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May 21, 2019 / Patrik Hutzel - Critical Care Nurse Consultant / No Comments

My Mother is in the ICU for Post Cardiac Arrest Care. Is “Mercy Killing” the Only Option for Her Condition?

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Hi, it’s Patrik Hutzel from INTENSIVECAREHOTLINE.COM where we instantly improve the lives for Families of critically ill Patients in Intensive Care, so that you can make informed decisions, have PEACE OF MIND, real power, real control and so that you can influence decision making fast, even if you’re not a doctor or a nurse in Intensive Care!

This is another episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED“ and in last week’s episode I answered another question from our readers and the question was

My Mother is in the ICU for Post Cardiac Arrest Care. She will Have Tracheostomy but Should it Lead to Withdrawal of Treatment for Her?

You can check out last week’s question by clicking on the link here.

In this week’s episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” I want to answer questions from one of my clients Stephanie as part of my 1:1 consulting and advocacy service! Stephanie’s mother had a cardiac arrest and is now in the ICU post CPR, and she’s asking why the ICU doctors are insinuating Euthanasia as the only option for her.

My Mother is in the ICU for Post Cardiac Arrest Care. Is “Mercy Killing” the Only Option for Her Condition?

Patrik: And here’s another thing Miranda, let’s talk again about end of life for a moment. Let’s just say you decide in the next few days, it’s enough, “I don’t want my mother to continue like this.” Let’s just say you then talk to the ICU and you prepare your mother for end of life. They could stop life support and they could “remove life support”, make your mother comfortable so she’s not suffering, but you’ve then got to keep in mind again, from my perspective that’s euthanasia. Do you know what I mean by that Miranda when I say euthanasia?

Sheila: Miranda are you there?

Miranda: Yes.

Patrik: Do you know what I mean with euthanasia?

Miranda: Say it one more time?

Patrik: Euthanasia. It’s basically painless killing of a patient, by giving them drugs and hasten death. Have you come across that term before?

Miranda: No.

Patrik: Right. Right.

Stephanie: Have you heard of mercy killing?

Miranda: Say it again, Stephanie … Mercy?

Stephanie: Yeah. Yeah. Why don’t you hear me well?

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Miranda: I don’t know.

Stephanie: Okay, that’s all right. Mercy killing. You’re not asleep? Yeah.

Miranda: Nn-nnn. It’s the rain, we got this rain.

Stephanie: Okay. Yeah. Say what?

Miranda: It’s raining where I’m at.

Stephanie: Oh, it’s raining where you are. Oh, okay.

Patrik: Right.

Stephanie: So yeah, I got you. Yeah. So euthanasia is the same. It’s just a professional way of saying mercy killing. It’s like a Dr. Kevorkian or something like that. Making them comfortable. Like hospice. They mentioned hospice care, by the way.

Patrik: Very much so. Very much so.

Miranda: They explained the same hospital. I don’t remember what happened. But the same ICU. The same situation with the mother. And they basically said, let’s just make her comfortable. And it’s the mother and she said her eyes opened up. Right before she passed away. It’s like, “Don’t do this to me.”

Patrik: Right. Right. That’s why Ms. Genevieve keeps reaching out to us and telling us not to listen to the doctors.

Stephanie: I remember you telling me that I know this Ms. Genevieve that you’re telling me about. That’s a powerful statement, Miranda what you just said.

Patrik: Mm-hmm (affirmative) that’s very powerful.

Stephanie: And we have the power. Mm-hmm (affirmative)-

Patrik: Yup.

Stephanie: And by that time they were already making her comfortable, right? By that time they’re going to say. Ms. Genevieve’s sake they were already making her comfortable, right?

Miranda: Oh, they put morphine in there.

Patrik: Very much so. That’s exactly what happens.

Stephanie: I hate that morphine.

Patrik: That’s exactly what happens. They will give Morphine, and they will give Midazolam also known as Versed. It’s similar to Ativan, I know you mentioned Ativan in the last few days, Stephanie. And Midazolam is similar to Ativan, plus just stronger. Just stronger.

Stephanie: Oh, okay. Gotcha yeah. Yeah. You sent me a reminder of a name. You typed to me Versed and that’s different.

Patrik: Midazolam. They’re the same. The same, just different names.

Stephanie: Got it. Gotcha. And you said that’s kind of like Morphine, but not as strong, or stronger?

Patrik: Morphine is a pain killer. And Midazolam is a very strong sedative.

Stephanie: Right, because it’s for seizures.

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Patrik: Yes, for seizures but also to put people asleep, to put them in an induced coma.

Stephanie: I gotcha. Oh, okay. I don’t think they’re using that. They’re using Ativan. And, let me see what I put on my little note, they’re not using that. They’re using Vimpat … let’s see what they use? Here we go … that’s not it.

Patrik: Dilantin?

