September 10: Update on S.

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Please be aware that I am , Summers' kid.

Mom was admitted to St. ph's hospital on Wednesday 8/27 night with a

fever of 103 Fahrenheit (39.44 Celsius). She had been given her monthly

blood transfusion that afternoon, however had been feeling very weak and

light-headed for a few days before then. On Tuesday, she almost passed out

while at the hematologist and had a pulse in the low 90s, which the doc was

able to raise back into the 100s. Since admittance to the hospital, the

fever has gone down and she has been receiving an IV of fluid, to help with

nausea. She also has a compression fracture at T-10, towards the top of her

spine, which causes her much pain (at times extremely depilating).

Well, I'm not one for sugar coatings, so I'll be blunt. Mom is not doing

well. Blood has been found in her stool and she has been diagnosed with a

severe bladder/urinary tract infection. Her platelets and her hemoglobin

have continued to drop. A vena cava filter was surgically inserted in order

to prevent clots from forming and if formed from blocking needed blood

passages. On Friday, they found an aneurysm in her leg and are preparing

her for a CT scan. This proved to not be too bad and it looks as if the

filter helped in clearing the blood passing from the left of her heart to

just before her right side. However, the filter was unable to help in

preventing clots from forming in her right arm, upper chest, head, and the

immediate areas surrounding the heart.

Last Saturday morning, 9/7, Mom suffered a severe stroke. This affected her

ability to move her right side and has given her a difficult time speaking

and forming words/sentences. By Sunday, she'd regained some movement in her

arm and was talking well, although still severely slurred. Monday, 9/9,

appeared better, she could move her arm up and down, however her hand was

still unresponsive. Her speech continues to improve. Given this, one would

believe that things were improving.

However, it looks like they were not improving quickly enough. Early Monday

afternoon, Nanny (Mom's mother) was called out of the room by one of the

doctors. He expressed that Mom's situation is not looking good. Her

platelets, while up from a recent platelet transfusion, were still

decreasing and do not seem to be holding steady enough for any more

surgeries. Her blood pressure is also climbing upward and is not responding

well to medications. The CT scan and x-rays that have been done also show

ill signs.

Mom has an Advanced Directive and a Health Care Proxy which details what she

wishes to happen if she is in a life threatening event. She basically has

stated her desires, but also has written that my grandmother, father,

siblings, and myself are to meet and together choose what the hospital

should and should not do. Her logic is that while she has her wishes, she

understands that we will be in a better position to understand the situation

and make the most educated choice. Her doctor met with us this morning.

As of now, it is " safe " to assume that she could enter into such a state

where this decision to resuscitate will be needed and the hospital needs to

know our wishes. This was a very difficult issue for our family, as I am

sure you will understand. The doctor was very kind and thorough. He

explained that without any directives by her (and therefore us), the

hospital staff must lawfully try everything within their power to prevent a

death. This includes performing was are commonly called " heroic " measures.

He explained that with her bone density is as low as it is coupled with her

severely low platelet count she would most have broken ribs and internal

bleeding into her lungs if CPR was administered.

He also stated that another massive stroke is imminent and unavoidable due

to her various conditions. It will most likely leave her in a comatose or

otherwise brain-dead state. He doubted that she would survive any measures

to resuscitate her, however he said that if she did then it would almost be

guaranteed that she would be in worse pain than she is currently and that it

would do nothing but prolong a very painful death.

With these as the options, we choose not to have approve any extraordinary

measures.

Please do not worry, as long as there is life, then treatment is not being

refused. She continues to undergo physical, speech, and occupational

therapy to help with her residual paralysis. At this point, we are more

concerned with helping her to be comfortable, as free of pain as possible,

and are doing our best to make her happy. Pain medication will be increased

as it is allowed by the law, I can relate more on this issue. The doctors

are doing their best to keep her pain tolerable if not free.

Another part of Mom's wishes, as she had earlier defined, was to not be told

that her condition was at this point, if it got to be as critical as it has

become. This was not coward-ness on her part, instead it refers back to an

observation Mom made while working with chronically and terminally ill

patients as a clinical psychologist specializing in geriatrics. She noted

that hope was one of the only things that was able to help patients fight to

get better, especially against such odds as insurmountable pain and possible

brain damage. When a patient lost this hope, she marked a steady decline in

their condition and a sever decline in their quality of life. Mom stated

that she would like to be given every chance to get better and this

therefore includes allowing her to keep hope that she can recover.

When Mom first told me of this way of thinking, I retorted that wouldn't

this simply be false hope? Mom replied that hope has many forms and if

false hope allows the condemned a chance to be happier, then how can it

possibly be false? In your cards and phone calls to Mom, please respect her

wishes in this matter and continue to send her your thoughts, prayers,

hopes, and love. As I said, we are trying to help her be as happy as

possible and are doing our best to respect all of wishes.

When I left the hospital this afternoon, Mom was in fairly good spirits, but

very tired and in a little less pain (she said that it was an 8 of a 1 to 10

scale). Last night we celebrated my brother's 22nd birthday party (a day

early) and were able to have all of our family, including my sister's four

sons, present. This was a wonderful gift for my mother and she was telling

her nurses today about how nice it was and how they missed out.

I am checking Mom's email daily and reading the messages to her. If you

wish to send her get well cards, then please send them to our home: 518

Waterford Drive, , GA 30809, USA.

I will keep everyone posted and apologize for not being able to inform some

of you of this sooner. Again, thank you for all that you do for my mother

and our family. She truly considers you a part our clan and the support

that you have given her has been more than a blessing.

