Glad to have one back home

Dad was released this morning from the hospital and is doing well, though didn't get much sleep. We need to keep him hydrated.

We had a couple nice visits with Mom, though she is very anxious and fidgety as she is coming off her sedation medicine and becoming more aware of her situation. She acts like she is going to just jump out of the bed and take-off if she could.

She still has a slight fever, but her doctor says she is doing very well and might be out of ICU on Monday. The orthopedic surgeon is supposed to check on her shoulder on Monday, as well.

I continue to pray for restful sleep for all of my family as well as to all of you. Thank you for your continued care and support.

Can't make this stuff up

I apologize to all the faithful readers who have been missing updates. We really didn't have much to update for the last two days, but, boy, did today make up for that. Eric and I are here in a collaborative effort to bring you the events of the day. After a long day of travel, Eric was finally able to make it to Atlanta to get in on the activity.

Let's start by saying we are negotiating a group rate at Atlanta Medical Center.

Dad is visiting with Mom this morning and gets a little light-headed. He goes to sit down on the chair and next thing he knows he is looking up off the floor at about 4 nurses gathered around him. He also got a little nauseous and agreed to go to the emergency room to be checked out. They determined he was dehydrated and he exhibited some signs of renal failure. He was admitted and is now spending the night on the fourth floor so he can continue to receive fluids and they will check his levels tomorrow. Mom's on the second so we got a good workout today going back and forth.

Now, not to distract from the exciting events with Mom. She had the ventilator tube removed this afternoon and is on her way to speaking. Right now, her voice is really soft and raspy, but I am sure by tomorrow she will be ready to go. She is still fighting an infection, but hopefully they will figure it out in the next couple of days so she can get in her shoulder surgery.

Thanks for your faithful support. We pray for some restful sleep for our whole family wherever they may lay their head this evening.

can't have cake and eat it too !

Dear Friends, No collaboration with Allison or Jonathan tonight, ed's turn to write.
It was a very uneventful day as far as blue eyes were concerned. Anita was a little more sedated than yesterday and not very aware of me visiting her. Sad for me and good for her, more rest and healing taking place. Temp. down again into double digits and breathing number up again with the machine doing less. Bonaza with doctors today, one called me back and one I ran into, in the hall. Trauma dr. says she is making good progress, breathing is doing well, probably will make sure she can breathe well enough so no decision about putting the ventalator back in will be an issue after it is removed the first time. Surgeon checks regularly to see if infection near left collar bone from possibly the intravenous connection is resoloved. Surgery on shoulder could be two to four days from now, but don't try to pin me or the dr. down on that one !
Bandage holding the ventilator secure in Anita's mouth, running toward her left ear, has been adjusted downward an inch or so, less pressure on her cheek under the eye so that it can open more easily.
Had to cancel our anniversary celebration trip to San Diago last night, scheduled for Jan 11th. We'll try again later in 2008. Thank you for checking in, more postings to come. stay with us in keeping the faith. ed

Praying for the temperature to drop...

While it remains a concern that today the temperature in Atlanta approached 80 degrees, all of our prayers are focused on Anita's temperature decreasing and they are slowly being answered. Her body temperature has dropped down and is back in the double digits. Once her temperature stabilizes, and infection is ruled out, a decision regarding repairing her shoulder may be made. A nurse told Ed she is pleased with Anita's response in her fingers and her toes which helps to rule out many other issues.

At some point today the medical staff plans on adjusting her ventilator. It has been set in a position that may have impaired her ability to open one of her eyes completely. With a little adjustment they may be able to provide Anita a little more comfort.

Jonathan

It never gets old

Though such a small gesture, a nod from my mom speaks monuments. Dad and I went to visit her this evening and we had a good visit. Her fever has broken slightly and they continue to work to get that down.

When we go to leave Dad says, "I love you, putz. And, I know you love me, too." Mom gave a big nod to that statement and Dad and I both turned to mush.

Her amazing strength keeps us strong, as well as, all of your continued support.

Another country heard from...

I wanted to share some thoughts and feelings about my most recent visit with my mother. This is her son, Eric, and I thank you, to all of you, that I know and don't know. This has been extremely challenging to say the least and your support and care through calls, e-mails, and comments posted on this blog have been so special for all of us. I hate that it is this event that has allowed us to hear from some we have not spoken to in a while. It's good to know that lack of communication has not dulled the care from so many of you.

Mom is doing well and continues to eat well and is doing better about breathing on her own. The shoulder surgery has been delayed as was mentioned earlier and we look forward to antibiotics knocking out the infection to allow her recovery and the hopefully last surgery for a while to take place. This is not a critical surgery so there has been no rush, but it will obviously be another important step.

The respirator is what keeps Mom in the ICU. Once she can breathe on her own a little better and they can remove that, she wll be ready for a room (shoulder surgery or not). We hope that both can take place though before she is moved. We have enjoyed the outstanding nurses of ICU, but we will gladly bid them farewell upon her improvement.
She had a bit of a fever that cropped up this morning. They gave her some Tylenol and some cold blankets and the temp seemed to be coming down a little today already so we hope that continues.

We all appreciate it as you keep Mom in your prayers and providing her words of support. She will have much time on her hands once she is rehabbing and she will have a lot to read during that time. I suspect that once they take the respirator out she will spend her first week talking non-stop. It is a time that we all have never looked more forward to.

While you keep her in your prayers I ask that you also think of others that we enountered this weekend. The ICU waiting room is a grim fraternity of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, friends and loved ones all waiting on information for their own family. They were there day and night as we were and unfortunately all of the stories probably will not have happy endings. Please keep those whom you know and those whom you have not met in your thoughts as they go through this terrible ordeal.

Constant prayers and concerns for Mom have consumed us to the point where not much consideration has been given to the man that made the terrible choice that has affected Mom. He is a 23 year old that has changed our lives forever. He has also made a choice that will affect his life forever as well. He will have punishment from our justice system now and punishment from his conscience forever. The Lord asks us to pray for his soul as well. It is a great challenge for me as he has done something unthinkable to someone so special to me and my family as well as all of her friends. Please help me and him as we deal with this continuing saga.

Thank you again for your support.

A little more patience

We had a good visit today with Mom. Unfortunately, she has developed a slight infection and they are postponing her shoulder surgery. She is on new antibiotics so hopefully this can clear up quickly.

She was a little more sedated today, but still mostly awake for our visits. We setup a radio so she can enjoy some Christmas music in between visits.
Thankfully, she continues to remain stable and doing well. We just need a little more patience.

Everyone's encouragement and prayers is helping us to stay strong. Thanks so much for your continued support.