Stephanie: Dilantin, yes.

Patrik: They’re not sedatives. They are anti-seizure medications.

Stephanie: Mm-hmm (affirmative)- This is my question, now that they took the central line out they’re not able to control her blood pressure as much as they used to, is that right?

Patrik: Oh, they have taken out the central line? And they have no-

Stephanie: Yeah, it’s just because she was bleeding.

Patrik: And they have not replaced it?

Stephanie: No. She has a hematoma there.

Patrik: They would have put in a new one.

Stephanie: They must not have placed it right. Huh?

Patrik: They would have put in a new one. They must have done. If she was to have a trach on Monday she would need a central line.

Stephanie: They took it out because she had a hematoma there. Is there another place to put it?

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Patrik: Yes, they could put it in the groin. Other side or in the groin. Or sometimes in the elbow. Sometimes.

Stephanie: Okay. And so because see she was bleeding. She had a blood in her urine. So they were saying, and I think I read about this too, that the neuro storm was causing all of that. Because what happens to the body, they say in a neuro storm, it just throws all your organs off. It can make the bladder not constrict. So she’s swelling right now, Patrik. She’s swelling. On her hands and I heard her stomach is swelling, so you familiar with that?

Patrik: Oh absolutely. And there are a number of reasons why people swell in ICU. One of the reasons is because they are immobile. That’s one of the reasons. The other reason is, do you know if her kidneys are working or not?

Stephanie: That’s what I was just wondering? I was thinking, if they are they didn’t tell us. Nobody told me that her kidneys shut down. I don’t know, is any urine coming out in her bag, Miranda hardly?

Miranda?

Miranda: One second.

Stephanie: Oh, you’re at work.

Miranda: Mm-hmm (affirmative)-

Stephanie: You’re not having to pick anybody up right now, right?

Miranda: No.

Stephanie: Or you were sending a message.

Miranda: Mr. Patrik can you say it again please?

Patrik: Pardon?

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Miranda: Can you repeat what you were saying please?

Stephanie: What did you hear so far?

Patrik: What was I saying a moment ago? I was saying…

Stephanie: Miranda…

Miranda: I’m trying to recall the last thing I remember him saying.

Stephanie: Well, we were talking about our mother. We were talking about the central line. About the hematoma, about her swelling. About whether she’s having good elimination from urine, or what?

Miranda: And you said that, blood in her urine is from … hold on a minute. The blood thinners.

Patrik: And the blood thinner.

Stephanie: That don’t sound right, does it Patrik?

Patrik: So then we were talking about the swelling. And the swelling can be a by-product, even if kidneys are working, just by people being immobile, they swell. Right? But if the kidneys aren’t working, the swelling is exaggerated. There’s another reason why people swell, which is if they have a low albumin level in the blood. Those are the-

Miranda: A low?

Stephanie: Albumin. I know what that is A-L-B-U-M-I-N. And that has to do with … what is albumin, is it a mineral and is it a hormone? Is it…

Patrik: No, it’s basically an ingredient in the blood.

Stephanie: Exactly.

Patrik: It’s an ingredient in the blood. And it can be replaced with a transfusion.

Stephanie: Okay. They’ve already been giving her those. But haven’t given her anytime soon. Anytime recently. But I know…

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Miranda: Couple of days or so.

Stephanie: A couple of days ago they gave her some.

Patrik: Albumin?

Miranda: A blood transfusion.

Patrik: A blood transfusion. And there would be albumin in the blood transfusion as well.

Miranda: That was a couple of days ago. Why is she having blood in her urine?

Patrik: Well, she’s probably on a blood thinner, right because she’s immobile. And the blood thinner … they might have to adjust the dose. She might get too much.

Stephanie: They are, because they’re gonna … before they do the trach, once Miranda says do the trach, then they’re going to cut back. They probably already cut back on the blood thinners. I think they already did.

Patrik: Right. They have to before the trach.

Stephanie: Yeah. Make sure it’s therapeutic, or whatever. I think you said her INR was therapeutic. ‘Cause she’s on a lot of thinners. The IRN.

Patrik: INR. Okay, but it’s also the APTT also needs to be in the normal range, as well as her platelets.

Stephanie: Right. The PTT and the platelets. Okay. We’ll keep that in mind. So yeah, because when you think about it, when you say the blood, who knows it could just seep wherever. You know, if it’s really, really thin.

Patrik: Absolutely. And if the blood is too thin, the risk for a trach is too high. They have to correct that first.

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Stephanie: Yes, and yeah, that has to be corrected. Yeah, he said that. That’s what Dr. Philipps said. He said that. That’s what Dr. Philipps said. They would have to take her off of the trach for a day or so. I think more than a day, don’t you?

Patrik: Well, I-

Stephanie: We want that trach … We want that thing outta there, huh? What are you thinking? It has to be off for more than a day?

