Lea continued to struggle today, trying to breathe a little more on her own, and had to stop to rest occasionally, by being put back on full support for a resting period. She surged ahead on occasion, and generally took more breaths than the machine was set to deliver at minimum. At one point the machine was set to make sure she took at least 16 breaths per minute, and she actually took 23 a minute for a couple of hours.
By the end of the day she was breathing at a level of about 19 or 20 breaths per minute with the machine still set at that same 16 breath minimum. The primary difference we saw today was that her volume, or the amount of air taken in with each breath, actually began to decline in late morning, but as more and more fluid was eliminated through her kidneys, the volume picked up a little. It still isn’t where it needs to be, but is at least moving in the right direction.
She had a below normal temperature today, 97 degrees, and her blood pressure was running low, probably due to the Lasix being given to her to reduce the fluid in her body. It tends to expand the veins, reducing the blood pressure. She was given Neo-Synephrine drip to counteract the Lasix, and the two should be discontinued at about the same time.
The primary buzz around the ICU today is the news that Dr. Mah is planning to close her up on Tuesday. The nurses were talking about it quite a bit among themselves, and with me, about how nice it will be to see her come off the ventilator and then wake up. They want to see that gorgeous smile you have been talking about in your emails and eGreetings.
I’m certain that she will quickly make friends of the nurses, who already think so much of her, she’ll wonder why she’s already accepted like family. One of the nurses, Adam, is a very compassionate caregiver, a recent Christian convert, and a close observer of all the miraculous things that have happened to us during our stay here. I think he will have lots of questions for Lea, and she will be flattered to share her insights with him.
It could just be me, but I feel like I am seeing a lot more open expressions of faith in the ICU than before. Dr. Mah was wearing a silver cross on a neck chain today, and we often hear, “Thank God,” on the floor now. I just wonder if what Lea has gone through hasn’t played a part in God’s plans for some of these caregivers. It certainly seems that we are being given opportunities to minister!
When I get the list of all the locations folks are reading Lea’s Updates put together, I think I’d better put a copy up on her bulletin board for the caregivers to see. I’ve started putting a list together in Excel, and hope to eventually develop some sort of map visual from it for her to see. If you haven’t sent me your location yet, please do: larry.vaughn@gmail.com.
We are looking forward to the arrival of our oldest son, Link, and Deanna, his wife, on Sunday. They will be able to stay with us for a few days, and I am hoping against hope that Lea will be able to make contact with them while they are here. It will be good for all of us if we can experience some connection. And, besides, Deanna is a lovely singer, and sings very well, too. Lea will enjoy her being here.
Thank you for your kind wishes for the dressing change on Sunday, and for your prayers for Lea’s preparation for the closing of her wound in the Operating Room Tuesday morning at 11:30 a.m. We will be on pins and needles hoping for the best possible outcome, and that God will guide the surgeon’s hands in making the proper decisions as they prepare for this important step in her recovery.
I talked to our friend Joe tonight, who is back home. He was discharged from the hospital in Indiana today, and was at his kitchen table when I called. He had met with his cardiologist this afternoon, and has been put on a strict diet. The blood clot in his heart is not yet dissolved, his defibrillator has not yet been started, and he is not yet in sinus rhythm, but he is home. All these things will come in due time, and we give thanks to God for his safe return.
In His service,
Larry
Surviving God's Woodshed 
1 comment
Comments feed for this article
March 28, 2007 at 11:43 am
Pray-ers
DAY FORTY-NINE
FROM: Barb S
Sept 2 @ 11:59 AM
Here is the information you requested. If there is anything else, just let me know.
Robert & Barbara (6 children)
Urbana, Ohio
Christopher – 4 children
Charles – 2 children
Joseph – 3 children
Jeff – 3 children
Deborah – 1 child
Jason – 2 children
——————————————————–
James & Ruth (4 children)
Huntington, Indiana
Terri – 3 children
Michael – 3 children
Richard – 3 children
Tina – 3 children
——————————————————–
Larry & Barbara (2 children)
Hannibal, Missouri
Dawn – 2 children
Scott
———————————————————
Daniel & Katherine (3 children)
New London, Missouri
Mark
Christy – 3 children
Cory – 3 children
———————————————————
Carl & Carol (1 child)
Hannibal, Missouri
Amanda (Brothers) – 2 children
———————————————————
Dennis & Kellie (5 children)
Hannibal, Missouri
Anthony
Shannon
Travis
Shelbi Tallman (step)
Troy Tallman (step)
———————————————————
Total:
21 Nieces & Nephews
37 Great Nieces & Nephews
Take care, and remember, we all love you and stand behind everything you have done and continue to do!
REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 2 @ 11:52 AM
Thank you, Barb. I knew you could be counted on to get it done. I hope you didn’t mind.
REPLY FROM: Barb S
Sept 2 @ 12:33 PM
No problem, I didn’t mind at all. I was glad to help.
