Two relativies, 2 ICU's, no joking

Thanks everybody, every prayer helps.

Mom's looking better, but she is on a ventilator to help her to breath. Right now, it looks like she will stay on it for a few days to strengthen her up and then the doctors will remove the tube.

Brother-in-law is talking, however he is currently still not able to get up and around. His blood pressure is a touch low and they have been giving him blood.

Other than that, both are doing ok.

Well wishes headed to your Momamd BIL.

Talk about a cruel joke. Hope they are both on the mend soon. Maybe this will put a scare into your mom to stop smoking.

Thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.

We can only hope mom will get the clue and stop smoking.

Thank you for the prayers.

I work with COPD patients and find that often a stint on the ventilator, although a horrible experience, is the motivator to get them to quit smoking. You sound like you will be a great support person if this is what she decides. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way....

Sending out a prayer .

My Mom died a few years ago of Lung cancer at the age of 88. She continued to sneak her cigarettes until she was bed ridden. She even lied to her cancer doctors and said she quit 30 years ago. I wonder how long she would have lived if she didn't smoke.

Thanks for the prayers, it really means alot.

Mom's got the breathing tube out for the time being. If she has any breathing problems, its very likely she'll be back on it. Seems like being on the ventilator was a wake up experience, at least for the time being. Mom told me to throw away the rest of her smokes at home, she won't be finding them in her own trash or any trash can within a 20 block radius of her house. She isn't on real food yet, however she can have liquids. The current plan is to keep her in ICU for another day and then move her a room. After she gets out of the hospital, one of her sisters and I are going to help her out at the house for a few days.

BIL is doing better, he had a urine flow so no more dialysis, major yea!! They had him doing some walking around in the room before I went to visit and he was too tired to see visitors at that time. Hopefully this begins his recovery and we won't be having any relapses. (fingers crossed) Hopefully, I'll get the chance to see him in person sometime this week.

That some encouraging news Chef . The prayers are working some. Keeping you in our thoughts.
Best of health to everybody!

Chef, my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours every step of the way.

You are truly one fine human being, even if you are a conservative, lol!

(Suggested response: Well, thank you very much, Paddler. That means a lot to me, even if it does come from a raging liberal!).

Thank you for the prayers.

I'm just human being trying to do what I can.

My suggested response: Thanks Indy, it means a lot. Your not raging, just a liberal.

Mom's eating solid food and should be moved to a room either today or tomorrow. She's slowly gaining strength, so it's going to be a few days before she goes home. Her room is going to be on the same floor as BIL, so we'll see if they are in shouting distance. (for mom that's about 2 floors, on a good day)

BIL on the other hand, has a few problems. It seems that one of the replacement arteries is blocked/restricted for some reason. Also they gave BIL another pint of blood (that's 3 in total so far) to keep his blood pressure in the normal range. He is getting around more, so that's better news.