It has been a very long day. Not because of any crazy news about Mom, but because all is still the same. There is not much to report...which is good I suppose. I guess when all this started I thought we would know more about Mom and her prognosis by now...yet we don't. I can't be too impatiant. Mom is hanging in and fighting. Thank you for being faithful in your prayers for Mom.
Today her TCD numbers were all below 100 except for that pesky left central cerebral artery which registered in at 109...that is still good. They are continuing to try to get the combo of pain meds just right. When it is not a good balance, Mom just chews and gnaws on the tube that is helping her breathe. She chews so hard that Jess, our nurse, was afraid she was going to hurt herself. So, they had to up the dosage to keep her sedated. Pulmonary came by and said her lungs sounded great, which means that their happy about the amount of...errr lack of fluid she had in her lungs. I guess the lasex she received helped her get rid of some of that extra fluid. Dr. Chase did not dump anymore fluid after last night. I'm sure she is still just waiting and making sure the vasospasm period is finished. In addition, Mom's hemoglobin count was down so she received some blood to help with that.
I'm making this post short tonight. I'm spent and in need of rest,and Miles is not sleeping too well these days. Seems that the hours spent at the hospital are wearing on him. I have hope in the redemption of this but it is wearing on us all....
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
A Prayer for Tonight
We are home now. Brad and I left the hospital at the end of the 4-5:30 visit, John in tow for the evening. I'm sure there will be a game of settlers or two before retiring to bed for the evening.
Before we left most of everything stayed the same. However, there was one change with Mom. While giving her a bath, Chasity noticed Mom began to wheeze just a bit. Staying on top of things, she called respiratory. They checked Mom out and decided to take her off the CPAP for the evening (they usually do anyhow, they just did it sooner tonight) The fluid that has been pumped into Mom is starting to get into her lungs. Dr. Chase was aware of this previously in the day thus the decision to start meds to release fluids tomorrow...as long as TCD levels were still down. Well, since the lungs were being affected more during this evening, Dr. Chase decided to begin dumping fluids before we got the morning TCD numbers. Please pray that Mom's numbers are down again tomorrow, and that they do not have to pump more fluid into her tomorrow morning to make up for what they got rid of tonight.
To recap. If tomorrow we have low TCD numbers then Mom gets to get rid of a lot of the fluid she is retaining. THEN..we can look at being on the presedex to feel good and be awake...Awake will influence being taken off the respirator and avoiding a tracheotomy (surgical procedures on the neck to open a direct airway through an incision in the trachea (the windpipe). Which can stay for a long period of time.
Most of everything is the same as earlier today except we did not anticipate having to start "dumping" the extra fluid in Mom's body just yet. Pray that her TCD numbers are down so that we did not backslide on her treatment with tonight's medicine. Also, please pray for Chuck. He began working again from 7-11ish (before the morning rounds and visiting hours) and stays through the evening visiting hours. It is tiring mentally, physically, and spritually being at Mom's side let alone resuming his work responsibility. Family has left and returned home which leaves Chuck and myself for everyday visits and Mommom and John as often as they can get to Forsyth. Being exhausted can lead to sickness and that just isn't desirable. Continue to Pray also for the other families there. We have met and speak with several families that are going through the same things (aneurysms, strokes, and uncertain futures)We are not alone and the reality of this weighs heavily on my heart everyday.
As always, will post more at tomorrow's visit
Before we left most of everything stayed the same. However, there was one change with Mom. While giving her a bath, Chasity noticed Mom began to wheeze just a bit. Staying on top of things, she called respiratory. They checked Mom out and decided to take her off the CPAP for the evening (they usually do anyhow, they just did it sooner tonight) The fluid that has been pumped into Mom is starting to get into her lungs. Dr. Chase was aware of this previously in the day thus the decision to start meds to release fluids tomorrow...as long as TCD levels were still down. Well, since the lungs were being affected more during this evening, Dr. Chase decided to begin dumping fluids before we got the morning TCD numbers. Please pray that Mom's numbers are down again tomorrow, and that they do not have to pump more fluid into her tomorrow morning to make up for what they got rid of tonight.
To recap. If tomorrow we have low TCD numbers then Mom gets to get rid of a lot of the fluid she is retaining. THEN..we can look at being on the presedex to feel good and be awake...Awake will influence being taken off the respirator and avoiding a tracheotomy (surgical procedures on the neck to open a direct airway through an incision in the trachea (the windpipe). Which can stay for a long period of time.
Most of everything is the same as earlier today except we did not anticipate having to start "dumping" the extra fluid in Mom's body just yet. Pray that her TCD numbers are down so that we did not backslide on her treatment with tonight's medicine. Also, please pray for Chuck. He began working again from 7-11ish (before the morning rounds and visiting hours) and stays through the evening visiting hours. It is tiring mentally, physically, and spritually being at Mom's side let alone resuming his work responsibility. Family has left and returned home which leaves Chuck and myself for everyday visits and Mommom and John as often as they can get to Forsyth. Being exhausted can lead to sickness and that just isn't desirable. Continue to Pray also for the other families there. We have met and speak with several families that are going through the same things (aneurysms, strokes, and uncertain futures)We are not alone and the reality of this weighs heavily on my heart everyday.