--d.

Summers, Jr.

---

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[Guest guest]

, I am pretty new to the group and cannot say

that I have been blessed with getting to know your

Mom. However I know that she is one of God's precious

children and that makes us all related. I lift her up

to Him right now that He will touch her body with the

gift of peace and freedom from suffering. He has all

the power to heal and I pray that He will use your

Mom's life as a testimony of courage. I will also

keep you and your family in my prayers. In Psalms 34

we are told that God cares about the brokenhearted.

As you all deal with the grief of facing whatever may

be, remember that God cares and He also asks that you

cast all your cares upon Him and He will sustain you.

Hope is what Jesus gives us. Your Mom is right. Any

hope is good. It keeps us focused on the things of

living. May GOd Bless and Keep You All, Always,

__________________________________________________

Yahoo! - We Remember

9-11: A tribute to the more than 3,000 lives lost

http://dir.remember.yahoo.com/tribute

[Guest guest]

..

Please tell your mother that tonight I lit candles for her, not just for

healing .. but for strength as well. I truly hope she continues to

improve.

I know it will be hard for you and your family .. but I agree with your

mother's wishes when it comes to " heroic measures " .. sometimes it is

just time to let go.

Please give her a hug for me .. and know that she is in my prayers.

Love and hugs ..

" Rion "

[Guest guest]

,

I will be praying for your Mom. Praying that God will comfort, heal and send

hope to your family.

Blessings,

Nelly

September 10: Update on S.

> Hi everyone,

>

> Please be aware that I am , Summers' kid.

>

> Mom was admitted to St. ph's hospital on Wednesday 8/27 night with a

> fever of 103 Fahrenheit (39.44 Celsius). She had been given her monthly

> blood transfusion that afternoon, however had been feeling very weak and

> light-headed for a few days before then. On Tuesday, she almost passed

out

> while at the hematologist and had a pulse in the low 90s, which the doc

was

> able to raise back into the 100s. Since admittance to the hospital, the

> fever has gone down and she has been receiving an IV of fluid, to help

with

> nausea. She also has a compression fracture at T-10, towards the top of

her

> spine, which causes her much pain (at times extremely depilating).

>

> Well, I'm not one for sugar coatings, so I'll be blunt. Mom is not doing

> well. Blood has been found in her stool and she has been diagnosed with a

> severe bladder/urinary tract infection. Her platelets and her hemoglobin

> have continued to drop. A vena cava filter was surgically inserted in

order

> to prevent clots from forming and if formed from blocking needed blood

> passages. On Friday, they found an aneurysm in her leg and are preparing

> her for a CT scan. This proved to not be too bad and it looks as if the

> filter helped in clearing the blood passing from the left of her heart to

> just before her right side. However, the filter was unable to help in

> preventing clots from forming in her right arm, upper chest, head, and the

> immediate areas surrounding the heart.

>

> Last Saturday morning, 9/7, Mom suffered a severe stroke. This affected

her

> ability to move her right side and has given her a difficult time speaking

> and forming words/sentences. By Sunday, she'd regained some movement in

her

> arm and was talking well, although still severely slurred. Monday, 9/9,

> appeared better, she could move her arm up and down, however her hand was

> still unresponsive. Her speech continues to improve. Given this, one

would

> believe that things were improving.

>

> However, it looks like they were not improving quickly enough. Early

Monday

> afternoon, Nanny (Mom's mother) was called out of the room by one of the

> doctors. He expressed that Mom's situation is not looking good. Her

> platelets, while up from a recent platelet transfusion, were still

> decreasing and do not seem to be holding steady enough for any more

> surgeries. Her blood pressure is also climbing upward and is not

responding

> well to medications. The CT scan and x-rays that have been done also show

> ill signs.

>

> Mom has an Advanced Directive and a Health Care Proxy which details what

she

> wishes to happen if she is in a life threatening event. She basically has

> stated her desires, but also has written that my grandmother, father,

> siblings, and myself are to meet and together choose what the hospital

> should and should not do. Her logic is that while she has her wishes, she

> understands that we will be in a better position to understand the

situation

> and make the most educated choice. Her doctor met with us this morning.

>

> As of now, it is " safe " to assume that she could enter into such a state

> where this decision to resuscitate will be needed and the hospital needs

to

> know our wishes. This was a very difficult issue for our family, as I am

> sure you will understand. The doctor was very kind and thorough. He

> explained that without any directives by her (and therefore us), the

> hospital staff must lawfully try everything within their power to prevent

a

> death. This includes performing was are commonly called " heroic "

measures.

> He explained that with her bone density is as low as it is coupled with

her

> severely low platelet count she would most have broken ribs and internal

> bleeding into her lungs if CPR was administered.

>

> He also stated that another massive stroke is imminent and unavoidable due

> to her various conditions. It will most likely leave her in a comatose or

> otherwise brain-dead state. He doubted that she would survive any

measures

> to resuscitate her, however he said that if she did then it would almost

be

> guaranteed that she would be in worse pain than she is currently and that

it

> would do nothing but prolong a very painful death.

>

> With these as the options, we choose not to have approve any extraordinary

> measures.

>

> Please do not worry, as long as there is life, then treatment is not being

> refused. She continues to undergo physical, speech, and occupational

> therapy to help with her residual paralysis. At this point, we are more

> concerned with helping her to be comfortable, as free of pain as possible,

> and are doing our best to make her happy. Pain medication will be

increased

> as it is allowed by the law, I can relate more on this issue. The doctors

> are doing their best to keep her pain tolerable if not free.

