I got an email from mom-mom this morning and she said Karen has her up and down days. They did the MRI on brain and back but haven't got results yet. The day she was there Karen didn't have much to say but when pop-pop and sierra went up she was talking alot. They are trying to find out why she can't raise her right leg but she can feel it if you tickle her foot. Myra her boss has been ther alot and put pillows under her arms to keep the swelling down.
59 comments:
JP
Thank you for starting this blog, its very handy -esp with me being in sc and not being able to see her everyday!
Sierra told me that last evening she was asking to get "out of here". Hopefully she continues with her strong will to fight this uphill battle that confronts her. I am sure with all of the support and prayers for her she will be back to her old self soon!!
lk
last update on karen 8-19-2008, information from megan, mri/cat scan stated karen has smallest blod clot on brain most likely caused by concussion, and a possiblity of small stroke, (this could be why hard to move leg and slowness) Sierra said she moved the leg last nite 8-18-2008, doctor says clot should subside as she gets better, a neurologist will be looking in on her.
also john,leif,poppop,Johnny, went to pic up bike today, placed cross near scene of accident, found steves pack of cigs/w/liter, piece of motorcycle oil cover, towing man stated that once they hit the deer, deer went overtop bike and swept them off the bike.
Mommom and I went up to the hospital tonight and she is doing okay...she is a little more confused today then yesterday...the nurse Chris stated that is because of her head injury. She didnt have too much to say tonight she was very tired. Mommom asked her if she remembered the baby deer and she said yes...and we asked what happened to the baby deer and she stated " it died" she does not remember falling off the bike but she did remember seeing the deer. She has a long road ahead...but she can do it...she's a fighter!
Sierra
Today 8-20-08 I talked to the nurse and Mom is meeting with the physical therapist today to help her learn how to eat some food. I also spoke with the doctor and her CT scan yesterday was good the small amount of blood that the found the other day was gone, they will be doing another CT of her brain again today to check. Also they well be testing her lungs..CT scan. He stated that she is very stable and doing pretty good. The are still trying to understand more why mom is just not fully herself and well less confused. It could just be the drugs but they need to do the testing to be on the safe side.
Oh, Jenny thanks for setting this up I think it's such a great idea. Lets keep praying, she is so strong she can pull though anything.
meg:
I just wanted to let you know how proud all of us are of you. You have done such a good job in the midst of all this turmoil! Your mom will be so very proud of you!
This blog will help everyone out. I know I feel so out of touch being so far away.
I know in my heart our prayers will all be answered and Karen will continue to heal!
linda
i agree- megan you've done a great job and been really strong for your mom through everything. you know we are all here to help out too if you need it
cathy told me today that karen was really confused and babbling last eve. so now we are wondering why all the confusion. cathy thought maybe it was the insulin that she saw hung that was being given to karen. I talked to one of the nurses here and she said they usually have to watch insulin levels when pts are getting TPN( the liquid food).
But i guess it would not hurt to ask if that could cause the confusion(too much or too little insulin)
I hope that this is not a permanent state of mind. I am not sure if she is on alot of pain meds or not.
But her mind and body has gone through tremendous shock...so could it be just from that. I dont know.
linda
Megan, spoke w/the doc and confirmed that karen has infection in gallbladder., they will drain the infection, instead of more operating, Megan seems to think (and is a good thought) the only difference in meds is when they gave her meds for mersa, Megan is to look into it., Megan is doing a great job, but i think she's feeling alittle overwhelmed, Hang in there Megan, we got your back!.
cathy
megan please let us know if there's anything we can do to help out
Okay another update. 8/21/08
Mom had some more test done today. They found that the spinal tap came back negative for Meningitis. They did find more fluid around her pelvis then they saw on the first CT scan when she came in. They are still working on what to do about that. They also found that Mom's gallbladder was enlarged and infected. Due to her current status they are unable to do the operation to remove it..thus they have inserted a tube to drain the infection out. They will do the operation when she is able. She is also going in to get the hip re-dressed tonight. I will keep everyone as up to date as possible.
