breakdown. The last few days I have not slept all at well, it has been very hard for me to keep my thought patterns straight, and I often lose track of what I am trying to say or do. My emotions are kind of all over the place as well. But I do see those things now as signs which for many years my head was so screwed up that I couldn't see them. But I do have a good structure of support in place with family and having a place like Laura's with so many wonderful people That I can talk to is a huge help. My psychiatrist is aware of the stress I am under. But right now we are in agreement that I should try to work through everything rather than do anything with my meds. Today I chose to take the bull by the horns and addressing somethings that are in my control. Such as my struggle with Dad's death this year. I have been trying to hold myself together because of everything else going. I wasn't going to go out to his grave this year because I knew I would fall apart. My dad was always the rock of the family and I was tring to be that rock for my family. Today I realized I am not a rock like Dad I am more like an egg or a hard shell taco. To much pressure and I fall apart or crack.... So today I went to dad's grave all alone and scrambled the eggs...... I allowed myself to cry and grieve. That helped me a lot. And I also talked to my sister and wife for a long time today, and that has lifted a lot of pressure on me and my mind is a whole lot more at ease right now. This is most definitely the hardest thing I have had to go through since getting my disorder under control but I am learning how to manage such things and keep everything under control and I know I may come out of the particular difficult time in my life a little bruised, battered, and weary but I will come out a alive and victorious, cause I am determined and I am a fighter.

Again Thank you ALL Sooo very much for being here for me and my family...I love you all very much and know I too am here for you when you go through your hard times as well....Huggsss