Mom seemed comfortable this morning. She was on the machine, which was moving her left leg. Because her congestion is still hanging around, they will try again tomorrow to extubate her. Her temperature is down to normal and the swelling in her legs is beginning to go down. They are still waiting for the swelling to go down, so they can finish up her remaining surgeries (left foot, right ankle).
We'll go see her again later. In the meantime, we have calls to make to follow-up on insurance stuff.
More later.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday already
We'll be heading in to the hospital soon. When I called this morning, mom's nurse said that mom hadn't slept much last night. I told Geoff that maybe Mom was awake and that she'll be ready to rock today. We'll see. Dr. deBoisblanc, Mom's trauma physician, had been by to see her this morning. Although he is still a bit concerned about her lungs, he wants to try to ween her from the vent again today.
We'll post an update after our visit.
We'll post an update after our visit.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Another day
Mom is still on the vent. She has some congestion in her lungs, which is to be expected given the trauma she has sustained. Her nurse this evening said that she could have the vent in for at least a few more days, until the congestion clears from her lungs. For now, they have to suction the congestion, which mom, understandably, hates.
Geoff and I were able to talk to mom a little bit tonight, as she was fairly alert. She was on the machine, which was moving her right leg tonight. She made eye contact with each of us more than we had seen since the accident. We try to assure her, over and over, that she will be okay, that the tube will come out soon, and that she will recover from all of this. Geoff and I did a little bit of energy work on her tonight. I'm sure mom would think we were hippy freaks if she saw us, but we're trying anything and everything to speed up her recovery.
When I was talking to her tonight, Geoff put his fingers up as "rabbit ears" behind my head. Real mature, huh?
Mom's temperature is just above normal, so it has gone down a bit in the last day, along with her blood pressure. I try to walk away with some victories each day, so there they are.
They do a chest x-ray each day to check her congestion, so we'll have a new report on that tomorrow morning. We're calling her surgeon tomorrow as well.
Good night. Thanks to everyone for all of your support.
Geoff and I were able to talk to mom a little bit tonight, as she was fairly alert. She was on the machine, which was moving her right leg tonight. She made eye contact with each of us more than we had seen since the accident. We try to assure her, over and over, that she will be okay, that the tube will come out soon, and that she will recover from all of this. Geoff and I did a little bit of energy work on her tonight. I'm sure mom would think we were hippy freaks if she saw us, but we're trying anything and everything to speed up her recovery.
When I was talking to her tonight, Geoff put his fingers up as "rabbit ears" behind my head. Real mature, huh?
Mom's temperature is just above normal, so it has gone down a bit in the last day, along with her blood pressure. I try to walk away with some victories each day, so there they are.
They do a chest x-ray each day to check her congestion, so we'll have a new report on that tomorrow morning. We're calling her surgeon tomorrow as well.
Good night. Thanks to everyone for all of your support.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Peaks & Valleys
We just got back from visiting Mom. They have reduced her sedation, so she was more awake/aware than we had seen her so far. She seemed very comfortable and seemed to follow what I was saying. They had the TV on for her, so I asked her if she wanted it on, and she nodded her head. I asked her if it was okay to hold her hand (since she has cuts on it) and, again, she nodded.
Her nurse reported that they have started Mom on some sort of machine, that moves her legs, one at a time. She had already been on the machine for 4 hours today. They were getting ready to put her on it again, on her other leg, for another stint. After all that movement, I'm pleased that she seemed restful. I wonder if it feels good, on some level, for her to move... moving her blood and energy through her body for the first time in over a week. She is being weened off the vent, however, they think it will be tomorrow before she is off of it completely. Today, when they began reducing the breaths the vent takes for her, they thought she became too labored. The nurse assured us it was nothing uncommon - just that they don't want her to be working too hard right now.
That's all for now. We'll keep you posted.
