Januray 17, 2002
I have a urgent prayer requests...
I have an older sister who is mentally retarded (severely). Susan was not
physically handicapped with the exception of a stainless steel rod placed in
her back when she was ten years old because of severe curvature of the
spine. Mentally, she is probably three years old, maybe. She has been
living in a group home for the past ten years, moving from a larger to a
smaller more intimate setting (she was in a state institution before). This
past weekend, Susan had trouble moving her arms and legs. On Sunday, I
think she had a seizure (she has a history of these on occasion). She has
been in the hospital since then. As of tonight (1/17), she is moving her
arms, but is still unable to move her legs. They have a cardiologist coming
to see her tomorrow (Friday, 1/18). I don't know what is happening, but she
could really use the prayers. She can't tell the doctors what is bothering
her, where it hurts, etc.
January 22, 2002
Please continue to pray for my sister Susan. She is still in the hospital.
It is now day 9 and they still are not sure exactly what is wrong. She was
initially brought in because she was having a seizure (which she has had
before but w/ little complications). She is STILL unable to walk or stand.
She is moving her arms and legs at this time, but she is not able to get out
of bed and do anything for herself (she doesn't understand why she can't use
the bathroom or get a bath). The have started physical therapy, but she was
not cooperative today. I think she is so confused. She is confined to this
room (it's a private room, but it is not her home). Her heart rate has been
accelerated, so they have been trying to find out why. This is probably the
only reason the doctor has kept her in there. I don't know what will happen
if he releases her. She can't go back to her group home (it is run by the
state, i believe and they certainly cannot take care of her there), she
would need to be in some sort of rehab, but who knows at this point. Please
pray for wisdom for the doctors. Also the nurses have been a blessing to
Susan, tonight, she was having a screaming fit and pulled her nurse
Kathleen's hair. This is NOT like Susan, to scream or to pull someone's
hair. They have to find out what is going on. It breaks my heart to leave
her laying in there to helpless. Thanks for any prayers.
February 9, 2002
For those that have been praying for my sister Susan, I'd like to give you a
bit of an update (as little as it is) and ask that you please continue to
pray for her. Anyone that would like to place Susan on their church prayer
lists and need to use her last name it is McKeon.
Well it's been four full weeks since Susan went into the hospital. She is
still unable to walk and they do not know why. They have performed just
about every test imaginable and it seems that all have come back negative
(the doctors terms), but this past week, a nurse revealed to my mother that
Susan's CT scan from several weeks ago shows Brain Atrophy (her brain is
shrinking), but the doctor didn't mention anything because he thought that
this was something Susan already had. This doctor makes me so mad at times.
Part of the problem is that many years ago in order for my mother to have
the state help to take care of Susan (when we were real little) she had to
sign her over to the state, so Susan has been a Ward of the State,
therefore, she has Medicare or Medicaid (i don't know what is what), so this
doctor is getting paid no matter what he does for Susan. Now that they have
run out of finding anything 'wrong' with her they want to 'release' Susan to
go somewhere. They (State social worker and hospital social worker) are
trying to find a nursing home (or rehab) that will take Susan that will take
her coverage and will work with her to help her to walk again. It is
getting so very frustrating. Susan appears to be regressing. She is
yelling out more. She was trying to take her clothes off (this is something
she did when she was younger and lived in an institution, but hasnt' done in
years).
I've been searching the internet trying to find a diagnosis, an answer, a
clue. There has to be an answer somewhere. On a sidenote, Susan has been
on a lot of medications in the past and my dad feels that her behavioral
changes (the yelling) started this past summer, may be from someone messing
up her medications. I am desperate for an answer, for peace, for something.
Please remember Susan and my mother (Glory) in your prayers. Thanks so very
much for allowing me to come to you with such requests.
March 3, 2002
For those that have been praying for my sister Susan, I have a serious and
urgent update. Susan became critically ill last night (3/2). She was moved
to ICU with an extremely high white blood count and very low blood pressure.
