Worried sick about my daughter

Ravenlost · #1 04/11/11, 05:26 PM

My daughter and three-year-old grandson have been sick with bronchitis...they're both just finishing up a second round of meds. Grandson seems to feel fine, but still has a horrible cough. My daughter is a different story though...she's been very ill all weekend so went to the doctor today. She just called to tell me her bronchitis is turning into pneumonia. One of her lungs keeps collapsing and she lost five lbs. over the weekend. Doctor has put her on a different antibiotic (her third one) and we're hoping it works.

She is inbetween medical insurances right now and won't be covered for another two weeks. I told her to stop worrying about the cost of meds (she asked the doctor how much the new antibiotic cost as she wasn't going to get it if it was over $30) as they are a lot more inexpensive than a lengthy stay in the hospital!

Please keep her in your thoughts. I wish with all my heart that I could go to Texas right now and take care of her, but all I can do is give advice and sympathy over the phone.

wyld thang · #2 04/11/11, 05:50 PM

If her lung is actually collapsing she needs to be in the hospital! That's not something you can hope it fixes itself.

Ravenlost · #3 04/11/11, 06:40 PM

That's what I thought! If she gets any worse her husband is taking her straight to the ER. He wanted to last night, but she wouldn't go because she's so worried about the cost. I told her today to STOP worrying about cost...she's worth more than all the medical bills in the world to us.

wyld thang · #4 04/11/11, 06:47 PM

If her skin tone is grey and she can't get a breath she needs to go NOW. This isn't something to wait on. WE had a person show up for work with a collapsed lung(heavy smoker), and she tried to bulldog her way through and we MADE her go to the ER--the doc said it saved her life.

Grey palor means not enough blood oxygen. A collapsed lung is nothing to mess with, my husband had one. Time is of the essence!!!! I don't mean to be annoying--I've just had a few people in my life deal with this--an actual collapsed lung is a matter of life and death if it's not cared for.

I hope it all turns out well!!

To drive this thing home, if a person just lets that cavity be empty(*lung is collapsed), the heart will squoosh out into the cavity and then you have a REALLY bad heart attack(the fatal kind because heart tissue dies from no O2, and arteries get pinched).

mare · #5 04/11/11, 06:57 PM

jeez thats horrible, i hope the new meds work

pattycake · #6 04/11/11, 07:32 PM

Raven, I feel your fear. Is there any possible way you could go so you can watch over her and help her? I think your presence would help her get better. There is nothing like a Mother in your time of need. Tell her that the hospitals have programs in place for the uninsured. I am sure she would be eligible for help. I would be willing to chip in some money for you to fly to her. She is in my prayers.

Mid Tn Mama · #7 04/11/11, 08:04 PM

I am praying for your daughter.

Ravenlost · #8 04/11/11, 08:55 PM

Thanks everyone. Yes, I told her that the hospital would work out a payment. She insists she feels a little better today (I just talked to her again) and she does sound a wee bit better. She sounded AWFUL yesterday, but wouldn't let her husband take her to the ER.

I have no idea what her skin tone is...she's in TX, I'm in MS. All I know is what she's told me on the phone. She's 28 and stubborn as a mule, need I say more?

I wish with all my heart I could head out there, but it just isn't possible right now. She has her hubby and her inlaws there to help. She keeps fretting about college class assignment and I told her to call her instructors...as soon as they HEAR her they'll know she is to sick to be doing her assignments. She has an A average in all her classes so I'm sure they'll let her make up any missed work.

I've instructed her to put Vicks Vapor Rub in the sink with hot water, hold a towel over her head and breath in the medicated steam. I hope that helps her. Also told her to not get hot, REST REST REST and eat hot chicken soup. She hasn't had an appetite all weekend, but said she was hungry today. I'm taking that as a GOOD sign.

SIGH...I've worried so much today I have a headache.