Her nurse reported that they have started Mom on some sort of machine, that moves her legs, one at a time. She had already been on the machine for 4 hours today. They were getting ready to put her on it again, on her other leg, for another stint. After all that movement, I'm pleased that she seemed restful. I wonder if it feels good, on some level, for her to move... moving her blood and energy through her body for the first time in over a week. She is being weened off the vent, however, they think it will be tomorrow before she is off of it completely. Today, when they began reducing the breaths the vent takes for her, they thought she became too labored. The nurse assured us it was nothing uncommon - just that they don't want her to be working too hard right now.
That's all for now. We'll keep you posted.
Meltdowns
Each day, I wonder when it will get better. I wonder how much longer I can see my mom this way. She's just far too feisty and upbeat to be in this position. I see it on her face that she hurts, and that she hates being there, and I just hope she knows that we're doing everything we can to take care of her... that she WILL get better. Everyday, I think it's been the worst day for me, until the next day comes. I miss talking to her so much and sometimes, I think maybe she'll call me soon. I'll wake up and think "Mom hasn't called in a while... maybe she'll call me." I enjoy those small breaks from reality.
In spite of my daily meltdowns, Mom continues to be a fighter. Today, they began weening her from the ventilator. Her nurse said that she could be off of it as early as this afternoon, depending on how well her lungs do their job as they decrease the number of breaths the vent takes for her. They will have to put the vent back in when she is ready for her next surgeries - her left foot and right ankle - which will be done when her swelling goes down.
We'll be heading to the hospital soon to visit.
In spite of my daily meltdowns, Mom continues to be a fighter. Today, they began weening her from the ventilator. Her nurse said that she could be off of it as early as this afternoon, depending on how well her lungs do their job as they decrease the number of breaths the vent takes for her. They will have to put the vent back in when she is ready for her next surgeries - her left foot and right ankle - which will be done when her swelling goes down.
We'll be heading to the hospital soon to visit.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Talked to Ortho...
Hey Everyone,
We talked to the orthopedic surgeon tonight. He said that things are progressing as well as can be expected. Mom may be taken off the vent in the next day or so. He does not think that he will be able to operate on the ankle or foot until the later part of next week, so it will be best to let her airway function on its own until then. Mom was "awake" for most of the time we were there. She seemed to be in some pain, but the surgeon said that most patients don't remember any of it. That was good to hear, as it is very hard to see her this way. I don't like seeing her with tubes and drips, and I definitely don't like seeing her in pain. They will be putting her legs in a device that will begin mobilizing them sometime soon. I know that will be agonizing, but they need to start movement as soon as possible. It also looks like she will not be able to walk on her left leg until she has a bone graft, which will be 3 months from now, best case. All things considered, we are very grateful, and very tired. Jen's back is still very sore, and she is having some trouble getting around.
Love,
Geoff
We talked to the orthopedic surgeon tonight. He said that things are progressing as well as can be expected. Mom may be taken off the vent in the next day or so. He does not think that he will be able to operate on the ankle or foot until the later part of next week, so it will be best to let her airway function on its own until then. Mom was "awake" for most of the time we were there. She seemed to be in some pain, but the surgeon said that most patients don't remember any of it. That was good to hear, as it is very hard to see her this way. I don't like seeing her with tubes and drips, and I definitely don't like seeing her in pain. They will be putting her legs in a device that will begin mobilizing them sometime soon. I know that will be agonizing, but they need to start movement as soon as possible. It also looks like she will not be able to walk on her left leg until she has a bone graft, which will be 3 months from now, best case. All things considered, we are very grateful, and very tired. Jen's back is still very sore, and she is having some trouble getting around.
Love,
Geoff
No news is good news
Heather and I are heading to the hospital soon to see mom. Geoff went in to SF today to take care of some business, and will be back in time to see mom later today. Geoff checked in with mom's nurse this morning and mom is still stable. She has a slight fever (not unusual given the trauma she sustained), so they removed her leg braces to allow her body to cool down more. We will keep you posted on how she's doing.
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