I am sharing something I have posted on my FB page... so I apologize if this is redundant for some of you, but it is worth sharing as far and wide as I can get. I will share my original FB post, as well as today's update and then will update as soon as we know how things are looking for my friend.
ORIGINAL POST: A dear friend of mine is on Fentanyl patches for pain after surgery. As a lot of people do, she applied the patch over the area of the pain. And also, because she had pain, she applied a heating pad. What's scary is... the heat from the heating pad literally melted the medication and released ALL OF IT into her system at once. She also has 3rd degree burns from the heating pad, as the meds knocked her out and she never even realized what was happening! She had been alone for several hours while her husband was at work. When he returned he found her - totally unresponsive. She is still in the hospital in PCU and we are still awaiting word on whether or not she has any brain damage or permanent renal damage.
Though I won't list my friend's name here for her privacy, I would please ask that you pray for her. She has had such a rough time with health related issues lately... this is the last thing she needed. (In fact, just a few days ago, I was teasing her that we just needed to open our own hospital so we could at least profit for all we have gone through! It's not so funny now!)
I know a lot of you are on meds like this. PLEASE know... #1, you DO NOT have to apply these types of patches directly over the pain. #2, DO NOT EVER apply heat to one of these patches! #3, if you have to be on a med this strong, please try and make sure there is someone who can check in on you often!
TODAY'S UPDATE: My friend is still in the PCU and we still aren't sure whether or not she will have permanent brain damage. Her body was slowing down so much that her O2 sat rate was dangerously low. The doctors are saying today that the next 12 - 24 hours will tell a lot. She is still confused, combative and not able to speak intelligibly. Please continue to pray for her and for her family.
The burns she sustained from the heating pad were looked at today by a plastic surgeon. He said that they would not look at doing surgery on her at this time... so that is a good thing, I hope. Another chest xray today did show some problems with her lungs. They aren't sure exactly what it is yet, but are thinking she may have aspirated some vomit, so they'll be watching it. We know that she will be in the hospital for at least another 3-4 days. As far as the renal failure, it is looking as though it was induced by the meds and they are hopeful that what they gave her through IV is correcting the problem. Everything is on a wait and watch basis right now. Thank you again for continued prayers.
Blessings!!!