Hi, all, I owe all those who have sent so much love an update on my mom's situation. TLDR: she is doing MUCH better. She's still in the hospital, but improving daily and we hope to have her home in a few more days.
The details for those who might care. One week ago (last Wednesday) during a routine lung biopsy for her metastasized stage 4 ovarian cancer, an artery was nicked and she aspirated blood (basically she drowned). Her heart stopped, and she was on CPR for about 10 minutes before it started beating again. At this point the doctor talked to my sister about removing her from life support as he said she was comatose and unlikely to recover consciousness. About an hour later, however she opened her eyes and was responsive. I drove up to Springfield, VA, Thursday, to be with her and my dad (who needs full time care).
Since then, mom has had a lot of ups and downs, but she got up and walked a bit today, has all her IV tubes out and has better energy today than any time in the last week. Still to go: she has a chest drainage tube that might come out today, or maybe tomorrow. She's still on 3L of O2 per hour. She has a lot of pain and swelling in her right arm from a small superficial clot. And of course she's very weak and tired.
We have been working to get her a hospital bed, and to get 24 hour health care at home when she returns there to be back with my dad. They should have twin hospital beds together by tomorrow!
She is obviously behind in chemo treatments now, and will have to have a hard discussion with her oncologist about whether to continue with that course now, or let things take their natural path.
At this point I plan to drive back to Athens tomorrow, but of course that could change if things change here.
Again thank you to everyone who has been so concerned and so thoughtful and loving to her in this difficult time. I, and she (I showed her many of your responses) have been overwhelmed by your good thoughts and prayers.