Yesterday we went to the neurosurgeon's office for evaluation. This was our first visit since being released from the hospital. All things considered he thought she was doing well, but he has instructed her to stay off work and not to drive until the next evaluation on March 29. As frustrating as it is for Chris he and his staff tell her this was a major major thing and recovery is slow at best, so we are following all suggestions and giving it time.
Her back/hip/leg pain seems to be getting better and Chris feels the twice a week physical therapy is helping. The new pain med is a step down from percocet, and she is trying not to take it at all during the day, but she has trouble sleeping so it is usually needed in the evening.
We have two upcoming cardiology related appointments, one for a nuclear stress test and the other for her to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours. Once these tests are complete we will see a cardiologist to discuss. This stems from the two episodes of rapid AFib she had while in the hospital.
We have also been referred to a neuropsychologist for cognitive testing, perhaps leading to cognitive therapy. This is to address the trouble she is having with concentration. And they are going to have someone who runs a support group for people with a like condition contact us. I think that's a good idea too.
So, we are hanging in there.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
One month ago today
It is hard to believe that it has been a month since this happened. The whole thing is kind of a blur, but as I look back I can't help but feel fortunate to have Chris recovering as she is. Since my last post, already a week ago, not too much has changed. She still has lots of pain in her back, hips, and legs and is still taking the pain meds although she's trying not to during the day.
We have now been to physical therapy twice. The first time was more of an evaluation, with some light stretching, and the second time was more light stretching (all while lying down) and some leg lifts, and massage. Both times she wanted to walk from the parking lot to the building instead of me borrowing the wheelchair, and that was pretty low and slow, but I consider it to be a positive that she was able to do so. And she thought the physical therapy helped. We go again on Tuesday and Thursday next week.
We also see the neurosurgeon Thursday morning so I am compiling a list of questions, and we'll see what his thoughts are about her pain and also her lack of concentration. That could be the pain meds, but she says aside from making the pain less she doesn't feel dopey or sleepy when she takes the meds, so I don't know. We'll also have to get a new prescription from him for pain and we are going to suggest something less potent and see if that helps. On Monday we'll call the cardiologist we were referred to while in the hospital. She wanted to see Chris at three weeks after release to follow up on the rapid Afibs that occurred twice while she was inpatient.
Chris does feel better about getting around the house on her own some, so she is not totally in bed or on the couch, and I do think getting around a bit is good for her both physically and mentally. We continue to be thankful for everyones concern. The house is looking like an arboretum and I am getting fat from the meals friends have prepared for us. And all of the cards...just unbelievable. Thank you all again.
Will let you know what the doc says.
We have now been to physical therapy twice. The first time was more of an evaluation, with some light stretching, and the second time was more light stretching (all while lying down) and some leg lifts, and massage. Both times she wanted to walk from the parking lot to the building instead of me borrowing the wheelchair, and that was pretty low and slow, but I consider it to be a positive that she was able to do so. And she thought the physical therapy helped. We go again on Tuesday and Thursday next week.
We also see the neurosurgeon Thursday morning so I am compiling a list of questions, and we'll see what his thoughts are about her pain and also her lack of concentration. That could be the pain meds, but she says aside from making the pain less she doesn't feel dopey or sleepy when she takes the meds, so I don't know. We'll also have to get a new prescription from him for pain and we are going to suggest something less potent and see if that helps. On Monday we'll call the cardiologist we were referred to while in the hospital. She wanted to see Chris at three weeks after release to follow up on the rapid Afibs that occurred twice while she was inpatient.
Chris does feel better about getting around the house on her own some, so she is not totally in bed or on the couch, and I do think getting around a bit is good for her both physically and mentally. We continue to be thankful for everyones concern. The house is looking like an arboretum and I am getting fat from the meals friends have prepared for us. And all of the cards...just unbelievable. Thank you all again.
Will let you know what the doc says.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Saturday
Things are about the same. Chris still has good periods and bad spells. Her main problem continues to be the pain in her back, hips, legs, etc. I spoke to the neurosurgeon about this and he agreed that it probably has some to do with lack of use, but another thing it could be is blood from the initial bleed may have gotten into her spinal fluid and gravity has carried it down through the central nervous system irritating everything along the way. I now believe this is the case. If so until the blood breaks down and is finally absorbed this discomfort will go on. The good news is that the ever present headaches seem to be subsiding.
