SATURDAY EVENING POST (ha ha)

Diane and Ronnie are here, and at this afternoons visit, we got to see his eyes for quite some time. Today, he is tracking his eyes back in forth, and is trying to focus on us to some degree. He seemed rather alert. His fever was down to 99.

We had some question for a little while about whether or not they did the sonogram, but I think they finally decided it has been done, so they started him back on his food. There was some confusion if they did the sonogram on an empty stomach or not, so this MIGHT have to be done over again. (Again, the sonogram is to check his gallblader.)

We dont have a progress report for tonight, because they were gonna be late opening the doors, so I opted to blog first, then visit him. I will update again in the morning.

Love to all
Felisha

Saturday Morning Post

Randy had a pretty rough night with his trach tube. They got it fixed, but he is very tired this morning. They haven't done the sonogram yet, but they will do it this morning at bedside. His temperature is down in the 99 - 100 range, which is a good sign.

They told me again that when his temperature is gone, they will put in a permanant shunt that will run from his brain, under the skin, down to his organs. This will help him with normal drainage, as his current "filter" is clogged, and won't work properly. This is a very common procedure with brain injury patients.

As for me, I am holding up pretty well, although I was not too fond of todays nurse. He tends to be a bit pestimistic, which is kind of scary. I realize he was trying to prepare me for the worse, because that is his nature, therefore, he has no suprises. I also realize that it is hard to explain to families that things could get better, but they could get worse. They have made it pretty clear, that brain injury patients don't have a "normal" healing curve. They don't start at the bottom, and gain progress until they are back to their regular lives. Brain injury patients have good days, and bad days, then good days, then bad days. So, it is much more like a rollercoaster ride, than an uphill climb.

Will post more later. Thanks for tuning in.
I love you all, KEEP THE PRAYERS COMING, PLEASE!
Felisha

Cerebral Aneurysm

Barbara Sue found a very interesting site of some before and after pictures of a cerebral aneurysm with the coiling techniques that were performed on Randy. He had two of these procedures done during his first days here. If you would like to see pictures of how this works, please check out this link:

http://www.brainaneurysm.com/aneurysm-pictures.html

Not much change this afternoon, still running fever. They are going to do a sonagram on his gall bladder sometime tonight or in the morning. They will stop his feeding tonight, because he has to do this on an empty stomach.

From Portales

Over the last week and five days, I have heard though telephone calls about the support of friends and family during this not so great times in our family. I really didn't know how much support there was until I got back into Portales and everybody, not just 1 or 2 people, but seemed like a hundred people was asking about Randy. I want to thank everybody for there prayers and support. I know Randy is not out of the woods yet, but it really means alot to see that there are a lot of people who care. Keep your prayers and supports going.

Thanks again for all your support

Matthew

Things are about the same. He is very sleepy, but still opens eyes on occasions. I haven't seen any signs of responsiveness since night before last. He is still running low-grade fever. They have pretty much ruled out infection around the central IV port. They suspect it may be pnuemonia, although it isn't showing up on x-ray. They have changed him to a broader-spectrum antibiotic, that controls more types of infection. I spoke with Devon (Dr. Smith's assistant) and he indicates that we may not see any improvement for a few days. He said that days 14-17 are usually when we are able to tell more about the overall prognosis. Today is day 12, so maybe by early next week we will see a bit more. So, for the most part, we are on a plateau, not much forward progress, but not any bad news either. Sounds like it's still a time thing.

KEEP PRAYING.
I love you, and miss you all,
Felisha

Hey folks, no news to report on this visit. They took him downstairs to re-adjust his central IV port, brought him back upstairs, gave him his bath, washed his hair, and it just wore him out! He was sleeping so sound we couldn't wake him if we had to! Mom bought him a Merle Haggard, a Willie Nelson and a Texas Country CD. Gotta play some of what he loves! Will report later tonight!

Much love,
Felisha

WOOO-HOO!! GREAT NEWS!

And Another Glorious Morning to You All!

