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Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) - Let's talk

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Jan 13, 2017

Have you heard of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome? Sometimes it's called post ICU syndrome or PICS. PICS is defined as new or worse health problems after critical illness. These problems can affect your mind, body, thoughts, and/or feelings.

On Connect we would like to bring together people who have been affected by critical illness, and hopefully lighten the burden you bear. Patients and family members welcome.

Grab a cup of tea, or beverage of your choice, and let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Intensive Care (ICU) Support Group.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 3 hours ago
In reply to @lynngs44 "I am so happy to have discovered this group. I wondered for years since my transplant..." + (show)
@lynngs44

I am so happy to have discovered this group. I wondered for years since my transplant where all of the mental health support was for people who have recovered from having a transplant. I had a heart transplant in 2017 and a pancreas transplant in 2020 which kept me hospitalized at Mayo for almost an entire year because of complications and infections. After that hospitalization, I was unable to walk, eat, or even move my body. I needed care 24/7. This has put a major burden on my family members and lately, I feel like a noose around their neck. I found out that my donor heart is now failing and my life expectancy is short because I am not eligible for another transplant. I have two daughters and the thought of leaving them behind is beyond painful. Yet I am very tired and sometimes wish to just give in to my illness. I have fought for so long. I am so sorry that there are others who have been through so much but it is a relief to have found a place where others can truly understand.
Sending love, Lynn

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Hi @lynngs44 I’m sorry to hear that your new heart is failing. Facing the end must be so hard for your entire family. May I ask how old your daughters are? How are they dealing with this unfair reality?

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lynngs44 | @lynngs44 | 57 minutes ago
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @lynngs44 I’m sorry to hear that your new heart is failing. Facing the end must..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @lynngs44 I’m sorry to hear that your new heart is failing. Facing the end must be so hard for your entire family. May I ask how old your daughters are? How are they dealing with this unfair reality?

Jump to this post

Hello. Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately, with the pancreas transplant failing and all of the complications, we've been down this road before but this time is very different. My heart has been perfect since the first day I received it seven years ago so I was shocked to learn it is now failing. My daughters are 22 and 26 so that additional seven years that I've had with them has been such a miracle. But yet even now, they still feel so young and still need their me in their lives. I began keeping a notebook for them, writing things down, thoughts, recipes, just everything I know they will one day wish they had. It's devastating for all of us but we just keep making the most of every day we have together.

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