We did visit our regular physician on Thursday to check in and bring him up to speed. It was quite a chore. The office is on the 7th floor of a nearby building here in Reston, and it is a pretty long walk from the parking lot across a wide concrete walkway to the building entrance. I had to leave her in the car, go up and borrow their wheelchair, then return to get her, and the reverse when we left.
Our doctor's office has a small physical therapy unit, so we signed up for a session this coming Tuesday. We have not heard back from our other inquiries, and the neurosurgeon felt we didn't need a neurologically specialized place. Chris is kind of dreading making the trip to do that, I think because it is an ordeal just to get there. We'll see how it goes.
She is also having some issues with staying focused, especially reading and doing her puzzle books. That could have something to do with the continued use of percocet for her pain but we'll bring it up at our Feb. 9 appointment with the neurosurgeon.
She does seem to be sleeping better at night - and so am I :-), so that is a big positive. She actually prefers sleeping on a futon rather than in bed. Whatever works. So she'll spend half her day upstairs on the futon then we'll help her downstairs and she'll spend several hours in the family room.
I don't feel the need to be with her all of the time now, so today while the girls were at work I went to my office for a few hours and then did some grocery shopping - although we are certainly not lacking for food due to the culinary skills of many friends and neighbors. Thanks to all for the food, the cards, the calls, flowers, emails, texts, and visits. Your kindness is truly overwhelming.
We did visit our regular physician on Thursday to check in and bring him up to speed. It was quite a chore. The office is on the 7th floor of a nearby building here in Reston, and it is a pretty long walk from the parking lot across a wide concrete walkway to the building entrance. I had to leave her in the car, go up and borrow their wheelchair, then return to get her, and the reverse when we left.
Our doctor's office has a small physical therapy unit, so we signed up for a session this coming Tuesday. We have not heard back from our other inquiries, and the neurosurgeon felt we didn't need a neurologically specialized place. Chris is kind of dreading making the trip to do that, I think because it is an ordeal just to get there. We'll see how it goes.
She is also having some issues with staying focused, especially reading and doing her puzzle books. That could have something to do with the continued use of percocet for her pain but we'll bring it up at our Feb. 9 appointment with the neurosurgeon.
She does seem to be sleeping better at night - and so am I :-), so that is a big positive. She actually prefers sleeping on a futon rather than in bed. Whatever works. So she'll spend half her day upstairs on the futon then we'll help her downstairs and she'll spend several hours in the family room.
I don't feel the need to be with her all of the time now, so today while the girls were at work I went to my office for a few hours and then did some grocery shopping - although we are certainly not lacking for food due to the culinary skills of many friends and neighbors. Thanks to all for the food, the cards, the calls, flowers, emails, texts, and visits. Your kindness is truly overwhelming.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
If you think things are bad
Sorry for the delayed update I know I have been delinquent. Having to get up every two hours to give Chris one of her meds has gotten me a little lazy about doing this - only one more night of it and we are done with that.
We have been home a few days now and are having some ups and downs. Sometimes Chris is comfortable and aside from the weird hairdo you wouldn't know anything happened, but more frequently she is very uncomfortable and struggles to keep her chin up. She continues to have intermittent headaches, although they have lessened in intensity as the Dr's said they would. As much, if not more, of a problem is that her body aches. She complains of pain in her hips, back and legs and it hurts to walk, sit, or just be. She is unsteady on her feet and needs support to walk, which is very slow and cautious. Pain meds help some but that is not the solution I am sure. My sense is that the underlying issue is lack of use, but I could be wrong.
We had an appointment on Monday with her regular general practitioner, just to get him up to speed and because he will be the one we go to over the long haul, but because the weather caused it to be pretty slick outside and because she's not so steady I thought it best to postpone. Now we see him on Thursday so we'll get his input. I also have a call in to the neurosurgeon to discuss it.
Upon discharge from the hospital we were given a list of hospital associated physical therapy locations, which is what I really think is needed most now, but two I called so far, after listening to her story, said they were not set up for neurotherepy, which I don't believe is really what we're after but it is probably better to have someone who is set up for it just in case. Finally I was referred to the therapy center at Fair Oaks Hospital, so I am waiting to hear back from them too. We continue to be thankful for everyones support and prayers and even though this might take awhile I am optimistic for a full recovery.
As bad as this was there is always someone worse off. A friend of mine told me his daughter-in-law, a mother of two kids, 8 and 10, was found on the floor of her home the other day having suffered from a blockage in a vessel in her brain. She was taken to the same ICU Chris was in, and is there now. For her the outcome does not look very promising so those of you who have prayed for us please pray for her and her family, they are really going to need it.