As always, will post more at tomorrow's visit
Day 19, 30 Minutes and One Doctor Visit Later
Chuck just had a chance to meet with Dr. Chase, and here's what they had to say.
TCD's are down to very acceptable levels. It appears the vasospasms have stopped, but they want to give it one more day before making any aggressive changes. If tomorrow's readings are in the same area as today, they'll begin addressing other areas that they've been unable to take care of until the vasospasms were under control.
Then, we can treat the swelling of her body due to fluid intake by dumping the 3+ extra liters they've pumped into her. The first way would be by decreasing the amount they're putting into her and letting the body urinate at a natural rate. Tomorrow if things come back good, they'll give her medicine which will make her urinate abundantly so that large amounts of fluid will move out of her and her swelling will decrease.
Later today, they'll take her off diprovan; from that point respiratory is ready to reevaluate ventialtion and possibly pull the respirator off on Monday. This is all based on her state of consiousness and we'll find out more in the coming days.
If she's unable to maintain concsiousness so to breathe on her own and cough, then they'll be forced to put in a permanenet breathing and feeding tube. This would last anywhere from a week to a month--there's no real timetable, but generally when they put one in it stays for a length of time.
Dr. Chase said the next two days are very important for Lynne, that she would continue to respond will to the treatment they are giving her. Monday is the big day where we'll know what direction we're going next. Thanks for all the prayers, and we'll keep you posted.
TCD's are down to very acceptable levels. It appears the vasospasms have stopped, but they want to give it one more day before making any aggressive changes. If tomorrow's readings are in the same area as today, they'll begin addressing other areas that they've been unable to take care of until the vasospasms were under control.
Then, we can treat the swelling of her body due to fluid intake by dumping the 3+ extra liters they've pumped into her. The first way would be by decreasing the amount they're putting into her and letting the body urinate at a natural rate. Tomorrow if things come back good, they'll give her medicine which will make her urinate abundantly so that large amounts of fluid will move out of her and her swelling will decrease.
Later today, they'll take her off diprovan; from that point respiratory is ready to reevaluate ventialtion and possibly pull the respirator off on Monday. This is all based on her state of consiousness and we'll find out more in the coming days.
If she's unable to maintain concsiousness so to breathe on her own and cough, then they'll be forced to put in a permanenet breathing and feeding tube. This would last anywhere from a week to a month--there's no real timetable, but generally when they put one in it stays for a length of time.
Dr. Chase said the next two days are very important for Lynne, that she would continue to respond will to the treatment they are giving her. Monday is the big day where we'll know what direction we're going next. Thanks for all the prayers, and we'll keep you posted.
Good morning Day 19
The initial TCD numbers are in for today. The left central cerebral artery had dropped from numbers in the 200 to todays number in the 80s. Wow. Chasity, our nurse for the past two days, was excited to report the numbers to us. She said that sometimes when those vasospasms come down...they just drop. Please, please, let that be the case! I do not want that number to rise again. Meanwhile, all numbers are where they need to be with the other one still dropping and hanging in the 100s, as it has been all week.
The plan has been to keep mom on CPAP for longer periods of time each day, eventually weaning her off the respitory assistance all together. They had made the decision to slowly take her off the diprovan anestesia (slower working) and switch to the fentinal (fast working). However, Mom seems to fight the tube in her mouth/throat when she's on the fentinal so she has been needing morphine to help with the irritation she feels towards it. So, today Chastity talked to the doctor who suggested precedex to see if that works in place of the combination of fentinal and morphine. This drug isn't as much a sedative as a "feel good" sort of drug.
We haven't talked to the doctor yet today, but we're optimistic with this news and anxious for Mom to start being awake more. We'll post more after speaking to the doctor later today.
The plan has been to keep mom on CPAP for longer periods of time each day, eventually weaning her off the respitory assistance all together. They had made the decision to slowly take her off the diprovan anestesia (slower working) and switch to the fentinal (fast working). However, Mom seems to fight the tube in her mouth/throat when she's on the fentinal so she has been needing morphine to help with the irritation she feels towards it. So, today Chastity talked to the doctor who suggested precedex to see if that works in place of the combination of fentinal and morphine. This drug isn't as much a sedative as a "feel good" sort of drug.
We haven't talked to the doctor yet today, but we're optimistic with this news and anxious for Mom to start being awake more. We'll post more after speaking to the doctor later today.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Holding What We've Got
Leigh called in this update for me. She may correct it or add to it later when she gets home.
