Moving Day

A quick update...Debbie was moved to the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation late this afternoon. She had run a fever earlier in the day but was well enough to move on. Heidi made it in earlier this evening and her and Dick were at the hospital tonight. Amy and I were able to go and spend some time with the "young marrieds" of our congregation tonight. It's the closest we've had to a date in a while. We had a good time and it was good to catch up on happenings outside of our little world. We will have more to report tomorrow.

A New Step

It looks like they will move Mom to Balor Rehab tomorrow. Everything is good for now.

The road divides...

Last night after my blog post, Daddy and I discussed what the doctors have been talking with Mom about.

Mom is going to go somewhere soon (a few days). She will either go to rehab or she will go to a skilled nursing facility. We all pray that she listens to her doctors and does what they ask. We want her to get out of bed and begin to walk and take care of herself.

If she doesn't, she will end up at a skilled nursing facility.

Medically, she is doing well. Let's all pray for her to want to begin to walk and get better.

Pray for Daddy, too.

"The One Good Thing About Today"

Today is Wednesday.  Ethan, bless him, has the kids at home.  I was able to come to the hospital and spend some time with my Mom by herself.  

I have spoken before about not knowing exactly what to talk about with my mom lately.  Tonight I didn't have any trouble at all!  I walked into the room and while I was washing my hands at her sink I asked her, "Mom how was your day?"  To which mom replied, "Well it was good and it was bad."  

Mom proceeded to tell me many things about her day.  She talked about how the nursing staff was not quick enough. (I am checking into this. I am sure it is fine, though.  Mom cannot really tell how much time passes right now.) She talked about one nurse that calls her "Debra".  She said that that was not her name and if she was going to call her that not to expect an answer.  Mom talked about physical therapy and how everyone told her she was going to rot in the bed if she didn't get out.  She talked about last night and how her head hurt so bad it was intolerable!  She couldn't lay her head down at all.  She spoke of Daddy snoring.  She also said that if she held her head up on her own the whole room would spin.  The whole time she was complaining, happiness continued to build up inside of me until I began to laugh.  I am not good at hiding my feelings. 

I was watching my mom talk quickly with a voice just a little louder than a whisper get animated.  I was trying to remember the last time she told me about her day and thought that it must have been the Friday of January 16th as I was driving home from school.  I noticed how her eyes focused on me and other things in the room.  I watched her gestures as she told me about things she was agitated about.  I smiled as I imagined the staff interacting with my mom who was really grumpy and thought how it must have been difficult for them and for my mom.   Aunt Cheryl called while we were talking and Mom said, "....and Amy is just sitting here laughing at me."  

I think all of the complaining is a good sign.  Mom is getting better.  She feels so good that she is bothered by things.  I think it would be a great time to pray for Daddy.  

Mom had a CAT scan this evening.  It may have been a routine one.  Mom and Aleta (Mom's friend who visited with her today) thought it might have been to check lumps under Mom's arms.  Mom says that she has had these bumps for years.  The doctors seemed to wonder earlier today if they could be blood clots or complications of Factor 5.  I will ask Dad and post tomorrow more information.  

Mom spoke again about rehabilitation.  I am not sure when she will go.  I will check with Daddy on that, too. 

Mom should have a good night.  Omar is one of her favorite nurses.  He is here tonight.  

After Mom was finished complaining, she laid her head down and closed her eyes.  I wasn't finished with her yet.  When we began the discussion about her day Mom said, "Well it was good and it was bad."  I wanted to know what happened that was good.  

Mom said, "You came to visit."  Then she closed her eyes.  

I smiled.  

PT: Physical therapy or Pain and Torture?

I (Ethan) was able to make it up to Baylor this morning to visit Debbie. Luckily, the occupational therapist was there trying to convince Debbie to sit up in bed. She had been doing so for 15 minutes and Debbie had not budged. We both talked to her about how important it was for her to get up and get moving if she wishes to achieve her goals. She was being very good about redirecting the conversation toward other things, like her grandkids, the food, whatever, as we kept trying to encourage her to slide her legs to the edge of the table. It was during this exchange that I had a Grandma Smith flashback. Debbie's mom would some times do similar things to throw us off of what we were attempting to get her to do. (I'm secretly hoping that Debbie never reads this particular post)
Well, after some coaxing she did in fact sit up at the side of the bed and do a few stretches for her arms and back. She didn't want to stretch her neck at all since she can feel the shunt tubing where it runs from her neck to her back. She also gets dizzy and nauseous if she moves her head much. She has gotten very weak and deconditioned from lying in bed for 5+ weeks. After the OT left, I was telling her how important it was to move and what benefits she would receive from being more active and what risks she keeps by not moving. Debbie stopped me and told me she had already had this lecture today. Three times. :-) I couldn't help but laugh.
After all this she was able to eat a little lunch, though she was interrupted 3 more times in short order by nurses and dietitians. She ate her soup and a roll and seemed fairly tired after that. I had to leave to go to work and saw her physical therapist in the hall. I was disappointed since she was going to see Debbie soon and I couldn't stay any longer. I told her I would be back Thursday morning and hopefully we can talk more and I can observe/help the PT. I have a feeling she didn't have much luck this afternoon getting Debbie up.
All that said, Debbie looks well. She laughs, she gets aggravated, she's ready to get out of the hospital, and she's talking about Dick, her girls, and her grandkids constantly which I take all as signs she is recovering well from her surgeries. Now if we could just get her out of bed.....

Monday, Monday

A quick Ethan post...Debbie had a good day by all reports. Her fever has not returned, she was somewhat talkative, and if being somewhat combative is a sign of improvement then we can add that to the list as well. She also had her IV's removed today. Now this has more to do with them not working and the medical staff not being able to start a good IV line than with significant improvement. However she has had no difficulty taking oral medication so they feel fine giving her her meds orally for the most part. Also, her liver seems to be be better, not great, but better than the past few days. The liver damage appears to be from just the volume of medications it has had to process. Hopefully, the liver will repair over time, luckily its the one major internal organ that can regenerate. A therapist of some sort came by today, not sure if physical or occupational but assuming physical by the sound of it, to get Debbie up and out of bed for a few minutes. This didn't go very well, she was dizzy and felt nauseous  when sat up and refused to stand or move much at all. She invoked the "my son in law is a PT and he will take care of me" statement that I'm sure will make me a hit on 3rd floor Truett. I'm planning on stopping by in the morning to encourage Debbie and talk to the PT and/or OT if I can catch them. Amy said she will post more tomorrow when she gets a chance.

A Sunny Sunday

Today my dad wore green to church.  When he came over to the hospital and walked into the room it was like Spring had arrived.  The green reminded me of March and Spring and Daddy was in a great mood.  

It has been wonderful to see my mom and dad together so much.  Usually, when Daddy is at the hospital I am not.  We are trying to give each other time to be away while still giving Mom a family member at the hospital.  Today, I did get to stay with them both a little.  

When Daddy walked in, Mom had me working to keep her beautiful.  Before the hospital Mom would go to the beauty shop often.  This was something she never did when I was growing up.  It was a treat that she began when her mother was living with them.  Grandma Smith would have her hair done each week.  She would also get her nails done.  Sometimes, Mom would get her nails done too.  What was then a treat has now become a habit for Mom.  I will tell you, I am not good at being a spa person, though.  I didn't even have the correct music to play - only an Alan Jackson CD that we had already listened to for "church."  I will do better next time.  

Back to Daddy - he walked in and came directly over to Mom.  He greeted her with one of his "Hi, Good-lookin!" comments and gave her a kiss.  Just with them talking small talk Mom's face lit up and color returned to her.  She had blush on her cheeks and she looked radiant!  I am so very glad my mom and my dad love each other! 