>

> Another part of Mom's wishes, as she had earlier defined, was to not be

told

> that her condition was at this point, if it got to be as critical as it

has

> become. This was not coward-ness on her part, instead it refers back to

an

> observation Mom made while working with chronically and terminally ill

> patients as a clinical psychologist specializing in geriatrics. She noted

> that hope was one of the only things that was able to help patients fight

to

> get better, especially against such odds as insurmountable pain and

possible

> brain damage. When a patient lost this hope, she marked a steady decline

in

> their condition and a sever decline in their quality of life. Mom stated

> that she would like to be given every chance to get better and this

> therefore includes allowing her to keep hope that she can recover.

>

> When Mom first told me of this way of thinking, I retorted that wouldn't

> this simply be false hope? Mom replied that hope has many forms and if

> false hope allows the condemned a chance to be happier, then how can it

> possibly be false? In your cards and phone calls to Mom, please respect

her

> wishes in this matter and continue to send her your thoughts, prayers,

> hopes, and love. As I said, we are trying to help her be as happy as

> possible and are doing our best to respect all of wishes.

>

> When I left the hospital this afternoon, Mom was in fairly good spirits,

but

> very tired and in a little less pain (she said that it was an 8 of a 1 to

10

> scale). Last night we celebrated my brother's 22nd birthday party (a day

> early) and were able to have all of our family, including my sister's four

> sons, present. This was a wonderful gift for my mother and she was

telling

> her nurses today about how nice it was and how they missed out.

>

> I am checking Mom's email daily and reading the messages to her. If you

> wish to send her get well cards, then please send them to our home: 518

> Waterford Drive, , GA 30809, USA.

>

> I will keep everyone posted and apologize for not being able to inform

some

> of you of this sooner. Again, thank you for all that you do for my mother

> and our family. She truly considers you a part our clan and the support

> that you have given her has been more than a blessing.

>

> --d.

> Summers, Jr.

>

> ---

> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

> Version: 6.0.385 / Virus Database: 217 - Release Date: 9/4/2002

>

>

>

> " The LUPIES Store " Come check out our store...

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>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, for posting about your Mom. I know this time must

be especially difficult for your family, and it must've taken a lot

of

courage to put all of it in writing. I will keep her and her loved

ones in my prayers. A card is on it's way to her via " snail mail "

today. Take care.

Maggie

> Hi everyone,

>

> Please be aware that I am , Summers' kid.

>

> Mom was admitted to St. ph's hospital on Wednesday 8/27 night

with a

> fever of 103 Fahrenheit (39.44 Celsius). She had been given her

monthly

> blood transfusion that afternoon, however had been feeling very

weak

and

> light-headed for a few days before then. On Tuesday, she almost

passed out

> while at the hematologist and had a pulse in the low 90s, which the

doc was

> able to raise back into the 100s. Since admittance to the

hospital,

the

> fever has gone down and she has been receiving an IV of fluid, to

help with

> nausea. She also has a compression fracture at T-10, towards the

top of her

> spine, which causes her much pain (at times extremely depilating).

>

> Well, I'm not one for sugar coatings, so I'll be blunt. Mom is not

doing

> well. Blood has been found in her stool and she has been diagnosed

with a

> severe bladder/urinary tract infection. Her platelets and her

hemoglobin

> have continued to drop. A vena cava filter was surgically inserted

in order

> to prevent clots from forming and if formed from blocking needed

blood

> passages. On Friday, they found an aneurysm in her leg and are

preparing

> her for a CT scan. This proved to not be too bad and it looks as if

the

> filter helped in clearing the blood passing from the left of her

heart to

> just before her right side. However, the filter was unable to help

in

> preventing clots from forming in her right arm, upper chest, head,

and the

> immediate areas surrounding the heart.

>

> Last Saturday morning, 9/7, Mom suffered a severe stroke. This

affected her

> ability to move her right side and has given her a difficult time

speaking

> and forming words/sentences. By Sunday, she'd regained some

movement

in her

> arm and was talking well, although still severely slurred. Monday,

9/9,

> appeared better, she could move her arm up and down, however her

hand was

> still unresponsive. Her speech continues to improve. Given this,

one would

> believe that things were improving.

>

> However, it looks like they were not improving quickly enough.

Early Monday

> afternoon, Nanny (Mom's mother) was called out of the room by one

of

the

> doctors. He expressed that Mom's situation is not looking good. Her

> platelets, while up from a recent platelet transfusion, were still

> decreasing and do not seem to be holding steady enough for any more

> surgeries. Her blood pressure is also climbing upward and is not

responding

> well to medications. The CT scan and x-rays that have been done

also

show

> ill signs.

>

> Mom has an Advanced Directive and a Health Care Proxy which details

what she

> wishes to happen if she is in a life threatening event. She

basically has

> stated her desires, but also has written that my grandmother,

father,

> siblings, and myself are to meet and together choose what the

hospital

> should and should not do. Her logic is that while she has her

wishes, she

> understands that we will be in a better position to understand the

situation

> and make the most educated choice. Her doctor met with us this

morning.

>

> As of now, it is " safe " to assume that she could enter into such a

state

> where this decision to resuscitate will be needed and the hospital

needs to

> know our wishes. This was a very difficult issue for our family,

as

I am

> sure you will understand. The doctor was very kind and thorough.

He

> explained that without any directives by her (and therefore us), the

> hospital staff must lawfully try everything within their power to

prevent a

> death. This includes performing was are commonly called " heroic "

measures.

