5 weeks in, memory better, asking about baby
Things have been progressing slow for the last couple days. Overall, her breathing continues to get better, her blood, nutrient absorption, infection & high fevers continue to be in the limelight as concerns.
Denise looks very frail... bony hands, tiny wrists, etc. Not chewing & talking make her cheek bones very pronounced, cheeks sunken in & jaw line not as square. In spite of that, she's still giving it all she's got when she's alert, moving her legs & arms. Yesterday I think she was able to bend her knees on her own a tiny bit, and she was able to raise her arms at the elbows with great effort. She even accidentally batted the tracheostomy tube and it popped off for a second.
There was another change in antibiotic, as one of her infections (pseudomonas something or other) was resistant to it. They started Amikacin. She has mild DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation), related to infection. It's a weird condition that I haven't researched enough to understand. But for the time being, I *think* it's a situation in which blood coagulates within the circulatory system (not at a wound), and uses up coagulants & platelets. She also has disproportionately low count of lymphocytes, which are part of white blood cells. 20% should be normal, she's been 15% on a good day, 5% on a bad day.
She had the best blood gas results yet (encouraging). Yesterday she was about as alert & active (and aggitated & anxious) as she's been since waking up. She could remember most people in photos and last night's nurse said she's definitely asking about the baby. Denise is only taking sedative (Avastin... with an "i" is the official hospital spelling) as needed, in small amounts to mellow out, not get knocked out.
We finished reading "Purpose Driven Life" the other day, which we started the day before Denise started feeling sick (40 days). Today marks the end of 5 weeks in the hospital. So on we go into week 6. And off I go to the hospital. Thanks for caring, all!
Denise looks very frail... bony hands, tiny wrists, etc. Not chewing & talking make her cheek bones very pronounced, cheeks sunken in & jaw line not as square. In spite of that, she's still giving it all she's got when she's alert, moving her legs & arms. Yesterday I think she was able to bend her knees on her own a tiny bit, and she was able to raise her arms at the elbows with great effort. She even accidentally batted the tracheostomy tube and it popped off for a second.
There was another change in antibiotic, as one of her infections (pseudomonas something or other) was resistant to it. They started Amikacin. She has mild DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation), related to infection. It's a weird condition that I haven't researched enough to understand. But for the time being, I *think* it's a situation in which blood coagulates within the circulatory system (not at a wound), and uses up coagulants & platelets. She also has disproportionately low count of lymphocytes, which are part of white blood cells. 20% should be normal, she's been 15% on a good day, 5% on a bad day.
She had the best blood gas results yet (encouraging). Yesterday she was about as alert & active (and aggitated & anxious) as she's been since waking up. She could remember most people in photos and last night's nurse said she's definitely asking about the baby. Denise is only taking sedative (Avastin... with an "i" is the official hospital spelling) as needed, in small amounts to mellow out, not get knocked out.
We finished reading "Purpose Driven Life" the other day, which we started the day before Denise started feeling sick (40 days). Today marks the end of 5 weeks in the hospital. So on we go into week 6. And off I go to the hospital. Thanks for caring, all!
posted by Phil and Denise Williams at 10:01 AM
3 Comments:
Thank you God. I am so happy to hear she is improving, a little.
Dear God please heal Denise. Give her back to her family healthy and whole. Amen
I also read The Purpose Driven Life. I am trying very hard to implement it in my life. It is hard living for God... God Bless
You don't know me -- one of the "anonymous many" who have been touched by your plight, and encouraged by your strength and humor. I'm praying for you and your family, and keep checking in for updates! God is faithful -- hang in there!! "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a HOPE!!" (Jer. 29:11)
We are a Pasadena Christian School family who are praying for Denise's recovery. You don't know us personally although our daughter is a student at PCS. We pray everyday for Denise's improved health and that your family continues to have the strength to deal with this situation. May the Lord continue to uplift you.
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