Thursday, January 14, 2010

Fifty Sixth Post

Well, it has been more than six months now, and mom is finally back home. She actually came home during Christmas break, but I was caught up seeing friends and family and didn't post. I guess this will be one of the last posts I will make on this blog. Mom is doing well, and is working with therapists to be able to stand up, speak better, and get all her mental functions back to where they were.

As it is Mom has about 95% of her mental functions back it seems to me.

We got her a powerchair to get around, and remodeled the house to make the bathrooms more accessible and to install an elevator so she can get upstairs. The house was kind of a mess when I was home. But its good to have Mom back.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Fifty Fifth Post

Well, things in college are fun but busy. This week I got bronchitis, ran out of meal swipes, and my phone broke, but I also got to go to play rugby on Manhattan beach with the rugby team and go to two fun parties.

I'm getting skype set up to talk to Dad and Mom with.

Mom sounds like she is constantly getting better. I talk to her and Dad about 3 times per week, and she is now doing physical therapy. She keeps switching between Harborview and Cascade Vista it seems, and is now at Harborview once again. I know she prefers Cascade Vista.

I'm coming up for Thanksgiving and Christmas so I will see Mom then. Dad is also still off work to care for Mom. I also got to go up once already for the UW game. I'm glad I chose a college on the west coast.

It seems like the accident was years ago now. It certainly is strange that one accident like that could just take Mom completely out of the game for five months and also alter Dad and my lives so much.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Fifty Fourth Post

Well, Dad called today and told me that Mom has had a complication in her recovery. Evidentally her colon has been pulled up into her upper chest through a small hole in her diaphragm which is a very rare condition. The doctors don't perform many of these surgeries because it is so rare but it is also one that they can't afford to mess up.

I've kind of been avoiding telling my friends here at USC about my Mom because I got tired of all the questions people asked about her at home, and wanted to distance myself from that, kind of start fresh here as a normal guy.

So nobody here really knows about Mom yet except my roommate. I have people to talk with though, so don't worry that I'm repressing my feelings or anything. I guess I just wish Mom was recovering normally so we wouldn't have to deal with this.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Fifty Third Post

OK, so Mom came home yesterday for a few hours thanks to the selfless efforts of the Redmond FD. She really enjoyed the visit, as did our dog Aby, who got up on the counter and ate three sandwiches while we were in the other room.

Mom was really excited to be home, and kept saying how beautiful and elegant the house is, and how it was so good to be home, and how we kind of took it for granted that we had such a great home before. We had food and drinks set out for her, and Dad and I cleaned the house really well and opened the windows (it was a beautiful day yesterday) and turned on the fireplace (she loves that fireplace) and served her lunch.

I also went and picked Mom some blackberries yesterday, which we always used to do at the end of every summer. I feel bad that Mom is getting gypped out of our last time together before college, and I know she is feeling it too.

On another note, I am leaving for USC tomorrow at 5am (7am flight), so I won't have too much to post on about Mom anymore except for phone conversations. So I will probably not be posting on here much anymore.

I guess the best thing would be to make a google/blogger account and subscribe to this blog (top left corner) so it would be easy for you guys to see when there is a new post instead of checking the blog everyday.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Fifty Second Post

Saw Mom today, pretty normal day. Not much to report, tired, going to bed.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Fifty First Post

I saw Mom again today, but only for about 45 minutes. She got put into the cardiac chair via a hoist lift, which always scares her half to death. We wheeled her outside, which she really enjoyed even though it was cloudy and a little cool.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Fiftieth Post

Well, if measuring age by number of posts, I guess my blog is over the hill.

I saw Mom yesterday as she got back from Harborview for some tests yesterday. She was pretty tired so I only stayed for a little bit.

I also saw her today, but it was a pretty normal visit. We talked for a while, then she fell asleep so I read and texted.

Scott

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Forty-Ninth Post

OK, well I am definitely behind on my blogging right now.

I guess the highlights of the pat few days have been that Mom is getting into a pseudo wheelchair called a cardiac chair more and more nowadays. She is also getting more physical therapy work done on her leg.

Dad and I bring the dog in a lot nowadays which cheers Mom up, and we brought the cat in once too.

