Randy
My mother is 76 years old and 30 days ago went to the hospital for shortness of breath and fell into respiratory failure while at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston SC. She was put on a ventilator and a drug called Deprovin (Spell?) for 15 straight days that kept her totally unconscious. Finally after many requests they eased the sedation and performed a tracheotomy. Of course this entire time her arms were tied to the bed. There was only 2 or 3 very short attempt to wean her from the vent this entire period. Well after a couple of days after the sedation stopped she began to barely open her eyes and was unable to move any of her extremities. They performed a MRI and ruled out a stroke. She is currently still on the vent and just 3 days ago was weaned from the vent for approx. 4 hours and was put back on. This is a very difficult time for me and I am trying to make sure my emotions are not getting in the way of clear thinking. But I really feel the Doctor waited to long to take my mother off the Sedation and begin the weaning process of the vent. The only explanation we have gotten for the inability to move her extremities is that her brain has forgotten and must be re-taught. I have a difficult time with that diagnosis. Her feet are beginning to straighten and her fingers to stiffen. I am at a total loss of how and what to pursue to make sure she is receiving the care she needs and deserves. Can anyone give me some feedback on similar experiences and what actions if any where taken. Thanks and God Bless!