Positive Changes

Sorry for the wait between entries, it has been a busy few days.  Pam has been doing better.  As you all know I am saying this with cautious optimism that it will continue.  But I must say that I feel some of the pressure leaving my chest for now.  Pam was sedated  for the weekend and I went home to spend some time with the boys.  They were trying to get a grip on her liver, kidney, hymolysis (sp), PRES (brain swelling due to high BP). Oh yeah, this is new to all of you, she developed a brain symdrome due to high blood pressure that caused her to not wake up last week when they cut all the sedatives.  This is why she was unable to stay off the breathing tube, brain wasn't working properly.  At this point I pretty much assumed nothing else could possibly go wrong.

So I went home to be with the boys while the DHMC staff worked their magic: and it seems to be working.  On Monday I was called and informed that they were taking out the breathing tube again.  I happened to be at Fort Ticonderoga with Sam on a field trip.  When I got home and checked in they said things were going well and for me to not come down as they didn't really want anything getting her agitated.
I came down on Tuesday and she has been doing well off the respirator since (she has been 52+ hours off of it, the longest since she entered ICU).  Her liver has improved, the hymolysis is improved, the lungs look clear still, and the kidneys have stabilized (not improved however).  Her breathing continues to be faster than they would like and she is actually below normal temp a bit.  I am trying hard to get her to eat some really bad Ensure + pudding mixtures in an effort to avoid a feeding tube in her nose.
The biggest issue right now (although lots of stuff still not normal) is ANXIETY!  Pam is really stressed, she cannot rest or relax.  She cannot move her body due to weakness and this is really bothering her (and when I say cannot move, I mean she cannot lift her hands off the bed).  It is going to be a long and slow recovery from this ordeal.
This is positive news!  She is doing better!  However please understand that her condition is now one that will not simply just go away.  Some of these issues will need constant attention, some will clear up if we are lucky and she responds well to treatment.
It has been an incredibly long and stressful month. I cannot tell you how fortunate we feel to have such wonderful family, friends, neighbors, and NURSES and Dr.'s.  Everyone has been incredible.   I can never thank everyone enough for all of your help, but THANKS!
I will post again in a couple of days before the weekend, hopefully with more continuing good news.
Troy