Prayers for a Delta Gamma alumna

[paulam]

I am so sorry for your family's difficulties. Please know they are in my prayers, as are you. Stay strong and lean on those who love you. Please keep us updated.

Most sincerely,

Paula M.
Sugma Delta Tau
Patrae Multi Spes Una
One Hope of Many People

[ZTABullwinkle]

Mom is out of surgery, and should be headed back to her room soon. It is time to start saying some prayers.

The infection in Mom's right ankle was extensive. The doctors had to remove about a baseball sized amount of tissue that was infected. He removed all the pins, washed it out really well, placed a couple of drains and was able to place a couple of new pins for some support. The infection had moved up here leg to her knee, so the doctor also cleaned that out and placed a drain there. They will be going back in to check how it is doing probably Tuesday. There is some real concern that she will be able to keep her leg if they don't get this infection under control. If she keeps the leg, she will need skin grafts to close up the ankle. So, please say some prayers that the infection will stop spreading up her leg and the antibiotics will work.

Her external fixator on her right arm will probably come off in two to four weeks. Her halo brace will have to stay on for three months at least, until they are sure the fracture in her vertebrae is fully healed. They are back to using the ventilator as positive pressure during the day (meaning she is doing all of the work of breathing. The positive pressure helps to open up the alveoli to receive more oxygen.), and during the night they use it so she can get some rest and strength.

Dad is scared about the infection. I think we all are at this point. It is totally out of our hands, and in God's at this point. I will be going to Georgia on Sunday or Monday. So, soon I will be able to see her. Not to mention help my father out in whatever ways he needs me for.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and good thoughts.

[paulam]

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

Mom is out of surgery, and should be headed back to her room soon. It is time to start saying some prayers.

The infection in Mom's right ankle was extensive. The doctors had to remove about a baseball sized amount of tissue that was infected. He removed all the pins, washed it out really well, placed a couple of drains and was able to place a couple of new pins for some support. The infection had moved up here leg to her knee, so the doctor also cleaned that out and placed a drain there. They will be going back in to check how it is doing probably Tuesday. There is some real concern that she will be able to keep her leg if they don't get this infection under control. If she keeps the leg, she will need skin grafts to close up the ankle. So, please say some prayers that the infection will stop spreading up her leg and the antibiotics will work.

Dad is scared about the infection. I think we all are at this point. It is totally out of our hands, and in God's at this point. I will be going to Georgia on Sunday or Monday. So, soon I will be able to see her. Not to mention help my father out in whatever ways he needs me for.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and good thoughts.

Please be sure to ask that an Infectious Disease Specialist examine your mother. I had eight different doctors giving me antibiotics which did nothing to help. They finally sent in an Infectious Disease Specialist who looked up at the bag on the IV pole and said, "What in the hell are they giving you?" He pulled the bag off the pole, did a three point shot into the trash can, gave orders that I was not to receive any more antibiotics and the next day, the infection began to dissipate and the fever broke after 24 days. I went home within a few days with no infection. Had he been called earlier, I probably could have been cured and gone home long before I did.

You are all in my prayers.

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
Patrae Multi Spes Una
One Hope of Many People

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally Posted by paulam

Please be sure to ask that an Infectious Disease Specialist examine your mother. I had eight different doctors giving me antibiotics which did nothing to help. They finally sent in an Infectious Disease Specialist who looked up at the bag on the IV pole and said, "What in the hell are they giving you?" He pulled the bag off the pole, did a three point shot into the trash can, gave orders that I was not to receive any more antibiotics and the next day, the infection began to dissipate and the fever broke after 24 days. I went home within a few days with no infection. Had he been called earlier, I probably could have been cured and gone home long before I did.

You are all in my prayers.

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
Patrae Multi Spes Una
One Hope of Many People

I am sure she is seeing an infectious disease doctor, among all of the consults they have gotten.

[AnchorAlum]

I just saw this thread. I am keeping your Mom in my thoughts, but she has two very powerful things going for her - you and your Dad.

Here's hoping for a full recovery.

[ZTABullwinkle]

My dad and arrived at the hospital around 1 pm today, and were greeted by her nurse and the respiratory therapist. They were asking us to bring in some DVDs or books to keep her occupied. We had brought the ipod, and had her listening to it on Monday. We thought nothing of it. It didn't strike us when the nurse said we would notice some different things in her room. I went in to drop off our books before we dressed in the hospital's best yellow gowns and gloves. I immediately noticed two things: she was reading a book and she no longer had the oxygen tube attached to her trach, and was wearing a nasal cannula. When I commented on it, I turned my back only to hear her say "Hello!" Yes, she is speaking! My dad stopped in his tracks when he heard her voice also. What a great birthday gift!

We were able to talk to her, with her fading in and out to sleep. She doesn't remember any of the accident, and had a vague recollection of the events beforehand. She does remember bits and pieces, like Dad's face in the hospital in Columbus, OH. We filled her in on some things, but didn't want to overwhelm her. At one point, we put the ipod on her and she was singing and dancing along to "Spamalot." There were quite a few tears shed on my part. She may not be the world's greatest singer, but she sounded wonderful to me! She even sang a bit of happy birthday to me. She also read the half dozen cards she received in the mail in the past couple of days.

The pain patch seems to be doing a pretty good job of keeping her pain at bay. They have really had to cut down on the number of morphine injections they give her during the day. We didn't tell my brother and his wife before they went to visit tonight, so they are in for the same surprise we had. So, now if we can occupy her mind while stuck in that bed, we will do our best. We are taking a stack of books and the portable DVD player to her tomorrow afternoon.

[FSUZeta]

what wonderful news!! continued good wishes and prayers that she continue on this upward trend to a full recovery!

[baci]

ITA, what wonderful news.^^

[ZTABullwinkle]

Mom is heading into surgery first thing tomorrow morning to place the skin grafts on her lower right leg and on her stomach. It sounds like they are going to try and harvest the skin from mom's upper leg. The plastic surgeon will still uses the wound vac's negative pressure to help the grafts take after surgery.

She also is eating normal food. She had a fruit cup and spaghetti today. She doesn't have much of an appetite yet, but I am sure it will come back soon. She did enjoy the few sips she has had of that Diet Coke.

I am heading home tomorrow. My husband is getting a little too comfortable as a bachelor, so I think I need to get home. (J/K) I dropped off some cookies and a thank you card for the nurses when I went to the hospital today. I won't be able to see her before I leave, because of her scheduled surgery.

My dad seems to better rested these last few days. I took his Ben to the dog park to try and run some of that extra energy off. I am hoping he does okay with me gone. I have told him, if he needs me I will come back down, no questions whatsoever.

[baci]

I do hope all is well. I will keep everyone in my prayers.

[ZTABullwinkle]

While my mom is healing from her injuries, she has to deal with the death of my father. He passed away this morning a 7:10 am. He had been fighting cancer. Please keep my mom in your prayers, since she is still in the hospital recovering.

[ComradesTrue]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry. Will keep you, your mom, and the whole family in my prayers.

Hope that she is on the road to rehab soon. Is she still in ICU or has she moved out?

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry. Will keep you, your mom, and the whole family in my prayers.

Hope that she is on the road to rehab soon. Is she still in ICU or has she moved out?

She has been transferred to a hospital in her hometown of Savannah, GA. She is in a long-term "Select Specialy Hospital" whose goal is to get her into a rehabilitation hospital then home.

[ComradesTrue]

Gotcha. I am familiar with Select-type facilities. Best to your mom as she recovers.

[WVU alpha phi]

ZTA, I'm so sorry for the difficult time you and your family are going through right now. Stay strong!