Mom had a good day.  She saw many doctors.  We didn't see the liver doctor, though.  They even ran tests on Mom, but through it all today she was positive.  She only had one little frustration that she told a doctor all about - and that was that she wasn't sure she was getting to know her grandson Luke.  She worried that he was changing so much and she was missing it.  She commented that Avery knew who she was, but Luke didn't.  

About three hours later, I brought her Luke.  Avery and Ethan went to an outside 4 year old birthday party.  Luke couldn't attend because it was a bit cold to keep him outside for awhile.  SO - we just happened to find our way back to the hospital.  

Mom enjoyed seeing him, but was frustrated that she couldn't hold him very well.  Her arms would get tired quickly.  We tried putting pillows up under him and turning him around to rest on her legs, but nothing worked.  She did marvel at his size - (14.5 lbs three weeks ago) and she enjoyed the talking and singing he did for her.  

Tonight, Mom is with Daddy.  She asked to wash her face and brush her teeth with things from home instead of hospital things.  When she did, she felt even better.  Her fever never returned today.  We are hoping this is a good sign.  

For this week Mom will work on getting up and moving.  She sat in a chair today for 30 minutes.  She will do that and also do things like walk.  It will not be an easy week for her, but we are hoping that she will find the strength to do it.  

Awoken by Dr. Spock

At the hospital we are awoken by many people at all hours of the night. Nurses mostly, then around 3 am people will come to get Mom's blood to run tests on it before the doctors arrive around 7am.

This morning at 7:15 I was sleeping so soundly (Mom, too) when Dr. Spock came into the room. I didn't hear him - which was strange, so when I first saw him, he was leaning over me saying "Good morning!" in a booming voice. This might startle some - even me, but Dr. Spock reminds me of my Uncle Chuck who lives in Kensington, MD. Dr. Spock is shorter than Daddy with broad shoulders and a loud, deep voice. He phrases things while explaining just like Uncle Chuck would. He also has some of the same facial expressions. Mom thinks so, too.

Dr. Spock is the doctor that is looking for the cause of the fever and also the cause of her liver issues. He talked about how it wasn't the Dilanton that hurt her liver. It must be something else. He said, "Now we are all scratching our heads and trying to figure out exactly what is damaging your mom's liver." Dr. Spock does exactly what Uncle Chuck would do if he didn't know something. He finds out more information. For this doctor, that means more tests.

Today Mom can look forward to more tests, mostly blood tests. Mom is dreading more blood tests. A lady was in here last night for 45 minutes taking a lot of blood. She not only had a few vials to fill up, she had 2 jars!

If the blood tests don't find what the cause is, we will have to do a liver biopsy. Dr. Spock is going to give it about another 24 hours. If he still doesn't know what is wrong - the liver biopsy will happen.

Mom is good this morning, though. After not smiling too much, she is laughing today. She is even checking out doctors for Heidi. Just in case Heidi wants to go on a date while she is here....

I went to the car and brought up an Alan Jackson CD for her. It is the "Precious Memories" CD. It has on it all of the old church songs we sung growing up. Mom and I are both currently missing singing like the kind you find at ACU chapel. The kind where it seems you are closer to heaven just a bit because every inch of the air is filled with music, emotion, and Christians - and of course bats - well at least at ACU. Now, Alan Jackson is a bit different because he uses instruments to sing. We don't. But, they are nice songs.

Enjoy church this morning and pray for Mom. Pray that Dr. Spock and his people find the cause of her fever and what is damaging her liver. Pray that Daddy is rested and can get work done while being with Mom. Help him feel like he is not spread too thin.

February 21 - Exactly one month

Tonight I am sitting in the hospital doing my best to type and to be quiet at the same time. Mom comments sometimes that I make too much noise as her "roommate" on the weekends. I do enjoy the quiet times at night in the hospital with my mom. Sometimes she doesn't have a lot to say.

During the day, quiet times when she is not sleeping bother me a little. I never know what to say and after a month of small talk, I have completely run out of things. It is difficult to talk about things like the weather to someone who hasn't been outside for a month. My children make it a little easier. I have stories of something they have done or said and Mom seems to like to hear about them most of the time.

My mom and I never had a problem thinking of conversations before this all happened. I would call her nearly everyday at 4:00 at least. When I would jump in my car to travel from school to pick up the kids at daycare I would have 10-15 minutes of Mom. Most of the time I would even call her back after I got the kids securely in their seat belts.

Let's review what happened this week:
Last Saturday - Mom had HUGE blood clots in her legs. The doctors did surgery and put a "filter" inside of her largest vein at the point where the two leg veins come together. I think it is called the "IVC".

Sunday, Feb. 15 - Mom rested from surgery and got a fever. She didn't take most of her medications on Sunday afternoon. We thought this might help to cause a fever. At one point I was worried they would reschedule her surgery on Monday because of fever. They didn't. Thanks to all who visited Sunday. Daddy and I had weird schedules and missed each other. Mom was without one of us for a couple of hours. We didn't like it one bit, but thanks to visitors - Mom was not alone.

Monday Feb. 16 - Mom had surgery to put in a shunt permanently. This will help the fluid in her skull drain into her stomach if it is too much. It is controled by a remote. Although we are very disappointed that she has to have this - the technology seems cool to me.

Tuesday through today - Mom has been continuously running fever. Her fever gets to about 104. Daddy says it goes up and down. The doctors search for a cause doing things like a spinal tap to check for meningitis, sonograms for heart and abdominal areas, and take LOTS of blood - as far as we know nothing seems out of the ordinary.

UNTIL - this morning we have word that they think her liver is damaged from a medication she took to prevent seizures. Dilanton. They stopped the Dilanton about 3 days ago. This medication can cause fevers in patients, too. We should see improvement with fever in about 3 days. They are predicting that the liver will regenerate. Until we find out if this is the cause of her fever for sure, the doctors continue to run an assortment of different tests on all parts of her body.

Mom doesn't eat much. She will drink. She doesn't want to get up out of bed. Even if she did, she can only go as far as the chair to sit up. Her blood clots continue to hurt her. She is taking blood thinner, but they are so large it will take awhile for them to go away. This week has really seemed to set us back. It looks like we will be in Baylor for a little bit longer while Mom heals.

Although all of this sounds horrible - and it does seem that way to us, too - there are blessings coming from all of this. Mom and Dad are reconnecting with old friends. We all are learning not to take anything for granted. Our priorities have been adjusted. I think my dad, sister and I are a little bit closer and we count our blessings often. I am sure there are more things, too.

God will not give us anything we cannot handle - and he is with us every step of the way on this long seemingly impossible journey with my mom.

Thank you for your prayers and everything kind you have done for us. You continue to help us to keep on going.

No menengitis!

Mom's spinal tap is okay.  She doesn't have menengitis!  This is good news. 

Now - Please continue to pray for the doctors as they try to find the cause of her fever.

Spinal tap

Mom will have a spinal tap this morning to check for infection in her brain. 

Please pray that they can find the infection and they can help to heal Mom.

More later today.

Rest for the weary...

Hello all, Ethan update tonight. There isn't much to report today. Debbie pretty much just had a day, not a great day, not an awful day, just a day. She was pretty tired and slept from 1 to 4 this afternoon. She wasn't as energetic or talkative today, but hopefully some rest will do her some good. Please pray that she gets the rest that she needs to heal her body and mind. Also, continue to pray for rest for Dick and Amy. They are spread thin and tired and need rest as well. We are so appreciative of all that has been done for our family. The visits, food, cards, calls, and most importantly prayers are a testimony to your love for us and for how important Debbie is to us all.

