Leah is still in ICU, now (has been) on a feeding tube, has the trach with vent, Bev put me on speaker phone yesterday so LEah could hear my voice, through her signing and a wipe off board she wants me there...so I am going. Packing essentials, grieving and hoping when I see her I will not have the flashbacks/passout or get lightheaded from the memory of my dad when he was in ICU with the same after his accident that left him a parapalegic. My heart pounds and I dread the drive by myself.Taking juice boxes and candy bars ...just in case!
Jarek has a fever spiking every other day so he will be back at the peds.....he will be ok though, daughter is insistant that I go down to see Leah.
I am scared for her, fearful of losing one of my most dedicated friends that I have ever had. Many of you know they are hard to come by.
Please keep up your prayers for those of you that do so and I have been placing her on prayer chains. I believe in miracles.
JodeOh Jode! I am so sorry. I will pray for your safety and well being as well as for Leah's health. You are a wonderful friend. Take care of yourself. I will pray for you and your friend. It will mean alot to her that you are there. Have a safe trip.Keeping you all in my prayers, Jode. Thinking of you.
The trip went well, thankyou for your prayers as always, I am certain Leah could not have made it this far without them.
I left this A/M around 5:50...was up with Jarek at Allyson's when I got home at 3A/M I just cried about Leah and thought, what the heck...got packed ate a bit then left. Got in Muncie about 9:30A/M and she was thrilled to hear my voice, she was quite surprised, we cried and both had tears for about 20 minutes. I brought her a really soft teddy bear and she has fussed with it all day. She named him "Jack" after my dad. I wanted her to have something to hold and snuggle onto, and to know someone is always with her and I am thinking of her all the time.
The update:
Has a feeding tube that runs this milky brown stuff all day.I told he rit looks like runny peanutbutter.She is on a trach but is breathing on her own at 88% o2. Has three lines, one fluids , one meds and the other for pain meds they give her. SHe said her pain level is at a "9" so she is in great pain.
Leah's mom stays during the day.HEr son is also here today.
HEre is what has happened. The neuropathy has for whatever reason moved up to her waste. The neuropathy has moved up so far that it has now involved the bottom portion of her lungs......bottom third I believe. This happened quick. I just spoke with her in November and she said it had moved up to her thigh, but in all actuality it has moved further.
She went for a swallow test today with xray and she can swallow the consistancy of applesause, but not water yet, it leakes out through her trach. Tomorrow they move her to the nursing, advanced skilled place. There she will have rehab to learn to swallow again differently and try to gain strength and learn how to work the trach ect.THe Dr. who placed the trach stated the trach is temporary.She will be there for a minimum of 3 weeks unless she has more problems.
I did learn that she coded 3 or more times. :( They do not or would not say what this has done to her heart. ...so much going on and she is exhausted and I do not want to wear her outby asking too many questions. I am trying to learn sign language as that is how she is trying to speak to us, that and the wipeoff board and mouthing words.
She is improving a little and that is what is important. Nobody will say what the prognosis is,so I suppose we are just thankful for this time we have now.
Jode
Peace to you Jode, and I hope your friend continues to improve.
Well we are waiting on insurance ok then she can be moved, till then she will have to remain in ICU. Hard night last night for her but overall the Dr. that preformed the trach said she is doing astounding!
daughter called, jarek has a cold and his one ear is leaking fluid so she called the ENT and has an appt. early afternoon. Busy times! I haven't made my rounds visiting other frineds as of yet, Leah wants me here with her and she needs her friends an dfamily close right now.
jode
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com