8-22 Talked to her night nurse and mom is stable. Her gallbladder is draining well. Her state of mind is about the same,confused. The nurse said it's best that close family that she would see normally in her day to day life is the best to visit due to familiarities. The nurse talked to me a little bit about PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Thinking that we could be dealing with that due to no physical problems. I did ask about the medications and they feel nothing should be effecting her this much..to be this confused. So lets just hang in there and pray! And even though she is out of it she can hear us so supporting her is very important now and letting her know we are there. Any questions give me a call.
Hello...Mommom, Brian and I just got back from the hospital and seemed to be doing a little better than two days ago. She spoke to Megan on the phone and told her she loved her...she kept dozing in and out I think she was pretty tired tonight...we asked her if she was feeling okay and she said "Im Fine!" She didnt talk too much tonight so that's all I have for now.
Hi Sierra,
Mom told me mom-mom said she was still really confused- that she asked her who you were and she said madonna. Was she really that confused or do u think she was just joking around like when we were up there? I heard she was also able to move both her legs now- that she bent them and pushed herself up in bed a little bit? Thank you for going to see her- I think it's important someone go see her everyday. Love, Jenny
Hey Jenny...She did say that I was Madonna and yes...she was moving her legs at first then the nurses came in because they thought her VAC on her hip was leaking so they were rolling her over and moving her around alot so then after all that she just kinda dozed off and we thought we would let her rest a while. Mom, John and Poppop are going up tonight so I guess Mom will post a comment on here. I guess she is going to have her really good days and then her really bad days...until she is all better. She will pull through though I know it.
This is Karens Mom I want to thank all for their concern for her and this blog is neat. So far she has good and bad days. Now they are trying to find why the confusion.Instead of every 2 days for surgery on the wound they are going to do every 3 days To me that sounds like some improvement. Not much other news on karen but will keep writing Mom
8-24-2008, John, Cathy, PopPop, went to visit Karen., she just came out of surgery as we arrived, so time was short visiting, plus she was just coming out of anthes..
Karen, looked good, better than prior, she had color to her face,clear skin (it looked so good) she, wouldnt have to wear makeup, and she was not swollen like before, still alittle, but not like before., Spoke w/doctor, said they are still spooked by her confusion, they had pschy. come in which i think will be part of her team, as to why the confusion, the doc said, sometimes w/the drugs and the enviroment, not knowing what day etc., she may be experiencing some delrium, which would cause the confusion, the leg is healing good, except they want her to try and keep the leg more still as she keeps separating the evac patch from the wound (you can learn about the evac patch on the univ. of md shock trauma website) other patients stories, the evac patch is very interesting, and i feel will help heal the wound without any skin graphs (especially after viewing that site and other stories, where some were worse than karen, the site gives hope, reading others stories)
the doc also said that the non movement of the right leg could be from the couple of very small strokes, which could also lead to the confusion, but she is MOVING the leg, which is good!., there is no more brain clots.
the docs are real vague and puzzled about her confusion but they are doing what is possible, her team comes in 1x every 3 days,
this is when they do the wound wash, and determine what other steps to take., physically i think karen will do well, as for the mental state the docs said time will tell, and until she can communicate they will not know the extent of the brain problems.
doc also said the same for the anal area that would be determined in the future also depending on nerve and muscle damage.
doc did say, that a few weeks they would move her out of icu, down the other end of the hall
cathy and john
8-25-2008, went to see karen today., around 1:30 pm,she was awake and sitting up just watching the nurses station. her eyes are focusing and swelling going down, she looks good., fed her lunch, applesauce, tea, ensure, some salisbury steak, hmmm she says, real good!., she wanted to know how to get out of the hosptial faster, i said the more you eat the faster you'll get better, she said ok, she also said that it seems hard to grasp stuff, so she must be realizing the struggle in her mind., (i guess), she did ask where steve is., and i reitarated that remember what john told you, (that steve didnt make it), no comment from her, a speech therapist is also working with her and said she has improved from a week ago. thats all for now.