This morning (3/3), Susan was rushed into emergency. The surgeon was not
exactly sure what was going on, but her stomach was very enlarged (swollen)
and her wbc kept rising. The surgeon said that there was something toxic
about her colon and something leaking (sepsis) and that if surgery hadn't
been done when it was, a few hours later, may have been too late. Susan is
still very sick. She is on a ventilator and hooked up to every imaginable
machine. The only good thing to come from this, is that they surgeon is
determined to find what caused this (he feels possibly medication) and he
seems to care, he actually calls my parents.
March 8, 2002
For those that are praying for Susan, a few more details. Susan developed
c-dif' in the hospital. It in turned caused her to get toxic megacolon
(can be fatal). This is what the surgeon was operating on Sunday. She has
received a double colostomy (temporary); she is on a ventilator; lots of
IV's and being tube fed. Monday her white blood cell count was going down,
Tuesday it went down a bit more, but plateau-ed out. Yesterday it went back
up. Her white blood cell count is back up to 25000, her blood pressure is
down and her temperature is up. She is not doing well. It is 4:45 p.m. EST
Friday and I am on my way to see Sue, please, if you receive this email any
time soon, please pray for Sue. I don't know what God's will is, but I
don't want her to suffer. They gave her morphine today, somehow they could
tell she was in incredible pain.
March 10, 2002
I am sorry for the many updates, please just hit delete if you do not want
to read, or pray. Susan is very critical at this point. Her white blood
cell count is higher than it was when they rushed her into emergency surgery
a week ago. She is entirely too week and would not be able to survive
another surgery at this point. My parents have signed a do not resuscitate
order if her heart should stop (but that hasn't been the problem). They are
talking about removing her from the life support in a few days if there is
no improvement. I pray that God would allow her to die in peace and not
make us do this, but I do not want her to die alone, I want so desperately
to be there with her, if only to know when. We do not think she is going to
make it much longer. Please pray for God's will and mercy.
March 12, 2002
Today, 3/12, they started to withdraw some of Susan's medications that have
been keeping her stats stabilized. They took her off the medication that
has had her in a coma type state. They are keeping her comfortable and on
the ventilator at this time. I still do not know what God's will is, but
Susan's white blood cell count has escalated to over 50000 and it was ONLY
31000 when they rushed her into emergency surgery just a short week ago. The antibiotics are not working. She is losing the battle. I just ask that you please continue to pray for Susan and for God's will.
later March 12, 2002
Well, God hasn't called Sue home yet. It is 12:18 am Thursday on my computer and I just got home from spending the last five hours with Susan. She has been awake most of the time. Pretty much alert. She hears you as soon as you come into the room (and I wear very quiet shoes) and turns to see who it is. She is still on the ventilator. They have removed all medications, except for ones for her seizures, nutrition and swelling. Tonight, just before I left, the nurse came in to take her stats and Susan's blood pressure was 100/80. Last night it was 90/30 and then 85/45. This was after they took her off medication that was keeping her blood pressure up. We (my family) has all tried to say our good-byes, but God has seen it fit to give Sue a little more time. I thank Him for each minute, but this emotional roller coaster is killing my mother. I don't know His plan is for Susan, but I just keep praying for His will and for peace in the decisions that my family has made. Thanks for allowing me to bare my heart to you again and again.
March 14, 2002
Susan has finally entered the gates of heaven. After her long and painful
struggle we made the most difficult decision a family had to make and took
her off of the ventilator. Sue was on oxygen immediately following that,
but only lived for a few short minutes. Susan waited for my mother to
leave. I really think she didn't want my mom to see her suffering so (it
just hurt my mom so bad seeing her in so much pain) that as soon as my
parents got on the elevator to leave, Sue stopped breathing. She slipped
peacefully into heaven just after 4:00 this afternoon. This has been a very
difficult time for our family, but, because of my faith in my Lord, I know
that Susan is now walking and talking and that her brain is functioning
normally in heaven. I want to thank each one of you who has been so very
supportive and praying for me, my family, Susan and my mom. I t! ruly thank
God for special friends that I am able to bring such requests too.