Mom whispers.

I hurried to the hospital as fast as I could today after work. OF COURSE, I had to stop at a technology meeting first that ran from 4:00 to 5:47 and then I had to make two stops. One stop was to get 2 large boxes from Fed Ex to do clay animation and then one stop at Schlotzsky's to get Daddy and I dinner. THEN - I was quickly traveling to the hospital when I ran into an accident. I waited and waited and waited and finally was escorted off the interstate and onto another one by a police officer. (I was not the only one escorted. I was with about 100 or more cars....) So, my "quickly getting to the hospital" took me about 3 hours. At least I am here and safe.

Mom looks a little sad today. It was the first time I had seen her since Sunday - before the shunt surgery. I was kind of taken aback when I walked into the door because the right side of her head was covered in stitches. She has the original ones from the surgery several weeks ago and then another U shaped line about 3 inches from her ear going towards the back of her head. I have not counted her stitches. I don't think I want to.

After being with Mom for a bit, I didn't notice the stitches at all. I have decided she might need a haircut, though when she feels up to it. We even talked about hats. I spotted some the doctors were wearing - kind of like scrub hats. They were colorful hats. I think the website for them is www.skyscrubs.com. I am going to check that out with Mom as soon as I finish blogging. Mom said she wanted a really colorful hat. I am not sure I can see her wearing a really colorful hat. Usually my mom just likes blue (her favorite color) or red (her dad's favorite color).

Mom worked with the physical therapist today. She sat in a chair and did more arm and leg exercises.

Mom has fever of 102.7. The nurse just gave her more antibiotics through the IV and also some other medicine to reduce fever.

Mom is on the third floor of Truett. Mom whispered "Hi" to all of you.

Goodnight!

Information

You might have noticed that sometimes I don't have a lot of information to share with you.  I try to go to the hospital as much as possible.  Last weekend, I was able to live there...  During the week I am only able to go on Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Ethan and I have decided it is best not to take the kids.  It is hard for me to visit and they might catch a cold or something.  

We are lucky to have friends who are able to look after Mom during the days while we cannot be there because of work.  Daddy stays week nights and I stay Friday and Saturday nights.  Yesterday, I called Sandra (Mom's cousin) and asked how the day went.  She and her mother, Emogene, stayed with Mom yesterday.  I got an e-mail from Emogene today.  This is how yesterday went in her words:

"I am sure you know that Debbie is back in room 325 Truett.  I think she is a little glad to be in a familiar room.  She did really well yesterday.  She didn't complain about the shots except for the morphine.  I think she wanted to visit instead of sleep.  I tried to tell her that her body needed rest but she didn't pay much attention.  

She did her exercises for her arms really well.  She raised them and lowered them really well.  She also did everything they asked her to.  Karen told me this morning that her arms were hurting her.  She raised both arms about 10 times.  She also pulled her knees up about 20 times each.  We were impressed.  Her coordination is so good."

I am envious of the time everyone gets to spend with Mom and see her progress.  I am thankful that we have friends who can help us in this way, though.  Mom is making progress.  She continues to amaze me.  What is this - the 26th day or so and she has come so far!

I get to go and see her tonight!  I cannot wait.  (But, I will have to.  I have a meeting to attend - and THEN I will get to go.)  THANKS to my wonderful husband who is watching the kids for me tonight!  I love him so much!  

Loctation

Mom is on the 3rd floor of Truett in ICU.  I am not sure if there is a room number - just ask someone at the desk when you get off the elevators.

I will update more after I talk with Daddy today.

Mom is out of Surgery

Mom is out of surgery.

The surgery went well. The fluid that had built up in Mom's head over the past week or so was very great. So great - that it could have killed her, but fortunately, the fluid found more places to go (like between skin and skull) and didn't build up more than Mom could tollerate.

Mom will be moved to an ICU room. We are not sure which one yet. She might be on the 4th floor of Roberts like before - or she might move to the ICU on the 3rd floor of Truett. I will let you know later this afternoon. If you visit, check both places.

Summary - Mom really needed the surgery today. She got it and for now everything seems fine. Keep praying. Daddy seems to be having an okay day. (It might be a better one if Mom didn't have to have brain surgery today.)

I will try to post more this evening. Sorry about the short post. I am on a lunch break.

Surgery - Monday

Mom is in surgery now. They took her about 10:30 am. I will let you know when I hear something from Daddy.

He said it could be about 2 hours before they tell him anything.

This surgery is to put a permanent shunt inside her head running down to her stomach.

Daddy is at the hospital today. Mom took all of her medicine last night and this morning!

Eat Your Peas

....and take your shots!

"Eat Your Peas" was a quote book that Aunt Cheryl (Mom's roommate from ACU) got her as a gift. It has several encouraging quotes to get through the day.

"And take your shots" was added by me. We have been saying it all of the time lately.

Mom still needs prayers. She is still refusing to take IVs and medicine. Daddy and I spoke to her about the importance of all of the shots. We encouraged her to let the doctors do what they are supposed to do.

The surgery went well yesterday. It was a surgery to help block blood clots from getting from her legs to her heart and lungs. It was not a long surgery and so far she has not shown any complications from it. She is still on bed rest though, because the clots in her legs are so large.

Tomorrow Mom will have surgery to put a permanent shunt in her head that will run down from her head into her stomach. The surgery will happen around 10ish in the morning. Aunt Cheryl will stay with her tonight. After three nights of rest at home - Daddy will stay with her again tomorrow night.

Please pray for Daddy to have happy days (still not one today) and for Mom to do what the doctors say.

Thanks for the visits today!

Heidi to the Rescue

Sisters are great - aren't they?? Tonight I was reminded that mine is wonderful!

A bit of background -

Last night around 10:00, a man came into mom's room to draw blood to check her antibiotics levels. She is on a high dose of antibiotics and she has to have the levels checked so she doesn't turn "toxic." The man was not the calmest person I have ever met. He was tall and dark headed and didn't speak English in the same dialect that we do - so he was difficult to understand. I had been out of the room to walk Daddy to his car and then I came back up to the room with things from home for Mom.

The man said he had been in there a long time (impossible - because we were not gone long), and he was getting very impatient. He would begin to get Mom's hand ready to draw blood and just before he would stick her with this huge needle she would jerk her hand away and whisper "NO!" as loudly as she could. The policy - and maybe law- is if the patient refuses to give blood - they cannot take it. So after about 45 minutes, two nurses, bribery, and threats, the man retreated and rushed off to find all of the patients that he was in a hurry to get to.

The man was really scary, though. He paced the room, talked extremely quickly and almost yelled that he needed this test done right now because doctors and other patients were waiting on him. The nurses and I were watching him and trying to be calm for Mom. Nothing worked. Then, we got Mom quieted down and the man came back a second time to try again. He had me convinced that they could only run the test last night and if she didn't get it she could be very, very, very sick. Well, I was on pins and needles anyway with the clots in Mom's leg and Mom being on bed rest. I didn't need the extra worry. She didn't take the test and the man left. The only thing it taught Mom was that - she could refuse and there was nothing that we could do.

You might think Mom is refusing because the needle was big or because she was afraid it would hurt. When I asked her it was because she didn't want to be stuck again. She wanted to be left alone. "All they do is wake me up, turn on the lights, and STICK me!" (This is what she continues to tell us.)

In the morning (5:00 am) another man came to draw the blood for the same test and Mom didn't give him any problems. She was hardly awake until after he took the blood. Lucky for him. I heard about how he woke her up and didn't even say anything - all morning. He did say something, I just don't think she was awake to hear it. At least the test was done.