Patrik: It has to be off for more than a day and the blood has to be corrected. It could be one of the reasons why they gave her a blood transfusion, to correct some of that already.

Stephanie: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Patrik: We don’t know at this point.

Stephanie: Right. Right.

Miranda: No, I know why. They … Hello.

Stephanie: We’re here.

Miranda: They done the blood transfusions remember, when her count just was down in the beginning, but, they really … Okay, I gotta go in the building. I cannot hear anything.

Stephanie: Okay. We can hold on. You have to … I can wait, and I can talk to Patrik while you’re doing that.

Patrik: Yeah, yeah. That’s fine. That’s fine.

Stephanie: At the meeting … go ahead.

Patrik: The trach, I believe, is the right next step especially if her Glasgow Coma Scale is so low, right?

Stephanie: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Yes.

Patrik: The burden on anyone like Miranda or probably yourself or anybody who is sort of involved in the decision making, it’s a massive burden.

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Stephanie: Yes.

Patrik: You know? It’s huge.

Stephanie: Yes, it is.

Patrik: You know the pressure-

Stephanie: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Patrik: Whether real or perceived, the pressure to make the right decision is pretty big, but then at the same time, what the ICU is saying in terms of, “You have to do this, you have to do that,” forget about that.

Stephanie: Right, right.

Patrik: You want to make sure that Carmen gets the best care and treatment.

Stephanie: Um-hmm (affirmative). We will definitely have some more feedback tomorrow when we get with the family, because you’ll have more input, and I understand Miranda … It’s tough. It’s very tough.

Patrik: Very tough.

Stephanie: Yeah, but I hope that even just from our conversation with us being able to talk about this, and hear other examples. You heard the example that she gave was really powerful, and that’s what I think is weighing on her too, that she don’t want to make the wrong decision and then she wakes up. You know what I mean, so to speak, and says … you know like the other girl’s mother, father, brother, whoever he was.

Patrik: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Stephanie: You know? No, we don’t want to … You don’t know what you don’t know.

Patrik: That’s right.

Stephanie: Bottom line is, though.

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Patrik: That’s right.

Stephanie: Like you said, it’s too soon.

Patrik: Too soon.

Stephanie: We’re talking about somebody … You’ve seen a lot. Yeah, way too soon.

Patrik: Way too soon.

Stephanie: To make a decision like that, and they want to push us to make a decision like that, and I say we choose our words carefully, we don’t say a lot. Let us get where we want to get, to the next step, if Miranda’s in agreement with that. That’s, I think … We’re having a family meeting tomorrow to rally around her, let her know we support her. When she’s with us, maybe she’ll feel more … not so alone. You know… You can still hear me?

Patrik: Because I think that that’s-

Stephanie: I think that’s what you’re saying.

Patrik: Yeah. That’s a big one. I feel like the burden would be big on anyone.

Stephanie: Yes.

Patrik: It would be … Nobody wants to be in a life or death situation where you have to potentially make a decision for a family member.

Stephanie: Yeah.

Patrik: It’s a very difficult situation. Not having perspective around that-

Stephanie: Yeah.

Patrik: I think is critical … No, no. Having perspective around that is critical.

Stephanie: It is. It is.

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Patrik: You know?

Stephanie: It really is.

Patrik: How-

Stephanie: You have some perspective because you’ve seen other people. Go ahead.

Patrik: How big is this ICU? Do you know?

Stephanie: Yeah, they’ve got several rooms. My mother’s in room 4009. That’s only halfway through, so they’ve got at least another … I think they’ve got another 10 beds, at least on one side.

Patrik: So about 20 beds?

Stephanie: Yes, probably. Yeah. Does that make sense?

Patrik: Yeah, it’s pretty big. Are they busy? Are they busy?

Stephanie: Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Patrik: So it’s pretty full?

Stephanie: I’ve seen people coming and going, huh?

Patrik: Okay.

Stephanie: They’re coming out alive, though, huh? Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Patrik: Yeah, most people would survive.

Stephanie: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Patrik: But they would also be dealing with some end of life.

Stephanie: Yes.

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Patrik: There’s no doubt about that.

Stephanie: You were trying to find out how large the ICU is to determine…

Patrik: Yeah. I’ll tell you why I’m trying to find that out. Number one, I’m trying to … The smaller the ICU, number one, generally speaking, the less experience and the less sick people they would be looking after. That’s number one.

Stephanie: Right.

Patrik: And also the less space, the higher the pressure on the beds.

Stephanie: Exactly.

Patrik: Right?

Stephanie: Yes, yes.

Patrik: Also, if you were telling me it’s 20 beds and half of the beds are empty, I would try to determine, okay, so they’re not full.

Stephanie: Why?

Patrik: Right?

Stephanie: Yes.