For those of you that have not heard our TERRIFFIC news from last night, I am so excited to let everyone know that Randy is able to understand what we are saying to him! He will blink twice when he understands, or the answer is yes. He is aware that he is in the hospital. He knows he is very sick but getting better. He understands when we mention the names of all of his loved ones, and knows that you all are praying for him and for a speedy recovery. Thank you all for these prayers, we know God is holding us in his hands and answering our prayers! WOOOO-HOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was having a hard time waking up this morning when we went in (He never has been much of a morning person anyway). He is still responding with his eyes, but it is real sluggish, because he acts sleepy.

His fever is up this morning to 102. They keep giving him tylenol, and continue with the antibiotics and steroids. We are all aware that recovery is a slow process, but are THRILLED that he has come this far in just 11 days!

Mom got him a boom box that we can keep beside his bed, so we can keep HIS music playing at all times. I am sure he is getting tired of CMT. There is so little music on that channel anyway. Matt is in the process of burning us some of his music on CD, and I am sure this will help keep him calm.

I love you all!
Felisha

Good morning all,
The latest news: They have removed all of his sedation medications. His eyes are open for several minutes at a time, and only closes them for a minute or two and he reopens them. He seems to be staring far off into the distance, and unresponsive this morning. I think he can hear my voice, because he will open his eyes when I call out to him. But when they are open, he seems to be way out in space somewhere. They have tested his hands and feet again with the pinch tests, and they said everything was ok there. They gave him some blood to replace some that he has lost. Still running fever. At 8 this morning it was up to 102. They gave him tylenol then. Otherwise no other changes. It is wonderful to see him "awake" but at the same time, it is a bit scary to see him so distant. I pray this gets better with time.

Love to all!
Felisha

Dear loved ones,
It is through tears of joy that I have the pleasure of letting everyone know that we are making some improvements! Shortly after my last blog, I returned to his room. His sed meds had been down at 20 ccs for about 30 minutes or so, and when I tried to arouse him, he OPENED HIS EYES, and LOOKED AT ME, and showed some recognition. He acted like he knew who I was and was trying to respond, tho he was very, very sleepy. He kept his eyes open for at least 30 seconds or so, and Matt and I could tell that he was understanding at least part of what I was telling him. He yawned hugely 3 or 4 times, and struggled to stay awake. (He is still under a huge amount of sedation, at this time.)

At tonights visit, he would open his eyes, though not quite as awake. However EVERY TIME I call out his name, he would open them slightly for me. He has moved his shoulder around a couple of times. His temperature has remained low all day, as as of a few minutes ago, He felt like he had no fever, but they havent taken it since 4:00.

OVERALL: ITS BEEN A GREAT DAY!!!

Thanks again for the prayers. God is with us, YES I KNOW!

HEY FOLKS-We have some improvement. As I told some of you by phone this morning, Randy has opened his eyes a couple of times today. The amount of response we get from him is related to the amount of sedation meds they are giving him at any given moment. When he is at 20 ccs and leveled at 20, he seems to respond with his eyes and at some points he has opened his eyes on a few occasions. Not opened wide, but opened nontheless.

When I went in a few minutes ago, they had just bathed him, and cleaned his trach tube area, so they had increased his sed meds to 34.5, so he was really too groggy to respond. We played this little piggy went to market with his fingers, pinching each finger, and he tried really hard to open his eyes, but still just too sedated, but I can still see response in his eyes. He knew we were there and messing with him! They did drop the sed meds to 20 while I was in there, and by the time I get back up to see him he may be a bit more responsive. His fever has maintaned between 100 and 101 all day. All good signs I would say! I know Randy is aware of our presence and can hear our prayers, and is fighting to get better.

I feel truly blessed.

I love you all!