Fast forward through surgery to prevent the blood clots in her legs from breaking off and getting to her to tonight.

Daddy was here all day with his older brother (Uncle Bobby - from Kansas) and Dad's nephew Spencer. I went home in the afternoon after surgery to get a shower, see my family, and take a nap to get ready for tonight.

Daddy left around 8:30, I think from the hospital. He was going to wait until I got there. He encouraged me to not get to the hospital before 9:00. I got here about 30 minutes late - so we missed each other by about an hour. I am not sure why he left early. He did tell me when he called to tell me they left - that Mom refused to take her blood thinning shot. (This is a shot I had to give myself twice a day during my pregnancy with Luke. I was frustrated. Yes, it burns - but if I can do it - she can.) I promised to call him when I arrived at the hospital and was safe inside Mom's room.

I get here and the nurse meets me in the hall. Not only does she not want to take her blood thinning medicine - she is refusing to take her insulin. It is not a horrible sugar level - yet - but it is not good that she is not doing what she needs to do.

Well, at this point I feel pretty helpless and it gets worse. I called Daddy to tell him I was at the hospital and Mom wouldn't take her insulin either and ask if he had any ideas. That is when Daddy told me he was under I-20 and Hwy 67 and Uncle Bobby had a flat tire and they were trying to change it without a wrench. Needless to say - Dad told me to tell Mom to take her medicine and not to refuse it. He was frustrated, too.

I called Ethan and about 5 minutes into the conversation Daddy calls back and says, "Hand the phone to your mother." I do and he tells her just a minute of something and the phone goes dead. His phone. Daddy told me earlier that Uncle Bobby doesn't have a cell. So I am imagining my dad, Uncle Bobby, and Spencer on the side of the road at night trying to change a tire with no phone. I called Ethan.

Ethan tells me not to go looking for Dad. They are three men all over 6 feet tall. They can do this by themselves. I really think they are in two cars anyway. If they need something, they can go in Dad's car to get it and then come back. Ethan told me to stay at the hospital because I really cannot do anything. He couldn't do anything either. Avery and Luke are asleep and Avery has been sick all day.

So, after talking to a friend - I decided to call Heidi. Who else to help make Mom take her medicine. Heidi talked to me for a bit, asked me to talk with the nurse again, and then talked with mom. Between the two of us (it was mostly Heidi) - Mom took both of her shots.

Then I told Heidi to call Dad and text me when he got home. Daddy is not home quite yet. She did talk to him. He must have just had a bad connection earlier and now is fine. He got Uncle Bobby's car fixed and is now on his way home.

As you can see - I have no idea what to do or how to help my parents. Many of you ask what you can do to help us - and I have no idea. I don't even know exactly what I am supposed to do. Thank you for all of your support. The prayers, calls, cards, and all of the help has been amazing. I have also noticed that sometimes - even when I didn't know I needed something - I turn around and just what I need is there - like a snack in Mom's room, dinner for Ethan and the kids on a night I was up at the hospital, money for parking...

You guys have been amazing and we wouldn't have the strength to do what we are doing without you. Thank you so much for your help. Please pray that Mom decides to be more cooperative and that Daddy has better luck with everything he does.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day

Ethan bringing you another update. I'm guessing I'll pick up more of the updates since Amy has gone back to work. Yesterday, we were made aware of the need of a permanent shunt to be implanted as well as the development of several blood clots in both her legs. The left leg in particular has several large clots from the hip down past the knee. Several doctors were consulted about the clots and it was decided that Debbie will have a procedure around noon. A vascular surgeon will implant what amounts to a net or cage of sorts to catch the clots in her legs. He will enter through her jugular vein and snake his way down to the legs then place the device. Generally,  the surgeon would enter in through the femoral vein (inner thigh/groin area) but since she has clots in the area he will try and disturb the legs as little as possible. This is a short procedure, about 20 minutes, and is pretty common but as we say in health care "Minor surgery is when it's on someone else, major surgery is when it's on me". Debbie is scared and is dreading this and all procedures right now, all the way down to having meds administered. I'm sure she is tired of being a human pin cushion. Please pray for her and the rest of the family. On a side note, be praying for Avery as well as she has a stomach ailment of some sort today. I'll try to update again this afternoon or early evening after the procedure.

Bumps in the road to recovery

A quick Ethan update at the end of the day. It's been a long week for all of us. Debbie has made tremendous progress and we have been very encouraged but today has been a more difficult day. First, Debbie will have a permanent shunt implanted on Monday. She continues to have an accumulation of fluid between her scalp and skull and the doctor feels its best to install an internal shunt to route excess fluid from the brain. This should be done Monday and will be about a 45 minute procedure. Debbie and Dick are discouraged by this but if it controls the pressure, then in the long run this should speed her recovery along and keep her ICP in a safe range.

The second concern is the discovery of several blood clots in both of Debbie's legs, more in the left than right. The doctors are keeping a close eye on this considering the genetic susceptibility that she has to developing clots. Amy is staying with her mother tonight and is very nervous about the clots. I told her this is exactly where she needs to be to monitor this and if any complication arises, they will be able to detect and treat it immediately.

Please pray for peace and rest for our family. Obviously this has taken a greater toll on Debbie than us, but the entire family is stressed, tired, and yearning for some normalcy.  We appreciate all that has been done for us and ask that you continue to pray for Debbie's speedy recovery.

These Hospital Booties Were Made For Walkin'...

An Ethan update to hold everyone over until Amy or Dick post later. I'm going a little off the reservation here, Amy is the natural blogger as everyone can see but I was excited so I couldn't wait any longer to post some news. I got to stop by Debbie's "non-ICU" room this morning, which I must say is very nice. I'm sure Baylor is charging more than appropriately for it. Dick was still there and continues to stay overnight. I hadn't been there long when it was bath time for Debbie. Dick and I went downstairs for coffee and were able to talk and reflect somewhat on the past 3 weeks. She has come so far and looks tremendously better from one day to the next. It's hard to believe what was done to her just 2 short weeks ago.

When we returned to the room, she was enjoying a visit with a friend. After a few minutes another knock at the door and it was Debbie's physical therapist coming to take her for a walk. I had secretly hoped to catch this occurance and was excited to see how she tolerated transferring out of the bed to standing and how her legs held up to a stroll. She had walked a few feet yesterday, to the door of the room and back to a chair next to her bed, so this would be her 2nd walk. Well, Debbie was extremely dizzy upon sitting up at the side of the bed and had to stay there for a few minutes to let this subside. While she was waiting for the room to stop spinning another knock at the door produced her brother, Kim. It was neat to see her face light up at the sight of her brother. So now we have a full audience for Debbie's performance where as yesterday none of us got to witness her walk.

Debbie was able to stand with what we would call "contact guard assistance", basically she did all the work and the PT just was there to make sure she was steady. I've been concerned about the strength on her left side, in particular at her left leg, but I'm happy to say she stood straight and steady and proceeded to walk, slowly and with a walker, out of her room and down the hall about 15 feet before turning and walking back. I'd say she walked about 50 or 60 ft. Her legs were steady though she complained of pain at her left calf and both feet but considering she's been off her legs for 3 weeks, that's understandable. Once her therapist discovered I was a PT as well, we got to talk shop for a bit and I got the green light to get Debbie moving. "The more the better" is what she said, which in our profession is like blood in the water for sharks. So I hope to show Amy and Dick some things we can all do for her and to get her to do for herself to strengthen her and build up her stamina. She should be able to move to the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation soon once they have a spot for her, then it may be as soon as a week before she can come home the doc says. Anyway, God is good and today is a beautiful day in north Texas. Amy will probably post later tonight.

