Life Support

[kellyardo]

Hi there,

I have a very confusing question, that lm hoping someone can help with. My Aunt who is 61 years old was in the hospital for a few days where we learned she had ovarian cancer that has spread into her lungs. Two days ago she became unconsciences and could not breathe on her own, they have since put her on life support. She has recently lost the use of her kidneys which shut down last night and has since been put on machine for the toxins in her kidneys (dialysis machine). She is on several other medicines and the doctors keep telling us she is a very very sick lady and that they hope we understand the situation. Her BP was 74 over 45 but since has risen to 120 over 56 with the help of the machine and two new medications. She has a large mass in her stomach which they pretty much think is cancer and that it has spread throughout her body. Today apparently she moved her arms which they have tied down and she moved her feet tonight. My question is, when your put on life support they way my aunt is can you make a full recovery or are you considered clinically dead. Also is it my aunt that is moving her body parts or the machines that are moving the body parts. Any help and clarification would help as we are having a difficult time determining if she can come back or whether we should turn the machine off. Anyone that can weigh in on this would be of much help.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I am so sorry for you and your Aunt. We just can't answer your questions because we just don't know. How about if you ask your Aunt's doctors? They would be the ones to know what kinds of machines and their effects on her. Please take care.