Patrik: How could you use that in your favour potentially, and now you’re telling me they are full, so I’m wondering, okay, they’re full, so there is pressure on beds.

Stephanie: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Patrik: Right? But if they-

Stephanie: I saw a couple of empty rooms. Mm-hmm (affirmative).

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Patrik: Right. Okay.

Stephanie: I’m going to walk through there now. Now that you’ve said that, I’m going to walk through there.

Patrik: Have a look. Have a look.

Stephanie: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Patrik: Whereabouts are you? You are in Cincinnati. Are you in a big city or-

Stephanie: Yes, Ivory Oaks.

Patrik: Oh, you’re in Ivory Oaks. Okay.

The 1:1 consulting session will continue in next week’s episode.

How can you become the best advocate for your critically ill loved one, make informed decisions, get peace of mind, control, power and influence quickly, whilst your loved one is critically ill in Intensive Care?

You get to that all important feeling of making informed decisions, get PEACE OF MIND, CONTROL, POWER AND INFLUENCE when you download your FREE “INSTANT IMPACT” report NOW by entering your email below!

In Your FREE “INSTANT IMPACT” report you’ll learn quickly how to make informed decisions, get PEACE OF MIND, real power and real control and how you can influence decision making fast, whilst your loved one is critically ill in Intensive Care! Your FREE “INSTANT IMPACT” Report gives you in-depth insight that you must know whilst your loved one is critically ill or is even dying in Intensive Care!

Sign up and download your FREE “INSTANT IMPACT” REPORT now by entering your email below! In your FREE “INSTANT IMPACT” REPORT you’ll learn how to speak the “secret” Intensive Care language so that the doctors and the nurses know straight away that you are an insider and that you know and understand what’s really happening in Intensive Care! In your FREE report you’ll also discover

How to ask the doctors and the nurses the right questions

Discover the many competing interests in Intensive Care and how your critically ill loved one’s treatment may depend on those competing interests

How to eliminate fear, frustration, stress, struggle and vulnerability even if your loved one is dying

5 mind blowing tips & strategies helping you to get on the right path to making informed decisions, get PEACE OF MIND, control, power and influence in your situation

You’ll get real world examples that you can easily adapt to your and your critically ill loved one’s situation

How to stop being intimidated by the Intensive Care team and how you will be seen as equals

You’ll get crucial ‘behind the scenes’ insight so that you know and understand what is really happening in Intensive Care

How you need to manage doctors and nurses in Intensive Care (it’s not what you think)

Thank you for tuning into this week’s YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED episode and I’ll see you again in another update next week!

Make sure you also check out our “blog” section for more tips and strategies or send me an email to [email protected] with your questions!

Also, have a look at our membership site INTENSIVECARESUPPORT.ORG for families of critically ill Patients in Intensive Care here.

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Also check out our Ebook section where you get more Ebooks, Videos and Audio recordings and where you can also get 1:1 counselling/consulting with me via Skype, over the phone or via email by clicking on the products tab!

This is Patrik Hutzel from INTENSIVECAREHOTLINE.COM and I’ll see you again next week with another update!

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MY PARTNER IS IN INTENSIVE CARE ON A VENTILATOR! THE INTENSIVE CARE TEAM WANTS TO DO A TRACHEOSTOMY AND I WANT TO HAVE HIM EXTUBATED! WHAT DO I DO? (PART 1)

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5 things NOBODY HAS EVER TOLD YOU about Intensive Care

WHAT WOULD YOU DO if you knew that you COULD NOT FAIL, whilst your loved one is critically ill in Intensive Care

How the Intensive Care team is SKILFULLY PLAYING WITH YOUR EMOTIONS, if your loved one is critically ill in Intensive Care!

My father is in Intensive Care ventilated with LIVER FAILURE and KIDNEY FAILURE, I DON’T THINK HE WILL SURVIVE! HELP

HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND, CONTROL, POWER AND INFLUENCE WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE IS CRITICALLY ILL IN INTENSIVE CARE!

My father has been weaned off the ventilator in Intensive Care and still has the Tracheostomy in. When can the Tracheostomy be removed?

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED TO BE ON A VENTILATOR AFTER A LUNG TRANSPLANT

HOW LONG can a critically ill Patient stay on ECMO?

THE ULTIMATE FASTLANE TO PEACE OF MIND, CONTROL, POWER AND INFLUENCE WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE IS CRITICALLY ILL IN INTENSIVE CARE!

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Hi, Patrik.I was reading through your page today and started thinking about the time you helped my friend who was in a COVID unit on a ventilator in 2021. I just wanted to thank you because I don't remember if I told you that our friend survived at the time and after leaving the hospital, went back to work several months later. He was the only one to survive on the COVID floor! Without the help of many and perseverance of his proxy and my guidance that came from you, he would not have survived! After he left the recovery place, I helped him to get strong again. If people would just educate themselves, get professional help and know their rights, we could have more success stories like these.Thank you and God bless!