cathy
thank you for keeping us updated! I wish we could be there to see her and help out. Is she still really confused?- does she know who she is or who you are etc?
yes she knows who i am, one comment to the nurses were my sister needs help, (i dont know what she was talking about, help wise), but i just brushed if off so not to make her feel lost
Mommom, Poppop and I went up to the hospital tonight and she's doing alot better. She is able to drink her medicine and her drinks...the nurse said that we can bring food up to her but not anything too solid. Mommom asked if she could have a crab cake and the nurse said she can just so long as it is broiled. The nurse also stated we can bring her tooth brush and toothpaste and her soaps and shampoo etc if we want because the stuff they have there isnt the greatest. I asked her if the food they are feeding her was good and she said NO! The nurse bent down to do something and Aunt Karen stuck her tongue out at her...that was funny. She definetly has more color to her and her swelling is going down very well. Mommom put a damp papertowel on her head because she said that she was hot. There was a nurse there that looked somewhat like Leif and she said "that's Leif" I told her "no that's not Leif he kinda looks like him maybe if his nose wasnt so big" and she started laughing. She told Mommom that she feels discouraged but we told her its okay and she's getting ALOT better she just has to stop pulling all the tubes off so that she can get out of there faster, she said okay. We might go up tomorrow evening to see her however she goes into surgery on Wednesday and she needs all the rest she can get that day so I dont think we will be going up on Wednesday.
SNP
I called and spoke with karen last eve. She knew who I was without me telling her. She told me she was in alot of pain, and said the pain meds were not helping.
I asked her if she remembered Cathy coming up and feeding her. She didnt remember this, but told me to tell Cathy to come up there and get her out of there.
I told her to continue to try and eat .... she snapped back with a synical "I KNOW".
I am glad she still has her sense of humor.
I have so many people praying for her!
linda
she sounds like she is doing much better! it is good to hear she has her sense of humor. I was thinking of calling up there to say hi to her- let me know when you guys will be up there - maybe I'll call then.
<3, Jenny
We continue to pray for Karen and her recovery. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Cherie & Mike Plews
Didn't know what a blog was, but thanks to Katherine I do now. This was neat idea thanks to all of Karen's family. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder how Karen is doing. With all the family's help and love, there is no doubt in my mind Karen will pull through this. B&L
Does anyone know how Aunt Karen's surgery went yesterday? If anyone is going to visit, let me know when and I'll call up there- maybe get to talk to her if she's doing well.
Hi jenny
Mommom and poppop are going today 8-28-2008 around 3pm
Hello,
Brian and I just got home from the hospital. They now have a brace on her for her vertebrae injuries, the nurse said that it was just for extra support. She is doing really well, Jenny called but she told Jenny "I will call you back" she said the same thing to Aunt Linda when she called I dont know why she said that...maybe because me and Brian were there...I dont know. The nurse asked her when her birthday was and she said 8/27 (Megan's Birthday) and the nurse said no Karen what is your birthday, the nurse then asked her what year were you born and she said 1963 and the nurse looked at her medical braclet and it said she was born in year 1953 so the nurse told her no and I told the nurse that was wrong because my mom's birth year is 1957 and this is her younger sister so I guess Megan will have to fix that. I gave her some water and she said mmmm that's good. She knew who we were and she told us you guys better stay together. Well that's all I have for now...she is really showing progress. She is going to have her up and down days...but she is going to pull through. Brian told her he was going to take her out to dinner when she gets out and he asked where she wants to go and she said "Outback"
Cathy and Family,
John and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Again if you need any help
please feel free to ask..
any updates on how she's doing? Do you know when they plan on moving her to another room?