Sorry to end on a down note - been trying to keep upbeat.
More in a couple of days.
We have been home a few days now and are having some ups and downs. Sometimes Chris is comfortable and aside from the weird hairdo you wouldn't know anything happened, but more frequently she is very uncomfortable and struggles to keep her chin up. She continues to have intermittent headaches, although they have lessened in intensity as the Dr's said they would. As much, if not more, of a problem is that her body aches. She complains of pain in her hips, back and legs and it hurts to walk, sit, or just be. She is unsteady on her feet and needs support to walk, which is very slow and cautious. Pain meds help some but that is not the solution I am sure. My sense is that the underlying issue is lack of use, but I could be wrong.
We had an appointment on Monday with her regular general practitioner, just to get him up to speed and because he will be the one we go to over the long haul, but because the weather caused it to be pretty slick outside and because she's not so steady I thought it best to postpone. Now we see him on Thursday so we'll get his input. I also have a call in to the neurosurgeon to discuss it.
Upon discharge from the hospital we were given a list of hospital associated physical therapy locations, which is what I really think is needed most now, but two I called so far, after listening to her story, said they were not set up for neurotherepy, which I don't believe is really what we're after but it is probably better to have someone who is set up for it just in case. Finally I was referred to the therapy center at Fair Oaks Hospital, so I am waiting to hear back from them too. We continue to be thankful for everyones support and prayers and even though this might take awhile I am optimistic for a full recovery.
As bad as this was there is always someone worse off. A friend of mine told me his daughter-in-law, a mother of two kids, 8 and 10, was found on the floor of her home the other day having suffered from a blockage in a vessel in her brain. She was taken to the same ICU Chris was in, and is there now. For her the outcome does not look very promising so those of you who have prayed for us please pray for her and her family, they are really going to need it.
Sorry to end on a down note - been trying to keep upbeat.
More in a couple of days.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursday Is Here
And we are OUT OF THERE!!! The transition to home was smooth and easy thanks to the hospital staff who are so on their toes. Chris is resting comfortably on our family room couch and we are getting settled back in.
The attending Dr wrote all of Chris' perscriptions and while she was getting ready to leave I was able to go and have them filled, so no having to have her wait in the car while I was at the pharmacy. She needs to continue take one of the pills (vasospasm fighter) every two hours around the clock for the next six days, so now instead of the nurse waking her I get to be the bad guy. Looks like not much sleep for a while.
And we have a list of things to do over the next several weeks; see our normal doc in one week to check in with him (the hospital doc had already called him though), see the neurosurgeon in two weeks, see the cardiologist in 3 weeks (following up on the afib she had previously), arrange for some physical therapy sessions. She's been told she needs 6-8 weeks of recovery time, then an evaluation of if she should take more, so the girls and I will have to be the enforcers of that.
So far today is a good day.
The attending Dr wrote all of Chris' perscriptions and while she was getting ready to leave I was able to go and have them filled, so no having to have her wait in the car while I was at the pharmacy. She needs to continue take one of the pills (vasospasm fighter) every two hours around the clock for the next six days, so now instead of the nurse waking her I get to be the bad guy. Looks like not much sleep for a while.
And we have a list of things to do over the next several weeks; see our normal doc in one week to check in with him (the hospital doc had already called him though), see the neurosurgeon in two weeks, see the cardiologist in 3 weeks (following up on the afib she had previously), arrange for some physical therapy sessions. She's been told she needs 6-8 weeks of recovery time, then an evaluation of if she should take more, so the girls and I will have to be the enforcers of that.
So far today is a good day.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Waiting for Thursday
Chris spent the first night out of the NSICU in a step down room and it didn't go all that well. Again she couldn't sleep, headaches, and said she was pretty miserable. When the surgeon, her main doc, made his daily rounds he felt some of that was to be expected and felt she was good enough to move out of the step down unit into a regular room, and start disconnecting her from most of these tubes. So we moved two doors down into a regular room. AND ...."if no problems arise you can go home Thursday", THURSDAY, like day after tomorrow!!!
Last night, in the regular room she slept better, with a chemistry assist. She did wake up and stay awake from about 3:30 AM on though. When Laura and I arrived just after her breakfast, the lack of sleep and residual effects of the sleep aid had her dozing heavily. A bit later, somewhat re-energized, and with help she was able to sit in the shower. First shower in almost two weeks. Really felt great getting clean and she did well for the rest of the day.