The other night Dad and I brought the movie Elizabeth in for Mom to watch on my Macbook, as well as the dog and some blankets from home and some popcorn for a family movie night. Mom only lasted about 45 minutes before falling asleep but it was meaningful none the less. Katie and I are bringing the movie back tonight to see if she wants to finish it, or at least make more progress in it.

When I visit Mom I usually talk to her for about half an hour before she falls asleep, then I switch over to reading a book I bring. I am getting a lot of reading this way which I have not had previously this summer so it is good.

Mom went in for some tests at Harborview today but she should be back at Cascade Vista in Redmond within the hour.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Forty-Eight Post

So it seems that I am getting the posts up a day behind nowdays.

Anyway I saw Mom yesterday, mostly just so she could see I was OK.

Also a big thank you to Mrs. Esau for helping our family so much.

Scott

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Forty-Seventh post

So I saw Mom again yesterday too. She was sad that I am leaving soon for school and that she wasn't able to spend as much time with me as she would have liked.

Anyway, I helped her eat dinner, talked with her for a few hours, forty minutes of which she took a nap for, and then finally left around dinner time. She was watching "What Not to Wear" as I left.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Forty-Sixth Post

OK, so a lot of news.

First off Mom is now in a nursing home in Redmond, which will make the commute easier and eliminate the $7 parking per day that Harborview put on me.

The building is moderately nice, but the staff seem to be really nice and really enjoy taking care of Mom. Also you can bring in animals there so Mom was enjoying that. They also have a little courtyard that you can go into with some flowers so we wheeled Mom out there in her cardiac chair. It looked like all her IV's were gone now too, which was cool.

Mom was talking about how she gets bored there being in her bed all day, so I think I will take a movie in with some friends and watch it with her, also so my friends can see her again.

We found out some more about the other driver today. Evidentially she is a premed major at Seattle University, and was in fact drunk on the night of the accident. The toxicology report says that she was also on some prescription drugs, whether they were for recreational drug use or medications I don't know. She could go to jail for up to 10 years though. I guess really I would like her to go to jail for long enough for her to learn her lesson, but not long enough to ruin her life. We don't need two ruined lives here. I guess maybe 5 years in jail and also her having to pay for everything that our insurance doesn't cover, seeing as she was also uninsured. And the guilt. If the doctors hadn't saved my mom, or if she had been anywhere else in the world practically, Mom would have died, and it would have been her fault. As it is Mom is having to go through way more than anyone should. She would have been the last person who deserved it.

They're also considering making her read me and my dad's blogs. When you read this, know that you have singlehandedly done a huge amount of damage to Mom and to everyone who cares about her. And it is all on your shoulders.

Back from Maine

So I just got back from seeing Uncle Kim in Maine for a week. Will post tomorrow.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Forty Fifth Post

OK, so I am with Mom right now. She is doing really well, eating a lot, and is very talkative. I told her that I am joining the Spirit of Troy (USC marching band) and she seemed to really like that. I also played her some of the music from the marching band.

Unfortunately today I also found that I missed my flight to Maine. Uncle Kim is trying to find me a new flight to Maine now. Dad and I were also supposed to go to a Mariner's game tonight but I'm not sure how well that will work now.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Forty Fourth Post

So I went in to see Mom today. It was a very good day, as the first hour or so she was probably the most alert I have seen her. We talked a ton for the first hour and then she ate a little. I brought her food from her favorite Japanese restaurant, Nara, which she loved.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Forty Third Post

Wow, I've really fallen behind with the blog.

Mom unfortunately had her stomach pumped the last couple days because she couldn't do any bowel movements and food was getting backed up in her GI tract. She is doing fine now and was cheerful and very mentally aware.

Dad says he is going to try and bring in Wild Ginger tomorrow for her as a special treat because it is her favorite restaurant.

Also Mom said she would like more visitors.

Scott

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Forty-Second Post

So I am with Mom once again today. Unfortunately today she seemed really dejected and kept saying things like "I can't take anymore." I told her to hang in there but she didn't want to hear any "just a little while longer." She was convinced she was doing poorly and seemed very desponded.

When I came in though she did keep saying she loved me and that she wanted me to go home and get some sleep.

