Today was met with some progress for Mom. It started when I called the hospital this morning and asked her nurse, Chris, how Mom was doing. It was the first time I had heard "good" as a response to that question. She said they had stopped Mom's sedation in order to wean her off the vent. Geoff went into SF to do some work and Heather and I headed to the hospital. Mom was very alert and her eyes were clearer than I had seen them since the accident. It was great to be with her free from the sedation, but, at the same time, it was difficult, as she seemed to get more agitated not being able to talk to us and not having the sedation to relax her. They have been giving her some anti-anxiety medication to take the edge off, since taking off the sedation.
Dr. Coufal, mom's orthopedic surgeon, has scheduled her next two surgeries for tomorrow. She goes in at 2:30 to have her right ankle and left foot fixed. After that, the remaining surgery will be a bone graft in no less than 3 months. Once they complete tomorrow's surgeries, they should be able to take her off the vent relatively quickly. Today, they had her doing most of her own breathing in order to strengthen and check her lungs, and all seemed to be going well. They gave her a transfusion this evening when we were there, and will put her back on the vent and sedation tonight, in order to get her rested and ready for surgery tomorrow.
Looking ahead, once the remove the vent, they will do a "swallow test", which, if passed, will lead to removal of the feeding tube. Once she gets the tubes out of her mouth and can verbally tell the doctors that her neck doesn't hurt, they can take off the neck brace she's been wearing since the accident. Getting the tubes out and the neck brace off will be huge for her, allowing her to move more freely and to communicate.
We will be there to see her tomorrow pre-surgery, then head to my doctor's appointment at 3:30 to check my injuries. We will post an update to the blog as soon as we get the results after her surgery.
Keep the prayers and healing energy coming. Tomorrow will be a big day.
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4 comments:
You guys are amazing. . . Mark and I are with you in our hearts sending you love and strength. . . just one day at a time, that's all we need to face. . . we are with you. Where can we send you donations?? Love you all, Ruthie
It is great to hear that Sheryl is conscious and alert to her surroundings. Sheryl has the constitution of a fighter. She will get through this, I know. Tell her that Thatcher and Pruella and Romeo are doing great. I was just awakened by Thatcher for the first time since he has been here. Paw on the bed and a snort snort. He is funny. I am going to give the birds some egg yolk this morning. They have been doing fine on bird seed and apple and banana. Will clean out their cage today. Weather is getting cooler, high in lower 80's and all the dogs like to lay outside in the yard. Hope you have received the pictures I sent to Jennifers email.
We all miss and care about Sheryl's recovery and are looking forward to her return. She is missed a lot.
Fred
Progress!! That is great. After what she has been thru, this next surgery sounds almost easy. I understand the agitation. She really wants to talk but can't until they remove the tube. I can imagine you are waiting for when she can communicate again. One day at a time. All of you are getting a lot of prayers and good thoughts. Anxious to talk with her.
Give her lots of hugs when you can.
Rick
Jen & Geoff,
You two are going through so much pain seeing your Mom helpless and hurting, but your love and strength will help enormously in Sheryl's recovery. The pictures you posted made me cry. Sheryl looked so happy and healthy. I have faith that she will be that person again. She is an amazingly strong woman who will conquer this adversity! I will be saying extra prayers today and tomorrow for successful surgeries and continued healing. God is all-powerful and the Great Healer, an ever-present help in times of trouble!
I love you,
Claudia
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