FROM: Larry Vaughn
TO: Link, Lance, Dave
Sept 2 @ 9:32 AM
Just got word through Gena, Social Services, that due to budget cuts here at the hospital, the discount rate for the room(s) is/are being discontinued. The rate will be $55 per day for new reservations effective September 1. Also, the free parking has been discontinued. The rate is $8 per day. I’m still not leaving!
REPLY FROM: Lance
Sept 2 @ 10:34 AM
You’re going to have to go home some day, Dad…. =)
REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 2 @ 10:59 AM
I know! Mom has been Summoned for federal jury duty starting October 1! (smile)
REPLY FROM: Dave
Sept 2 @ 4:20 PM
Ha. What do you want to bet that this is a result of the “Review” that followed Pat’s complaints?
FYI, the Medical Fund has grown nicely and I can confirm to you that, even with this increase, we will be able to cover your lodging expenses. Perhaps Link could check the nearby buildings to see if monthly rentals are available. Of course, loss of internet access would have to be considered, but I thought I saw some apartment buildings on the other side of the Children’s Hospital. Have you received any lodging bills rendered by the Hospital? What is the status of your credit card debt?
REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 2 @7:30 PM
I have asked Gena, Social Services, about apartments in the area, and was told they are in the $2,000+ range right around the hospital, and are not well managed. I have not received any receipts for any housing costs as of this date. I suspect my credit card debt is healthy and growing. 🙂 I suspect I can go on line and check it out. I just need to remember which credit card I gave them. If I see one of the girls here tomorrow, I’ll ask about it.
FROM: Marlowe
Sept 2 @ 11:37 AM
Dear friends and family, I am sharing with you a dialogue I had with JW, in response to the update from Larry which included his sister’s observations of Lea when Larry is speaking or touching her.
—–Original Message—–
Yes, her observations are interesting to me primarily as to what she doesn’t conclude from them, as to Lea. She details the responsive reactions of Lea from time to time. When my parents were in their final days, that is, their condition was considered not reversible, we were told they were in a final coma. The proper procedure was, we were told, to deny food and water which would aid in concluding the death process. The denial procedure was represented to us by the medical staff to be completely painless.
I believed what I was told at the time. I don’t believe that the absence of food and water was the cause of their passing but that procedure was followed for short of a week and I do feel such hastened it. I later learned that what I was told about the “painlessness” was false. I don’t know whether any of the nurses, PAs, or doctors overseeing, knew then that what they stated, about the absence of pain or discomfort to the patient, was not true or not. I don’t think they did although the evidence would have been in front of them, as it is, and has been, in the case of Lea.
But I firmly believe it was not true. I believe that the denial of food and water in the final days is very painful and felt by the patient, regardless of the ‘coma’ state. This has been shown to be true in the instance of Lea through Larry’s descriptions of her reactions.
My belief arises from information from a woman who was in a supposedly irreversible coma for several weeks. It was elected that no extreme support systems would be invoked and, supplementally, she was taken off of food and water. She has related the knowing of all conversations and the painfulness of no water or food. That woman came out of her coma by herself and has now related the ordeal. The above is why I have felt such feelings of sorrow for Lea during this period.
——Original Response—–
John,
That is fascinating about your friend. Was she receiving any pain medication during the time she was deprived of food and water? Were they saying she was “brain dead?” What was the cause of her coma? Lea’s case may be different in that there is nothing organically wrong with her brain-it’s more like a deep sleep. I know you were doing what you thought best for your parents and following the advice of the doctors.
The Catholic Church teaches that food and water are not extraordinary measures and should never be denied. Obviously your parents would have died anyway, and were naturally at the end of their years, but continuing nutrition would have left it totally in God’s hands when they passed on. The case of your friend points out that the doctors don’t always know when a condition is irreversible, and that it is best to err on the side of life and hope.
Would you mind if I forwarded your story to Larry and others? I think it would encourage him to hear that Lea might be and aware of and remember all his efforts to communicate with him.
Marlowe
—–RESPONSE—–
I may not have been clear. It was not someone I knew but a published article. I do not know/recall exactly when (in the last few years, of course) I read it or the source. Nor can I swear to any answers to your querys except that she would not have been taken as brain dead as that could not have been supported by any machine data. She claimed she was aware of all conversations around her at all times but could not move at all or make sounds. She may have had pain medications but apparently it wasn’t that efficient as she described the bad effect on her of no food or water in detail. I do know personally of a few persons who have been medicated beyond pain during operations yet were fully cognizant of what was going on. I believe Louise is one, but I will have to ask her to refresh my memory. I have no objections to your sending Larry my email.
FROM: Marlowe
Sept 2 @ 5:04 PM
It has come to my attention that there may be some confusion as to the identity of JW. To clarify, it is John Waller, Dean’s brother-in-law. Thank you John for sharing your personal experience with us, as well as the amazing story of the woman who recovered from the “irreversible coma.” As one of you responded, this is why human beings should leave it to God to determine when a person dies. Also, I noticed some typos in my response to John, which I have highlighted with the correct words.
REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 2 @ 7:26 PM
Marlowe, You are SO sweet to facilitate this discussion. THANK YOU!