Karen really shocked us last nite She told the nurse this is my mom and dad. Ask me what her prognosis was I told her the main thing they are working on is your leg and your vital signs are all good. She talked to Megan and she was shocked that her mom was so alert The nurse did say she slept all nite and part of day so that helped. She also kept sayin she was surprised to see Leif in hall She thinks dark haired nurse is leif and she said leif helped her with the cast.
Brian and I went up to see Aunt Karen today she's doing really good. She said she wants to get out of there. She cried a few times about steve and asked me what happened and I told her that they were in an accident but steve saved her life. She told Brian that me and him need to get married. She had some iced tea to drink...she said mmmmm that's better than sex. She's doing really good! She said she wanted to talk to mom so mom and john came up to see her. She asked me what steve looked like I told her that he looks that same just with big angel wings. Well that's all for now. She is really doing GREAT!!
Gary and I are both very happy to hear of Karens progress!!!!
We have asked all of our friends, family and the people at our church to include Karen in their prayers.
We understand that the fanily has requested no vistors yet, plese keep us informed as to when it would be okay to do so.
Karen is in our thoughts and prayers
Patt & Gary
Garygary know
Gary and I are both very happy to hear of Karens progress!!!!
We have asked all of our friends, family and the people at our church to include Karen in their prayers.
We understand that the fanily has requested no vistors yet, please keep us informed as to when it would be okay to do so.
Karen is in our thoughts and prayers
Patt & Gary
9-3-2008 talked with Karen via phone, nurse handed her phone, karen responding well via phone, she seems excited to hear from someone, Karen stated she was taking a nap, but everything was wonderful and beautiful she said.
and is wanting to get the h e double ll out of there. lol, you funny karen
I went up to the hospital today...she is doing really good. She kept saying she had to pee but that was a sensation from the pressure of the catheter per the nurse. She said "Sierra I just want to make sure you are okay"...I told her dont worry about me im great you have to worry about yourself and eating all your meals so you can heal faster...she said okay. The nurse did an assement on her and said that she was doing good. She said that she wants to get out of there. She's really showing alot of progress.
Mom and Dad went to see Karen on Thurs. Sept4 She is going in for surgery Fri morning for a skin graft They said she wont be in good shape for 3 days after.she was glad to see us but said she wants to come home She isnt eating much but nurse said she has to eat.
She said they treat her bad but nurses say she gives them all a hard time. Tries to get out of bed and pull her ivs out.she asked why steve didnt come we had to tell her again he didnt make it. AT times she is disoriented..Ask about Ken and if Betty and Lou were coming. She asked if we forgive her and we said what for ? she said for being so mixed up. Of course we forgive you Karen We just want you to get better to come home. Hurry home so we can go shopping she said yeah!! Megan came in from Calif with her 2 yr old Alexis and will be staying 2 months while her husband (marine ) goes to Phoenix for some training. Megan has alot to handle right now but she will do it I know. We are proud of her for all she has done for her mom. MOM
9-5-2008, went to see karen thursday nite, like sierra said,"alls karen wants to do is get out of bed to pee"
karen did ask where is steve, and stated we have to have a funeral and party, i said to karen, we had the funeral and its was great, all steve friends and family were there it was a great event!, we said to karen that we have pictures and movie, she said good, oh good. she seems to feel relieved and less worriesome when we tell her that everythings is taken care of and for her not to worry about anything. I think karen feels anxious, wanting out, to take care of things.
cathy
sept 7 Sunday
Meg,sierra and Mom Mom went to hospital at nite. Cathy and John had gone during day.She was sleeping when we got there. Nurse woke her up to give her pain medicine. She is still in lot of pain after the skin graft plus she has a plastic brace all around her body from neck to waist This is to help her back vetebrae She is so uncomfortable with the brace as she said it is so hot and itchy
We were allowed to bring her grandchild to be in front of her room for 5 minutes We thought maybe this would give her some hope. she did paddy cake with her and was happy to see her The medication was taking effect and making her sleepy when we left
I am glad to hear about Karens progress. She sounds like a fighter and that is good when it comes to her recovery. We are praying for a complete recovery Thank you for this site. I check it often. I just feel close to her and her family even though we have never met.