Scott

Friday, July 17, 2009

Forty-Second Post

We went in again to see Mom again today but she was still in the OR recovery room from a surgery when I had to leave :(

Forty First Post

OK, so I didn't post for a while because I was at USC. I keep getting support from people about the blog and it is really good so thank you.

I saw Mom yesterday and she was looking really good. She was talking with me and then slept a lot, like most days, periodically asking for food or water or pain medications.

We also met with one of the doctors yesterday about Mom's skin graft, and learned a little more about that.

Scott

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Fortieth Post

Well, once again I am with Mom, posting from my laptop. She seemed really happy to see me when I walked in, asked if I still liked my job, told me how proud she was of me, then fell back asleep. She is currently sleeping now so we'll see if she wakes up anymore tonight.

Scott

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Thirty-Ninth Post

So I am with Mom today.

She admitted that she has trouble remembering sometimes and that things seem strange with her. She has a little brain damage but she is aware of the damage and realizes that she is having trouble remembering and a little trouble sleeping.

She said that her biggest fear was that mentally and physically she would not be on par with what she used to be. Please when you see her remind her that she is healing every day and that she will soon be back to normal.

She also said though that she can tell people are treating her differently, and she feels like she is being treated like a child. Please if you are reading this and going to see Mom just talk to her exactly the same way you used to. She can understand you most of the time, though even she admits that her understanding goes in and out sometime.

So just treat Mom the same way you used to and constantly remind her that she is making progress every day and that she will soon be back to normal, and to just keep fighting.

On another note, a friend of ours brought the dog in today and Mom loved it. Mom was telling me a few minutes ago how much it meant to her and how she missed the dog so much.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Thirty-Eighth Post

OK, so I saw Mom last night but forgot to post.

Thank you for the encouragement again, it always helps.

Last night mom was asleep the entire time because of the pain medication that she took.

Because Mom so often talks about our pets and wonders if she is really doing better, Dad and I thought it would be nice to take the dog in to see her and wheel her outside the hospital so she could see the her.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Thirty-Seventh Post

So I am with Mom once again.

Mom was very talkative in the beginning of the visit but is now mostly sleeping or asking for pain medications.

Mom was asking how long until she could be at home and see the animals and I told her it would be at least a few months but that she was doing better every day. She was also talking about how her situation was "the pits" and that she was sorry I was having to go through it.

I am also getting kind of tired of coming to the hospital every day. I wish the accident never happened and Mom could be home again with us.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Twenty-Sixth Post

I saw Mom again today. When I went in she was on her side in a great deal of pain. Within ten minutes the lift team came in and turned her onto a different part of her back so she was more comfortable.

Once again she slept the majority of the time, only waking to ask for food or pain meds. I've started bringing a book or my laptop now so I have something to do every day while she sleeps.

Scott

Monday, July 6, 2009

Twenty-Fifth Post

So thanks to the wonders of modern technology, I am once again posting via Wifi and am with Mom right now.

She was eating a little earlier but now is just sleeping. She seems to be sleeping more and more nowadays, I think now that her body is awake and mostly concentrating on healing she needs to take it really easy.

Turns out I don't think she is being discharged until a few weeks from now.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Thirty-Fourth Post

Today I went in to see Mom, but because she was sleeping almost the entire time, I only stayed for about an hour. When Mom did periodically awaken it was to ask for water.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Thirty-Third Post

Today was the most aware I have seen Mom this entire time. She remembered everything, from our names to our pets. She was also talking fluidly with me and dad, and could recognize jokes, sarcasm, and other subtle variations of the voice, and could respond fluently also.

I am so happy she is mentally back to normal today.

Thirty-Second Post

Just got back from seeing Mom again tonight for two hours.

When I first saw her she had just gotten out of the OR and was still pretty doped up. They moved her back up to her room on the 7th floor, got her IV's and everything adjusted, and then she went to sleep about 20 minutes later.

I brought my laptop and they have wifi there if you register for a guest pass so I did some of my USC pre-orientation homework.

BTW I would just like to continue saying that I read all the comments on the blog here but don't have time to respond to them, I know people have commented on earlier posts so I was just saying.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Thirty First Post

So Mom's right heel surgery just finished and the doctor is here talking to us now. The wonders of WiFi.

