the meaning of life# 7 ~ no pictures in the ICU
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 02:00PM 
OK, I took pictures in the ICU • click to embiggenThe phone call was made at 1 PM on Saturday from about 380 miles away and we began our real-world education about words and phrases that we already thought we knew.
Words and phrases like: ER, unresponsive, agitated and combative, very sick girl, meningitis, toxic shock, pregnancy complications, West Nile, Coxsackie, influenza, we don't know, ICU (no pictures, please), breathing tube, cultures, blood work, MRI, CAT scan, spleen, antibiotics, intravenous, we don't know, tumor, stroke, clot, x-ray, EKG, EEG, spinal fluid, we don't know, sedation, near coma state, infectious disease, pulmonary, neurologist, cardiologist, heart rate, pulse rate, lung fluid, respirator, suction, compression, we don't know, restraints, we don't know, we just don't know.
A very stressful and tense 72 hrs later, Maggie is lucid, out of the ICU and apparently out of danger. The strange thing is, they still don't know. Not a clue. Maybe a virulent viral infection. Maybe.
Reader Comments (10)
Not being able to get down there and share some good vibes for her in person, I am overwhelmed by these photos in a way I don't like.
After tearing up for about 5 minutes in my office and the conflicting emotions on whether I should have looked at these or not, I do have a question about the "meaning of life #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6"? What are they?
All I can say is that I hope for the best. I cannot imagine this myself, and I sincerely hope everything turns out for the best very very soon. Take care.
Oh the helplessness and deep-gutted fear Mark. I'm shaking in my boots at the power of these images. Similar experience last year with my daughter away at college....collapse in the bathroom in the middle of the night, unconcious, black eye, broken glasses, extremely weak, vomiting (no alcohol involved.) And it was never figured out either. Insidious and very frightening. My thoughts are with you, Maggie and the wife. Please keep us posted.
Meaning of life 1-6:
1. Live it
2. Live it
3. Live it
4. Live it
5. Live it
6. Live it
7. Live it "with tubes"
8. Live it "without tubes"
Here's hoping #8 comes soon for Mags.
Mark, I wish Maggie, you and the wife all the strength you need.
What Jaap said...all my best Mark, to you and your family...
Well not knowing who Maggie is, the images are real for anyone who have had experiences such as this. I am praying for a fast and healing recovery from the "unknown".
Thanks to one and all for your well wishes and concern.
Jim - Mags is my step-daughter who is in Philadelphia for her freshman year in college.
thanks for all the kind words -
Mary, I bet maggie would love to hear more about your daughter, especially the she is better even though they did not figure it out. Maybe you could send mark a private email with a little more info.
I wish her and you and your wife well. It's tough having the kid's so far away. And that hospital stuff is a lot more fun on tv. tim