God Bless
Love and Prayers
Barb Kaufman
Sept 10 2008
Karen has been in shock trauma 30days now. They tell us she is improving and the skin graft took real well. When we see her she complains about the pain,wants to get out of bed and leave.The brace on her back is bothering her around the neck and hot They dont want her to sit up yet in a chair because of the skin graft. She has to lay straight. If the skin graft continues to heal she might be going to Rehab hospital (kernan's) soon. Karen is strong and will overcome this. She was looking forward to the last part of her course to becoming a RN She was on the list to do the clinic part for it but now she has this set back. I know she will continue as soon as she gets better Her Mom
We have been able to keep up to date with this blog, and are glad to hear that Karen is at Kernan's now.
Megan-remember our offer to help with babysitting, or to help in any way we can. Just let us know.
We keep Karen in our thoughts and prayers.
Cherie & Mike Plews
Hi to all, tell Karen to keep up the good work. It sounds like she has a very supportive and loving family and group of friends. We still think about her and pray for her recovery. We hope someday to meet her again but under different circumstances.
Love and Prayers to all
Barb & Dwayne Kaufman
We went to see Karen Wed and Thurs.She is taking physical therapy and doing good She also is more alert the past 2days she picked out the paint she wanted us to paint her living room and also remembered her password for her laptop which Megan needed. Megan wheel her around in wheelchair for awhile,painted her fingernails and comb her hair A good day for her.
Sept 22
Meg and Dad went to see Karen this am as they were going to take her to University for a checkup. Karen was a little upset as she didnt know why they were taking her out of there. But the medics explained it to her. Megan spoke to doctor to see if Karen could get a private room as there is so much going on with other patient and she doesnt get much rest.
John and Leif went to see her in evening She was sleeping but woke up surprised to see Leif. Karen is busy during day with therapy then lunch then more therapy so she is tired near end of day.
I spoke to Karen the other night- she sounded really good! I only talked to her for a minute over the phone but she knew who i was and said I love you even joked and said bye stinky!
sept26 2008
Mom Dad Cathy,john and Meg went to see Case worker and therapist today.they all said she is improving day by day but it will be a long time. She also will have to go to a Brain Injury Center soon for more therapy. They explained to us about a patients brain injury and how they act and what to expect.This was very enlightning.
They explained she will never be the Karen we knew before the accident We all have hope for her.
Oct12008 Wed
Last night Karen was really alert and that made us feel good She understood what we asked her They plan to take her back to Univesity hospital today as they took CT scan of where she was having pain in right side and they found fluid so..back to hospital to find out what that is Karen understood that she was going there. So now we wait to see what that is today there is so much to keep up with Meg leaves for Calif. on Thurs and wont be back until Nov I hope things go well while she is gone. Meg has really had her hands full with all the paper work and taking care of her 2 yr old. We all love her for all she has done She will come back to stay in Jan. when her husband goes to Iraq
thurs. Oct 2
Mom Dad Meg and Alexis went to see Karen today She was very alert and in good spirits She wanted to know about the accident which Megan told her about. Karen was excited to see Alexis and couldnt get over her. Karen was in a little pain today after her surgery yesterday but she did eat 1/2 peanut butter sandwich Megan washed her hair for her and that made her feel better.
As we were leaving her friend Johnny came to see her. Now her sister Cathy is on the way up. She really was good today MOm
Karen, we continue to think of you each day and cannot wait to hear the good news that you are coming home. We keep in touch with your mom and dad and are glad to hear that you're doing better each day. Hang in there. Can't wait to see you.