A Note From Dick

Hello everyone, this is Dick.  Debbie and I so appreciate your thoughts, concerns, calls and especially your prayers.  They have all been answered!!

Debbie is doing very well tonight.  She is beginning to work with speech and physical therapists. Dr. Biddewala said that when she can manage three hours of therapy a day she will be moved to a rehabilitation facility.  In all likelihood this move will occur late this week or early next week.  Dr. Biddewala anticipates she will stay in the rehabilitation facility about a week and then be released for home.

Debbie really enjoys her private room.  It is large, sunny and has a flat screen television.  The Baylor hospital staff is simply terrific.

Debbie's condition has greatly improved.  She does have a little bladder infection.  Also, some fluid remains between her scalp and her skull.  The doctor is treating the bladder infection. Debbie's head is wrapped to discourage the collection of excess fluid.  Please pray for improvement in these two areas. 

That is the news for tonight.  Thank you so much for concern and support!!!

the telephone call

I called Daddy as soon as I was done with school today.  I had tried many times today, but always the phone would go to voicemail.  He answered after about 4 rings this time.  

I asked about Mom.  He said that Mom was good.  He was on his way to go and see her after a few more stops.  We are expecting bad weather, so he will stay at the hospital tonight.  

He also told me about a phone call from earlier today.

Daddy was on his way to a Rotary meeting when his phone rang.  He answered it and the person on the other end of the phone whispers horsely, "Hello."  (It is Mom.)

Daddy says, "Well hello there dumplin'!"  

The conversation continues and Daddy eventually asks, "Is there anyone there with you?" (Remember - Mom moved to a private room last night that evidently has a telephone in it for her to use. )

Mom's whispered reply was, "No.  But I can hear voices outside the door."  

Dad then told her to expect whoever was out there to eventually come into her room.  

This is a retelling of the conversation that Daddy had today.   I am sure there were other things he edited out of his conversation retelling like how he told her how cute she was and that he loved her and missed her and wanted to get well.... I am sure he skipped these things because he didn't want to recount them to me.  But you all can fill in the holes.  I know he was very happy to talk to Mom again!  

What I am excited about - MOM CAN USE THE PHONE AGAIN!  Another blessing - she remembered Daddy's phone number!  Another blessing - he answered!

If you go and visit Mom, you can find her on the third floor of the Truett tower room 325.  

325

Mom is now in room 325 of Truett. I have heard it described (before anyone went to see it) as a type of ICU for neurology. Mom has her own room with a chair! The chair folds out into a "bed" and Daddy thinks he is going to stay in the room with her each night.

I didn't get too many details from Daddy. He was very busy visiting the hospital, driving down South to meet with a client and then back up to the hospital late tonight. I am sure I will have more details tomorrow into Wednesday.

If they moved Mom into a "room" then she must be doing well - right??

Ellen - if you want to add more in the comment section, please do. Every time I thought about calling I either couldn't because of work responsibilities or I didn't have your phone number on me.

School was wonderful today! I got back into the swing of things very easily. The children greeted me with hugs and smiles. It would have been a difficult day if I didn't like my job, but I really do. Sometimes I feel almost guilty for getting paid to do something that I enjoy so much!

Visitors

Heidi and Daddy spent the day with Mom today.  

I came up in the afternoon.  Ethan and I had spent another morning with the kids. We should have gone to church, but I couldn't get out of bed.  I have been going and going and my body just stopped.   I was so tired and couldn't seem to get enough sleep.  I had to get up every 3 hours to feed Luke - but other than that, I slept until 1 pm.  School begins for me tomorrow, so I need all of the sleep I can get so I can keep up with the 7 year olds! 

Ethan has been wonderful though all of this.  He takes care of the kids and the house while I try to take care of my mom.  Today, he wondered if my mom thought he wasn't visiting enough.  Funny thing, while we were discussing his visits to my mom (the last one being Thursday morning), Mom was at the hospital telling Daddy and Heidi that Uncle Kim (Mom's only brother) and Ethan had stayed with her all night.  Heidi and Dad didn't correct Mom.  Uncle Kim and Ethan are getting credit for visits they didn't even make!  We will talk with the doctor about this tomorrow.  

Other than unexpected nighttime visitors, Daddy and Heidi said Mom did great!  They said they had a wonderful time!  Mom was more tired today because of the busy day yesterday.  Heidi and Dad would often give her breaks to allow her to sleep.  

Good news - Mom got her shunt out of her head.  She is almost tube free!  This is one of the things she had to get out before moving out of ICU.  We anticipate that Mom will be moved to a regular room sometime between now and Wednesday.  

Heidi went back to Nashville.  She is expected back at the end of February.

Daddy will be at the hospital at 8:30 pm most evenings.  He will begin to stay with her overnight when she is in a regular room.  I will go see Mom on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon/evenings.  Thank you to all of the people staying with Mom during the day!  We are glad she has friends like you to check in on her throughout the day!  

Laughter is the best medicine.

For those of you waiting for a post today - sorry.  I am just now settled at home.  I spent the morning and most of the afternoon with Ethan, Avery and Luke.  Avery and I spent "girl time" at McDonald's for breakfast and then after picking up Ethan and Luke went to Chucky Cheese.  

Please don't think that all I take my kid to is fast food.  This was a day we planned to spend mostly focusing on Avery and paying attention to her.  We turned off cell phones, computers, and didn't do house work so that she would feel really loved.  We have been distracted the last few weeks.  

We thought about the zoo (our favorite place), but it was too windy to be outside with Luke today.  Then we thought of some other places like the Dallas World Aquarium, but that was too expensive for today.  So - we let Avery pick.  She saw a commercial for Chucky Cheese and wanted to go there.  Ethan found a coupon on the Internet.  He couldn't get our printer to work, but when we were at the restaurant he pulled the coupon up on his I-phone and they gave us the discount!  We paid 20 dollars for a pizza, 3 drinks, and 40 tokens.  Despite the loud atmosphere, pizza that tasted like cardboard, and the long wait to get in - all was good.  We visited while Luke slept the entire time!  

On to Mom.  I got to the hospital about 5:00.  I walked into the room and saw Mom smiling (many times) and even laughing at jokes!  This was a very good change from what I had seen during the week.  

At dinner I was filled in on the change.  Aunt Cheryl and Uncle John (roommates of my parents from ACU) got to the hospital at 9:00 am.  Mom smiled when Uncle John came into the room, but when she saw Aunt Cheryl, there wasn't much of a response at all.  (Remember - there is a reason to the "aunt" part of Aunt Cheryl.  Mom was such good friends with Aunt Cheryl from college on that mom called her a sister.  Mom thought of her as a sister that she never had.  So, we call her aunt.)  No response for this friend seemed really strange.  

The morning was filled with visits from Heidi and Daddy.  Others, too I think.  Then around lunch time Uncle John stepped out of the room to make room for The Singletons.  (Daddy roomed with Mike Singleton in college, too.)  When Aunt Cheryl, the Singletons, Daddy and Heidi were all standing around the bed (we were breaking serious rules here in ICU - we were only to have 2 visitors at a time), Mom began to smile.  I was told that her eyes sparkled, her face lit up and her whole body shook with laughter.  Mom also began to roll her eyes at teases from Uncle John and Daddy.   When I walked in her room at 5:00 Mom seemed to radiate joy.  