Dinner came and so did a visitor, our neighbor and good friend Pam. Chris was thrilled to see her. After dinner Chris kind of took a nosedive and the bad headache came back. This seems to be a pattern, feeling much worse in the evening. She goes from looking really great to miserable. Got an intermediate pain med because her every four hour med wasn't near due. Hope it works soon. Will have to bring this up with the doc tomorrow. Theresa is here with me this evening and is helping by giving her a massage.
Looking forward to Thursday.
Last night, in the regular room she slept better, with a chemistry assist. She did wake up and stay awake from about 3:30 AM on though. When Laura and I arrived just after her breakfast, the lack of sleep and residual effects of the sleep aid had her dozing heavily. A bit later, somewhat re-energized, and with help she was able to sit in the shower. First shower in almost two weeks. Really felt great getting clean and she did well for the rest of the day.
Dinner came and so did a visitor, our neighbor and good friend Pam. Chris was thrilled to see her. After dinner Chris kind of took a nosedive and the bad headache came back. This seems to be a pattern, feeling much worse in the evening. She goes from looking really great to miserable. Got an intermediate pain med because her every four hour med wasn't near due. Hope it works soon. Will have to bring this up with the doc tomorrow. Theresa is here with me this evening and is helping by giving her a massage.
Looking forward to Thursday.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Stepping Down
Yesterday brought good news. Around noon the Dr decided she was well enough to move out of the ICU!! Nothing happened all day though because there wasn't a room to move her to. Around 8 PM a nurse came in to say they finally had a room but they didn't actually move her until 10, into a shared room with a curtain separating the two beds. It was close to 11 by the time she was settled in. One step closer to going home.
Several days ago we were told when she made it to this "step down" room she'd be here for a week but we've since gotten indications it could be less. We hope so, she really wants out of here and to get home where she can relax and recover.
She had a hard time sleeping last night and texted me around 6 AM. When I arrived she was more comfortable than she had been all night and was just drifting off when the nurse came in, "wake up", to give her meds, take blood pressure, etc. That done she again started to doze, but wait, time for breakfast! Looks delicious. Falling asleep eating :-), poor kid. More later.
Several days ago we were told when she made it to this "step down" room she'd be here for a week but we've since gotten indications it could be less. We hope so, she really wants out of here and to get home where she can relax and recover.
She had a hard time sleeping last night and texted me around 6 AM. When I arrived she was more comfortable than she had been all night and was just drifting off when the nurse came in, "wake up", to give her meds, take blood pressure, etc. That done she again started to doze, but wait, time for breakfast! Looks delicious. Falling asleep eating :-), poor kid. More later.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
A Little Scare
Today (Saturday) Laura, Theresa and I all had to work in the morning so for the first time in this ten day period Chris didn't have a family member there at 8 AM after the morning shift change - the nurses work on 12 hour shifts with shift changes from 7-8 in the
morning and evening. We have to be out of the room during the changes. When I did get there around 1 PM she told me she had a scare. At 9:30 she had what the nurse called "rapid A-fib". Her heart which normally beats 60-80 times per minute was firing rapidly, up around 170 and lasted about 15 mins. The nurse was on it right away and after trying a few things called the floor Dr. and eventually gave her a medicine called metoprolol and the rate went back to normal shortly thereafter. When I got there she was eating lunch and looked good but as she told me I could see it worried her and made her think she would have to stay in the ICU longer than she hoped - that remains to be seen.
After lunch the nurse asked the Dr to come and speak to us. I asked if the event was caused by vasospasms (her TCD vasospasm test today was again negative) and he said no. He said there are a number of possible reasons, including due to all off the in/out of fluids over the past days, and said when she got out of here she should check in with her regular doctor, who would likely put her on daily low dose aspirin. He seemed fairly unconcerned that it was a major issue. I think he is probably a brilliant guy, it is what everyone says and I can see the entire staff listening and following every word, so I'm feeling better about it.
Chris felt better about it too, so the nurse unhooked all of her lines and we took two laps up and down the hall together. When we got back to the room we talked about the people in the other rooms we had just passed, none of which at this point are in as good shape. I told her she'd be an inspiration to them, seeing where they too will hopefully soon be. She said that she got inspiration from people she saw make that walk before and were now gone to a step down room, or home.
We received another big bunch of cards in the mail today which we opened in her room and read all of the kind words. We both got a little choked up. She has quite a collection going and we are running out of places to put them; what a nice problem to have. Thank you everyone.