So far today Lynne is doing the same as yesterday, if not a little bit better. Her TCD numbers are down a little bit, but she still is over 200 in one vessel. Not good yet, but better than yesterday.
Also, the new medicine they're using to keep her sedated is not quite as strong as the old stuff. Now, when you come in to talk to her she'll open her eyes and look around briefly before falling back asleep. She's still sedated so there isn't much more than that.
That really is about it. We're all pretty tired, but getting used to it I guess. Tomorrow we're getting brake work done in Winston as opposed to Statesville. It's just easier, and right now so much of a day gets spent there.
Thank you for all the continued prayers and support. Even in the midst of this becoming a somewhat normal part of life, it isn't much easier. Things like TV shows, songs and things you read can sneak up in a moment and bring back the hurt and the tears.
A quick window into how geeky I am: I'm reading Tolkein's The Fellowship of the Ring right now. There are several types of individuals who play major roles, and the Elves are perhaps the most revered, magical and mysterious ones in there. Here's what one character had to say about elves after meeting them and being asked if he liked them:
"They seem a bit above my likes and dislikes, so to speak," answered Sam slowly. "It don't seem to matter what I think about them. They are quite different from what I expected-so old and young, and so gay and sad, as it were."
This is the sort of thing that leaps of the page at me and threatens to push the tears through. Most of the people I admire most in life could be summed up by that short description. At the same time old and young, happy and sad. And above the opinion of others. I feel that times like these with Lynne reveal these qualities in us, as well as grow them. I don't think God is causing any of this to accomplish it. But I do think the Holy Spirit uses it.
I don't have anything else beyond that right now. I'm sure Leigh will post more later tonight.
So far today Lynne is doing the same as yesterday, if not a little bit better. Her TCD numbers are down a little bit, but she still is over 200 in one vessel. Not good yet, but better than yesterday.
Also, the new medicine they're using to keep her sedated is not quite as strong as the old stuff. Now, when you come in to talk to her she'll open her eyes and look around briefly before falling back asleep. She's still sedated so there isn't much more than that.
That really is about it. We're all pretty tired, but getting used to it I guess. Tomorrow we're getting brake work done in Winston as opposed to Statesville. It's just easier, and right now so much of a day gets spent there.
Thank you for all the continued prayers and support. Even in the midst of this becoming a somewhat normal part of life, it isn't much easier. Things like TV shows, songs and things you read can sneak up in a moment and bring back the hurt and the tears.
A quick window into how geeky I am: I'm reading Tolkein's The Fellowship of the Ring right now. There are several types of individuals who play major roles, and the Elves are perhaps the most revered, magical and mysterious ones in there. Here's what one character had to say about elves after meeting them and being asked if he liked them:
"They seem a bit above my likes and dislikes, so to speak," answered Sam slowly. "It don't seem to matter what I think about them. They are quite different from what I expected-so old and young, and so gay and sad, as it were."
This is the sort of thing that leaps of the page at me and threatens to push the tears through. Most of the people I admire most in life could be summed up by that short description. At the same time old and young, happy and sad. And above the opinion of others. I feel that times like these with Lynne reveal these qualities in us, as well as grow them. I don't think God is causing any of this to accomplish it. But I do think the Holy Spirit uses it.
I don't have anything else beyond that right now. I'm sure Leigh will post more later tonight.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Thank you for gift shop balloons!
So, I thought I would add a fun clip of Miles and his favorite new toy balloon...I know, I know, there are probably those of you that hate the idea of babies and balloons. But, really this is so much safer than the plastic bag he was playing with before...ok that was a joke. Many Many thanks to Aunt Carol and Aunt Jeanie for their love and support at the hospital. You two are awesome, and Miles just loves that balloon even two weeks after you gave it to him!
Day 17 mid day
Before beginning this post I want to explain a change in how I will be reporting TCD numbers. Initially when Chuck and I spoke with Dr. Anyanwu on April 3, we got to see the TCD numbers on a report. They were written with decimals as we reported 2.8 and 2.6. When doctors and nurses reference them they say 280 and 260. So, I will start reporting them as this. Numbers in the 200s are not great. Numbers lower than 100 are ideal.
The doppler report is in. Her TCD numbers are all below 100 except for 2 of her arteries. The left central cerebral artery we are concerned with is showing a TCD number of 214. Still higher than we would like however, it is coming down. We just want to maintain that pattern. Soon, we hope to be seeing TCD numbers even lower. Most numbers we are seeing are below 100 and one artery slightly over 100.
So, there you go. Good news on TCD Levels. We are fighting this.
The doppler report is in. Her TCD numbers are all below 100 except for 2 of her arteries. The left central cerebral artery we are concerned with is showing a TCD number of 214. Still higher than we would like however, it is coming down. We just want to maintain that pattern. Soon, we hope to be seeing TCD numbers even lower. Most numbers we are seeing are below 100 and one artery slightly over 100.
So, there you go. Good news on TCD Levels. We are fighting this.
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