Lea had another stellar day today. She had her dressing changed at mid-day (25th surgical procedure), and was moved to her cardiac chair at 1:45, where she slept comfortably, sitting up, until 6:15! She would have stayed there all night, I think, if Adam hadn’t wanted to get her settled back into her bed before he went home for the evening.
She went about fourteen hours without ventilator support today! She was breathing at a rate of 18-20 breaths per minute with volumes of 500-600, even while sitting up in the chair. The only time she was in rest mode was during the dressing change at mid-day. Her Ativan was reduced to 1.6 ml/hr today, but she still slept very well under the influence of Thorazine, which does pretty much the same thing, but isn’t a narcotic.
Evidently, even though she probably will be weaned from the Ativan in a few more days, it will take four to seven days for it to completely clear out of her body. The drug tends to lodge in the fat cells, and it takes a while to get rid of it. Ativan reduces anxiety and is tranquilizing, so that means we could have some anxious sessions ahead of us when she comes off of it.
I’ve had some recipients of the updates ask about whether they should have gotten a photo of Lea in the chair, rather than just the picture of her hand. No, I didn’t send anything else out. Sorry, I should have mentioned what you would be seeing. I don’t think she would appreciate it if I sent out a photo with her in her present condition.
The photo of her hand, though, does show the amount of swelling that has gone down. You can actually see knuckles now! Also, her nails have grown longer than she has ever had them, and I keep them touched up so they will look nice when she awakens enough to notice them. It should be good for a laugh. I will get her toenails trimmed though, because I don’t want her trying to hang from any trees while in withdrawal.
I am getting a lot of notes from folks with well wishes for a speedy recovery, and I appreciate the wonderful comments about what our updates have meant to you over the past several weeks. It has been very gratifying to learn of so many positive experiences that have resulted from this illness. God works in mysterious ways, and works miracles from misery. I pray that we are on the road to recovery, and that He doesn’t have any more jokes up His sleeve.
Warmest regards,
Larry
Surviving God's Woodshed 
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March 28, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Pray-ers
DAY FIFTY-NINE
FROM: Kim
Sept 12 @ 9:37 AM
Heads up! Hope you’re hungry……there’s soon to be a mega care pkg coming your way! Some of us got a little over-enthusiastic. We also included some reading material, Reader’s Digest and US News mag. Are there any magazines you prefer? I can send them next time around. Sometimes it helps my brain if I get “lost” in something trivial or humorous and some magazines are a good source for that.
Does Lea really look so bad that you can’t send a photo of her face? Or is it just that you think she might not want you to? Just curious…. I’ll try to write again this week, but today’s a bugger mail-wise. Gotta run!
Give Lea a hug from us and give yourself one too. Thanks!
REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 12 @ 12:23 PM
You are ALL too kind! Thank you! I’m sure we will enjoy the reading material, what ever it is, as I try to read to her everyday. The emails, etc. are dropping off, as we knew they would, so the articles are really good for entertaining her. I have not sent out a photo of her face because I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t want me too. She still has tubes in her nose and throat, and even though I think she is beautiful, she might feel otherwise. Hopefully, I can send a photo out in the next couple of weeks!
She is looking much better, losing some of her weight. Look at the photo of her hand, and you’ll see that it is puffy on top . . . it was, let’s say, three times bigger just last week. You can actually begin to see knuckles again. And, of course, the awesome French nails I did for her. Notice how long her nails are?! I don’t think she has ever had them that long. She’ll be surprised! I am teaching classes from my room, and am grateful for the quick microwave meals, which I eat between the two lunchtime classes. Then, I can dash back over to her room to be with her. Adam, her nurse, is going to get her out of bed again today, and back into the cardiac chair. I want to be there to see her sitting up again. It’s good for my heart! Love to everyone. Thanks for your continued support, prayers and other kindnesses.