She is always hot and I am always cold, but because she's in the hospital she gets to decide the temperature (each room has it's own thermostat). Well let me tell you, it is freezing in there. She's got a fan blowing on her with the temp set to 60, and the nurse, what a sweetheart, is bringing ME blankets. Gonna have to start wearing long johns to visit.
It's almost 8 and shift change will be over soon so I can go back in. We're watching football. We don't follow it so we don't really care who wins but it's just hanging out together.
More tomorrow.
morning and evening. We have to be out of the room during the changes. When I did get there around 1 PM she told me she had a scare. At 9:30 she had what the nurse called "rapid A-fib". Her heart which normally beats 60-80 times per minute was firing rapidly, up around 170 and lasted about 15 mins. The nurse was on it right away and after trying a few things called the floor Dr. and eventually gave her a medicine called metoprolol and the rate went back to normal shortly thereafter. When I got there she was eating lunch and looked good but as she told me I could see it worried her and made her think she would have to stay in the ICU longer than she hoped - that remains to be seen.
After lunch the nurse asked the Dr to come and speak to us. I asked if the event was caused by vasospasms (her TCD vasospasm test today was again negative) and he said no. He said there are a number of possible reasons, including due to all off the in/out of fluids over the past days, and said when she got out of here she should check in with her regular doctor, who would likely put her on daily low dose aspirin. He seemed fairly unconcerned that it was a major issue. I think he is probably a brilliant guy, it is what everyone says and I can see the entire staff listening and following every word, so I'm feeling better about it.
Chris felt better about it too, so the nurse unhooked all of her lines and we took two laps up and down the hall together. When we got back to the room we talked about the people in the other rooms we had just passed, none of which at this point are in as good shape. I told her she'd be an inspiration to them, seeing where they too will hopefully soon be. She said that she got inspiration from people she saw make that walk before and were now gone to a step down room, or home.
We received another big bunch of cards in the mail today which we opened in her room and read all of the kind words. We both got a little choked up. She has quite a collection going and we are running out of places to put them; what a nice problem to have. Thank you everyone.
She is always hot and I am always cold, but because she's in the hospital she gets to decide the temperature (each room has it's own thermostat). Well let me tell you, it is freezing in there. She's got a fan blowing on her with the temp set to 60, and the nurse, what a sweetheart, is bringing ME blankets. Gonna have to start wearing long johns to visit.
It's almost 8 and shift change will be over soon so I can go back in. We're watching football. We don't follow it so we don't really care who wins but it's just hanging out together.
More tomorrow.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday the 13th
Looking good upon my arrival this morning but just wants this to be over. Dr neurological test - good. TCD test - no vasospasm - good good. She ate lunch and feel asleep. Both girls took over because I had to leave but they just texted that the physical therapist came and all four of them took a wall up and down the hall - TWICE!
Thursday
Father John came again for a short visit before having to return to Michigan, again annointing Chris and giving her Holy Communion. While there Chris asked him to give a blessing to our supernurse because she and her husband have been unable to conceive. Father joked afterwards that if she had twins he'd know the real reason he was called here.
After the visit Chris slept for a couple of hours, which is pretty hard to do there with so many people in and out, but she was uncomfortable and restless the night before and hardly slept so exhaustion caught up to her. After that the day was routine (I guess everything is relative). The Drs. did their rounds and did the daily neurological exam (daily for the Dr, the nurses do them every single hour); lift this foot, lift that leg, pull me towards you, push away, where are you and what's the date, etc. No problem. And later the technician did the transcranial doppler test (TCD), the device that measures blood flow/volume in the brain blood vessels and which detects vasospasms - no vasospasms. Excellent. Only a few more days to get past the window in which they may occur. The daily neurological exams and the TCD are the two biggest things of interest.
She did have a couple of those awful restless episodes where she is just beside herself. And the nurse did her best to combat those with pain meds, ice packs, bed adjustments and just about anything else they could think of to help her through them. The Dr says it's normal and is due to the blood in the brain from the original bleed. Only time will fix it.
So all in all a pretty uneventful day, just the way we want.
