They called the family in

[Smurfette_76]

I received a call this evening to go to the hospital. My mama's organs have begun shutting down and she's gotten blood clots in her right arm. They will have to amputate it, but can't for the time being because her platelet count is too low and she would not survive surgery. Her toes on both feet have begun to turn black as well. They have put her on blood thinner to hopefully thin things out, but they've no way to stop the existing clots if they break loose. If one goes to her heart, brain, lungs, etc it will kill her. They've told us that short of a miracle, she probably will not survive.

They still do not know what caused this.

My heart hurts.

[Monkeybomb]

Hate to hear that Smurfette. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

[BaseballBabe]

I am sorry to hear about your mom. My prayers are with you and your family. :(

[Smurfette_76]

I'm just sorta numb. That's not my mama in there and not how I want to remember her. If HE is going to take her, then go ahead...the pain of waiting is almost unbearable. My daddy's heart is breaking and he's having a hard time. My parents just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and mama turned 61 last week.

[lawdog30]

I am so sorry Smurfette I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

[Smurfette_76]

Is your Mom conscious and aware of you all around her? I hope so.

Not really. If you talk to her, she'll open her eyes briefly, but it doesn't look like she's seeing anything. I haven't told my son yet and I'm not going to take him in there. I don't want him to remember her that way and if it's traumatic for me to see her, then he certainly (at 11) doesn't need to see it.

The only thing they can begin to link it to is the rheumatic fever she had as a child. Apparently because of that, she has to take antibiotics before and after any dental work, otherwise bacteria from the mouth can get into her blood stream. She had her teeth cleaned about six days before she got sick last Thursday. The dentist said she did bleed, but she always does. He also said she advised him she'd taken her medicine like always.

[icecoldblueyes]

Sorry to hear that Smurfette :( My thoughts are with you all.

[JLee]

I'm sorry to hear that, smurfette...you & yours are in my prayers.

[Transporter]

My sincerest prayers are for you and your son and your dad. I buried my mother in June. She had a blood clot break free in her leg and travel through her heart and into her lungs. We watched for three days as they did numerous tests and finally concluded that she was brain dead. She had a living will that stated she did not want the machines. Still a hard decision.

GO IN AND TALK TO HER EVEN IF SHE DOES NOT HEAR YOU. Hold her hand. Stroke her hair. Tell her you love her one more time. You will be glad you did later. TRUST ME.

I did... and I am so glad I did.

Hug your son. Hug your dad, too. (He needs it right now.) And find a shoulder to cry on. You will need it.

May God hold your family in his hand in the days to come.

[Southflaguy]

God bless Smurfette...Prayers and thought for you and the family...


:(

[rubyrose]

Oh my. She is just a year older than I am.

Lost my dad in '76, so I have an idea what you are feeling.

Don't know what else to say that hasn't already been said better by others. So I'll just say "ditto."

I'm just sorta numb. That's not my mama in there and not how I want to remember her. If HE is going to take her, then go ahead...the pain of waiting is almost unbearable. My daddy's heart is breaking and he's having a hard time. My parents just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and mama turned 61 last week.

[David Hineline]

I think you son needs to know what is going on and he is old enough to decide if he needs a visit or not. 11yrs old is not a baby. He is a young man who has bonded with her and it will be a shock if with no warning she just turns up passed.

Sorry for you and your family.

[Robocop007]

Best wishes Smurfette. I see what you're saying about the suffering. You like many others must be thinking HOW could a god really exists if he allows all this pain?? Many religions just give you excuses but not legit reasons otherwise they could back it up which no religion can.

You know they say cops call them like the see 'em so following your tradition I hate to say that god is most likely a creation of a very ignorant early man. But don't give up and keep fighting.

BTW, say hi to Papa Smurf and Brainy for me!! ;)

Is that your pic in your profile? You look NICE!! :)

[pulicords]

I'm very sorry to hear about your mom, Smurfette. My prayers are with you and all your family. Take care.

[FireCop86]

i am so sorry, may god be with you

[Columbus]

I'm so sorry to hear that Smurfette, my prayers are with you and your family.

I hope for a miracle, that she makes it through. If she doesn't then just know she's in a better, peaceful place. I'm sorry again Smurfette... :(

[rubyrose]

Yeah, I second this reconsideration.

My daughter was 5 when her grampa died. She couldn't understand why she wasn't allowed to say goodbye to him, and she worried privately about that for years.

Back then it was because no one under 16 was allowed to visit. Ridiculous rules.

My brothers came to say a few words to him and then left, while my sister, mom and I kept watch and were with him to the very end. The "boys" couldn't handle it. That was their choice.