> He explained that with her bone density is as low as it is coupled

with her

> severely low platelet count she would most have broken ribs and

internal

> bleeding into her lungs if CPR was administered.

>

> He also stated that another massive stroke is imminent and

unavoidable due

> to her various conditions. It will most likely leave her in a

comatose or

> otherwise brain-dead state. He doubted that she would survive any

measures

> to resuscitate her, however he said that if she did then it would

almost be

> guaranteed that she would be in worse pain than she is currently

and

that it

> would do nothing but prolong a very painful death.

>

> With these as the options, we choose not to have approve any

extraordinary

> measures.

>

> Please do not worry, as long as there is life, then treatment is

not

being

> refused. She continues to undergo physical, speech, and

occupational

> therapy to help with her residual paralysis. At this point, we are

more

> concerned with helping her to be comfortable, as free of pain as

possible,

> and are doing our best to make her happy. Pain medication will be

increased

> as it is allowed by the law, I can relate more on this issue. The

doctors

> are doing their best to keep her pain tolerable if not free.

>

> Another part of Mom's wishes, as she had earlier defined, was to

not

be told

> that her condition was at this point, if it got to be as critical

as

it has

> become. This was not coward-ness on her part, instead it refers

back to an

> observation Mom made while working with chronically and terminally

ill

> patients as a clinical psychologist specializing in geriatrics.

She

noted

> that hope was one of the only things that was able to help patients

fight to

> get better, especially against such odds as insurmountable pain and

possible

> brain damage. When a patient lost this hope, she marked a steady

decline in

> their condition and a sever decline in their quality of life. Mom

stated

> that she would like to be given every chance to get better and this

> therefore includes allowing her to keep hope that she can recover.

>

> When Mom first told me of this way of thinking, I retorted that

wouldn't

> this simply be false hope? Mom replied that hope has many forms

and

if

> false hope allows the condemned a chance to be happier, then how

can

it

> possibly be false? In your cards and phone calls to Mom, please

respect her

> wishes in this matter and continue to send her your thoughts,

prayers,

> hopes, and love. As I said, we are trying to help her be as happy

as

> possible and are doing our best to respect all of wishes.

>

> When I left the hospital this afternoon, Mom was in fairly good

spirits, but

> very tired and in a little less pain (she said that it was an 8 of

a

1 to 10

> scale). Last night we celebrated my brother's 22nd birthday party

(a day

> early) and were able to have all of our family, including my

sister's four

> sons, present. This was a wonderful gift for my mother and she was

telling

> her nurses today about how nice it was and how they missed out.

>

> I am checking Mom's email daily and reading the messages to her.

If

you

> wish to send her get well cards, then please send them to our home:

518

> Waterford Drive, , GA 30809, USA.

>

> I will keep everyone posted and apologize for not being able to

inform some

> of you of this sooner. Again, thank you for all that you do for my

mother

> and our family. She truly considers you a part our clan and the

support

> that you have given her has been more than a blessing.

>

> --d.

> Summers, Jr.

>

> ---

> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

> Version: 6.0.385 / Virus Database: 217 - Release Date: 9/4/2002

[Guest guest]

,

Tell your mom we are praying day and night for her. We miss her and love her deeply. I am glad she has her hope still. Like she said without it you don't have much. Thank you for the address and for letting us know what has happened. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers as always.

Angie

"D. T. Summers, Jr." wrote:

Hi everyone,Please be aware that I am , Summers' kid.Mom was admitted to St. ph's hospital on Wednesday 8/27 night with afever of 103 Fahrenheit (39.44 Celsius). She had been given her monthlyblood transfusion that afternoon, however had been feeling very weak andlight-headed for a few days before then. On Tuesday, she almost passed outwhile at the hematologist and had a pulse in the low 90s, which the doc wasable to raise back into the 100s. Since admittance to the hospital, thefever has gone down and she has been receiving an IV of fluid, to help withnausea. She also has a compression fracture at T-10, towards the top of herspine, which causes her much pain (at times extremely depilating).Well, I'm not one for sugar coatings, so I'll be blunt. Mom is not doingwell. Blood has been found in her stool and she has been diagnosed with asevere bladder/urinary tract infection. Her platelets and her hemoglobinhave continued to drop. A vena cava filter was surgically inserted in orderto prevent clots from forming and if formed from blocking needed bloodpassages. On Friday, they found an aneurysm in her leg and are preparingher for a CT scan. This proved to not be too bad and it looks as if thefilter helped in clearing the blood passing from the left of her heart tojust before her right side. However, the filter was unable to help inpreventing clots from forming in her right arm, upper chest, head, and theimmediate areas surrounding the heart.Last Saturday morning, 9/7, Mom suffered a severe stroke. This affected herability to move her right side and has given her a difficult time speakingand forming words/sentences. By Sunday, she'd regained some movement in herarm and was talking well, although still severely slurred. Monday, 9/9,appeared better, she could move her arm up and down, however her hand wasstill unresponsive. Her speech continues to improve. Given this, one wouldbelieve that things were improving.However, it looks like they were not improving quickly enough. Early Mondayafternoon, Nanny (Mom's mother) was called out of the room by one of thedoctors. He expressed that Mom's situation is not looking good. Herplatelets, while up from a recent platelet transfusion, were stilldecreasing and do not seem to be holding steady enough for any moresurgeries. Her blood pressure is also climbing upward and is not respondingwell to medications. The CT scan and x-rays that have been done also showill signs.Mom has an Advanced Directive and a Health Care Proxy which details what shewishes to happen if she is in a life threatening event. She basically hasstated her desires, but also has written that my grandmother, father,siblings, and myself are to meet and together choose what the hospitalshould and should not do. Her logic is that while she has her wishes, sheunderstands that we will be in a better position to understand the situationand make the most educated choice. Her doctor met with us this morning.As of now, it is "safe" to assume that she could enter into such a statewhere this decision to resuscitate will be needed and the hospital needs toknow our wishes. This was a very difficult issue for our family, as I amsure you will understand. The doctor was very kind and thorough. Heexplained that without any directives by her (and therefore us), thehospital staff must lawfully try everything within their power to prevent adeath. This includes performing was are commonly called "heroic" measures.He explained that with her bone density is as low as it is coupled with herseverely low platelet count she would most have broken ribs and internalbleeding into her lungs if CPR was administered.He also stated that another massive stroke is imminent and unavoidable dueto her various conditions. It will most likely leave her in a comatose orotherwise brain-dead state. He doubted that she would survive any measuresto resuscitate her, however he said that if she did then it would almost beguaranteed that she would be in worse pain than she is currently and that itwould do nothing but prolong a very painful death.With these as the options, we choose not to have approve any extraordinarymeasures.Please do not worry, as long as there is life, then treatment is not beingrefused. She continues to undergo physical, speech, and occupationaltherapy to help with her residual paralysis. At this point, we are moreconcerned with helping her to be comfortable, as free of pain as possible,and are doing our best to make her happy. Pain medication will be increasedas it is allowed by the law, I can relate more on this issue. The doctorsare doing their best to keep her pain tolerable if not free.Another part of Mom's wishes, as she had earlier defined, was to not be toldthat her condition was at this point, if it got to be as critical as it hasbecome. This was not coward-ness on her part, instead it refers back to anobservation Mom made while working with chronically and terminally illpatients as a clinical psychologist specializing in geriatrics. She notedthat hope was one of the only things that was able to help patients fight toget better, especially against such odds as insurmountable pain and possiblebrain damage. When a patient lost this hope, she marked a steady decline intheir condition and a sever decline in their quality of life. Mom statedthat she would like to be given every chance to get better and thistherefore includes allowing her to keep hope that she can recover.When Mom first told me of this way of thinking, I retorted that wouldn'tthis simply be false hope? Mom replied that hope has many forms and iffalse hope allows the condemned a chance to be happier, then how can itpossibly be false? In your cards and phone calls to Mom, please respect herwishes in this matter and continue to send her your thoughts, prayers,hopes, and love. As I said, we are trying to help her be as happy aspossible and are doing our best to respect all of wishes.When I left the hospital this afternoon, Mom was in fairly good spirits, butvery tired and in a little less pain (she said that it was an 8 of a 1 to 10scale). Last night we celebrated my brother's 22nd birthday party (a dayearly) and were able to have all of our family, including my sister's foursons, present. This was a wonderful gift for my mother and she was tellingher nurses today about how nice it was and how they missed out.I am checking Mom's email daily and reading the messages to her. If youwish to send her get well cards, then please send them to our home: 518Waterford Drive, , GA 30809, USA.I will keep everyone posted and apologize for not being able to inform someof you of this sooner. Again, thank you for all that you do for my motherand our family. She truly considers you a part our clan and the supportthat you have given her has been more than a blessing.--d. Summers, Jr.---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.385 / Virus Database: 217 - Release Date: 9/4/2002"The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies

[Guest guest]

. I do not know your mother well, but please know I am praying for her, and your family.

I think your mother is very right, hope can go a very long way, and without it, we do not have much.

Take care, Normi

Re: September 10: Update on S.