After the visit Chris slept for a couple of hours, which is pretty hard to do there with so many people in and out, but she was uncomfortable and restless the night before and hardly slept so exhaustion caught up to her. After that the day was routine (I guess everything is relative). The Drs. did their rounds and did the daily neurological exam (daily for the Dr, the nurses do them every single hour); lift this foot, lift that leg, pull me towards you, push away, where are you and what's the date, etc. No problem. And later the technician did the transcranial doppler test (TCD), the device that measures blood flow/volume in the brain blood vessels and which detects vasospasms - no vasospasms. Excellent. Only a few more days to get past the window in which they may occur. The daily neurological exams and the TCD are the two biggest things of interest.
She did have a couple of those awful restless episodes where she is just beside herself. And the nurse did her best to combat those with pain meds, ice packs, bed adjustments and just about anything else they could think of to help her through them. The Dr says it's normal and is due to the blood in the brain from the original bleed. Only time will fix it.
So all in all a pretty uneventful day, just the way we want.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A Little Bit of Rollercoaster
After a pretty fair start yesterday, and a spirit lifting (although exhausting) walk up and down the hall, there was a little slump later in the day. She is in this window of time where the feared vasospasms could occur and to fight that possiblity the Dr's are doing a few things. One of which is to flood her system with fluids, big bags taken through one of the IV's. Yesterday afternoon some of it got into her lung area (they determined this with a chest x-ray) and caused several hours of distress and labored breathing , especially while reclined, which is pretty much all of the tme. After some consultation they decided to hold on the fluids for a while to see if the lung fluid would clear - which it eventually did, and then started her back with more fluids. It has not built up again so she is now breathing much easier and things are better overall.
Today when I arrived I could see she was doing well and she looked good. They had taken the staples out (I think Theresa counted them the other day and there were 33) and her long incision also looks pretty good. Then the best thing happened; I got a call from our longtime Catholic priest friend Father John, who lives in Michigan. He is Laura's godfather, and has renewed our wedding vows on both our 30th and 40th wedding anniversaries. I had called him a few days ago and asked for him to pray for Chris. Well, he was calling to say he was here! He drove here last night, stayed at a hotel near the hospital and came to visit her, annoint her, and give her Holy Communion. When she saw him she cried with joy. His prayers, and those of everyone else are helping her, I am convinced.
About visiting - we have had a number of people asking if and when they might see her. She is scheduled to stay in the NSICU for another week +, then if all goes well she'll go to a "step-down" room, on the same floor but no longer intensive care. We think that will be the best time, so we will let you know when that occurs. Father John's healing visit was of course the exception.
We have all reflected on how much worse this could have been and consider ourselvers so lucky. So on we go, one day an one miracle at a time.
Today when I arrived I could see she was doing well and she looked good. They had taken the staples out (I think Theresa counted them the other day and there were 33) and her long incision also looks pretty good. Then the best thing happened; I got a call from our longtime Catholic priest friend Father John, who lives in Michigan. He is Laura's godfather, and has renewed our wedding vows on both our 30th and 40th wedding anniversaries. I had called him a few days ago and asked for him to pray for Chris. Well, he was calling to say he was here! He drove here last night, stayed at a hotel near the hospital and came to visit her, annoint her, and give her Holy Communion. When she saw him she cried with joy. His prayers, and those of everyone else are helping her, I am convinced.
About visiting - we have had a number of people asking if and when they might see her. She is scheduled to stay in the NSICU for another week +, then if all goes well she'll go to a "step-down" room, on the same floor but no longer intensive care. We think that will be the best time, so we will let you know when that occurs. Father John's healing visit was of course the exception.
We have all reflected on how much worse this could have been and consider ourselvers so lucky. So on we go, one day an one miracle at a time.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Tuesday morning
The nurse (Krystal - another great one), said that Chris had a pretty good night. They have taken her off off the heavy duty pain meds and are now giving her something lighter which is taken orally and she is good with it.
She seemed especially restless and anxious this morning. I noticed and the nurse did too. We talked about it and Krystal gave her a big hug which seemed to help some. She has been on bed rest but she feels this restlessness has a lot to do with being stuck in bed so Krystal checked with the floor Dr. who said if the physical therapist thought it was ok to get out of bed she could sit in a chair, or more if she was able. About 30 minutes later the physical therapist came, they disconnected all of the IV tubes and wires, and five minutes later she was walking down the hall with a walker and the therapist at her side. YES! The surgeon happened to be in the hall and saw her. He told her she looked good vertical :-). I think this will probably exhaust her but will give her a big lift in spirits.
More later.
