 |
|
|
|
May 13th, 2012
08:01 AM ET
Moms make the toughest patientsAnthony Youn, M.D., is a plastic surgeon in metro Detroit. He is the author of “In Stitches,” a humorous memoir about growing up Asian American and becoming a doctor.
I never realized just how strong and selfless she is. Then tragedy struck. In many ways, my mother is the stereotypical Asian mom. Forty-five years ago she immigrated to the United States with my father, a physician. A classic homemaker, she spent her days raising my brother, sister, and me. In the evenings, after my dad returned home for work, she would take care of him. Several years ago I received a call from my father. My mom had exercised in the early evening and then began to feel short of breath. My dad rushed her to the emergency room. By the time they got there, she could hardly breathe. The doctors diagnosed her with sudden onset heart failure - one of the valves of her heart had stopped functioning, causing a backup of fluid into her lungs. My mom was literally drowning from the inside out. I rushed to the hospital that evening and saw her. She was awake but struggling to breathe. Upon seeing me, she smiled. “Oh, Tony, you shouldn’t have come here. You’re so busy with residency. Go home and get some rest,” she said, waving me off. I spent the next several hours by her side. The next day, she was scheduled to undergo open heart surgery to repair her faulty valve. In the moments before her operation, my brother, sister, father, and I stood next to her gurney. I smiled at her through teary eyes. My mom, seeing our concern, tried to reassure us. “I’ll be fine. I’m in God’s hands now. Go eat some breakfast. You’re probably all so hungry!” After several moments of silence and small talk, she was wheeled into the OR. The operation was a success. After surgery my mother was transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, while still on the ventilator. We went to visit her. “She’s doing great,” her nurse told us. “She’s a real trooper. Most patients don’t tolerate having a breathing tube down their throat while awake. But your mom is handling it like a pro.” The nurse was right. Even with the breathing tube in, my mother looked calm and peaceful. We all walked up to her. “Mom,” I said softly. She opened her eyes. “Are you ok?” She nodded. “Make sure you stay still and don’t pull out your breathing tube. It’s important to keep it in place until you’re ready to breathe on your own.” She nodded again and smiled at me. As a surgeon, I’ve taken care of hundreds of patients on ventilators. The majority of them need large amounts of sedatives to prevent them from pulling out their breathing tube. It’s an incredibly uncomfortable feeling to have this tube extending down your throat. Yet my mom handled it better than any patient I’ve ever seen. Do you know who the toughest patients are? Ask any doctor or nurse. It’s not construction workers. Not tattooed bikers. Not even professional athletes. It’s moms. Moms go through more physical and emotional pain than most men can imagine. As a father, I now understand the connection between a mother and her child. It’s stronger than just about anything else in the world. I am thankful for the doctors who saved my mom’s life. I am thankful for the hospital staff who cared for her. But most of all, I’m thankful for my mom. soundoff (737 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next »Leave a Reply to Elderly Care Companies
« Previous entryBattling junk food in high schools
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
I’ve always taken my mom for granted. A lot of us do.
https://www.monsterinks.info/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.river-tree.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and don't seem to get anything done.
http://russianvirgin.info/cgi-bin/out.cgi?req=1&t=60t&l=OPEN03&url=http://affordableranking.com
http://nwmcog.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
https://deficitdeatencion.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.mobilyacilar.tv.tr/git.php?url=http://affordableranking.com
This is a topic that is close to my heart... Best wishes! Where are your contact details though?
http://direkt-einkauf.de/includes/refer.php?&id=2&url=http://affordableranking.com
Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I most certainly will send this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
http://webexhibits.org/cs.html?url=http://incomewolf.com
http://client.paltalk.com/client/webapp/client/External.wmt?url=https://ocrv.mobi/rv-repair-shop-san-gabriel-california
http://1gr.cz/log/redir.aspx?r=citace_www.osel.cz&ver=A&url=http://youtube.com/watch?v=x4acsVmHaQY
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren't already 😉 Cheers!
https://www.letterballoons.net
bookmarked!!, I love your site!
http://jp.local.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.info/rv-repair-shop-yorba-linda-california
This is a topic that is close to my heart... Thank you! Where are your contact details though?
https://www.fredsworld.us/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=goo.gl/maps/iCzoZ1dDPjhG6Dsh6
Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I'm going to return once again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
https://www.e-expo.net/category/click_url.html?url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=wvzHVHJ4ifg
http://www.northeastbiomass.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.