, Tell your mom we are praying day and night for her. We miss her and love her deeply. I am glad she has her hope still. Like she said without it you don't have much. Thank you for the address and for letting us know what has happened. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers as always. Angie "D. T. Summers, Jr." wrote: Hi everyone,Please be aware that I am , Summers' kid.Mom was admitted to St. ph's hospital on Wednesday 8/27 night with afever of 103 Fahrenheit (39.44 Celsius). She had been given her monthlyblood transfusion that afternoon, however had been feeling very weak andlight-headed for a few days before then. On Tuesday, she almost passed outwhile at the hematologist and had a pulse in the low 90s, which the doc wasable to raise back into the 100s. Since admittance to the hospital, thefever has gone down and she has been receiving an IV of fluid, to help withnausea. She also has a compression fracture at T-10, towards the top of herspine, which causes her much pain (at times extremely depilating).Well, I'm not one for sugar coatings, so I'll be blunt. Mom is not doingwell. Blood has been found in her stool and she has been diagnosed with asevere bladder/urinary tract infection. Her platelets and her hemoglobinhave continued to drop. A vena cava filter was surgically inserted in orderto prevent clots from forming and if formed from blocking needed bloodpassages. On Friday, they found an aneurysm in her leg and are preparingher for a CT scan. This proved to not be too bad and it looks as if thefilter helped in clearing the blood passing from the left of her heart tojust before her right side. However, the filter was unable to help inpreventing clots from forming in her right arm, upper chest, head, and theimmediate areas surrounding the heart.Last Saturday morning, 9/7, Mom suffered a severe stroke. This affected herability to move her right side and has given her a difficult time speakingand forming words/sentences. By Sunday, she'd regained some movement in herarm and was talking well, although still severely slurred. Monday, 9/9,appeared better, she could move her arm up and down, however her hand wasstill unresponsive. Her speech continues to improve. Given this, one wouldbelieve that things were improving.However, it looks like they were not improving quickly enough. Early Mondayafternoon, Nanny (Mom's mother) was called out of the room by one of thedoctors. He expressed that Mom's situation is not looking good. Herplatelets, while up from a recent platelet transfusion, were stilldecreasing and do not seem to be holding steady enough for any moresurgeries. Her blood pressure is also climbing upward and is not respondingwell to medications. The CT scan and x-rays that have been done also showill signs.Mom has an Advanced Directive and a Health Care Proxy which details what shewishes to happen if she is in a life threatening event. She basically hasstated her desires, but also has written that my grandmother, father,siblings, and myself are to meet and together choose what the hospitalshould and should not do. Her logic is that while she has her wishes, sheunderstands that we will be in a better position to understand the situationand make the most educated choice. Her doctor met with us this morning.As of now, it is "safe" to assume that she could enter into such a statewhere this decision to resuscitate will be needed and the hospital needs toknow our wishes. This was a very difficult issue for our family, as I amsure you will understand. The doctor was very kind and thorough. Heexplained that without any directives by her (and therefore us), thehospital staff must lawfully try everything within their power to prevent adeath. This includes performing was are commonly called "heroic" measures.He explained that with her bone density is as low as it is coupled with herseverely low platelet count she would most have broken ribs and internalbleeding into her lungs if CPR was administered.He also stated that another massive stroke is imminent and unavoidable dueto her various conditions. It will most likely leave her in a comatose orotherwise brain-dead state. He doubted that she would survive any measuresto resuscitate her, however he said that if she did then it would almost beguaranteed that she would be in worse pain than she is currently and that itwould do nothing but prolong a very painful death.With these as the options, we choose not to have approve any extraordinarymeasures.Please do not worry, as long as there is life, then treatment is not beingrefused. She continues to undergo physical, speech, and occupationaltherapy to help with her residual paralysis. At this point, we are moreconcerned with helping her to be comfortable, as free of pain as possible,and are doing our best to make her happy. Pain medication will be increasedas it is allowed by the law, I can relate more on this issue. The doctorsare doing their best to keep her pain tolerable if not free.Another part of Mom's wishes, as she had earlier defined, was to not be toldthat her condition was at this point, if it got to be as critical as it hasbecome. This was not coward-ness on her part, instead it refers back to anobservation Mom made while working with chronically and terminally illpatients as a clinical psychologist specializing in geriatrics. She notedthat hope was one of the only things that was able to help patients fight toget better, especially against such odds as insurmountable pain and possiblebrain damage. When a patient lost this hope, she marked a steady decline intheir condition and a sever decline in their quality of life. Mom statedthat she would like to be given every chance to get better and thistherefore includes allowing her to keep hope that she can recover.When Mom first told me of this way of thinking, I retorted that wouldn'tthis simply be false hope? Mom replied that hope has many forms and iffalse hope allows the condemned a chance to be happier, then how can itpossibly be false? In your cards and phone calls to Mom, please respect herwishes in this matter and continue to send her your thoughts, prayers,hopes, and love. As I said, we are trying to help her be as happy aspossible and are doing our best to respect all of wishes.When I left the hospital this afternoon, Mom was in fairly good spirits, butvery tired and in a little less pain (she said that it was an 8 of a 1 to 10scale). Last night we celebrated my brother's 22nd birthday party (a dayearly) and were able to have all of our family, including my sister's foursons, present. This was a wonderful gift for my mother and she was tellingher nurses today about how nice it was and how they missed out.I am checking Mom's email daily and reading the messages to her. If youwish to send her get well cards, then please send them to our home: 518Waterford Drive, , GA 30809, USA.I will keep everyone posted and apologize for not being able to inform someof you of this sooner. Again, thank you for all that you do for my motherand our family. She truly considers you a part our clan and the supportthat you have given her has been more than a blessing.--d. Summers, Jr.---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.385 / Virus Database: 217 - Release Date: 9/4/2002"The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies

[Guest guest]

i am new to this group but want you to know that your

mom, you, and your family are in my prayers.

it is a real tuff time right now for you all, i went

through something similar with my grandmother and

grandfather who raised me. god will lead the way and

thank you for the update,

trista

--- " D. T. Summers, Jr. " wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> Please be aware that I am , Summers' kid.

>

> Mom was admitted to St. ph's hospital on

> Wednesday 8/27 night with a

> fever of 103 Fahrenheit (39.44 Celsius). She had

> been given her monthly

> blood transfusion that afternoon, however had been

> feeling very weak and

> light-headed for a few days before then. On

> Tuesday, she almost passed out

> while at the hematologist and had a pulse in the low

> 90s, which the doc was

> able to raise back into the 100s. Since admittance

> to the hospital, the

> fever has gone down and she has been receiving an IV

> of fluid, to help with

> nausea. She also has a compression fracture at

> T-10, towards the top of her

> spine, which causes her much pain (at times

> extremely depilating).

>

> Well, I'm not one for sugar coatings, so I'll be

> blunt. Mom is not doing

> well. Blood has been found in her stool and she has

> been diagnosed with a

> severe bladder/urinary tract infection. Her

> platelets and her hemoglobin

> have continued to drop. A vena cava filter was

> surgically inserted in order

> to prevent clots from forming and if formed from

> blocking needed blood

> passages. On Friday, they found an aneurysm in her

> leg and are preparing

> her for a CT scan. This proved to not be too bad and

> it looks as if the

> filter helped in clearing the blood passing from the

> left of her heart to

> just before her right side. However, the filter was

> unable to help in

> preventing clots from forming in her right arm,

> upper chest, head, and the

> immediate areas surrounding the heart.

