Go ahead and be optimistic, if she made it to the hospital and through surgery to repair the major damage she will probably be fine. Human bodies are pretty damn good at fixing themselves.
There are late effects that can be a problem but they can be partly offset with certain drugs/procedures.
Any questions I’m sure the medical type dopers are willing to help. (I used to be an EMT)
Best wishes to your Mom
I will keep your mom and family in my prayers. God is the great physician and he has given doctors the gift of healing. Your mom sounds like a great person who has a strong family connection that will get her through alot.
deb
I really hope things work out for the best, I’ll pray for her and your family.
<------- Thinking positive thoughts for your mother and you.
Ugh. This makes me hurt all over. I hate to hear of such misfortune, particularly at the holidays when everyone shoould be happy, healthy, and with their families. I wish you the best and hope sincerely that your family pulls through even stronger than before.
I’m really sorry to hear about this dreadful accident.
Remember - where there’s life, there’s hope. Here’s hoping she pulls through as good as new.
My thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted.
Billy Rubin
IANAD but I’d say that it sounds like she’s out of the woods if she’s lived this far. Broken bones are generally pretty easy, and you can live with only one lung if need be. Don’t be afraid to get second opinions about the doctors… make sure she’s getting the best treatment. Be a squeaky wheel if you think she isn’t getting everything she needs.
Spend time at the hospital with her. Having someone there makes it easier to recover.
I will be praying for her speedy recovery.
I’m sorry this happened to your Mom. I will keep your family in my prayers too.
**Throatshot, ** all the best.
Just keep remembering the good bits, the fact that she recognised people, her spine seems fine, etc…
Hope is a wonderful thing.
Like everyone else, I’ll be sending good thoughts to your family.
Firstly, my sincerest condolences, and my best wishes.
Second, my family went through this - my dad was in the hospital for three months with bladder cancer (not quite the same, but some complications made things pretty fuckin’ scary a few times). My best advice - GET HELP FROM OTHER PEOPLE, be it your siblings or friends or the social workers at the hospital or whatever. She’s going to be in there long-term, and after a few weeks, your dad and you are both going to crack from the strain - you are not immune, and you can’t keep the infamous “stiff upper lip” for very long. Get someone to help you and he cook meals, or relieve you by her bedside, or take turns visiting once she gets out of SICU, find someone to talk to who knows what you’re talking about (if you have any friends in the medical community, USE THEM). I can’t stress this enough - you cannot get through this alone, and that includes just your family.
Much luck.
Esprix
You guys are all terrific. Thank you for all your good will.
She’s already doing better. The chest tube is showing less blood than before, meaning the puncture is apparently starting to close and the bruising is going away. She moves around when she’s not sedated. In fact, they let her wake up yesterday to ask her to point where she was hurting and she tried to pull her ventilator out. Can’t blame her since it’s all the way down her throat. She gets agitated and scared when she’s awake but my dad is able to calm her down. They had to tie her hands down to keep from pulling out her IVs and stuff. She does know people and when asked stuff such as to hold up two fingers, she can do so. Until they can remove the ventilator, they’ll have to keep her under.
Oh, and they don’t think her pelvic bone is as bad as they thought and only three ribs are broken. She certainly has no problem moving her legs around. The one cut on her face was minor and probably won’t even scar, but I don’t know how her cheekbone is.
My dad is just getting to the hospital this morning (first visitation is at 10:30 a.m. and it’s 10:00 now), so that’s what I know as of yesterday.
Good news!
“She does know people and when asked stuff such as to hold up two fingers, she can do so.”
—You’ll know she’s really on the mend when she starts holding up ONE finger!
This was doubly funny to me because my mom doesn’t even cuss. Not one little bit. She’s uncomfortable saying “Beavis and Butthead.”
Second Update![
Just got off the phone with my dad. They’re going to start weaning her off the ventilator and they’ve started feeding her with a stomach tube. Possibly in a couple of days she’ll be breathing entirely on her own.
I’m SO glad to hear your mom is doing better. I’ve been worried for you and her since you posted about the accident in the round robin thread. Please make sure you take care of yourself and your family, too! The stress of this can take a serious toll on the family members, too. Make sure you’re eating and sleeping enough and trust that the doctors will do everything they can for your mom. ::hugs to throatshot and family, and a few dozen roses for mom::