Karen House (my cousin) brought Mom a DVD player to add to the TV my daddy got her.  Karen even left an assortment of DVDs.  I found it funny that the very first DVD in the pack was NEMO, a Disney film.  My daughter watches NEMO at Mom's house all of the time.  Sometimes many times during the same day.  We don't have the movie, so Avery requests it when she is with Mom.  Before we all left for dinner (during shift change), we wanted to put a movie on.  We opened up the case and this movie was first.  I asked her if she wanted to watch it.  I got more giggles and a nod of her head that said no.  We finally settled on one and I found the correct channel and shoved it into the DVD player and pushed play.  Then Heidi and I were kicked out of the ICU room to make way for the nurses.  

As we were leaving I told Heidi that I hoped that was a DVD with "fast play" on it.  "Fast play" is on children's DVDs so that parents only have to push play once.  There isn't a menu screen unless you push the "menu" button.  The movie begins with the previews and then starts the feature presentation without stopping. Heidi didn't even know what this was.  We decided that the nurses would probably push play if she needed them to.  

At 6:00 pm we all left for dinner.  When we came back to Mom's room we heard music playing from the speakers of the TV.  I immediately thought - that was great timing - she must be watching the credits!  Then, I looked at the TV and noticed that the "menu" screen was on.  The nurses had not pushed play and Mom had sat there for 2 1/2 hours and just stared at the menu screen because she couldn't reach the TV.  At this point I asked Mom is she wanted me to push play.  She just motioned to turn it off.  The funny thing is that since she was in such great spirits from all of the laughter and visits she didn't seem bothered by the TV at all.  

Mom, Uncle John, Heidi, Aunt Cheryl and I all stood around Mom's bed.  We talked about plans for visits the following day.  We laughed (a lot) and Mom even shed a couple of tears (about Aunt Cheryl going home tomorrow.)  I enjoyed listening to Mom speak.  She chooses her words very carefully because her throat hurts.  She doesn't talk much so when did, everyone got very quiet and leaned in to listen.  Often she had to repeat herself anyway.  Most of the things she said I cannot remember.  I marveled at the progress she had made during the day with the help of her friends and laughter.  I felt like I wanted the moment to last a lot longer than it did.  One of the words I do remember is what she said to Uncle John as he kissed her goodnight.  Mom said, "Pray."  

"Pray."  This is a word we have used many times in the last weeks.  It is what Mom has needed the most.  When people called and asked what they could do for us - this was the only word that I could think of especially the day this journey began 18 days ago.  

As we all huddled around her bed holding hands, I peeked at Mom.  She was quietly looking at each of us.  I wonder what she was thinking.  I noticed that when Uncle John prayed for her quick return to playing with grand kids - she looked at me and nodded her head in agreement.  I felt more at peace in those few moments standing with my mom and family praying than I had since this began.  

Please continue to pray for my family.  Mom still has a long, long road ahead of her.  Daddy does too.  Thank you for all of the people who wanted to stay with my mom next week.  I have next week covered with several of her good friends.  If you would like to visit - you are more than welcome.  As I have seen today, friends and laughter seem to be the best medicine my mom can get.  Mom is still, for now, on the fourth floor of the Roberts building in Baylor Dallas.   

Heidi's home!

Thanks to Karen who graciously flew Heidi from Nashville to Texas for the weekend!!  

Heidi landed in Dallas at 5 pm.  She and Daddy went to eat with Karen because the ICU was shut down between 6:00 and 8:30.  They ate at Chewey's.  At 8:30 they all went back to the hospital to visit with Mom. 

Heidi said, "Mom looks 100% more like herself!  She looks GREAT!"

Daddy said, "What a fox!  She was doing well.  Her spirits were good.  She is doing fine.  She is doing much, much better than yesterday.  She was beginning to speak in whispers."  

I am not sure these words would be the exact ones that I would use to describe Mom.  But, she does look a lot better than she did just after surgery.  

Mom told Heidi she loved her.  Mom is whispering and seems to still have a sore throat.  

We will all go to the hospital and visit tomorrow.  Thanks for reading!

Choices!

I went to the hospital and was surprised to find Mom sleeping very well despite the noisy room with bustling nurses and under no sedation. I let her sleep.

She looks so much better without tubes in her nose and mouth. She still has an IV in her neck. She also still has the shunt from her skull. We will have to get the shunt out before moving out of ICU. I have not heard when that will be. Daddy thinks she might get it out sometime early next week.

Mom has a TV, thanks to Dad's request of one. At home she would have the TV on all of the time. I think the noise makes her feel good. She smiled today when she opened a gift from her best friend and college roommate - Aunt Cheryl. She is not supposed to keep anything with her in ICU, but I did hide a book under her sheets. She likes James Patterson so I brought her one of those.

Mom is able to eat whatever she wants. She quickly sent me down to the cafeteria in the hospital to get her homemade vanilla Blue Bell ice cream and a large iced tea.

Mom doesn't talk much. I asked the nurse how long it would take for her throat to heal after the breating tube. The nurse said it could be 5 - 10 days from the time they take it out. We are just on day 3. Mom did say, "I love you, too." It was a response when I told her I loved her. This was the first time she said those words in weeks! It really doesn't take much to make me happy right now.

Heidi is coming in tonight. (5 pm). I think she feels better after a week back home in Nashville. Daddy will pick her up and then head to the hospital. Heidi will also be at the hospital early in the morning to spend as much time as possible with Mom. Ethan and I are going to do something fun with Avery before I go back to school on Monday. I expect to be at the hospital in the late afternoon or early evening. I am not sure when Dad will get there.

As much as I have tried to publish the blog twice each day, this may not be possible every day. I promise that either Ethan or I will write at least once each day to let you know how Mom is, though. I am going back to work starting Monday, so the update may be written before I go to bed.

Thanks for all of the comments, calls, cards and prayers. The prayers seem to be working!

To blog or not to blog...

I have been tired today.  I feel sometimes like I am running from one thing to another.  I know you all feel the same way.  Ethan and I were just reading some of your earlier comments and thinking about Mom.  I wondered if I should blog tonight.  Not much had changed this afternoon. Then, there was a call.  My phone's caller ID lit up "Papa" and I rushed to answer it before Avery woke up.  She doesn't like our phone that announces who is calling.  The robotic voice seems creepy to her.  

So, I answered the phone and asked Daddy immediately, "How's Mom?"  He says, "Hang on a minute. - Why don't you talk to her."  Then he puts Mom on the phone and she gruffly says, "Goodnight."  It has been 16 long days since I spoke to Mom on the phone.  It was nice to hear her voice again.  Even if it didn't really sound like her voice yet.  So, of course, I had to blog and let you all know about that exciting moment.  Now - you can all go call your Moms and tell them how much you love them and miss them.  I am going to bed.  

Oh, and one more thing - Mom got her feeding tube out of her nose.  YEA!

Sometimes, there isn't room for jello...

You get another Ethan update today. I was able to get up to ICU this morning around 10 or 10:30. Max Harper was there and was just about to leave. I hadn't seen Debbie myself for 2 or 3 days so I was amazed at how much she has improved physically. Her color is better, her swelling is down, her eyes are clear and focused. She looks just like "Mrs. Fromm" to me. Emotionally though she seems very down which I imagine, is quite understandable. She also isn't talking but this seems more from her throat still being very sensitive from having the vent for 2 weeks. I told her to forgive us for all being so happy and cherry when we come in, but she looks SO much better than she had that we can't help it. This is still new to her though. She is bored and uncomfortable for sure, she misses her grandkids and she just doesn't want to be there! She does have a TV next to her bed though, but even with cable there isn't much to see during the day.

More good news though, her feeding tube may come out this evening! I caught one of the doctors talking with Debbie and her nurse about her breathing and swallowing. The speech therapist came by this morning and Debbie did much better today and passed her swallowing exam, so he is allowing her to try a clear liquid diet! If she does well (minimal nausea) they will remove the feeding tube that's going into her stomach via her nose. Debbie was the happiest I saw her all day at this news. Lunch had already been delivered so they had to order another from downstairs. Her nurse offered her some jello in the meantime, but Debbie was having none of that! Evidently, Bill Cosby doesn't know what he's talking about.