>

> Last Saturday morning, 9/7, Mom suffered a severe

> stroke. This affected her

> ability to move her right side and has given her a

> difficult time speaking

> and forming words/sentences. By Sunday, she'd

> regained some movement in her

> arm and was talking well, although still severely

> slurred. Monday, 9/9,

> appeared better, she could move her arm up and down,

> however her hand was

> still unresponsive. Her speech continues to improve.

> Given this, one would

> believe that things were improving.

>

> However, it looks like they were not improving

> quickly enough. Early Monday

> afternoon, Nanny (Mom's mother) was called out of

> the room by one of the

> doctors. He expressed that Mom's situation is not

> looking good. Her

> platelets, while up from a recent platelet

> transfusion, were still

> decreasing and do not seem to be holding steady

> enough for any more

> surgeries. Her blood pressure is also climbing

> upward and is not responding

> well to medications. The CT scan and x-rays that

> have been done also show

> ill signs.

>

> Mom has an Advanced Directive and a Health Care

> Proxy which details what she

> wishes to happen if she is in a life threatening

> event. She basically has

> stated her desires, but also has written that my

> grandmother, father,

> siblings, and myself are to meet and together choose

> what the hospital

> should and should not do. Her logic is that while

> she has her wishes, she

> understands that we will be in a better position to

> understand the situation

> and make the most educated choice. Her doctor met

> with us this morning.

>

> As of now, it is " safe " to assume that she could

> enter into such a state

> where this decision to resuscitate will be needed

> and the hospital needs to

> know our wishes. This was a very difficult issue

> for our family, as I am

> sure you will understand. The doctor was very kind

> and thorough. He

> explained that without any directives by her (and

> therefore us), the

> hospital staff must lawfully try everything within

> their power to prevent a

> death. This includes performing was are commonly

> called " heroic " measures.

> He explained that with her bone density is as low as

> it is coupled with her

> severely low platelet count she would most have

> broken ribs and internal

> bleeding into her lungs if CPR was administered.

>

> He also stated that another massive stroke is

> imminent and unavoidable due

> to her various conditions. It will most likely

> leave her in a comatose or

> otherwise brain-dead state. He doubted that she

> would survive any measures

> to resuscitate her, however he said that if she did

> then it would almost be

> guaranteed that she would be in worse pain than she

> is currently and that it

> would do nothing but prolong a very painful death.

>

> With these as the options, we choose not to have

> approve any extraordinary

> measures.

>

> Please do not worry, as long as there is life, then

> treatment is not being

> refused. She continues to undergo physical, speech,

> and occupational

> therapy to help with her residual paralysis. At

> this point, we are more

> concerned with helping her to be comfortable, as

> free of pain as possible,

> and are doing our best to make her happy. Pain

> medication will be increased

> as it is allowed by the law, I can relate more on

> this issue. The doctors

> are doing their best to keep her pain tolerable if

> not free.

>

> Another part of Mom's wishes, as she had earlier

> defined, was to not be told

> that her condition was at this point, if it got to

> be as critical as it has

> become. This was not coward-ness on her part,

> instead it refers back to an

> observation Mom made while working with chronically

> and terminally ill

> patients as a clinical psychologist specializing in

> geriatrics. She noted

> that hope was one of the only things that was able

> to help patients fight to

> get better, especially against such odds as

> insurmountable pain and possible

> brain damage. When a patient lost this hope, she

> marked a steady decline in

> their condition and a sever decline in their quality

> of life. Mom stated

> that she would like to be given every chance to get

> better and this

> therefore includes allowing her to keep hope that

> she can recover.

>

> When Mom first told me of this way of thinking, I

> retorted that wouldn't

> this simply be false hope? Mom replied that hope

> has many forms and if

> false hope allows the condemned a chance to be

> happier, then how can it

> possibly be false? In your cards and phone calls to

> Mom, please respect her

> wishes in this matter and continue to send her your

> thoughts, prayers,

> hopes, and love. As I said, we are trying to help

> her be as happy as

> possible and are doing our best to respect all of

> wishes.

>

> When I left the hospital this afternoon, Mom was in

> fairly good spirits, but

> very tired and in a little less pain (she said that

> it was an 8 of a 1 to 10

> scale). Last night we celebrated my brother's 22nd

> birthday party (a day

> early) and were able to have all of our family,

> including my sister's four

> sons, present. This was a wonderful gift for my

> mother and she was telling

> her nurses today about how nice it was and how they

> missed out.

>

> I am checking Mom's email daily and reading the

> messages to her. If you

> wish to send her get well cards, then please send

> them to our home: 518

> Waterford Drive, , GA 30809, USA.

>

> I will keep everyone posted and apologize for not

> being able to inform some

> of you of this sooner. Again, thank you for all

> that

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

Yahoo! - We Remember

9-11: A tribute to the more than 3,000 lives lost

http://dir.remember.yahoo.com/tribute

[Guest guest]

i am so sorry about your mom please tell her that she is in my prayersand you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts to. Thank you for keeping us posted on your mom. She is a very sweet person

love Kimi

Re: September 10: Update on S.