Also, we are considering moving her from Harborview to a nursing home on the east side now her injuries are healing up well. Harborview wants to discharge her now so we're seeing what is going to happen.

Strangely, even though she is being discharged soon it would seem that for her Rehab she would have to come back to Harborview because it has the best rehab facility here. But she is in no condition to do rehab right now.

Thirty-First Post

There posts are getting later and later. I saw Mom last night, and like usual stayed for about 2 hours. I was kicked out a few times when they turned her and changed her bandages, but that was normal.

Also like usual she kept asking for pain meds. I fed her a little bit of her probiotic yogurt and had the nurses give her some pain medications, but she kept asking for more, which is also not unusual. I learned from the nurse that repeatedly asking for pain medications even after they were in her system is not uncommon for stroke patients, who tend to focus on one thing repeatedly.

She remembered my Dad and my names last night too which was cool.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Thirtieth Post

So I saw Mom today during the day instead of at night. Today she was hoisted into a moveable chair/bed so we could wheel her out of her room and around the floor. We took her out to one of the sky bridges so she could get some sun and get a good view. A couple family friends were there with us also today.

After a few minutes she was whisked off with a speech therapist, and me and a friend of mine went down to eat in the cafeteria. After eating, we came back to say goodbye to Mom and then left around 2:30 before rush hour struck in fully.

Mom is doing noticeably better every day, and thoroughly enjoys hearing me tell her that.

I would also once again like to thank everybody. I am still getting cards and facebook messages wishing me and the family well. They make a big impact, but unfortunately I haven't been nearly as good as I should have been in responding to them.

Thanks,
Scott

Twenty-Ninth Post

I saw Mom again last night but got back so late that I was too tired to blog about it.

When I first got in Mom was awake, but I was kicked out within five minutes as they had to adjust her brace. She got a new brace yesterday and so Katie and I waited in the waiting room and watched a Mariners game on TV.

When we got to go back in, Mom was awake but drowsy. Most of the time we spent there Mom was switching off between eating small morsels of food and sleeping.

We brought her a raspberry sorbet from home, and I brought her a little bit of sushi from downstairs that I had to cut up into small bites. Mom also helped herself to a pear/pomegranate nantucket nectar right out of my hand before I left.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Twenty-Eighth Post

Spent some time there tonight with Mom. She is getting better at talking every day, but still has a little bit of trouble finding the right words. I told her about how everyone was doing and she told me how her day was. After a while she got hungry and in pain so the nurse gave her some more Oxycontin in applesauce as well as morphine through an IV drip. That knocked her out pretty well so I said goodnight and went home.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Twenty-Seventh Post

I saw Mom tonight, and what a difference two days have made. I stayed for about an hour and a half.

Mom is a lot more talkative today, conversing in conversations with me. She was doing fine the first twenty minutes then began to get hungry and feel pain.

Mom was also eating liquid/yogurt foods and was off the feeding tube. The nurses mixed some pain meds in with the food and that knocked her out about an hour later.

Mom seems to see fine and to talk well but strangely is not doing well with names. She doesn't seem to remember her own name or anyone else's, and calls Dad and I "sweetie," "honey," and "daddy." She also doesn't remember the name of the hospital or of other specific names of nouns in general. She remembers who we are and what things do but not their names. I think that the most damage occur ed in the part of the brain that matches language with objects.

Mom also seems to realize this is going on and her inability to recall specific names of objects is driving her crazy.

As I was leaving I also got to see an airlift helicopter come in with a patient and transfer the patient to a waiting ambulance.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Twenty-Sixth Post

Saw Mom for a long time today. She is getting better every day but it seems that unfortunately she cannot remember her name or my name now. She definitely recognizes us though and calls me "honey" and "my son" instead.

She also got her own room today.

I will be leaving tomorrow and will be back Monday so will not blog this weekend.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Twenty-Fifth Post

Where to begin?

I saw Mom last night from 9:00pm to 12 midnight. During the first fifteen minutes, the TV was on but Mom was asleep so I held her hand and just sat with her. After a while, Mom started coughing a little bit and woke up. She realized I was there and smiled. I told her that she was OK and that she was at Harborview and she seemed OK with the information. Then I started telling her about her accident and she woke up and seemed much more aware and interested.

