Mom is very, very sick: I am told by my MD not to visit.

[DemoTex]

She is 85 with COPD. She was hospitalized Saturday with what they thought was a bad thrush infection of the throat (after weeks of antibiotics and prednisone).

She was in such pain that she requested an endoscopy. That was done today and the findings were bad. Her entire esophagus was described as looking like raw, bleeding hamburger meat. The GI guy doing the endoscopy told my radiologist brother that it didn't "look" like cancer, but we will have to wait 48 hours for the path report. The GI guy said that he had never seen anything like it.

They (and my brother) think that it is a viral infection, because of her compromised immune system. Probably herpes. So, she was right about the pain. I had herpes zoster on my arm in 1967 after my immune system was blown by mono and it took months to get over the pain. The lost time at college due to the mono and HZ was why I got drafted in 1968.

So I now have bronchitis. My doc says to stay away, for my mom's good. She will be in the hospital for at least three weeks .. if she survives. I'll give my situation three days, then I drive to Georgia, put on a mask, and see my mother.

Mac

[lizziegrace]

1. I'm so sorry

for you and your mother. Her condition sounds awful and so painful. Have they been able to keep her comfortable with pain medication?

Get well soon so you can get over there.

:hug:

[Poiuyt]

2. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom

Is the doctor afraid that you will pass on your germs to your mother? Is that why he wants you to stay away?

[DemoTex]

7. Basically, yes. But that was before the endoscopy results.

My MD just said that it might not be a good idea to go down there just yet. He ordered rest, little talking (I have laringitis, too), and a dust-free environment (I have a re-model project in my 101 yo kitchen). He doesn't really think I'm infectious, but he wanted to err on the side of caution. Given the grave turn in her situation, I will probably go down there tomorrow or Thursday and just wear a mask when I visit.

The other aspect of the problem is that my dad, who had 1/3 of his right lung removed last month for cancer, has an acute respiratory ailment and cannot survive any piling-on.

[Poiuyt]

13. Make sure you wash your hands a lot when you go

Or take some hand sanitizer with you. They always say that people not washing their hands is the fastest way to spread germs. Not very supportive advice maybe, but I hope practical.

[graywarrior]

3. Geeze, that's awful.

Really sorry to hear that.

[Skittles]

4. aw Mac I am sorry

wishing the best for you and Mama DemoTex

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Aw, Mac....

All I can say is :hug:

[Shine]

6. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this news. White light and healing vibes to your mom.

I will hope for the very best possible outcome. I hope you're both feeling better soon. :hug: Hang in there.

[Dinger]

8. Sending Healing Thoughts & Prayers Your Way Mac

May you and your Mom recover completely:grouphug:

[DemoTex]

9. Thanks guys ..

I'll keep you posted. Once I get down to Griffin, Ga. ("Half as big as a NY cemetery, and twice as dead") I'll be without internet. But due to converging family members, including my ultra-RW sister from Trof's neck-of-the-woods (Fairhope, Al), I'll probably hang out at my brother's place in Atlanta. Plenty of WiFi there!

Mac

[wildhorses]

10. healing vibes for you and your mom

:hug::hug:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. So sorry about your mom.

Hang in there; hope she gets better. You too. :hug:

[guitar man]

12. thoughts and prayers for you Tex

....hang in there :hug:

[crim son]

14. That's a tough situation. Obviously you must make your

presence and love felt even if you can't visit but, geez, I'm sorry. I hope she recovers quickly.

[MonkeyFunk]

15. Tex

I'm so sorry to hear this. I can only imagine how heartbreaking it is. I wish you the very best.

[mentalsolstice]

16. Go with what feels good for you and your mom! n/t

[u4ic]

17. Mac, what a tough situation you are in

I think I'd do the same as you will do.


In the meantime, lots of healing vibes heading you and your mother's way. :grouphug:

[enigmatic]

18. I'm sorry DemoTex

Good vibes are on their way to you and you're mom:)

[mykpart]

19. Go, wear a mask, and don't touch her.

That will be hard to do, but at least you will be able to see each other. I hope she gets better soon.:hug:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

20. You and your mother are in my thoughts.

:hug:

[w8liftinglady]

21. bless you-your mom is like 90% of my patients

wear a mask and gloves-and see her.She needs you.wash your hands afterwards.Nothing heals like the touch of a loved one.

[w8liftinglady]

22. P.S.-feel free to PM me with questions.

[DemoTex]

23. Bingo .. that's the plan.

Thanks .. all of you great DUers,

Mac

[rockymountaindem]

24. I hope everything goes well n/t

[Nicole]

25. I'm sorry.

You and your mother are in my thoughts.

:hug:

[EFerrari]

26. I'm so sorry, Mac.

My mom had a TIA recently and I'm in your boat.

:hug: to us all.

[Pushed To The Left]

27. Sending good thoughts and prayers for you and your mother

:hug:

[ChickMagic]

28. I am so sorry to hear that

I didn't know you could get shingles in your esophagus. How awful! They woouldn't let you visit if you scrub up and wear a mask? God, the pain must be terrible. :hug:

[Hugin]

29. This is sad news...

I'm so sorry.

[Blue Diadem]

30. I'm glad you're going to see her Mac,

and that's a great idea to wear a mask for both her and your protection.

I'll be saying prayers for your Mom. :hug:

[Beausoir]

31. Hugs to you. What a sad and stressful situation.

Focus on getting better yourself and then you can go to your mom.

[Midlodemocrat]

32. Bless your heart. Feel better, Mac.

and healing thoughts and prayers to you and your mom.

:hug:

[zanne]

33. Oh, your poor mom.

And poor you. I've been there. I hope they manage your mother's pain. Good thoughts coming your way.