My friend came down with a cold. She went to the DR and got anti-biotics. 3 days later she was no better and actually worse. She went to the ER and they admitted her.
They thought she had pneumonia. She kept getting worse. They put her on a respirator and induced a coma. She was doing better, so they did a trechiotomy and inserted tubes. Monday they put her feeding tube in her stomach to clear the airways hoping she would breathe on her own.
Last night she had a set back. Her husband noticed blood around her trech. He asked them about it and they said it was just leaking. He called the Dr and they found out the blood was coming from her lungs. They are now saying her lungs have hardened from the respirator. Called it Pullmunary adema.
I went to see her tonight for the first time. Her husband put me on as her sister so I could visit her. She was swelled up like a balloon. I touched her hand and it was dry and felt squishy. I asked her husband about her fluid intake. He tells me that the nurses are telling him she is putting out as much if not MORE than her intake. I find that hard to believe. He says they tell him the swelling is from the respirator.
So far we know she does not have pneumonia, but they are saying she has ARD (Adult Repiratory Disease). Her oxygen level has fluctuated all the way down to 34 up to 100. Her odds are against her as she also has diabetes.
I don't understand, with all the technology we have, why they do not know what is wrong with her! She has never had any problems with her lungs that I know of. Her Husband has COPD and is on oxygen. It is scary not knowing what is wrong with her.
Can anyone tell me if a respirator can cause you to retain fluid all through your body? And is ARD just something they put on her chart because they don't know what is wrong with her, or is it a Real disease.
I might add that she has Fibermyalgia too. But other than that she was healthy and vibrant till this hit her. I don't think she has Swine flu since she is not in quarantine.
I would appreciate anything you all can tell me about this.
Thanks,
Nancy