It's been a rough day...
 

This is going to be sort of long but I just have to get everything out so I can at least stop crying for today so I can get some sleep...

My step father (who was better than my own father) was sick for several weeks with flu like symptoms. Yesterday he went to the doctor because he just wasn't getting over it and they weren't overly concerned and did a little blood work.

At 3:30 this morning he was able to make it to the living room and woke my mom up; he had collapsed on the floor. So needless to say they checked into the hospital at 4:30 am. My mom thought it was dehydration which might have been the initial problem. However when they got to the hospital he kept getting worse and his blood pressure was ridiculously low at 76/44 or so. Eventually he became so delirious he couldn't tell where he was or who my mom was.

Then they looked at his leg and saw that it had swollen to about twice the normal size and had started to discolor. They thought it was a blood clot then they thought infection and they went back and forth with these two ideas for a long time. They finally moved him to ICU for continually monitoring where it was determined they needed to get him stable (blood pressure, vitals etc) then they would head into surgery to see if it was a clot and open it or if it was an infection and try to remove part of it. As time passed while making this decisions his health degenerated more and more until finally they went into OR without him being stable running the high risk of heart attack, stroke or likely death.

He did make it through that surgery but they had to amputate his leg. They informed us he had "necrotizing fasciitis" or what it's commonly called is flesh-eating bacteria. The awful news is this has possibly spread to his other leg and they'll probably do surgery on it tonight as well and possible amputation. And for the next week or so he has to be kept completely sedated and taken into surgery once a day to keep removing the infection until it no longer comes back. The mortality rate for this type of infection is around 70-80%.

I have never seen anything like this my entire life but apparently it's becoming more frequent. When they started explaining it it sounded like something that would be on Eleventh Hour or House or some TV show.

I'm sorry to unload but I really really needed to for my sanity. I hope tomorrow we get some better news.

Oh man, rough day indeed. I'll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

Oh, Jess. I am so sorry to hear about all of this. That is a lot of scary business in a short timeframe. Take care of yourself and your family-- I will keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers! Keep your head up, kiddo! Come back to the boards if you need to chat more!

That is really tough. I'm so sorry you are dealing with that! Please feel free to unload anytime. That's why we are here. :hug:

:hug:

You poor thing! I can't even imagine what you are going through. I'm praying for you right now. Just know that it is ok to cry & be sad - in fact, it's healthy. Keep us updated on how he is doing.

I'm sorry. Your in my thoughts...:hug:

That is very tough. Many virtual hugs for you & your family right now. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Oh My God. My heart goes out to you. This has got to be quite a shock for your whole family. I hope your stepdad pulls through this.


((((Hugs))))

Ya'll are definitely in my prayers hun...I'm so sorry, and my heart goes out to you and your family! Keep strong and come back to the boards if you need to unload...we're all here for you.

oh my im sooo sorry to hear that! unload anytime. :)

all my prayers for you and your family xxx

I'm so sorry for your family, that you have to go through this. I'm thinking of you! :hug:

I am so sorry to hear about what your family is going thru. I will keep your family in my prayers. Please keep us posted on his condition. I know how scary it is when a loved one is critically ill.

I'm so sorry to hear this! I'm definitely sending positive vibes to you and your family! :)

Wow I am so very sorry. I can't even imagine. please keep us updated. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Good luck to you and your family in hopes they can get that under control. I know how it feels when something suddenly takes over the life of someone close to you. You'll be in my thoughts!

Oh my Heavens, I am just so very sorry.

He went into surgery again at 2 am for his right leg. They said the infection had progressed too far and had already destroyed all the muscles and tissues so they were forced to do a 2nd amputation.

At 5 am they called my mom and I in and said they were working on him, but they didn't explain what. About a half hour later his heart gave out and his kidney's started to fail and he didn't make it.

Right now we're just trying to cope while in complete shock.

I am soo soo sooo sorry for your loss :( Stay strong

Oh honey. I am so so sorry :hug: You and your mom will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what this is like. I am almost relieved for your stepdad, as he might have endured more suffering (physical and emotional) if he'd survived than he would have wanted. But this is just so awful for you and your Mom and family.

Oh my...I'm just so sorry.

Sorry to hear about this terrible loss. What an ordeal for you and your family to be going through. You and your family are in my thoughts as well.

I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. my heart goes out to you.

I'm so incredibly sorry for you all. I hope your family will be able to support each other and cope as well as you can together.

I am so sorry to hear that...you and your fam are in my thoughts and prayers :hugs:

I am so sorry. Words cannot describe what your feel. Feel free to come share with us anytime.