I agree. Let him choose.

I think you son needs to know what is going on and he is old enough to decide if he needs a visit or not. 11yrs old is not a baby. He is a young man who has bonded with her and it will be a shock if with no warning she just turns up passed.

Sorry for you and your family.

[rubyrose]

This Carly Simon song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKVHg0JzLGE)seems apropos for the moment...

Even though I have not lost my mom yet, it still reverberates.

[Guams]

I'm sorry to hear about your mother, Smurfette. As I have been, I'll continue sending my prayers out your way. Thankfully, it's something you can ship out with no postage so I'll keep them flowing. As Transporter said, hold her hand, talk to her, and tell her you love her. She'll know. Mothers, as you well know, are good at that.

Best wishes, Smurfette. To you, your family, and parents. :(

[Bearcat357]

I'm very sorry to hear about your Mom..... :(

My prayers are with you and all your family.......

[DeputySC]

thats awful, but in the end she will be in a better place and better then she ever was and better then we will ever be here. That thought is what helped me get over my grandparents passing away about a year ago.

[hxd]

Hang in there hon. I'm sure it's of little consolation at this moment, but someone, somewhere has a plan.

[safetyallday]

God bless you and yours Smurfette.

[Sully49]

I think you son needs to know what is going on and he is old enough to decide if he needs a visit or not. 11yrs old is not a baby. He is a young man who has bonded with her and it will be a shock if with no warning she just turns up passed.

Sorry for you and your family.

When my uncle was dying of cancer in the hospital, I was in the 6th grade. My parents didn't want me to see him in that condition. I am glad I am able to remember him the way he was, not on his death bed. Not every child is the same, and I don't think this is the time or place to be handing out parenting advice. I am sure she knows her son better than you do. Worry about raising your own children instead of telling people what to do with theirs. It's hardly your place to tell someone else what to do in this situation.

[PA Civilian]

Prayers for your family from here in PA.

[texaschickeee]

Losing Dad is one thing, Losing Mom is the end of the world for a long time.
I understand because I,lost my Dad and it hurt like hell. I can'y even think about losiong my Mom. God My heart aches for you Smurfette. I am praying for you and yours. Dad needs you right now more then everm and you need him to.
Remember:
Mom saw you marry Mr. Matt, and approved. She knows yu are taking care of at this time. Matthew knows She loves him and I agree that he doesn't need that as his last memories of Grandma.

I am so very truly sorry.

[cbr600_kitty]

Prayers en route.

[jchughes05]

My prayers are 10-76 to you from my 10-20, MD.

[dixiebelle]

Prayers to you and your family Smurfette..

[DinoTX]

Sorry to hear the news, I pray for you and your family.

[Presence]

Smurfette,

first, i'm so sorry to hear about this turn of events. I hope you are able to find some solace with your husband, and other loved ones and friends.

my advice is to spend time with her as long as you can, even if you think she doesn't know you are there. hold her hand, stroke her hair, talk to her...Comfort her as much as you can.

i watched my grandfather dying in the hospital after a serious operation a few years ago. it was heartbreaking. My whole life I'd looked at this man as this very strong individual, and it was difficult to see him so frail and fragile in the hospital bed. i spent a week shuttling back and forth between my town and the town where my grandparents live, and we spent some time in the room with him, taking turns so he wasn't alone. On the final day, it was becoming clear to me that he was not going to pull through this, that he was struggling so hard, and just didn't have the strength to recover... and i held his hand, and told him I loved him, and then i leaned forward to kiss his cheek, and I whispered that although I would always miss him, I understood if he needed to go. I hugged and kissed him again, and left the hospital.

I was almost home, from a 2.5 hr drive back to my hometown when I got the phone call from my mom that he'd passed on.


Give her love and support, and make sure you find some for yourself as well at this difficult time...

[Monty Ealerman]

The increase in white blood cell count you reported earlier could be associated with the clotting you just reported. I think in the situation as you've described it the thinners are a good idea. Perhaps a reduction in factor 8, and other blood factors, might help, too, because it might reduce the coagulation. I still wonder about what they think the bug is. Have they done the appropriate assays and cultures? That would provide more to go on. God bless your family and especially your mother in this terribly trying time.

[bigj8550]

I am sorry to hear about your impending loss Smurfette. It will hurt like hell for a long time to come, there is nothing I can say that will ease this pain. If there was something that anyone here at O.com could do I know we would do it. I am sure you father has very fond memorys of you mother and I am sure you do to. Go be with your family, that is something you and your family needs right now.

God bless, prayers and thoughts sent.

