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