She seemed especially restless and anxious this morning. I noticed and the nurse did too. We talked about it and Krystal gave her a big hug which seemed to help some. She has been on bed rest but she feels this restlessness has a lot to do with being stuck in bed so Krystal checked with the floor Dr. who said if the physical therapist thought it was ok to get out of bed she could sit in a chair, or more if she was able. About 30 minutes later the physical therapist came, they disconnected all of the IV tubes and wires, and five minutes later she was walking down the hall with a walker and the therapist at her side. YES! The surgeon happened to be in the hall and saw her. He told her she looked good vertical :-). I think this will probably exhaust her but will give her a big lift in spirits.
More later.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Monday morning
Yesterday was a pretty good day, all things considered. Chris was awake for substantial lengths of time and ate some at each mealtime. She is getting some heavy duty pain meds and it makes her a little loopy so she says some funny things. Laura pointed that even when people are poking and prodding her she is always thanking them and is grateful for whatever they are doing. A lesson by example for us.
She had stronger than normal headaches from 3-6 am and was restless and exhausted when I arrived this morning. She has since settled down and had breakfast seems more comfortable.
I can't get over the constant parade of people through her room. The respiratory therapist, cleaners, drawing blood for lab test, checking blood sugar levels, hanging new IV bags, and on and on. The Dr's were just in for their daily evaluation. They say she is doing good and is where they'd hope and expect her to be. That's good. She's now getting the vasospasm test, and here comes lunch!
The nursing staff is wonderful. One nurse is assigned to two rooms and I think it's kind of a random draw as to who gets which rooms each day. We've been fortunate to have Ashley as the day nurse for the last three days and she is Awesome, so we hope to see more of her, but every one of them has been wonderful.
No vasospasm today - GREAT. Gotta go and see if I can can share her dessert.
She had stronger than normal headaches from 3-6 am and was restless and exhausted when I arrived this morning. She has since settled down and had breakfast seems more comfortable.
I can't get over the constant parade of people through her room. The respiratory therapist, cleaners, drawing blood for lab test, checking blood sugar levels, hanging new IV bags, and on and on. The Dr's were just in for their daily evaluation. They say she is doing good and is where they'd hope and expect her to be. That's good. She's now getting the vasospasm test, and here comes lunch!
The nursing staff is wonderful. One nurse is assigned to two rooms and I think it's kind of a random draw as to who gets which rooms each day. We've been fortunate to have Ashley as the day nurse for the last three days and she is Awesome, so we hope to see more of her, but every one of them has been wonderful.
No vasospasm today - GREAT. Gotta go and see if I can can share her dessert.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Meal Times...yummm
Mom had her first 2 meals here in the NSICU...the first was last night - beef broth, that Theresa and I funneled into a cup so Mom could sip it with a straw...she really liked it :) she said it almost reminded her of coffee, which has always been a part of Mom's morning routine. Also there was red jello, which seemed like heaven on earth, "nice and sweet" she informed us :)
This morning Mom was allowed solid food! She had a few bites of French toast and some pineapple. Also some OJ and cranberry juice, but the real highlight was the cofffeeee :) just a few sips but Mom really enjoyed it. She even held the mug herself for a minute (although we made sure she didn't dose off and spill it), it was probably one of the most normal moments of these past few days, watching Mom sip her coffee.
She's the strongest woman I know that's for sure. This has been a roller coaster for all of us, really only made better by your love, prayers and support. The four of us are so thankful to have such a loving and close knit core of family and friends. We really can't thank you enough.
Xoxo
Posted by Laura
This morning Mom was allowed solid food! She had a few bites of French toast and some pineapple. Also some OJ and cranberry juice, but the real highlight was the cofffeeee :) just a few sips but Mom really enjoyed it. She even held the mug herself for a minute (although we made sure she didn't dose off and spill it), it was probably one of the most normal moments of these past few days, watching Mom sip her coffee.
She's the strongest woman I know that's for sure. This has been a roller coaster for all of us, really only made better by your love, prayers and support. The four of us are so thankful to have such a loving and close knit core of family and friends. We really can't thank you enough.
Xoxo
Posted by Laura
Saturday
Yesterday was better than the day before. Chris spent most of the day asleep and out of it but for the brief times she woke up her headaches were not as bad as they had been. They decided to give her a stronger drug which helped her. The "turbin" bandage was removed, and the actual incision was visible - wow! It was a bit more than I had anticipated. It is just above the hair line and runs from the center of her forehead all the way to the right ear and was closed with staples. Her face is swollen and she has big bruises on her arm and leg from the IV's and the two cerebral angiograms. Not as cute as usual. We took a picture for her to see later. Sorry, not going to share it.
