Day Seven

Wow, it's been a whole week since the accident...it seems both like forever ago and like just yesterday. They say time makes things easier, and in a sense I think that applies here. The initial shock and heart-wrenching terror have subsided a bit, and for now I really hope I can say the worst day of my life is behind me. I don't know what the future will bring, but I'm trying to stay positive and keep the faith. Of course, a little pharmaceutical help from my doctor has also aided in decreasing some of my anxiety. ;) And I can't say enough wonderful things about my friends and family who have come to my side in droves and carried me through the days and nights. No words can describe how thankful I am to have them all in my life. As Lilly so eloquently stated in her entry, it's simply astonishing.

Alright, on to an update. Last night I headed over to hear the news of the CT scan results. Some wonderful friends from work were there to meet me in the lobby (Kristen, Jess and Jamie) and they brought bagels and cream cheese for the SICU nurses (we nurses LOVE to be fed- great idea, girls!) as well as flowers and other goodies. Aunt Linda, Uncle Tom and Lilly were finishing up dinner and came over right after, and also Stef, Jillian and Natalie came.

Jamie and I went up to mom's room only to be told the CT scan wouldn't be read until the morning. ARGH! But that was okay, because she was still looking good, her labs and all her numbers were good, and her facial swelling was even less than it had been earlier in the day. She's getting her beautiful cheek bones back! The ICP pressures were in a good range with the bag still at the level of her head (anywhere between 5-10ish), very encouraging. The "stomach doctor," as he called himself, stopped by to once again explain the rationale and procedure for the insertion of the PEG tube, which he himself will be placing. He was a very nice man, introducing himself and shaking our hands, making sure we understood everything and even asking questions about mom and her life outside all this. I'm not sure whether to take it with a grain of salt (don't these doctors know we hang on every word they say???), but he also said something along the lines of "Most of these patients turn around." I guess I'll take any words of encouragement I can get at this point.

So we left last night not knowing what the CT would show, but also knowing that everything was still very stable. Also, the nurse taking care of her was great, and seemed to really open up to us, and it's always wonderful to be comfortable with the nurse taking care of mom. She was left in good hands.

This morning, Natalie and I headed over for The News of the scan. It was actually very anti-climactic, because the trauma doctor told us it was essentially unchanged again. This was good news! Nothing is getting worse as we head into day 7, which was still a potential outcome, and everyone there keeps telling me these things take TIME. So I'm pleased. Also, the moment we walked in, I noticed they had put the trach in, and mom looks absolutely radiant with all those tubes out of her mouth. I cannot describe to you how much nicer it is to look at her and know she must be SOOO much more comfortable. It eases my heart. She can actually keep her mouth closed, and she looks beautiful, with her cheekbones back and her beautiful lips free to relax. Now we just have to get that PEG tube in so they can take the NG tube out of her nose, and we'll be golden. They say her labs, gases, blood counts and everything are all still good and stable. They have decided to raise the ICP drain bag even higher (now a bit above the level of her head) to see how she tolerates that, and so far so good - the pressures are still staying okay! The trauma doctor told me that in the next few days they'll want to be able to take the ICP monitor out altogether so they can continue on the path of treating her. When the day comes when they take out the monitor, I know I will be very nervous, because there is definitely some security in knowing what those numbers are at all times. I liken it to when someone has had a baby in the Special Care Nursery on breathing monitors all the time, and then when it's time for the baby to go home, the parents are terrified they won't know if something is wrong because there are no monitors at home. But I must tell myself that these doctors have been amazing and they know what they're doing - they wouldn't take it out unless they knew it was safe and appropriate.

Okay, I guess that's it for now. Keep up the prayers and good thoughts and love. I know you will. We can't thank you enough, because we know all the love coming in is helping her. It has to be. Strength in numbers. Bless you all.