Not too much news this morning, but we are still holding our own. His temperature is still low grade, and we are still trying to locate the source of infection. Had a new internal medicine dr. (not a specialist!) He says the antibiotics they are giving him are supposed to be covering whatever the bug is, but they arent sure if the source was the central IV port or if it could be viral. Either way, the meds should be able to take care of it. They put him on some steroids this morning to help strengthen him, and to reduce some of the swelling in his organs. They are still pumping him full of liquids to keep him hydrated in other areas. We still have the drain tube from his head, but the liquid output is not as bloody as it was...we are shooting for clear, and none. It has slowed down and is lighter in color, so we have some improvement there. They are removing the port at his hip area. (This indicates they think they are done with running that scope up into his head)

Each of these steps are small ones, but each one is a positive one. I know God is with us. I feel the power of his love, and I know how much you all are pulling for us. WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS. Thanks again for all your love and support. More news later!

Got to see Dr. Smith just now. He says the brain spasms have stopped for now, and we will continue with the doppler scans every other day. He has moved his central IV port to his right side, and that was a successful procedure. He thinks the old port was the reason we are running a temperature, that there is probably some infection there, but it could be any number of other problems. He doesnt seem too concerned about this fever at this point in time. They are now telling me that is ok to try and stimulate him when I am in there. They have his sedation meds down to 20 ccs, (which is still a lot) so he may not be able to respond well to me, but WHEN I TALK TO HIM, I CAN TELL HE CAN HEAR MY VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!! His eyes move as though he is trying to see me. His lips purse somewhat when I touch his lips. (Not quite a kissing motion, but more movement than before.) I take this as a blessing of good news. For the first time I feel like he is responding ever so slightly to my voice, and the dr thinks this is good. BABY STEPS, but its the best news I have had lately!!

Keep Praying.
Thanks Amber!

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..

This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Still stable this morning. Still running low grade temperature. We will be doing another doppler scan sometime today, to measure brain spasms. They have lowered his sedation meds to 20 ccs. We cant go any lower than that until we have the brain spasms under control. Still havent seen the Dr. yet. The nurse said I would get to meet with him at the 4:00 visit.

They think his fever MIGHT be coming from his central IV line in his chest. They will be moving it from the left side to his right side or groin. They seemed to think this is not too uncommon.

He didnt really move or respond much yesterday. His pupils were dialated to a 5 yesterday. The nurse said 2-3 was normal. They are now at 3. But his eyes are still responding to light, which means that the "lights are still on somewhere"

They said he has a blister on his back that they have been tending to. I asked if it was a bedsore or what, and the nurse said no, although she didnt know much about it. This is the first I have heard about that. I suppose when I talk to the doctor we might find out what the origin of this is.

So not much good news to report. But not much bad news to report.

KEEP PRAYING...I LOVE YOU ALL
Felisha

Just went in to see him. He is looking better all the time, though it is still a very slow process. They have decreased his sedation medication from 40 ccs to 30 ccs, and his blood pressure is as low as it has been since we got here. It is running around 110/50, which indicates that the blood pressure patch is working well, and they can slowly start decreasing his sedation. He still has some swelling, and I am sure that we will have this for quite some time, because of the liquids they are pumping in to prevent dehydration.

He has started running a low-grade fever, anywhere from 99 to 100.2, until right before we went in to visit, and then it had spiked to 102. They had given him something for the fever, and the doctor has ordered and antibiotic to control any infection that may be coming on. He will get that twice a day for a while.

Otherwise, it still looks about the same. TIME AND PRAYERS!

I LOVE YOU ALL, for all you have done.

Sunday Morning Update

Todays News:

Dr did the doppler scan thing last night. No changes in the spasms, but felt no need to change anything in that department. He has ordered the doppler scan for every other day, as well as the catscans.

For the more optimistic news...he is showing some signs of life that we've not seen for a while. I can see his eyes rolling behind his eyelids. He keeps moving his mouth without me touching it. His left side of his body moved just a bit at one point. They have given him a more complete shave, and he looks much better today.

Sad news...They cut his pony tail off! There was just no way to save it in that condition. He'll have lots of time to grow it back, but it will take some getting used to it, I'm sure.

So for now things still look pretty optimistic, but we still need your prayers.

I love you all!

Felisha