Barbara

Hello Patrik,I just wanted to let you know my partner woke up and blinked at the questions I asked him! So unbelievably happy my son has his father still and I have my man back! Thank you for taking the time to speak. I hope you know how much it means in the time of desperation, what you do is the most amazing gift of saving lives. You are godlike.God bless you and all your family. Take care always.

Jasmine

"Hi Patrik and the team

I would just like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your help these past 3 months, I cannot express enough just how grateful I am that my husband and I found your service and were able to sign up and receive your help!These past three - four months have been the hardest of my life and then my dad dying has honestly shattered my world as him and I were VERY close. Especially when you have confirmed that he had a future and probably would have been much further along by now if he wasn't neglected. Yes, no one knows just how long he had left or how long he would have lived for but I do truly believe that he would have had at least a few weeks/months if not more and know 100% in my heart that 12 June was not the day God chose for him to go as they injected him, it was not natural!

Dealing with the nurses and consultants in ICU setting is a whole other world /experience, as Patrik sums it up you are scared, sad, anxious, distressed and have no idea medically what is going on but when you can sense what is going on and know in your heart what is being done is not right or not enough but when you question the nurses they block you or just say:" wait to speak to the consultant ", who lies to your face and is clearly pushing an agenda!

It is such an awful situation as you can't say much as you aren't a medic but with your assistance and advice I was able to not feel completely powerless and ask questions and equally you gave me the confidence to ask those questions and thanks to Jesus Christ and you and your incredible, friendly,prompt and helpful team we were able to prolong my dad's life for 3 months. 3 months I am eternally grateful for.

Please know that your service is a true Godly blessing in a world that is growing exceedingly cold by the day and is in need of the light that is being shone by you all and the truth that is being exposed, so thank you and may God bless each and everyone of you in your personal lives for your selfless commitment to helping those out there going through such emotional and mentally stressful times and really need a hand to hold and lead you through this tumultuous situation and you are that………..God bless."

Many kind regards,

Donne

"Dear Patrik,

Thank you for reaching out, sorry I haven't returned your text sooner. Cliff is going leaps and bounds daily and will be moving out of ICU Monday. Without having your initial highly informative information we would not have Cliff where he is today. We took it all on board and it gave us the confidence to fight for Cliff as a unique individual who we as a family believed he is! We stuck to your first statement on your site, whatever they say, do the exact opposite and in doing that we have moved forward with those words stuck in our minds and gave us such strength to do things our way and has proven to be an excellent advice and we cannot thank you enough. Without it, we would be organizing a funeral not tears of joy for his hope for his recovery , much love and respect

Belinda

"Hi Patrik.

Thank you for all the links to the NHS and the advice you gave me. I spoke with the ICU consultant on Friday and threatened him with the media and legal action, and I told him that I had written to the hospital CEO and made the complaint, and he said that they are not going to withdraw life support and they have revoked the DNR.Also, my brother is now fully awake since Saturday and they have been trying to get him to breathe with the tracheostomy ventilator, which he managed to do for 12 minutes. I also told them until my brother gets his voice back, I am his voice and advocate. The consultant did say we need to work together on a joint decision and agreed that my brother will be the best person to decide on and future withdrawal of life support.I understand his prognosis is not good as the infective endocarditis has completely destroyed his aortic valve and he is not fit enough for open heart surgery.If my brother passes away naturally, that is something I could come to terms with instead of the doctors withdrawing life support without my or my brother's consent.

Thank you for your advice. You have been amazing."

Nikki

"Hi, Patrik.

You saved my mom's life! After her RV transport from Connecticut to San Diego on January 6, I got her local medical support during her recovery (physical therapy, OT, a few home blood draws and nurses, oxygen prescribed, hoyer lift, etc.). She got a CT scan at the hospital and saw her doctor on March 15. He would never have approved her for air travel with her oxygen needs so we didn't even ask. On March 17, I drove her from San Diego to Tampa. On March 23, we got on a 14-night transatlantic cruise to Barcelona, and on April 6, we drove to Oslo in Norway. Here is the photo of us and the dogs on the cruise! Thanks to you, she got to do her life goal of being on a cruise!

Best wishes,Debra."

Hello Patrik.

Mom got the tracheostomy out just before Christmas then they sent her back to her hometown (clearing wards before holidays). They left her in ED for 2 days before moving to ward. She got a bit more awake and refused to have the feeding tube reinserted so I got a retired nurse to help me sort that out and they called it risk feeding, eventually got to the rehab ward and then home. It was a rigmarole, probably timing of holidays did not help. She persuaded them to let her go out of rehab after a couple of weeks. She uses a wheelie Walker and wheelchair to get around.

