Lucinda Contos

My mother fell down and couldn’t get back up. We were told she needed emergency surgery due to severe nerve damage and spinal stenosis or she would be paralyzed. We agreed to the surgery. She ended up having surgery on her neck due to the findings on another CT or MRI. She never recovered. My mother was not able to stand on her own or walk. She was bedridden. When she was discharged from the hospital she went to a rehab facility with skilled nursing care. She never improved and then reached her maximum limit of rehab and skilled nursing care and was discharged.

I cared for her at my home and then her health started failing so she back to the hospital again. Eventually she was given IV antibiotics again and then had to be transferred to an acute care facility where she later died of septic shock due to bedsores. (Sepsis and Pressure Ulcers/Injuries) I fought for her as long as I could but still feel like I should have done more. I am still angry and upset that the healthcare system failed her. I love you mom you are so strong. I am dedicating this tribute to you. More needs to done to prevent this from happening. When your loved one is not acting right say something. My mother was getting so confused and I knew it wasn’t ICU delirium. Demand to see your loved ones back and sides to see if they have bedsores. Please advocate for them.

Source: Maria James, daughter