I told her all about the accident and she took everything in. She would ask questions like "Friends?" and "How?" to find out more about her accident and if there was anyone in the car and so on. We talked for close to 3 hours before I left. The point is that Mom was completely with it it seemed and she was only hindered by her physical inability to speak much, not her mental abilities.

While I told her about the accident, Mom repeatedly said "Wow" and "Oh" and "How embarrassing." I told her the accident wasn't her fault and she had nothing to be embarrassed about, but I think she may just be embarrassed that her friends saw her in a hospital gown without her knowledge.

Today she was transferred from floor 9 ICU to floor 7 normal care. I saw her for five hours and read some of my blog to her today. My Dad and I are a little concerned about the quality of care on that floor and are seeing if we can get her moved to Overlake now. That would also make it easier for us to see her.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Twenty-Fourth Post

Saw Mom again today, but the only word she said was "Steve," my Dad's name. I told her that Dad was at home and was safe and was coming to see her tomorrow.

She seemed very peaceful today, and still was off the ventilator. Mom also had the oxygen nose plug thing removed.

When I came in she was set up to watch TV, and so we watched "Cake Boss" on TLC for about an hour.

She kept squeezing my hand again today and still tried to pull out her feeding tube and neck brace.

I'm not sure how well she can see because her eyes seemed unfocused today and very dilated.

As I left she was trying to sleep.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Twenty-Third Post

Just got back from the hospital, and it is true, Mom is awake and no longer in a vegetative state.

The ventilator is also out, and she is down to one IV and a feeding tube. She is on a little bit of pure oxygen though in the form of a nose plug.

While I was there I held Mom's hand and she smiled at me, trying to form words.

After a while, hey gave her some pain medications and changed the bandage on her left leg. Though it looked incredibly painful and large, it was interesting to see actual layers of tissue and how her leg is healing, being a student of biology.

They also turned her on to her side to help drain her lungs.

Unfortunately, at this point Mom seemed to be in a lot of pain. She kept touching the tubes on her face and her cathoder, and grasping her ribs and her neck brace. She repeatedly asked us to "hurry" and "please, help me." At one point she even said "come on guys, help me."

I am happy she is awake, especially given the small chances they gave her of waking up. However it was akin to watching her being tortured to see her in such pain. She was already on the max dose of main medications.

I think that she was suffering psychological trauma. This was the first time she had been awake since the accident, and I think she was flashing back to the scene of the accident. My dad and I both think she was back at the scene and talking to the paramedics.

In a few days I think she will be more orientated with her surroundings and be in less pain and able to talk more. Evidently patients never remember their time in the ICU anyway if that is any help to her.

A mixed blessing, but a blessing still.

Twenty-Second Post

OK, so lots of news.

First, it appears that Mom is awake and speaking now, which it tremendous news. I'm going to see her in about an hour after some breakfast.

I had thought it would take at least two more weeks for her to wake up, but it looks like she is now.

Also, I would like to thank Coach Odom and my Alliance soccer team for a great night last night. I can honestly say some of the happiest times of my entire life have been spent on the soccer field with those guys, and it was great to do it again. That was the must fun I have had in a very long time, and was a special treat because after Alliance broke up this year I thought it was something I would never have again. I think it was, to quote a famous song, just what I needed.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Twenty-First Post

Well if you measure my blog's age in posts it would be an adult now. OK bad joke.

Today I heard from Dad that Mom is really doing well. Evidently she is able to track people with her eyes as well as close them on commands. She is also off the ventilator.

This is good news because vegetative state patients can't follow commands and now the nurses said she can. Has she woken up?

I would also like to thank all my soccer buddies for the little get together we're having tonight.

Due to commitments I may not get to see Mom today, which would make it the second day I have not seen her total since the accident. I hope I do get to though.

Scott

Friday, June 19, 2009

Twentieth Post

Got back from the hospital today with the pastor from our local church.

Good news is that Mom's eyes look much clearer and brighter, and that her physical wounds are healing well.