Tomorrow morning I have to go to AL to help my son. He's had some major issues recently (Bipolar Disorder) and was hospitalized briefly. He also does not have insurance, but hubby and I have decided he and his girlfriend MUST get into therapy, including premarital counseling. We have told them we will not allow them to have their wedding here in June if they don't get counseling. They have both agreed, so I am going tomorrow to get that started. They do not have a working car, no steady jobs, etc. It's a real mess and both need psychiatric care/medication.

On top of that, the last time I saw my son I noticed he had a HORRIBLE mole on the side of his face. It used to be a normal flat brown mole. Now it is raised (size of my pinkie finger tip), mottled pink/brown/white and bumpy. Looks nasty. When I remarked on it his girlfriend told me he had one on his back that was also changing colors. That was just a few weeks ago and she told me a couple days ago that the one on his back is getting larger now. The earliest dermatology appointment I could get him was May 12, so I have a lot of time to continue worrying over that as well.

SIGH...doesn't matter how old your kids are a mother's worries never end.

ann in tn · #9 04/11/11, 09:18 PM

While I was in nursing school, I had bronchitis 3 times and it lasted 2-4 weeks each time. Miserable. Somethings that helped me were sleeping in a reclincer - easier to breathe, using a humidifier - easier to breathe, 2 hot showers a day - steam made it easier to breathe. That being said, if she really has gray as a skin color - please encourage her to go to the ER. She really needs to be looked at.

I am glad she is better today. Hopefully, she has turned the corner and will continue to get better.

Jerngen · #10 04/11/11, 09:27 PM

Sending out warm thoughts to everyone in your family!

I hope you start getting good news quickly.

Alice In TX/MO · #11 04/11/11, 09:44 PM

They need to call about the moles and go in NOW. Go sit in the doc's office and wait to be worked in. DO NOT DELAY on moles acting like that.

Ruby · #12 04/11/11, 09:47 PM

Raven sending prayers for both your kids and you. I have some grown kids that are very stubborn also. You would think once kids get grown you could quit worrying. But that's just the mother in us.

Ravenlost · #13 04/11/11, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

They need to call about the moles and go in NOW. Go sit in the doc's office and wait to be worked in. DO NOT DELAY on moles acting like that.

I totally agree, but who should he call? He doesn't have a regular doctor. He doesn't "believe" in doctors and hasn't been to one since he left home at age 17. He's 29 now. He doesn't have insurance and I'm feeling mighty fortunate that he's agreed to see a dermatologist next month. Also feel lucky they agreed to see him since he has no insurance.

As far as I know Nicole (my daughter) doesn't have gray looking skin. She hasn't mentioned it. She has told me she hasn't run a high temp at all. I'm just hoping this new med (she said it was HUGE) will knock this out so she can start feeling better.

Thanks everyone. I've been stewing over all this all day long. Wish I could be in three places at once...home here in MS, in AL with my son and in TX with my daughter! Better yet, I wish they were still little kids so I could have them home with me and watch over them!

wanda1950 · #14 04/11/11, 11:30 PM

I will be praying for your family. Having kids is a forever job.

Everyone should be able to get medical help & not have to agonize over the cost. I love my family doc but if I was broke & had no insurance, I wonder how much he would love me.

We are fortunate to have insurance--it costs a fortune & has a big deductible. I think many people don't see $1000 per person deductible as much money but it is a lot to us. At least the hospital let us pay it off by the month.

AR Cattails · #15 04/12/11, 12:13 AM

Ravenlost, I will be keeping your daughter and your son in my prayers. Hang in there. (((hugs)))

ELOCN · #16 04/12/11, 01:56 AM

Prayers being said for your daughter and your grandson.

Just Little Me · #17 04/12/11, 02:19 AM

Prayers being said for the whole family.

mekasmom · #18 04/12/11, 02:33 AM

Are you sure it isn't last year's H1N1 flu making a recurrence this year? They have had cases of it this flu season. It's so hard on young adults, much more so than on young children.
I pray for her swift recovery.

Ravenlost · #19 04/12/11, 03:04 AM

Yes, it's definitely bronchitis, not flu. Thank you everyone. If she is still feeling bad tomorrow hubby and I have decided to INSIST she go to the ER...even if I have to go to head straight from AL to TX to make her go!