Bouncing and ice chips

Caroline Grace is Mom's speech therapist.  She is a bouncy 20 something that visited Mom this afternoon to assess if Mom was swallowing correctly.  She had to give Mom different things to swallow and then feel the neck muscles to make sure they were working correctly. Mom got to have water, ice chips, and apple sauce.  One bite of each was all it took to conclude that Mom needed more time healing.  Mom was allowed to have a SMALL cup of ice chips, but that is all.  For now, she is still fed with a tube in her nose.  I am sure once that is out she will feel better.  Caroline will come back tomorrow morning around 9 to try again.  If Mom doesn't pass her test, then more extensive evaluations will be done.  

Mom seemed sad today.  Daddy thinks it is because emotionally, she is just now waking up and catching up with us.  We have had two weeks to process the tumor and all that followed.  Tears still leak out of my eyes at the least expected moments - like at Luke's well baby visit to the doctor today.  Ethan says that emotionally, she may have some ups and downs.  

I did get Mom to smile at the nurse today - just once. The nurse today was named Whitney.  This was her third shift.  She was paired with someone else, but I don't remember her name.  They double teamed Mom today.  I loved it!  Whitney was an energetic, happy person.  She bounced as much as the speech therapist.  She asked many questions and for the first day since we have been there - I felt like I knew just about everything.  I was listening to questions about what tubes did what, explanations of numbers and goals for those numbers, and I even got to look at a photograph of Mom's surgery (tumor included).  We thought it was best not to show Mom that picture yet.  After the speech therapist left, Mom was allowed a tiny cup of ice.  Mom loves to eat ice.  She ate the whole cup in just a few minutes.  After a bit, I asked Whitney for more ice for Mom.  Whitney wasn't sure she could go get some, but she did anyway without asking.  I encouraged Mom to give Whitney a smile to show her thanks.  Mom did.  It was brief, but it was a smile.  Ethan reminded me when I told him about this at dinner that Mom is not a bouncy person.  She never really has been.  If the speech therapist, nurse, and I were all around her bedside today cheering and bouncing, Mom could be just irritated.  We will know more when she chooses to talk.  

The nurse in charge of Whitney for today told me that Mom's head looked better.  The liquid was draining and the swelling was going down.  I didn't ask them to remove the bandage so I could look.  I just trusted what she said.  Yesterday, Mom had a gauze bandage over her head.  Today she had a gauze bandage and an ace bandage for added pressure.  This should help the skin stick to the skull.  Her ICP numbers were in the normal range today.   The shunt drained extra fluid off of her brain today.  Tomorrow they will try again to turn it off of draining to see how Mom does.  If it goes well, maybe she will have that out by the end of the week.  The shunt has to be out one or two days before Mom moves to another place in the hospital.

I was glad I was with Mom today at the hospital.  I was able to "snuggle" with her for awhile.  Whitney, the new nurse didn't seem to know the rule for "no chairs for visitors."  Whitney often left her chair right next to Mom's bed unattended.  Tonight, my feet do not hurt thanks to Whitney.  So, with my chair, I was able to lay my head down on the railing of Mom's bed.  Mom was not restrained today either.  I was happy to have her unrestrained.  Her hands held my hand and snuggled with my arm.  Some days all you need is a snuggle to feel better.  I am hoping mine helped Mom.  

I cannot get to the hospital until noon tomorrow.  I have a doctor's appointment at 11 in Mansfield.  I will spend the afternoon with Mom and then Daddy will come up in the evening.  

She speaks!

Mom's first words were not to me, but to the doctor.  I happened to run into him when I left the room to give Mom time to rest.  We ran into each other on the second floor.  He told me he was going to go see my mom right then.  I told him about the breathing tube and he asked if she had spoken yet.  The nurse told Mom and I that I couldn't ask any questions that required more than a "yes" or "no" nod of the head.  She told Mom not to try to talk until tomorrow.  I did remind him that the nurse probably wouldn't make him follow the rules - he was the doctor after all....

He was waiting to get on the doctor elevators.  I decided it would be awkward to ride in the doctor elevators, so I told him I would meet him in Mom's room and raced up the stairs.  I beat him.  

He said hello to Mom and then asked her 3 questions:

What is your name?

What year is it? (Tricky - it is just now February.)

Do you remember where you are?

Mom answered, "Debbie", "2009", and "Baylor."  

Somehow these words were not the ones I thought Mom would whisper after exactly 14 days of silence.  The words were said in whispers that were so quiet they had both the doctor and me leaning over her bed.  Both of us were about a foot from her head and straining to hear.  I think maybe when she chooses to speak she will have some deep philosophical words for us.  Until then, I was happy with these words.  

When I first went to see Mom, the nurse had sedated her.  Mom was very irritated with her breathing tube.  The nurse had given her morphine, but it hadn't helped.  Sedation did help because Mom could just sleep.  I held her hand for awhile and then went to find a place to sit and wait.  I had some work to do, so I did it.  The nurse had promised she would call if she saw a doctor.  I still checked on Mom several times, though.  

I had a friend visit (Susan Walden) and we talked for awhile.  She took me to lunch, too.  The doctor called while we were eating (of course) and I rushed up to Mom's floor.  He told me the breathing tube would come out - right then.  I waited in the hall.  After the breathing tube, Mom got to eat ice chips.  The nurse wouldn't let her have too many at first, but after about an hour the nurse turned the ice cup over to me and Mom ate the whole thing.  We had a system.  If she wanted more ice - she had to squeeze my hand.  She squeezed my hand often.  It was a good day! 

Mom didn't want me to leave.  When I stepped out for just a minute to call Dad and run an errand I told Mom to sleep.  That is when I ran into the doctor and rushed back to her room.  She is doing so well!  

Mom's ICP levels were normal today.  Every time she coughed the alarms went off because her ICP levels would shoot into the 30s.  The nurse assured me this was normal and it was fine as long as her pressure went back down.  If the pressure stayed up for more than 15 minutes - I needed to get someone.  Thankfully that didn't happen.  

Remember - yesterday we turned off Mom's drain from her brain?  Her ICP levels had been great, so the doctor turned the drain off.  Brain fluid still wanted to drain, so instead of going out of her head via a tube, the fluid collected between her skull (on the outside) and her skin.  To fix this mostly "cosmetic problem" (Doctor's words - not mine), Mom's head was bandaged again in hopes that her skin would again stick to her skull.  The shunt will stay in until this problem can be fixed.  The tube was opened again to allow draining.  

All of this is great news!  Mom is getting better!  Thank you for all of your support and please continue to pray for my family!

Bored and Uncomfortable

Well, y'all are stuck with an Ethan update today, but for good reason as you will see below. I spoke with Amy briefly a few minutes ago. Debbie is off the ventilator! They removed it this morning but she is not allowed to attempt talking until tomorrow. Amy says that her mother doesn't want to be left alone and seems very bored and uncomfortable. I told her that this seems fine to me for now. This means she's alert and aware enough to feel this way, so she can be as bored and uncomfortable as she needs to be. So today looks like it's going to be a very good day! Amy didn't pass on any info on last night's CT scan, but if it looked good and her ICP is steady they will "plug" the shunt going into her skull for now.