Bad news is that it almost seems like Mom waking up is possible but not probable anymore. The neurologist said we would have to wait until she is completely off pain medications and the ventilator until she would wake up if she did.

Kind of a depressing day again.

Ninteenth Post

I went to the hospital again tonight with some friends and just hung out with Mom. I read a little bit and we talked while Mom slept. I spent about 2 or 3 hours there and then we got burgermaster. I feel a little bit better now.

I'm optimistic but it is tinted with doubt. I know she is strong but her brain has physical damage. I think she will make it but the uncertainty of losing her I felt on the night of the accident is back.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Eighteenth Post

Well we went to the hospital today. It was me and Dad and two chaplains from the Redmond FD.

We saw Mom and she looked about as animated as she was yesterday but didn't open her eyes nearly as much.

We also talked to the neurologist.

I had thought that they were just keeping Mom doped up so that she could heal. Evidentally Mom is not under very much medication now and she is actually in a vegetative state. He said that she may or may not wake up from this.

This was most likely caused by the swelling and multiple strokes that have occured that we saw on the long awaited MRI results.

This was shocking to me as I had thought that Mom would be home by August with perhaps some minor vision loss from the stroke.

Now I find out she has had multiple strokes and brain swelling and may not wake up at all.

This would mean that she would require life support to live and that all she could do is stare blankly and sometimes squeeze my hand.

I'm pretty sad right now because I had thought that after the first few days that Mom was going to make it all right. Now its back to 50/50 if she will come back to us.

While I was there Mom turned her head in my direction and squeezed my hand and tears came from her eyes. She didn't open her eyes much today and can't open her eyes or squeeze my hand when asked, it only happens sometimes.

On the bright side her breathing is doing better. Physically she is getting stronger but I don't know about mentally. Oh and I forgot to mention that both sides of Mom's ribcage are broken, I think between the accident and the CPR they did to restore her pulse the first night.

I feel like it is a joke that isn't funny anymore and I just want it to be over. I feel like I can hardly talk to anyone normally anymore without them talking about Mom.

I just want it to go back to normal.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Seventeenth Post

Late, but I still remembered to post it. I saw Mom in the afternoon today, and she had visitors before and after I was there too so she was with people almost all the afternoon.

Mom continues to be responsive but seems to be in a little less pain today. She still had a few tears on her eyes though after coughing.

Mom was the most responsive I have seen her today, and was moving her head almost continuously. She also kept her eyes open up to a minute at a time today.

She got another big dose of oxycotin while I was there today but this time she still seemed responsive after it set in.

Every morning the nurses do a breathing test where they stop the ventilator for a while to see how she handles it but she is still too weak to breathe on her own. She has to concentrate on healing now. They said anywhere from a few days to a few weeks until she is off, they couldn't really predict.

Also she had two really nice nurses in today that I talked with for a while.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Sixteenth Post

Well, first off I would like to thank everyone for their support once again. Every time I talk to someone they say that they are reading my blog and to keep up the good work and stay strong.

About Mom, lots of updates. Dad saw the wound on her left hip today and said that it looks like there is a large crater in her hip from where the other car sheared the tissue off from the crash.

Dad is meeting daily with some doctors and nurses as part of an ICU study. The study is to see if doctors can better serve the families of ICU patients with more face time, and in return for these personal meetings all our family has to do is fill out questionnaires to see if the meetings helped us understand Mom's condition.

Mom was the most animated we have seen her be today. She would move her head to the direction of where we talked to her from and attempt to open her eyes about once every 2-3 minutes, though it clearly took a tremendous effort. She would also cough a lot to try and clear mucus out of her lungs. In addition, Mom would move her arms a lot, about once every minute, to grasp either her broken left ribs or attempt to grab the ventilator tube. She was definitely fighting. She also squeezed my hand lightly a few times, though not as hard as the first time she did that a few days ago.

Mom is still on pain medications but they said not really too many because too many meds would interfere with the body's ability to heal. They are trying to find a balance between pain and healing with the meds. She is still unconscious but is getting more aware every day. The doctors say for her condition she is on pretty light drugs.

