Husband in ICU needing trach

[notme]

It is certainly possible to intubate someone without doing a trache surgically, that can let him recouperate from the pneumonia--assuming he is in generally good health otherwise and not in such poor physical shape now that he is just ready for it to be over.

Like the other EMT here, I've been on that side, too--it's not a good place to be for anyone.

With a DNR--it doesn't mean "DO NOT TREAT" it means Do Not Resuscitate, which are not the same things. Might not hurt to put a call in to your ALS specialist.

A bout with pneumonia doesn't even necessarily mean that his ALS has progressed to his lungs--it could just be--a bad case of pneumonia. My thoughts are with you, whatever you decide.

Always ask for a second opinion.

While it's true that when we work in the medical field, we hope no one passes on our shift-we can't go against a DNR--it's ILLEGAL to do so, and literally battery. We can offer any and all supportive and comfort measures, and as already said--the morphine and other meds do stave off the air hunger feeling that those with respiratory distress dread because it is literally terrifying.

Also--a DNR can be rescinded by that person at ANY TIME--even if it's because they are in a panic because they can't breathe.

 

[Katie C]

I agree 100 percent with everything in Atsugi's post. I've been there. I've made the life and death decisions for a PALS with dementia and pneumonia. It was wrenching. It was heartbreaking. Can I say I've never had a second thought... of course not. Did I make the right decisions? In my heart of hearts I believe I did what he wanted.

 

[asantiago]

I am just so sorry life has brought you to this decision. I can't imagine having to make it and I hope whatever you decide you are at peace with.

I'm sure you have a million thoughts running through your head, are you considering that your husband did not want a trach because he didn't want to have to endure what is in his future?

Because he was still functioning before he went into the hospital, he may have gotten his wish exactly. He lived with ALS being pretty functional up to the end and up to the point of not having to deal with the "whats to come" that is just not pretty.

My mom pegged at the last minute but would not trach. I sometimes read posts of ALS patients who live for YEARS and YEARS and I feel cheated that my mom only lived months. BUT then I read the posts of those in the final stages, and their final stages last 6 months or a year or more and then I am actually VERY grateful she left us earlier than 99% of PALS.

I'm sure you are not ready for him to go and I really am not trying to persuade you either way because you have to do what's right for you and your family. I just wanted to share my perspective that I have only been able to see with time. We were not ready for her to go so early, but also the "whats to come" for us was very short and for that I am so grateful.