I had to go back to the big city at the start of February to remove an IVC filter. It was hard work getting her back, obviously she didn't want to go back, and travelling on public transport with a person who can't get very far with a walker was quite an experience for me.

But we got there and she is back home with dad now. She has improved but it is slow. She has good days and then not so good ones, as we all do I guess. She will probably get back to walking unaided, it might take a few more months. It is her main problem. Without that she really is not far off her old self. So glad she got out of there with so little repercussions, compared to what the doctors were describing in those family meetings.

So sad that has been our hospital experience though, to go in to recover from pelvic fractures and come out with that experience is really awful. Apart from poor eyesight, she had no obvious health issues, and hadn't been to a doctor for many years. Lucky to get out I guess. I was really glad to have your service, it helped me a lot. Many thanks..

Sincerely,

Barbara

MY REVIEW OF INTENSIVE CARE HOTLINE

So on Friday, February 9th, I checked my 88 year old mother into a local hospital because of the following symptoms: slurred speech, a steadily decreasing appetite, confusion, and legs so weak that she needed help to walk to my truck outside even though she'd been walking fine the day before!

I managed to get her into the emergency room quickly, where a series of tests and readings revealed the following: blood pressure roughly 60 over 40, a pulse in the 40s, and a probable urinary tract infection or uti. And the ER doctor told me, "Your mother is very sick." He then asked me, "If her heart goes out, do you want us to do everything we can?" I answered, yes-- and the emergency room team was fantastic!!! and next thing you know--after more tests--she was sent to Intensive Care Unit, or ICU.

So the next day I got a call from the nurse in ICU, and she was asking me about a baseline, about how my mom spoke normally. Well, I like face to face communication, so I went in to meet the nurse and her assistant and see my mom and my mom looked like death warmed over. She didn't look awake, or like she'd ever be awake again! The nurse then started a long statement about the possibility of her heart stopping and the only options in that situation and how devastating that would be for my mother and did I want to consider do not resuscitate or DNR, but I was too afraid to make a decision. (She also talked about something about comfort, which I think means turning off machines, but I didn't like that idea, either!) So I went back with a friend whose best friend is a rn in Atlanta, and my friend agreed with the ICU nurse. "I've seen this before, your mother is going to die. You need to be prepared for that. To let them do compression or anything to keep her alive after a heart attack is cruel." And even with medication, all my mom's readings looked shaky: her blood pressure was bouncing around with numbers like 80 over 40--and she was on two kinds of blood pressure medication!!!-- and her pulse was still going between 40 and 80. Her oxygen was good, but that seemed to be all she had going for her. So I was depressed. I didn't see any way out. I saw an immediate future without my mom, and with no wife and no kids myself, what would that mean for me? I could survive, but it wouldn't be the same. And all these people--the ER doctor, the ICU nurse, my friend;s buddy the rn, plus, my friend who said she'd seen cases like my mom's before and she knew it was coming--they all couldn't be wrong, right?

So I couldn't sleep that night, but early Sunday morning of February 11th, I had a brainstorm: I would go online, and see what I found. And that's what led me to INTENSIVE CARE HOTLINE and Patrik Hutzel. I looked at the website, read that Patrik was a critical care nurse, seemed to have lots of experience plus lots of videos, and he even offered a free consultation. "Why not?" I thought. But it was 4:00 in the morning! But then, I added, "He's got lots of funny phone numbers, so maybe he won't mind?" So I made the call, and to my surprise, Patrik answered immediately.

I asked about rates and about his free consultation, and soon we started with the consultation: Patrik asked all the right questions, like what was wrong with my mother, what were her symptoms, and where was she now. I could tell he was German, and smartT--he talked to me at length about urinary tract infections and their symptoms and treatment-- but once he started getting into his wheelhouse of critical care, Patrik was like Boris Becker at Wimbledon with one big serve after another!!!

"It's too early, the medicine needs time to work on your mother..."

So after I gave Patrik the basics, he said, "It's too early, the medicine needs time to work on your mother. Give it another day."

"HUH???" Why wasn't anybody at the hospital telling me this??? So I told my friend--the one with the rn friend. Here's what she said:

"So you're going to listen to some guy 800 miles away???"

So after I told my friend with the rn friend about Patrik she said, "So you're going to listen to some guy 800 miles away?"

So the battle lines were drawn: it was an er doctor, and icu nurse, my friend, her friend the rn, all saying or suggesting my mom was KAPUT!!!--now there's a good old stereotypical German word!!!--and the guy from the internet saying to give the medicine time to work, at least another day. Maybe there was some glimmer of hope for my mom, after all.

So my friend was urging me to tell the people at the hospital not to resuscitate, or DNR!!!

But Patrik had put his big German thumb on the scale and my mind was made up: I'd wait another day, just like he told me to.

TOMORROW NEVER COMES?