[Monty Ealerman]

I echo the appreciation gratitude and respect expressed to the officer.com members for having so much come out as a family over this. Like the others, I hope and pray for the best, Smurfette. God bless your mother and you and your sister and the rest of your family.

[mrc27]

Positive thoughts and prayers are with you & your family at this time...

[JBean]

Sending prayers to you and your family....

[Smurfette_76]

Well. She made it through the night and we finally have a diagnoses. My mother has parvovirus B-19...yeah, apparently there is a human version of it. Most people come in contact with it and it never bothers them beyond mild issues. My mother has a very severe case. Other good news...the blood flood to and from her kidneys is good meaning the blood clots are not there. They are putting her on dialysis this afternoon.

I went in there today. She COULD see me and tracked me with her eyes...she hasn't done that since Tuesday.

My son won't be seeing her. I can barely recognize her myself. I saw my grandparents sick in the hospital when I was a child. Unfortunately, I can still remember them and the way they were before they died. It comes to mind first when I think of them. I spoke with my son's father and his mentor about my feelings on it...he will not be coming up here.

[Smurfette_76]

I appreciate all the well wishes and prayers. Daddy just went home for a few hours to get some sleep. My sister and I are waiting to speak to the doctors.

[rubyrose]

Sounds like things are looking up. Good news.

[kknudsen]

That sounds like some improvement...great news.....We'll keep praying for you.

I remember you said she was airlifed to a better hospital, Chapel Hill, Charlotte or somewhere else?

[Narco]

God bless you guys...keep us posted

[Jellybean400]

Sorry Smurfette... but i do hope she continues to improve *hugs* Jill

[Transporter]

Think there may be something to this "prayer thing" ?? ;)

[sshadowss]

Smurfette,
I am glad to hear of an improvement and the fact that they finally know what is wrong. I hope she continues to improve. My prayers and thoughts are going your way. God Bless you and keep you.

[Kieth M.]

Smurfette....I bet there's a few others who want to say, if we could, we would be there with you.

[Christyle]

My son won't be seeing her. I can barely recognize her myself. I saw my grandparents sick in the hospital when I was a child. Unfortunately, I can still remember them and the way they were before they died. It comes to mind first when I think of them. I spoke with my son's father and his mentor about my feelings on it...he will not be coming up here.


My very best friend was killed in a car accident my senior year. She just wasn't any ordinary "best friend" like most teenage girls have. She was the sister I had always wanted. We were in seperable. I never had to deal with anything so hard in my life. The week she passed was one of the worst weeks of my life. I spent the whole week at her familys house, since they were my family anyway. I slept in her room, in her bed, and can't say I really ever "slept." I picked out the clothes she would be wearing and helped her mom plan the funeral. It was rough. Everytime I think of her, my first vision is of her in her coffin. The image haunts me. She did not look like herself. Her face was not hers. That was not my Ashley laying there. My point is this, if I were you, I wouldn't take your son to see his grandma. I was 18 when Ashley passed and I still can't get the image out of my head. I would hate that your son would go through the same thing. Just my .02.

As everyone else has been saying, talk to your mom as much as you can, no matter if she hears it or not. Tell her everything you need or want to tell her. I wish I had that opportunity. My prayers are with you.

[Robocop007]

Think there may be something to this "prayer thing" ?? ;)

Sorry, you need to credit modern medicine for saving Smurfette's mom's life. Dialysis is a life saving procedure and people die in a few days without it if their kidneys aren't functioning properly.

If this was before 1970 when there was no dialysis then all the praying in the world would not have helped since you can't live without kidneys.

[Columbus]

My very best friend was killed in a car accident my senior year. She just wasn't any ordinary "best friend" like most teenage girls have. She was the sister I had always wanted. We were in seperable. I never had to deal with anything so hard in my life. The week she passed was one of the worst weeks of my life. I spent the whole week at her familys house, since they were my family anyway. I slept in her room, in her bed, and can't say I really ever "slept." I picked out the clothes she would be wearing and helped her mom plan the funeral. It was rough. Everytime I think of her, my first vision is of her in her coffin. The image haunts me. She did not look like herself. Her face was not hers. That was not my Ashley laying there. My point is this, if I were you, I wouldn't take your son to see his grandma. I was 18 when Ashley passed and I still can't get the image out of my head. I would hate that your son would go through the same thing. Just my .02.

As everyone else has been saying, talk to your mom as much as you can, no matter if she hears it or not. Tell her everything you need or want to tell her. I wish I had that opportunity. My prayers are with you.

Completely agree with you and Smurfette. All my friends that have been killed the last few years seem to have their last images linger with me, when I hear their name I think of them in the open casket. Ugh...