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What did you find most surprising once you were out of the ICU?
Intensive Care (ICU) | Last Active: Dec 16, 2021 | Replies (107)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much for responding. It was actually, in some ways, harder on him than on me. He was totally alone with only his phone to connect with family and friends. Even restaurants were closed due to the Thanksgiving holiday and Covid. At one point, when I was finally moved from the Cardiac ICU to the Cardiac floor there was a nurses break room where I could go and see him out the window 3 floors down by the parking garage. I felt I really someone to advocate for me, and he wanted to be there. After the first few days we (my husband and I with the nurses/doctors) got better at using FaceTime anytime they were discussing any procedure or just in general updates and what was going on. That helped even tho not ideal.
What has been your recovery and followup? Twelve years, that gives me great hope!
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@marywh, I think that it sounds like you are making a good progression into a new chapter in your life as you are now beginning to see these events as in the past.
It was difficult for my husband, too. He was able to be with me; we were in a preCovid19 world in 2009. He still does not like to talk about it. He was the one who had to communicate with the doctors and to deal with the day by day challenges.
I was is a situation where Hospice Care was a real possibility, and even mentioned as the alternative to being accepted and flown to Mayo. I used to tear up easily and often.
My memories of the week in ICU in Kentucky and my first several days in the Mayo Methodist Hospital have become an accepted part of my life history. My husband and our sons have pretty much filled in the details that I wanted to know, and I can now value the experience as a catalyst for me to relate to others who have similar experiences, especially friends who have family members who just don't 'get it' and expect them to just 'snap' out of it.
Mary, I see that you are participating in the Heart Rhythms discussion. I would encourage you to keep up with communicating with others who are experiencing similar health issue. I have learned that by sharing with other patients with similar conditions, we find strength and we find purpose as we learn from each other, and we support each other.
How long has it been since you returned home? Do you feel that you are moving forward since your ICI experience?