by Chris Adams | Jun 6, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized |
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint” is one thing we have heard often in the SICU. It couldn’t be more true. Vernon is running the race of a lifetime.
The dialysis has been successful removing a portion of the fluid that has built up in Vern’s system, however they still need to pull off a lot more. His kidney function is slightly better but still extremely poor.
They have also determined his gall bladder wall is thickened which is indicative of an infection. They will be installing a catheter into the gall bladder tomorrow morning.
They are constantly doing loads of tests and reviewing numbers but the long and the short of it is he needs to release fluid. Through dialysis or through urination.
He is stable and they are weening him off of the nitrous and oxygen as his lungs clear up.
Keep praying for his kidney function to return.
Chris
by Allison Moore | Jun 5, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized |
I admit I was disappointed by the change of events in Vernon’s progress this week. As long as we are sticking to what the doctors and nurses project, I feel Vernon is totally secure in their hands. Then suddenly something changes, as its prone to do, and I begin to lose my emotional grip a little. Thankfully, I have wonderful, supportive friends, and I know where to go and cry a bit if I have to.
A friend suggested grief should be like letting the bubbles out of a champagne bottle. If you shake up the bottle and open it up at once, not only will the cork pop out,but the bottle could crack into a million pieces. If you let the bubbles out a little by little, and decompress a bit at a time, none of the champagne is lost…and the experience is safer. She said it better than that. But I loved the picture. I love the idea of trying to elegantly decompress. And I was able to use the non-alcoholic version of the story with Maki as he processes his own story, by describing a shaken soda can. Dr. Pepper: unfortunately, something he seems to understand well. 🙂
But enough about me. I will just say today was a good day after the last couple of hard ones.
Vernon continues to respond well to dialysis (the external kidney machine) so that is a positive. Today, “Doogie Howser” the young genius Orthopedic surgeon (actually called Dr. Wilkins) came into the room while I was there and told me he had thought about Vernon in his sleep and decided to take off the X-fix frame that has been supporting Vernon’s pelvis since the first surgery on the night of the accident. I don’t know if that meant he dreamt about what to do today or if he just took his mental work home with him and kept thinking on it. Either way, it was comforting that he cared enough.
After the Doctor removed the frame, Vernon’s belly relaxed and became less distended, which is what we had hoped. But on top of that, his ICP (brain pressure: main thing they are keeping tabs on) went down, and they were able to drain him better. There are so many other things that go on, and I know I am not reporting all of them. Thanks again for Chris (and also my mom) who are able to retain information better than I.
For me, it was just good to see things coming OFF of Vernon. So much keeps going in, its nice to have it the other way for a change. The doctor actually gave me the X-fix bars (which look like bike parts: Vernon would approve) to take with me as a souvenir. Maki appreciated them too. Maybe he and daddy can make a fishing pole out of the bits.
Dr. Wilkins and his assistant accessing some healing wounds, while “sister” Kris watches the numbers. (That’s what I call her, but she aint no nun.)
our take-home erector set
Doctor Cummings, the Oral Surgeon, gently taking out a couple of stitches from last week’s jaw surgery. Jaw wiring: a dramatic, yet effective way to lose those extra pounds Vernon had been complaining about.
by Anne Moore | Jun 4, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized |
Walking into Vernon’s hospital room is like going into a classroom. The attendant nurse and any doctors who come by are all quick to answer questions and explain what is going on in Vernon’s body. They are compassionate, skilled and articulate…the caretakers and guardians of our dear sleeping friend. Knowing he is getting the best care possible gives us hope. And knowing that people are praying for God to do what doctors and medicine can’t do, gives us confidence and peace.
We have been waiting for Vernon’s next surgery, which will repair the damaged bones of the pelvis. What I didn’t realize is that until that happens, Vernon cannot be moved…at all. He can’t be turned over or his body exercised, all things that will speed his recovery. But he won’t have the surgery until he is stable enough to tolerate it. Right now he is still too fragile.
The good news is that the first dialysis treatment last night brought marked improvement to his lungs. He will have another dialysis treatment tonight to continue removing the excess fluid in his body and lungs. Unfortunately, the pelvic surgery has been postponed until next week. That is a disappointment as we are eager to see Vernon move to the next stage of recovery. Pray with us that he will stabilize, that his lungs and kidneys will improve and function properly, and that the brain would continue to heal. We are so grateful for those who are supporting Vernon with thoughtful notes, concerted prayer and many acts of kindness toward the family.
by Chris Adams | Jun 4, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized |
Vernon responded well to the Dialysis and they are planning to continue treating as needed. His kidney’s are still not doing their job. His oxygenation was very low before the initial Dialysis and is now back into a good range. The mood is much better in the room today and although they said he is not out of the woods yet, he isn’t necessarily heading deeper into them at this point.
by Chris Adams | Jun 3, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized |
Earlier today the nursing staff and doctors noticed Vernon was not releasing liquids. They have done a few tests and as it turns out his kidneys have stopped working. They said this is most likely due to injuries suffered in the accident or the high powered antibiotic they are treating him with (or a combination of both).
They are taking him off one of the antibiotics and they are putting him on dialysis immediately.
I’m not a doctor but my understanding is that they are essentially cleaning his blood through the dialysis machine and pulling liquid out of the blood which in turn should reduce the amount of liquid built up in the lungs.
Please take some time to pray for our good friend Vernon tonight.
– Chris
by Allison Moore | Jun 3, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized |
I want to share this wonderful video that has been circulating the web for awhile. It is a MURMERATION of Starlings. Its incredible how flocks of birds can fly together (and in and out of each other’s paths) with such grace. Its a true phenomenon. With all the support we have been receiving from all over the world, and also the practical support of the nearby community, I feel like this is what you all must look like on some spiritual level. Everyone moving together en masse, taking a wonderful shape, of giant hands perhaps, and lifting our family up and over this time. It is an incredible thing to witness and be a part of. I thank you so much and will never forget it. A murmeration of love.