When Mom did open her eyes today, her eyelids were finally raising high enough to be above her pupil so that she could see things, though I'm not sure how much they registered with her under the drugs. One thing I did notice was that her eyes are not lining up straight relative to each other, it is as if they are looking at different things or she has a lazy eye that does not move. When I asked the nurse she said it could be because of the stroke or the pain meds.

The nurses said the stroke was on one side of her brain in the vision center, so in addition to perhaps some lost vision she may be weaker on one side than another.

When Mom was moving around a lot I couldn't really tell if she was trying more to communicate or simply reacting to pain. I think it was both. A few times she grimaced because of pain.

I hate to say it but she is nowhere near as peaceful now as she was in the first couple days.

For me the hardest part was when I left the room to talk to other visitors or the nurses. I spent around 2 or 3 hours there today and every time I left she looked very sad and bewildered. She would look around and kind of feel for me and seemed very sad that I had left. When I finally had to leave to go home I told her I was going and she moved around much more than normal as if trying to tell me something. I feel bad that so much time each day is spent alone, in pain, probably wondering where I am and what is happening to her.

The doctors said that while patients may hear and react while in ICU, that nobody ever remembers anything after they are out of ICU of their time spent in it. Perhaps this has to do with the drugs affecting her ability to store information as memories. She must be in a constant stream of sensation without remembering any of it, like a bad dream, with only a vague sensation of how long it has been going on.

Before I left I had the doctors give her some more pain meds to help her get to sleep.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Fifteenth Post

Alright, so just got back, and not too much to report. Evidently she should get the ventilator off soon. She was coughing less today but no eye openings or hand squeezes.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Fourteenth Post

So just got back from the hospital. Mom got like half a syringe of Oxycontin put through her IV just like 10 minutes after I got there so that knocked her out pretty well.

She was on a 15 degree incline today which is good because it is helping her lungs drain. They suction out the mucus as she coughs it up.

She also half opened her eyes a couple times but her eyes were pretty glossy from all the drugs and everything that was happening. I'm not sure they were open far enough to see us, but it is improvement.

Mom was also much more animated today. She moved her arms a lot more, and was kind of tossing slightly from side to side. She was also unfortunately coughing a lot more, but at least shes clearing her lungs.

Twelfth Post

Well, my two uncles and my aunt left today. My mom is in the hospital and my dad is visiting her so it is strangely quiet here at the house. This is the first time I've really been alone since the accident.

Still, there is much to do here and around the house. I hope people will excuse me for just starting to send out my graduation announcements.

I'm going in to the hospital earlier today to see Mom. Dad said her eyes were opening at times so I am very excited.

Scott

Friday, June 12, 2009

Eleventh Post

OK, so we just got back from seeing Mom. She's doing well, and is finally stable enough to get a bunch of x-rays of her arms and legs done. Once again they kicked us out pretty fast because they were moving her.

No smiles or hand squeezes today from her again though.

Tenth Post

OK, so keeping things short and sweet cause I'm leaving soon to see mom.

CAT scan results came in: the stroke was in the vision part of the brain. She could be anywhere from marginally worse sight to totally blind, I don't know. I wonder if she will be able to drive?

Also the spine looks good they said from the CAT scan.

She went in for surgery today to fix her broken pelvis and some more of her right femur. It was, like all her previous surgeries, a success.

They say that soon they will be able to rotate her now that they don't think she has spinal cord damage. This will help drain some of the fluid from her lungs.

Its cool she's doing so good as if this happened almost anywhere else in the world she'd probably be dead.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Crash Pictures

There is no blood, but these are still very powerful pictures. Nobody is making you look at these. Poor Mom and poor car :'(

If there is a message here it is NEVER drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. EVER. A cab is a lot cheaper than your life or the cost of paying for 1 year of ICU, hospitalization, and rehab for someone else. And if there is an accident with you driving impaired it WILL be your fault and you WILL have to pay for the consequences.

This was one of those things where you always thought it wil never happen to you but it does and it sucks.

The roof was cut off by the paramedics and was placed on top of the back of the car for the photos.



The Car with Cut-Off Roof Laying On Top
Front
Front Driver's Side Wheel

Passenger Side
Driver's Seat and Steering Wheel with Airbag
Roof with Deployed Driver's Side Airbag