, Tell your mom we are praying day and night for her. We miss her and love her deeply. I am glad she has her hope still. Like she said without it you don't have much. Thank you for the address and for letting us know what has happened. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers as always. Angie "D. T. Summers, Jr." wrote: Hi everyone,Please be aware that I am , Summers' kid.Mom was admitted to St. ph's hospital on Wednesday 8/27 night with afever of 103 Fahrenheit (39.44 Celsius). She had been given her monthlyblood transfusion that afternoon, however had been feeling very weak andlight-headed for a few days before then. On Tuesday, she almost passed outwhile at the hematologist and had a pulse in the low 90s, which the doc wasable to raise back into the 100s. Since admittance to the hospital, thefever has gone down and she has been receiving an IV of fluid, to help withnausea. She also has a compression fracture at T-10, towards the top of herspine, which causes her much pain (at times extremely depilating).Well, I'm not one for sugar coatings, so I'll be blunt. Mom is not doingwell. Blood has been found in her stool and she has been diagnosed with asevere bladder/urinary tract infection. Her platelets and her hemoglobinhave continued to drop. A vena cava filter was surgically inserted in orderto prevent clots from forming and if formed from blocking needed bloodpassages. On Friday, they found an aneurysm in her leg and are preparingher for a CT scan. This proved to not be too bad and it looks as if thefilter helped in clearing the blood passing from the left of her heart tojust before her right side. However, the filter was unable to help inpreventing clots from forming in her right arm, upper chest, head, and theimmediate areas surrounding the heart.Last Saturday morning, 9/7, Mom suffered a severe stroke. This affected herability to move her right side and has given her a difficult time speakingand forming words/sentences. By Sunday, she'd regained some movement in herarm and was talking well, although still severely slurred. Monday, 9/9,appeared better, she could move her arm up and down, however her hand wasstill unresponsive. Her speech continues to improve. Given this, one wouldbelieve that things were improving.However, it looks like they were not improving quickly enough. Early Mondayafternoon, Nanny (Mom's mother) was called out of the room by one of thedoctors. He expressed that Mom's situation is not looking good. Herplatelets, while up from a recent platelet transfusion, were stilldecreasing and do not seem to be holding steady enough for any moresurgeries. Her blood pressure is also climbing upward and is not respondingwell to medications. The CT scan and x-rays that have been done also showill signs.Mom has an Advanced Directive and a Health Care Proxy which details what shewishes to happen if she is in a life threatening event. She basically hasstated her desires, but also has written that my grandmother, father,siblings, and myself are to meet and together choose what the hospitalshould and should not do. Her logic is that while she has her wishes, sheunderstands that we will be in a better position to understand the situationand make the most educated choice. Her doctor met with us this morning.As of now, it is "safe" to assume that she could enter into such a statewhere this decision to resuscitate will be needed and the hospital needs toknow our wishes. This was a very difficult issue for our family, as I amsure you will understand. The doctor was very kind and thorough. Heexplained that without any directives by her (and therefore us), thehospital staff must lawfully try everything within their power to prevent adeath. This includes performing was are commonly called "heroic" measures.He explained that with her bone density is as low as it is coupled with herseverely low platelet count she would most have broken ribs and internalbleeding into her lungs if CPR was administered.He also stated that another massive stroke is imminent and unavoidable dueto her various conditions. It will most likely leave her in a comatose orotherwise brain-dead state. He doubted that she would survive any measuresto resuscitate her, however he said that if she did then it would almost beguaranteed that she would be in worse pain than she is currently and that itwould do nothing but prolong a very painful death.With these as the options, we choose not to have approve any extraordinarymeasures.Please do not worry, as long as there is life, then treatment is not beingrefused. She continues to undergo physical, speech, and occupationaltherapy to help with her residual paralysis. At this point, we are moreconcerned with helping her to be comfortable, as free of pain as possible,and are doing our best to make her happy. Pain medication will be increasedas it is allowed by the law, I can relate more on this issue. The doctorsare doing their best to keep her pain tolerable if not free.Another part of Mom's wishes, as she had earlier defined, was to not be toldthat her condition was at this point, if it got to be as critical as it hasbecome. This was not coward-ness on her part, instead it refers back to anobservation Mom made while working with chronically and terminally illpatients as a clinical psychologist specializing in geriatrics. She notedthat hope was one of the only things that was able to help patients fight toget better, especially against such odds as insurmountable pain and possiblebrain damage. When a patient lost this hope, she marked a steady decline intheir condition and a sever decline in their quality of life. Mom statedthat she would like to be given every chance to get better and thistherefore includes allowing her to keep hope that she can recover.When Mom first told me of this way of thinking, I retorted that wouldn'tthis simply be false hope? Mom replied that hope has many forms and iffalse hope allows the condemned a chance to be happier, then how can itpossibly be false? In your cards and phone calls to Mom, please respect herwishes in this matter and continue to send her your thoughts, prayers,hopes, and love. As I said, we are trying to help her be as happy aspossible and are doing our best to respect all of wishes.When I left the hospital this afternoon, Mom was in fairly good spirits, butvery tired and in a little less pain (she said that it was an 8 of a 1 to 10scale). Last night we celebrated my brother's 22nd birthday party (a dayearly) and were able to have all of our family, including my sister's foursons, present. This was a wonderful gift for my mother and she was tellingher nurses today about how nice it was and how they missed out.I am checking Mom's email daily and reading the messages to her. If youwish to send her get well cards, then please send them to our home: 518Waterford Drive, , GA 30809, USA.I will keep everyone posted and apologize for not being able to inform someof you of this sooner. Again, thank you for all that you do for my motherand our family. She truly considers you a part our clan and the supportthat you have given her has been more than a blessing.--d. Summers, Jr.---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.385 / Virus Database: 217 - Release Date: 9/4/2002"The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies

[Guest guest]

My e-mails were bouncing so I just now saw the e-mail on S. Please let her know that she is in my thoughts and prayers.