Sorry it took so long to let everybody know how the last procedure went. Jessica had to go home. She was doing most of the updates and being mom and newly engaged she still gave a week of her life to caring for Kathy. Thank you Jess!
Kathy now has four tubes going into her back to drain fluid around lungs, two on each side. 800 CCs out of left side already. 600 CCs out of right. Breathing much better! Her swelling is way down too! She gets to stay in Trauma Recovery instead of going back to ICU, as long as her condition doesn't worsen. Surgery still planned for monday.
Rhonda & Michelle are here taking care of Kathy. She has been washed and has a new gown on. Kathy is weak, but in good spirits.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Bilateral pleural effusions procedure starts of the night
Still waiting...Trama surgeon caught up in surgery, finally got word they are taking her. Bummer waiting, but she should feel dramatic relief.
I have to head home & am having a very hard time leaving...As hard as this week has been, I can't imagine not being here every minute that I have been. Ronda Varga got here about 2:00...she is a nurse at St. Vincents here in Portland and a dear friend, she will be helping out over the weekend. Michelle Tramblie is also on her way...They were going to handle the weekend, so that Ted could finish up a few crucial jobs, but with all the commotion today and a big surgery on Monday, he's on his way back.
The girls and Ted will be keeping up the blog and hopefully posting the pictures of this past week that I've been hoping to get to. We are getting a schedule set up for Kathy care and will set it up 2 weeks at a time. We are up for a long haul friends...realistically 12 weeks here in Portland. Kathy is so incredibly grateful for all the support and still is in awe every time a card, flower, email, text, etc... comes in. :) Everyone is so in love with her...she has captivated us all!!
I have to head home & am having a very hard time leaving...As hard as this week has been, I can't imagine not being here every minute that I have been. Ronda Varga got here about 2:00...she is a nurse at St. Vincents here in Portland and a dear friend, she will be helping out over the weekend. Michelle Tramblie is also on her way...They were going to handle the weekend, so that Ted could finish up a few crucial jobs, but with all the commotion today and a big surgery on Monday, he's on his way back.
The girls and Ted will be keeping up the blog and hopefully posting the pictures of this past week that I've been hoping to get to. We are getting a schedule set up for Kathy care and will set it up 2 weeks at a time. We are up for a long haul friends...realistically 12 weeks here in Portland. Kathy is so incredibly grateful for all the support and still is in awe every time a card, flower, email, text, etc... comes in. :) Everyone is so in love with her...she has captivated us all!!
I believe in the sun, even when it's not shining
After a very active morning, Kathy is taking a much needed nap.
Scratch that OT just came in to adjust her leg splint---shit!
Hopefully she will get a good one in before her procedure this afternoon. The Dr was here to explain the procedure and no surprise, its no picnic.
We will sit tight for test results from 3:00 panel and have faith in the healing process. Kathy and I talked a lot about how our bodies heal and that through each stage there will be a small healing crisis... It's a good thing to remember; We are rounding the bend...
Scratch that OT just came in to adjust her leg splint---shit!
Hopefully she will get a good one in before her procedure this afternoon. The Dr was here to explain the procedure and no surprise, its no picnic.
We will sit tight for test results from 3:00 panel and have faith in the healing process. Kathy and I talked a lot about how our bodies heal and that through each stage there will be a small healing crisis... It's a good thing to remember; We are rounding the bend...
Over due morning update
I've had a steady stream of calls & messages, so i figure i better get on it! i'm so glad everyone has been checking her blog.
They gave her the lascic after surgery yesterday(very big deal for her, had been miserable & asking for most of the day). Vast improvement in the swelling and severe un-comfort with stomach and abdomen.
About 3AM I started noticing more labor in her breathing and over the next few hours her O2 stats were fluttering below 80 on full flow...her active/rest stats reversed from what had been typical for her.
Long story shorter......They switched her to an oxygen mask, did Blood work and x-ray of chest. Blood gas was at a 50(ICU worthy) Lungs were quite wet in film. They ordered CAT scan and ultra sound. She's not returned from these yet, but I just got word: Bilateral pleural effusion(she has fluid in the plural space between the lungs(-7 space)) They've scheduled her at 2:30 to insert a pig tail(tubes into lungs for drainage) into both sides. There was a worry of a PE development. For now that has been ruled out!
This has been one of the longest, hardest weeks of my life. It's not just the injuries, the pain, fear of limb loss, etc...those were what I had expected. It has been ALL of the other things thrown into the mix. She has dodged so many possible complications and I am super grateful, but holy crap, it's SOOO much! My heart is breaking for her over and over again, I am way over due for a good cry and feel my smile is starting to become forced! If this is what I am going thru...you can only imagine what this amazingly strong woman is combating minute to minute.
Please pray harder today!
They gave her the lascic after surgery yesterday(very big deal for her, had been miserable & asking for most of the day). Vast improvement in the swelling and severe un-comfort with stomach and abdomen.
About 3AM I started noticing more labor in her breathing and over the next few hours her O2 stats were fluttering below 80 on full flow...her active/rest stats reversed from what had been typical for her.
Long story shorter......They switched her to an oxygen mask, did Blood work and x-ray of chest. Blood gas was at a 50(ICU worthy) Lungs were quite wet in film. They ordered CAT scan and ultra sound. She's not returned from these yet, but I just got word: Bilateral pleural effusion(she has fluid in the plural space between the lungs(-7 space)) They've scheduled her at 2:30 to insert a pig tail(tubes into lungs for drainage) into both sides. There was a worry of a PE development. For now that has been ruled out!
This has been one of the longest, hardest weeks of my life. It's not just the injuries, the pain, fear of limb loss, etc...those were what I had expected. It has been ALL of the other things thrown into the mix. She has dodged so many possible complications and I am super grateful, but holy crap, it's SOOO much! My heart is breaking for her over and over again, I am way over due for a good cry and feel my smile is starting to become forced! If this is what I am going thru...you can only imagine what this amazingly strong woman is combating minute to minute.
Please pray harder today!
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