Hi all,
Margie here. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support.
Summary of What is Going On
Things have gotten much worse over the past few days. I will explain what has happened below, but the shortest version is that she is acutely ill, in the ICU, catatonic, septic, and intubated. We do not know if she will make it through the day or the week, but there is still a possibility things will turn around if the antibiotics they gave her are able to squelch the infection.
On Sunday, Signs of Hope
On Sunday it seemed she was delirious but stable, and the doctors even thought she should go home on Monday. My mom was very excited about going home.
Dialysis Disaster
The medical team decided to do dialysis before she left the hospital, and while doing it, my mom’s blood pressure tanked and she became catatonic. Although the doctors still aren’t completely sure what caused this, her blood counts indicate that she is septic, i.e. there is serious infection in blood stream that will prevent oxygen from getting to her organs if not treated immediately.
Ingathering of the Children
So, they moved her to the ICU and started blasting her with heavy duty antibiotics. At this point, the doctor told me that I should rush to NYC asap because they did not know how long she had to live. I then dropped everything, picked up, and drove to NYC, where I am now.
Ups and Downs
While I was driving down, at one point her heart stopped and they were able to restart it. At another point, my mom came to for a few minutes and told my dad and my mom’s wonderful aid Jessica it was good to see them. She also seemed happy I was coming and asked if my sister was, too. (She is.). And then she lapse back into being unresponsive.
Singing
When I arrived, my mom was catatonic and looked terrible, but I was grateful to be able to sit with her and hold her hand. Once the nurses were done with various treatments, I just sang to her (Elana Brody’s B’shem hashem, which is about being surrounded by angels, and Misheberach, a prayer for healing), which felt sacred and like a kind of spiritual accompaniment event if her conscious mind had no idea I was there.
More downs: Intubation
We had to leave around 9pm, and and 11:30pm they called to say that she was no longer able to breathe on her own and needed to be intubated. This morning the doctors said they planned to give her more regular dialysis, and my dad and I intervened successfully to get her the gentler and slower version called CRRT, because we really did not think she would make it through regular dialysis in the state she was in.
Where We Stand
Now, she continues to be in critical but stable condition. The nurse said that we have to give the antibiotics 48 hours to work. If she seems cognitively better, it is possible she will recover. If her brain function hasn’t improved by then, it is extremely unlikely she will make it, though there are a couple Hail Mary pass-like options they might try at that point. But she was very clear with us that she does not want to be kept alive in a state like the one she is in now.
Keep on Praying!
Though my mom is a pretty literal person and doesn’t really believe in prayer for Divine intervention purposes, I know it has meant so much to her to know that people are praying for and thinking about her from around the world. Thankfully, while we are completely unclear how long she will stay alive, we are very clear that she has lived a wonderful life and knows/knew that she is deeply loved. As does my dad and all of us.
Much love,
Margie
Continuing love and prayers. Strength and healing for dear Harriet and you all.
Dorothy and Michel
OHMYGOD – Strength, strength, healing, and strength!
My love and prayers are constant as is my fervent hope for healing and strength.
Pamela
I pray for Harriet’s complete and timely recovery, with Love and Gratitude, and the Grace of God. To a wonderful life yet to be lived. Amen. In Thankfulness. Marvin Ratner
Words cannot express my love for Harriet and my fervent wish for her recovery. Chaya
Harriet, please know my thoughts are with you as we all hope for your recovery. I include the members of the CHS class of 1960 in this note as we all care for you deeply. We remember when you were young and so bright and caring, and cherish those wonderful qualities you had both then and now.
Jinny
So sad! We are thinking of her (and your family’s devotion) constantly.
Thanks for the update! You are all in my thoughts and prayers! Marina Kubicek
Such a tough time for all of you. Everyone loves and supports you and your family. Nancy and Jeffrey
Too distressed to comment. We just didn’t expect this. Sending our deepest prayers and all our love.
Barbara and Mel
No words can adequately express how much Harriet means to so many people around the world. I am sending my love and fervent hope and prayers for refuah sh’lema. And to You, Margie, and your dad and your whole family, wishing much strength as you travel this path.
Carissima Harriet, you are surrounded with love and blessings from all around the world. We imagine God’s healing power upon you. We imagine your strength returning. We send you our prayers that the angels surround you.
Praying
If all the love and good work Harriet put out in this world, along with all the love and respect she has from all of us that are so lucky to know her and be touched by her could go through her IV she would be up and dancing! We continue to send prayers and healing thoughts and much love to Harriet and Ken and Margie ans sarah.
I’ll just send more healing energy. Wishing her a full recovery or at least to be pain-free.
Margie (Schulman0
Our prayers are now with the family during this very difficult time.and I pray for what is in your very best interest, dear Harriet. Such a huge soul! The Apac people in Uganda are praying for you daily. You are in all of our prayers.
Of course this is very difficult for you, your dad and sister. I wish you strength and I wish your mom peace.
Though it might seem bad, but we believe it’s not yet the time as so many communities around the globe need your ideas to reshape their communities. May Hashem keep you alive for us.
We are praying for extraordinary, beloved, Harriet and loving her, and sending our love to all of you. Keeping you in mind and heart, Julie and David
Oh, Margie , this is such sad news and knowing that you and the family are with her and that people are thinking of her around the world is comforting . Your mother is so beloved far and wide on this globe and Ken and I send you and your family prayers for healing and strength .
With love
Suzanne
Oh, Margie. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom, dad and Sarah. If there’s anything I can do to help, I’m in town tomorrow and Thursday. 917-825-7254.
Hugs and love,
Amy
Dear Margie and Harriet and Ken and Sara and Jeremy,
Our hearts are with you. With love, Marlee and Milton
Davening.
distressed but hoping and praying (my way.)
We love Harriet. We love Ken. We love Sarah and you Margie. We are praying for Harriet. We are sending you love and strength. One day at a time. One hour at a time. One moment at a time. Eve, Ari, Alexa, and Steven Schein xoxoxo
We have no words but continue thinking about Harriet, Ken, Margie, and Sarah. We send love and hopes for a miracle.
Love, Sarah and David