Someone once said tomorrow never comes, but this time it did, and so when I finally got the courage to go see my mom in icu, I went with my friend just in case and guess what? MY MOM WAS AWAKE!!! AND HER NUMBERS WERE GETTING BETTER!!! WAS THE GUY FROM MILES AWAY RIGHT???

Next thing you know, my mom was being sent to a regular room where she's continued to show steady improvement, with her only remaining symptom being some weakness in her legs. Her pressure numbers have stabilized to where she's off of all the blood pressure medicine, her pulse is normal, her speech is normal, and her appetite is normal. Her only remaining symptom is weakness in her legs.

And so, THE GUY FROM 800 MILES AWAY ENDED UP BEING RIGHT!!!

Patrick and I also talked about DNR, and he told me how he's against it, I think because it sets a medical team on the wrong path, but I've got to talk with again to make sure! But I know it would have been the wrong path for my mom!!!

So the lesson in all this is clear: if you have a medical question or problem and you're not happy with the answers you're getting,

call THE GUY FROM 800 MILES AWAY!!!

CALL PATRIK HUTZEL--TODAY!!!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

CHARI

"Hi Patrik and Intensive Care Hotline Support,My husband ended up in ICU, after being found unconscious. X-rays showed he had aspirated into his right lung, and was put on a ventilator to support him whilst treating for pneumonia. This was quite a frightening time for me. I really didn't know what was going on, or what should be going on in the ICU. The staff were quite friendly, but kept the discussions very simplistic. I felt powerless.It wasn't until I accessed Patrik Hutzel's expertise that I started getting real answers. Not only was he willing to speak to staff directly, he told me what sort of questions to ask which would encourage the doctors to talk to me at a deeper level. My husband had been in ICU for two weeks and all measurements were showing he was good to be weaned off the ventilator (Patrik taught me what indicators to ask for). However, because of a previous failed extubation and general weak muscle tone, the doctors didn't see it would be successful and were leaning towards a tracheotomy.I was armed with all the right questions, and seeing my keenness to give it a go, they proceeded to take the tube out and put him on a bi-pap. Wonderfully it was successful, and significantly shortened any further stay in ICU. This moment was very crucial, as the longer my husband stayed in the ICU, the more weight and muscle he lost. I am so grateful for Patrik, as I feel it improved the outcome for my husband. Plus he metaphorically gave me a map and compass to navigate this very different experience.I can happily say that my husband is now doing really well. Thank you to Patrik and his team.Sincerely,Jane"

"Hi Patrik and Intensive Care Hotline Team,

My husband is finally out of ICU and in a hospital ward. He has been gaining his strength and movement back in leaps and bounds after being in ICU for 3 weeks.I am absolutely grateful for Patrik's advice. The Drs thought he had a high chance of failing the second extubation. It's really only because I knew what language to use and what questions to ask, that they agreed to try again before a tracheostomy. But my husband did succeed with the extubation, by being put on a BiPAP, and being given some relaxant. He moved from that to nose prongs, and then eventually breathing on his own. Oh my gosh! How much time was saved from being in ICU, by Patrik's guidance. Alot!!!"

Shiela

"Hello Patrik,

I hope you are well.My husband is on the ward!Everything you said was correct! He was ready to come off ventilation and he did.I'm hoping we can give a zoom chat for the next half hour to discuss what now as he is on the ward with the nasal prongs and small oxygen.

Thank you Patrik."

Dezi

"Hello Cheryl, I'm happy to report that Jorge is doing well! He is more happy and really enjoys going out or just spending time with the family. He is really trying to talk and he is making more sounds, he is consistently very awake throughout the day. It's almost like a fog is lifting from his brain, it really makes me happy and amazes me how he continues to protect his kids, and his personality is pretty much the same! e.g. keeping an eye on his kids when we are at the store, the park, when they are playing at their house. When it's dark, he points to the door and tries to push his wheelchair to lock it, or to the window blinds to close it. He has really learned to communicate through gestures and sounds, and his kids even understand him now. When he sees our mom, he opens his arms to hug her and kiss her. When his wife is helping him to transfer from WC to bed (he no longer needs hoyer lift), he flexed his arm and look at her, telling her she is strong, that was really funny and it seems that he is more accepting of the help now and is coming into terms of what his condition is at this time.

I know in God's time he will regain his speech and be able to walk as he is really moving more, and is very motivated. I believe God is preparing him to live a life without alcohol, which was Jorge's biggest wish to be able to stop drinking, but he was just so afraid and always had the panic attacks. He still has claustrophobia and I pray that goes away. But in general he is progressing. I will send some pictures/videos to Patrik so you all can see him.

Milagros, I also want to thank you for the great and detailed info about my question. Thanks again to all of you! I dream that one day, Jorge can be well enough to at least virtually meet Patrik and all of you who have been a fundamental part of this painful, but rewarding journey in my brother's day by day recovery.