During the day she had a chest X-ray that showed mild pneumonia, so they got out in front of that with antibiotics (another bag of stuff dripping into her from what I am calling the tree of life) and she is getting some respitory therapy. She also had a technician do a sonogram of her head where the vessels are which shows blood flow and detects the vasospasms mentioned earlier. No evidence of them - good news! Her room in the ICU is a busy place, with nurses, doctors and technicians constantly in and out. She is getting GREAT care, and everyone is extremely kind and helpful.
During the day she had a chest X-ray that showed mild pneumonia, so they got out in front of that with antibiotics (another bag of stuff dripping into her from what I am calling the tree of life) and she is getting some respitory therapy. She also had a technician do a sonogram of her head where the vessels are which shows blood flow and detects the vasospasms mentioned earlier. No evidence of them - good news! Her room in the ICU is a busy place, with nurses, doctors and technicians constantly in and out. She is getting GREAT care, and everyone is extremely kind and helpful.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Updates on Chris' condition
The girls and I have decided to create this blog so people can keep abreast of Chris' condition. We have received, and continue to receive, calls, texts and emails from so many people offering their best wishes and we are so grateful to you all.
We are new to blogging so we may stumble a bit with it but think it a good way to share what's going on and will update it as we can. I believe it is set up so we can post updates but you won't be able to post. That said, please feel free to call/text/email us though if you want and we'll get back to you as we can. Thank you and please keep her in your prayers.
Overview-
On Jan 4 Chris suffered a hemorrhage of a blood vessel in her brain while she was at work. She was rushed to Fairfax Hospital and after several tests it was determined that an aneurism on a blood vessel in her brain had popped, bled, then stopped bleeding (thank God). On Jan 5 she underwent a long (about 6 hrs) and challenging surgery to clip the aneurism so it will not bleed again, and was sent to the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit where she will probably be for the next two weeks.
The next few weeks will be difficult. It's not possible to remove the blood from the aneurism that leaked into her brain and it is an irritant until it can dissipate on it's own ( hopefully two weeks). Until then it will cause some swelling and something called vasospasms, which are a constricting of the blood vessels when the leaked blood comes in contact with the outside of the vessels. This constricting does not allow the blood inside the vessels to flow normally and can cause other bad things to happen if it gets too severe. The Drs. have methods to help through this period and we are just hoping the vasospasms don't get too bad.
Since the surgery she has been pretty out of it. Drs. and nurses come in every hour to wake her up and check her but she is mostly asleep. Seems like when she does wake up for brief periods on her own it is due to bad headaches, which we are told are to be expected for the next couple of weeks. She does get pain meds and they help. If you shake her out of her sleep she will answer if you ask a question but quickly doses off again. I'm guessing it is the body trying to compensate for the trauma and also the pain meds.
More later.
We are new to blogging so we may stumble a bit with it but think it a good way to share what's going on and will update it as we can. I believe it is set up so we can post updates but you won't be able to post. That said, please feel free to call/text/email us though if you want and we'll get back to you as we can. Thank you and please keep her in your prayers.
Overview-
On Jan 4 Chris suffered a hemorrhage of a blood vessel in her brain while she was at work. She was rushed to Fairfax Hospital and after several tests it was determined that an aneurism on a blood vessel in her brain had popped, bled, then stopped bleeding (thank God). On Jan 5 she underwent a long (about 6 hrs) and challenging surgery to clip the aneurism so it will not bleed again, and was sent to the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit where she will probably be for the next two weeks.
The next few weeks will be difficult. It's not possible to remove the blood from the aneurism that leaked into her brain and it is an irritant until it can dissipate on it's own ( hopefully two weeks). Until then it will cause some swelling and something called vasospasms, which are a constricting of the blood vessels when the leaked blood comes in contact with the outside of the vessels. This constricting does not allow the blood inside the vessels to flow normally and can cause other bad things to happen if it gets too severe. The Drs. have methods to help through this period and we are just hoping the vasospasms don't get too bad.
Since the surgery she has been pretty out of it. Drs. and nurses come in every hour to wake her up and check her but she is mostly asleep. Seems like when she does wake up for brief periods on her own it is due to bad headaches, which we are told are to be expected for the next couple of weeks. She does get pain meds and they help. If you shake her out of her sleep she will answer if you ask a question but quickly doses off again. I'm guessing it is the body trying to compensate for the trauma and also the pain meds.
More later.
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