Betty & Lou
Oct6Monday
We went to see Karen this pm She was in good spirits and talking about Steve. She told us Gary Pat and Dorie were there Sunday and everyone got upset at first but things calmed down She told us they took her to hospital again on Monday morning to have gallbladder drain removed and that she got upset with them because she didnt know why they were doing it She now has a different patient in the other bed. Took her a fresh fruit cup --said she would eat it later But still dont know if she is eating They are worried about that. Her skin graft is healing fine.
Oct 9 Wed
They took Karen to University again for the drain that Kernan took out because it wasnt draing. University said they couldnt put back in for some reason so they took her back This was an all day trip but she was in good spirits and called us when she returned Talked with case manager yesterday and said Karen is really improving and might be able to come home soon
Hi to All,
Tell Karen hello and to keep up the good work. We pray everyday for her recovery and her family.
God Bless
Barb Kaufman
Sun Oct 12
karen is anxious to come home She is walking with walker,getting out of bed and into wheel chair by herself and with help she washed her hair We will know this week what is happening.
I want to tell Barbara thanks for caring about Karen I have told her that you stayed with her until the medivac came She said WoW that was so nice of her She still cant comprehend all about the accident but she keeps asking Thanks Barb
We went to see Karen On Oct 2nd, In the beginning it was very emotional, at first we were concerned about Karen being so upset, so we asked the nurse if we should stay, the nurse said that it was fine and that Karen needed to go through this, so we stayed, By the middle of the visit, Karen had settled down a little, she still cried when she spoke about Steve, but she seemed to be doing okay..she talked alot about Steve...we talked alot about the past...and at one point had her laughing.It was a good visit, before we left we encourged her to eat and do everything she could do to get stronger so that she could get out of there..
PATT , GARY & TORI WRITE...
We went to visit karen again today, (Oct 12th)
We were amazed at the progress that we saw in Karen in just one week!
We talked about everything, from years ago until the present..Karen seemed to remember just about everything that we talked about from the week before.
We took her Jello, Pudding, Bananas, and some other goodies,,,she didnt eat anything while we were there.
We did alot of laughing about Steve...Although there were some tears, this visit, Karen seemed to do alot more laughing and talking than crying..
Karen seems anxious to go home...
We will continue to pray for Karens recovery
Oct 12th, Went to see Karen today, took her some new pants and little casual outfits for lounging in.
Johnny was already there when I arrived, I arrived around 12:30 pm, Johnny had been there since 10am, I brought karen some chicken wings, she ate one, a bag of UTZ potato chips,ate the whole bag, snack type bag and a quarter of a coldcut sub, Karen ate alot.
She was happy today, laughing, Johnny and I wheeled her into the garden, she enjoyed that and getting to go outside to feel the fresh air, Gary, Patt and Tori arrived as we were coming back in from the gardens, at that point we let her spend time with them. Karen seems accepting to all that has happend, but sometime with tears and wants to come home.
cathy
Oct 16th,Hi everyone I am home and out of the hospital. I want to thank everyone for thinking and praying for me. Im doing well home with parents they help me alot.
Thank you for writing all your comments about me on the blog/ Love you all!!! Karen
Oct.29th 2008
Hi to everyone who wrote to Karen on her blog.
Just wanted all to know she is now home with her parents until she is able to go back to her house.
Karen has made wonderful progress since the accident. She has had a nurse and 2 therapist coming to the house for 3 weeks now since she left Kernan rehab
She is walking with a cane,and doing her exercises Her wound has healed but will probably need plastic surgery in the future I want to thank everyone for all their concern and thoughfullness for Karen. She also is reading her blog and cant believe all the comments. Thank you all so much Karens Mom Katherine Dean
So glad to know that you are home and recovering well! You have been in our prayers since the accident as I am sure you have been in everyone's. The power of prayer is absolutely amazing! I will continue to pray for your strength to bring you out on top of all that has happened.
Love always,
Kevin and Jill
Post a Comment