Always grateful,"

Nancy

Your service has been so helpful during this time with my Father's heart attack and stay in the ICU. He's currently in another wing of the hospital and waiting on a few medical concerns to clear before transferring to an inpatient rehabilitation center, not a nursing home or LTAC! I want to thank you so much for your service and the support our family has received.It's been so valuable to be able to advocate for my Father to receive the best possible care for his recovery.

-Deborah

Hi Patrik,Hope this email finds you well.I'm not sure where we left off and whether you recall my father's particular case.I had been in contact with you at the beginning of last year when my father was hospitalized with pneumonia then later put on a mechanical ventilator for 2 months. The doctors told us that his chances were not good.I want to tell you that my father survived, he eventually woke up and was taken off the ventilator however he subsequently was given malaria infected blood during a necessary blood transfusion and he was readmitted to the ICU. This started another process of fighting for survival, eventually he was sent to another hospital that specializes in infections diseases and they are were able to treat his malaria with strong anti virals. Altogether he required a lot of therapy , dialysis, hospital visits with different specialists to rehabilitate and although fragile he is alive and well today. I'm not sure if I ever had the chance to update you on his condition and I apologize if I did not, it was really a hectic ordeal and I got lost in the thick of things. My family and I want to give you our most sincere gratitude and appreciation for providing the support you did throughout what was one of the most critical periods of all our lives. The guidance you were able to provide and also stepping in to talk with the doctors was incredibly supportive and immeasurable. We cannot thank you enough for everything. We are all grateful for what you do and it is a blessing that we were able to find you. I wish you always the best of health and happiness, you deserve it all.

Tony

Thank you for your incredibly valuable information, assistance and advice. My partner just came out of the ICU to a ward bed.He had an accident at home a few weeks ago which left him with a fractured pelvis in 4 places, 4 broken ribs and a few fractured vertebrae. He then developed a DVT and subsequently, several small but life threatening pulmonary embolisms.Your videos helped me understand how ICU works and what decisions they may ask of us to make.Fortunately, we didn't have to make any of those decisions. Although, knowing that there is advocacy for ICU patients, makes the process much less stressful and less lonely.Thank you!

@devonrex4959

Hi team! Hope you are all well. Dad is doing as good as possible right now. This past weekend made one month since he's been home! We've changed his diet & meds back to whole foods & natural supplements. Thankfully we have had no issues with the peg tube so far. He's even started to eat & drink very small amounts of fruit & water when he feels up to it. He's currently receiving physical, chiropractic, & hyperbaric oxygen therapies. His mental status has improved slightly. We understand from all that are working with him that this will be a slow recovery. But there is hope. My family & myself cannot thank each of you enough for all the knowledge, guidance, & time, you all gave us during the fight of & for his life. We are forever grateful. As always, thank you so very much! Talk to you soon.

-Meli

Hello Patrik and Team,Thank you so much for all that you've done to help my brother and my family! I'm thrilled to report that Steve went home today. He's eating on his own and walking with the help of a walker. His recovery has been almost miraculous. Your organization was a huge part of that. We cannot thank you enough. His wife has taken leave from work to be with him full time. Since he's no longer in critical care we would like to cancel our membership. Hopefully we won't find ourselves in a similar situation in the future, but God forbid, if we do…..we know that you guys are there. God bless each and every one of you for the amazing work you're doing!

-Lisa

Dear Patrik,

First I want to thank you for being a vessel of light in a very dark cold place for my mom and my family. I sincerely believe that some divine intervention led me to find your channel on YouTube and when I felt like throwing in the towel you kept encouraging me to stand up and advocate for my mom. You don't know how grateful I am for your knowledge, wisdom, and expertise in our time of need. You have been an instrumental voice for the voiceless, and hope for the hopeless. Your discretion in this matter, all the resources you have sent me, including all the follow up emails and voice messages, showed me that you are reliable, responsive, informative, and a person of great character and integrity. On behalf of my family and myself I thank you for being that vessel of justice for the people.

-Tisha

This is very long overdue, but I just wanted to take a quick minute to say thank you. The information and advice you gave me literally helped me to save my husband's life when he nearly died from covid while in a medically induced coma in ICU.I owe you more thanks than I could possibly put into words, but I thought the least I could do is just take a minute and let you know how much you really make a difference in people's lives you're truly an angel. Thank you.

Lara Westphal

I just want to thank Patrik and his amazing team for all the support and help that has been offered to my family and I.I truly have no idea what we would do without you all. Finding this intensive care hotline has been such a blessing for us. Since my grandmother being admitted into the hospital 6 weeks ago, I have learned so much. You have given me the strength to continue fighting and standing my ground to be the best advocate for my grandma. This is such a safe place for so many families, & I am so happy to know there are genuinely good people out there trying to help .We are so grateful for you all.

Melina

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