So Grateful for the 2.0L

[NMhunter]

It sounds like you've already been blessed. I'll pray for you.

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[sajohnson]

This Christmas has not been kind to myself or my family. My otherwise healthy mother went to the emergency room on Christmas Eve where she then experienced massive internal bleeding out of the blue. Doctors told us she probably would not survive the emergency surgery (even though she's only 60), and after the first one did not fix the problem, she had to undergo the same high-risk surgery again. Fortunately, my mom is the strongest woman I know, so of course she defied the odds and survived the surgery both times. She is now stable and is supposed to be taken off the ventilator and woken up today. I have been holding her hand through the entire ordeal, but I cannot wait to see her again. I'd appreciate if you wonderful folks could send some prayers her way for continued healing and recovery.

However, mom living in Florida meant that I had to drive the 10 hours from my home in NC to her hometown as quickly as possible on Christmas Eve. I got the call the moment I woke up, threw a bunch of stuff in a bag, and hit the road 10 minutes later. Let me tell you, it is a miracle I did not get a speeding ticket, because my average speed was far higher than it should have been. I made it a point to ensure other drivers on the road were not put at risk by my actions and that I did slow down when necessary, but my primary focus was on getting to my mom to see her one last time. I actually dropped my lifetime MPG since owning the car down to 24.1 from 25.7 because of this single trip and managed to shave an entire hour off my ETA. This was one of those times I was eternally grateful to have the 2.0L. The Sport is not a sportscar, by any means, but I wanted to express my admiration for its toughness and capability. We drive a literal box, yet I was passing every vehicle with ease and never felt unstable, wobbly, or like I lacked power. I could not have made such a critical trip in time to see my mom come out of her second surgery had I been driving my previous vehicle. I pushed that engine for an extended period, and not once did it balk. Ford, thank you for building such a safe and reliable vehicle. You helped me be here for my mom when she needed me most.

I'm very sorry to hear about your mother's medical issues.

I hope everything went well today (12/27).

Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery!

 

[roboto65]

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Hope she is doing well and pray for a fast recovery!

 

[Elegance]

Thank you all so much for your prayers. The ventilator was removed today and I sat with mom for over 8 hours just talking and enjoying her company. She's rattled and a little scared, but still with us and getting stronger every day. I got a laugh out of her when I told her how fast I got the Bronco up to.

 

[sajohnson]

Thank you all so much for your prayers. The ventilator was removed today and I sat with mom for over 8 hours just talking and enjoying her company. She's rattled and a little scared, but still with us and getting stronger every day. I got a laugh out of her when I told her how fast I got the Bronco up to.

That's GREAT news!

To be honest, I was a bit concerned because I'd heard that once a patient is put on a ventilator, the chance of them waking up is not very good. Maybe that's specific to COVID, and not all circumstances.

When she's up for it you should take her for a ride.

 

[Elegance]

That's GREAT news!

To be honest, I was a bit concerned because I'd heard that once a patient is put on a ventilator, the chance of them waking up is not very good. Maybe that's specific to COVID, and not all circumstances.

When she's up for it you should take her for a ride.

Her lungs are in fantastic shape. She was only on the vent because the sedatives and painkillers they had her on for surgery and pain management reduce the natural instinct to breathe. It was just a matter of waiting a few days for the drug concoction to leave her system, then her own instincts took back over and they were able to remove her tube.

We'll definitely be going for a ride. It's a long recovery since they opened her up via her abdomen and you use those core muscles for everything. She's a very strong lady though, I have no doubt we'll get her there.

 

[Bucko]

Your mom and you are in our thoughts and prayers. I'm in Florida, so let me know if I can be of any help.

 

[John J]

Trips like that suck.....too much time to think and feel helpless. The flip side is that sometimes those hospital runs are for good things. I had to do the middle of the night Boston to Albany run for the premature birth of my son but it all ended perfect. So things work out....keep your chin up and good luck!