Debbie seems to be improving steadily and we are all encouraged by the past 2 days. On a side note, forgive me if I ever shift back and forth between referring to Debbie by her first name and by Mrs. Fromm. I've known her since I was 14 and its awkward to transition to something less formal. Sorry, its just how we were raised. Amy will post another update this evening. Please send up prayers of thanksgiving while continuing to petition for healing and patience.

Language of Blink

While I was with Mom today she looked a bit bored. I would be bored too in a room in which I couldn't talk, couldn't watch TV, and couldn't read. I have been trying to find things to read to Mom, but I haven't had much luck. In the latest book "Julia Speaks Her Mind" we are just now to chapter 4. I am not sure if Mom doesn't like it or if we get interrupted by personnel so much she cannot follow the story line. It is a charming book about a lady from the south who finds herself with a deceased husband, more money than she knows what to do with, and an unexpected 9 year old who happens to be the son of her dead husband that she didn't know about.

Mostly, I just held her hand today. She was more awake. She could nod, squeeze my hand, and move both legs. (I hadn't asked her to do this, but the doctor said I should. He wanted to have her show off for me.) Sometimes she still blinks really hard to try to tell me something. I still don't understand the language of blink, but I try.

I also took off her restraints one at a time. She has been restrained since she got to the hospital because everyone is afraid that she will pull out her tubes and things. While the restraint was off I put lotion on her arm, made sure the hospital bracelets were not digging into her skin and just let her move a bit. If it were me, I would want to stretch. Mom didn't move much when the restraint was off. I think she probably knew that I was afraid that if she did pull something out - I would be the one to get in trouble. So, we just sat there. Really, neither of us was sitting. I have to stand. (It is a rule I am not fond of in ICU.) Mom was laying down. Mom didn't move much, just held my hand.

Sometimes when I am with her I don't really know what to say. When this first happened I wanted to tell her many, many things. As this is progressing, I think we will have time for those things later. I want to ask her so many things, too. She cannot talk for now, though. And the little day to day things don't really seem to matter much. I just want her to get better.

I had to leave the hospital today about 3:15 to head back down to pick up the kids. I left my mom with Blake Utley. I was glad that he came to visit when he did. Dropping Luke off this morning was difficult for me -- just as hard as leaving Mom at the hospital tonight. I feel torn between the two.

The kids were wonderful when I picked them up!

I am sure you all want to know - Luke did very well at daycare. (Did anyone expect any less from one of my children??) He stayed on schedule and was sweet the entire day. Avery even got to check on him before her nap today. As always she commented "He's such a cutie!"

We spent the afternoon together like always. Luke had a lot to say to both Avery and me. I was happy to hear every gurgle (from Luke) and giggle (from Avery) as she translated from "baby talk" into kid's speak for me.

Daddy went to the hospital this evening. I called a bit ago for an update on Mom and to make sure he was not staying the night. He promised me that he wouldn't. Daddy and I have decided to sleep at home while she is in ICU. We will sleep up there again when she moves to a regular room and is not as well attended.

Mom MAY get her breathing tube out tomorrow. It has been bothering her all day. It is quite a discomfort. She will go for a CAT scan about 3 am to see a clear picture of her brain. Since she had the valve on her brain shunt closed today (skull pressure was normal or below), the doctors wanted to see how her brain handled it. If her brain looks like it can handle the pressure well, they will take out the breathing tube because they will no longer need it.

I feel this could really help Mom.

Thank you all for the calls, blog posts, e-mails, gifts, cards, and prayers! I find that God takes care of us in many ways - and for now, he is using all of you. Thank you all so very much! Please continue to pray for my family.

As for people who will stay with Mom next week during the day - I will get the list together by Wednesday at the latest. I will let everyone know then. Thanks!

The doctor smiled

"Why is this long train taking my time?"  This is what my 3 year old exclaimed this morning as we waited for the 122 car train to go by about 1/2 a mile from her daycare.  I tried to get the kids up, get myself ready, and get the kids to daycare before 8 am.  We actually made it to daycare by 8:30 and after unloading the pack and play, a huge box of diapers, and countless bags - I got in my car to leave at 9:00.  This morning was Luke's first day in daycare.  Luke will stay at a teacher daycare in Midlothian.  Avery is there and she promised to "look in on him" through out the day.  He is only starting 4 days sooner than we thought.  I took pictures of both Avery and Luke this morning.  I know Mom will want to see them when she can.

I didn't get to the hospital as soon as I would have liked.  I really wanted to meet with the doctor.  I got to meet him today shortly before noon.  When I saw him, he was smiling!  He talked to me about how Mom moved her right and left legs and arms.  He said that she had moved her left leg more than he had seen before.  I asked him about her breathing tube and when he wanted to remove it.  He said he would like to leave it in a couple of days.  This gives him an extra option for treatment if her skull pressure (ICP) gets too high.  Today her ICP level is between 0 and 2.  The normal range is between 6 and 15.  Mom's is low.  They have stopped draining any fluid off of her brain and have closed the draining tube.  They are reducing medications and we will wait and see if her ICP levels stay at a good level.  She should be here in ICU for at least a few more days.  Before leaving ICU they will take out the breathing tube and also the shunt in her head.  

Mom is alert today.  She can nod, squeeze hands and even gave Max Harper a "thumbs up!"  It is really nice to be here at the hospital today visiting with her.  Today is so much more hopeful to me than yesterday.  I will update again before I go to sleep tonight.  (Unless I hear any other news.)  For now, I will be here until around 3:30 visiting my mom!

Thanks for your prayers! 

 

One step forward, two steps back

Today Daddy and I disagreed on the word to describe Mom. We all went to church this morning. I would hear Daddy being asked about Mom and Daddy would say, "Debbie is doing great!" or "She is fine."

Somehow, my mom in ICU for 12 days doesn't seem "great" or "fine" to me. If she were "great" or "fine" she wouldn't be in ICU. She would be with us complaining that I made her get up for early service.

Maybe the words would be "Mom is better than she was last Sunday." Last Sunday Mom had a HUGE tumor in her head. The tumor is all gone. Mom is better.

She didn't have a great day today. After so many positive signs yesterday, it was discouraging to me. Mom nodded only once. She would open her eyes sometimes and focus on me. She seemed unable to squeeze my hand or hold up two fingers. One time I asked her to hold up her fingers and Mom just stared at her hands like she wanted to make them move, but couldn't.

Ethan, my husband, thinks that maybe yesterday just wore her out. She needed to rest.

Maybe I will see more tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I will be at the hospital until around 3pm. I will then go home and take care of Luke and Avery. Daddy will mostly be at the hospital in the evening. I am not sure when he is going to be able to get there.

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts today. I am sure my mom feels your love.

Go Cardinals!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Amy asked me (Ethan) to update the blog. She's doing a lot of running around today.  Heidi is flying back to Nashville today and will return next Friday. She's still a little under the weather.  We came to the conclusion last night that since Debbie was much more alert and very stable medically, everyone would get a good night's sleep at home last night.  We are hopeful that a move out of the ICU is on the horizon and obviously there won't be a half dozen medical personnel 10 feet away once she leaves. So, we'll all try to rest up so one person can stay overnight once Debbie is in her own room.

Dick and Amy went up to the ICU this morning and Debbie was sleeping. She had experienced a "coughing fit" and had to have her airway suctioned. This is somewhat understandable since she has been on a respirator for 12 or so days. Afterwards, they gave her some morphine so she was sleeping soundly. Amy came back home to pick up Heidi and they are on their way back up there now. Her ICP was between 9 and 18 through the night and all her vitals are strong. Other than that there isn't much to report. We are all so thankful for all the prayers, visits, cards, food, etc.  through this ordeal. We know our journey isn't over but you all make it more manageable as you travel it with us. Thank you. We'll have another update this evening.