After I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. Is there an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
https://www.triathlon.org/?URL=https://ocrv.me/motorhome-shades-repair-near-me
http://oldtmt.vedomosti.ru/rss/toolbars/closeAd.php?backUrl=https://commercialrepairshop.com/conversion-van-repair-shop-near-me
Great blog you have got here.. It’s difficult to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!
https://cps113.quicklaunchsso.com/cas/logout?service=http://youtube.com/watch?v=D45kV_fhkXU
Right here is the perfect site for anyone who really wants to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that's been written about for ages. Great stuff, just excellent!
http://sitebox.mailus.ru/requestform.php?success=1&referrer=http://youtube.com/watch?v=t-Nz7FcETyM
https://www.prodesigns.com/redirect?url=https://ocrvcenter.biz/rv-headlight-repair-near-me
Great post. I will be facing many of these issues as well..
http://marketplace.salisburypost.com/AdHunter/salisburypost/Home/EmailFriend?url=https://ocrv.pro/medical-truck-collision-repair-shop-near-me
This is the right webpage for everyone who wishes to find out about this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject which has been written about for a long time. Great stuff, just wonderful!
https://r.ypcdn.com/1/c/rtd?ptid=YWSIR&vrid=42bd4a9nfamto&lid=469707251&poi=1&dest=https://commercialvanrepairshop.com/testimonials/
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe this site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the advice!
http://t.raptorsmartadvisor.com/.lty?url=https://ocrvart.com/rv-repair-shop-lake-view-terrace-california
http://www.nimbitmusic.com/nrp/t.php?a=1466&m=5956&c=0&l=https://sprintervanrepairshop.com/flatbed-truck-repair-shop-near-me
http://havelsincorporated.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=facebook.com/ocrvcenter
Hi there! I just wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for your great information you have got here on this post. I will be returning to your blog for more soon.
https://www.etypeservices.com/Flash/LinkRedirection.aspx?IssueID=46912&Returnurl=https://boxtruckrepairshop.com/high-top-van-repair-shop-near-me
https://surveys.montclair.edu/survey/preview.jsp?surveyid=1326825217719&url=https://fleettruckrepairshop.com/van-collision-repair-shop-near-me
https://vse-doski.com/redirect/?go=https://youtube.com/watch?v=rJvdTdgJC20
http://www.digitalkamera.de/rdr?rdr=https://ocrv.vip/rv-repair-shop-coachella-california
Great article. Couldn't be write much better! Keep it up!
https://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/faizan-schenectady-ny/2021/5/Auto-Auctions-Luxury-Vehicles-for-Economy-Budgets/2006816
Wonderful article! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing.
https://www.thesheltoncompany.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=instagram.com/ocrvcenter
http://www.mytown.ie/log_outbound.php?business=118705&type=website&url=http://www.club-maserati.com/
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch simply because I discovered it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this subject here on your website.
https://www.wnypapers.com/ad/out/32100828/d1cfc72c310c99d59b1bf3948739e45f?to=https://ocrvmotorsports.co
I'm excited to find this site. I want to to thank you for your time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely liked every part of it and i also have you book-marked to check out new stuff in your blog.
http://dereferer.org/?https://meganleary.com
http://www.bigtimesportsohio.com/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://www.meganleary.com/
Having read this I believed it was really informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
https://login.talend.com/logout.php?redirectUrl=https://arizonasvision.com
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post! It is the little changes which will make the greatest changes. Many thanks for sharing!
http://sns.51.ca/link.php?url=http://arizonasvision.com/
http://fotobug.net/home/link.php?url=http://arizonasvision.com/
Thanks for the information.
https://info-site.siterubix.com/how-to-pick-an-straightforward-sign-restoration-support/
There is certainly a lot to know about this subject. I really like all the points you've made.
https://www.dancespirit.com/core/users/silent_login/?next_url=https://club-maserati.com/
carry on, dont stop
https://www.behance.net/gallery/119419791/The-Benefits-of-Having-Your-Carpets-Cleaned
This blog is great check it out
https://roofinghainesport.tumblr.com/post/651047692111364096/roof-repair-contractors
I really like this post
https://locksmithpaloalto223326104.wordpress.com/2021/05/13/different-kinds-of-locksmith-services/
Great article. Couldn't be write much better! Keep it up!
https://locksmithhenderson.blogspot.com/2021/05/choosing-emergency-locksmith.html
best i have ever seen!Hello, always i used to check webpage posts here early in the daylight, for the reason that i love to gain knowledge of more and more.
https://posts.gle/R8Ktyxvnt4TGa5sD6
http://ads.timesindonesia.co.id/network-1/www/delivery/ck.php?oaparams=2__bannerid=23__zoneid=33__cb=7f6aba05b4__oadest=https://arizonasvision.com
Thanks for the information.
https://myphoto.eu/MercerGibson/album/50120/
Great article. Couldn't be write much better! Keep it up!
https://www.deviantart.com/jacquelyneriddle
I'm not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic.
https://www.turboimagehost.com/album/180109/fence_company_baton
Keep this going please, great job!
https://www.diigo.com/user/guidryseeley