update

Mom's hanging in there.

That's the most important thing.

I've been spending the night at the hospital with Mom. So grateful they allow this.  Tonight, however, my sister is there while I relax a little and write an exam at her house.


Parkview North - helicopter on top
I am so grateful for that life flight that helped to save Mom's life
and for the EMTs, firefighters, and pilots.

So, the basic update:

Mom has come through two surgeries well.  There may be another in a couple of days, but the medical team is still considering a variety of options. Coordinating the work of cardiologists, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons and the trauma doctors can be complicated. 

She's still in critical condition in the Surgical Neuro Trauma ICU, but she's stable.  Although she is still on the ventilator, she did manage over an hour off it yesterday.  Her rib fractures (too many to count) mean she hasn't got enough support for her lungs; the surgery she may have is meant to stabilize the ribs. We're hoping she'll be ready to breathe on her own soon.

She's definitely aware now.  She'll wiggle toes and squeeze your hand now, and this afternoon she gave the tiniest of nods a couple of times instead of doing the hand squeeze. Actually, I kind of wish she wouldn't do that because she has two spinal injuries, including a fracture at C7, and they've put a collar brace on her for a reason. But I'm so grateful she can do this! She doesn't seem to be focusing her eyes at all, but she opens them sometimes when someone is talking to her or when they're doing a procedure she finds difficult. 

We're grateful for all the support.  Great nurses. Cards and calls.  Meals and cookies. Rides.  Prayers.  Love. Messages from friends at just the right moment. This weekend, we received a huge dinner of chicken and rice, enough that I had leftovers tonight, enjoying them at least as much as the first time.  As we deal with this nightmare, consider that my parents were also supposed to move this week, something that fell partway through the morning of the accident.   Without wonderful people with whom to work, we would be in even more difficulty than we are.  I am so thankful for the goodness we are experiencing in the midst of this terrible situation.


Mom's Caring Bridge site has gotten so many hits! We read messages to her yesterday for quite a while. Thank you all.

And my sisters... What would I do without them?  Family sisters and St Margaret's sisters, I love you. 

Now, if we can just get Mom through this...  Please continue to pray for her, for Dad, and for the medical team. 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marianmrandall/journal


hospital window sunrise