 

[CherylD]

Also want to extend my prayers for a complete recovery for your Mom!
I will agree on the 2.0. Best bit of research I ever did was investigating both engines. I've been very satisfied. My 2100 mile road trip to Utah averaging 72 mph with cruise yielded me 29.1 mpg. Last week with hubby driving 1414 miles at an 82 mph average got him 25.7. LOL He drives faster and accelerates faster than I do.
Living in S Calif. where gas is double what Utah is, I was into seeing how good I could get. He was into how fast we got there and back. LOL

 

[MJE]

How is your Mom’s recovery going this week?

 

[Elegance]

How is your Mom’s recovery going this week?

She's wonderful. The concoction of drugs has worn off, so she's right minded again and I go in for a few hours every day to keep her company and chat. Physically, I'm amazed at her progress after 2 incredibly risky surgeries. She's back on solid foods and spent this morning shuffling up and down the hallways of the hospital with her little walker. Again, she was internally bleeding out and had to have two abdominal surgeries to repair five total ruperured arteries on Christmas Eve. In this short amount of time, she's on absolutely no pain meds, even with her skin still open and a surgical vac cleaning the wound. The woman is beyond strong for a 60 year old.

She's made friends with all the folks in the hospital, from her nurses to the janitorial staff. The vascular surgeon who saved her life twice stopped in today to meet her awake for the first time and admire his handiwork. Mom thanked him profusely. There may be rehab between here and home, but she said she's grateful to be alive and will do whatever is needed to have a long and happy life with us. Thanks for asking about her - She has truly received the most special of gifts.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

She's wonderful. The concoction of drugs has worn off, so she's right minded again and I go in for a few hours every day to keep her company and chat. Physically, I'm amazed at her progress after 2 incredibly risky surgeries. She's back on solid foods and spent this morning shuffling up and down the hallways of the hospital with her little walker. Again, she was internally bleeding out and had to have two abdominal surgeries to repair five total ruperured arteries on Christmas Eve. In this short amount of time, she's on absolutely no pain meds, even with her skin still open and a surgical vac cleaning the wound. The woman is beyond strong for a 60 year old.

She's made friends with all the folks in the hospital, from her nurses to the janitorial staff. The vascular surgeon who saved her life twice stopped in today to meet her awake for the first time and admire his handiwork. Mom thanked him profusely. There may be rehab between here and home, but she said she's grateful to be alive and will do whatever is needed to have a long and happy life with us. Thanks for asking about her - She has truly received the most special of gifts.

Kris, that’s great to hear!

 

[Mark S.]

Modern medicine is capable of things that would've been considered miraculous only a few short decades ago. I'm very glad to hear your mom is on the mend. If you don't consider it prying too much, I'd really like to know if the docs have any theories about what caused the initial problems.

 

[Elegance]

Modern medicine is capable of things that would've been considered miraculous only a few short decades ago. I'm very glad to hear your mom is on the mend. If you don't consider it prying too much, I'd really like to know if the docs have any theories about what caused the initial problems.

The docs aren't sure themselves. The condition is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and a rupture is almost always fatal. They theorized it's likely a genetic defect that caused the branch of arteries and veins behind her pancreas to be weak and thin-walled. My brother and I will have to go in and get tested for the same genetic defect. She's also a smoker and drinker, so lifestyle choices may have played a role. AAA is usually caught in general check ups and corrected before the aneurysm bursts, but she avoids doctors like the plague and hasn't had a wellness visit in years. Luckily, my brother and I are young (I'm 28 and he's 25), so if they do find the same defect, we can monitor it and eventually correct it.

 

[Mark S.]

The docs aren't sure themselves. The condition is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and a rupture is almost always fatal.

Ah, okay. Thanks for sharing. I'm around your mom's age, which means I've become morbidly curious about any medical condition related to age. AAA is definitely a dangerous condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include:

• Deep, constant pain in the belly area or side of the belly.
• Back pain.
• A pulse near the bellybutton.

Take care of yourselves out there!

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