REPLY FROM: Kim
Sept 12 @ 2:16 PM
Well since you’re reading to Lea anyway, I’ll include a couple women’s magazines I have here. The dates are older, but will send more current ones next time around.
You might share with Lea my latest experience trying to help a friend on my days off. She has 5 kids – ages 11, 8, 2 and 7 mo old twins – and is, understandably, overwhelmed. Her parents are there during the week and try to go home for the wkend. Everyone is exhausted, as you can imagine.
The 2 yr old, Jhaan(pronounced Jah-hon), pretty much runs the show and likes to keep things interesting. You should see what he can do with one chocolate doughnut! The trail started on the right front corner of the tablecloth (did I mention it was light pink?), did a few curly cues up around the middle then angled back toward the front where he must’ve decided to get a drink of milk. After wiping his face with his hand, he dunked the remaining donut and then rubbed the bottom of his foot with it. I can only imagine this is some secret good luck ritual known only to 2 yr old boys…… He headed into the kitchen, took one look at me, shrieked and took off running.
Before I caught him, he tried to “stash” the evidence (soggy donut) between the sofa cushions. His face resembled something of a mix between a Picasso and Dali painting in varying shades of brown and beige with 2 mischievous deep brown eyes peeking out. All I could do was laugh and haul him off to the bathroom for a hose-down. I’d forgotten how one small 2 yr old boy can create an entire day of chaos… Lunch is over – back to work! Take care.
FROM: Link
Sept 12 @ 4:06 PM
Cheryl – I finally found the party invitation and confirmed the party starts at 5:00pm. Also, I am attaching the latest update from my dad to catch you up!
REPLY FROM: Cheryl
Sept 12 @ 4:36 PM
Thanks Link!! What a fantastic loving family you all are, I am proud to know you and have you a member of our Maryl family. I am looking forward to meeting your Mom and Dad some day when they come to Hawaii to celebrate her recovery!! 🙂
FROM: Carol
Sept 12 @ 9:56 PM
Larry, I thought it was rather clever of you showing only parts of Lea in the pictures you have sent, i.e the braid, the toes, the hand. It is enough and I totally agree Lea must have some privacy. I can only imagine how trying? difficult? boring? terrifying? this all must be for you. I admit that I am in awe of you and the strength God has given you through all of this. I seriously doubt that I could be as patient and strong as you have been. You notice I have not mentioned the updates…I definately could not have done this every day as you have. I went through an ordeal with one of my sons last summer and thought many times that I should put it all in a journal, but I never did. When I read through all that I have I see the changes in you daily…do you think it is the Vaughn or White blood? LOL I look forward to the good news daily (which it is not always) on the not good news days I pray harder. On good days I am more in a thank you mode. Proud to be your cousin,
FROM: Pat
Sept 12 @ 10:36 PM
I’m so happy to hear about Lea, I could just cry! Waite a minute, I did cry! Thanks Larry, you just made me mess up my make-up, you old fart! Give Lea a big kiss for me and Joe. Speaking of Joe, he is doing very well. Even better since the Colts had such a great game last night! Today was his 2nd PT, and he was even stronger today. He is still very weak, and feeble looking, but his sprit is getting back to normal! He’s even planning to help me stain the front porch tomorrow! (We’ll see how that goes.) But you would be proud of
him, I know I am. Between Lea and him, they have both been such fighters, I’m very proud of them both. Although I feel like I’m running myself to death, between getting the house ready for the hordes of people during the festival, my in-laws coming back for another week or so, working at the Library, and getting Joe to all of his Dr. appointments and PT. It’s been too many years ago that I played the part of “Soccer Mom”, and I’m getting tired! I sure hope the price of gas doesn’t increase too much, because I feel like I’m running the wheels off the Avalanche! But I guess I really shouldn’t complain, I could be setting in a hospital, watching Joe. God has blessed us so much. I knew it wasn’t time for Joe to leave me, and I kept reminding God of that. It’s nice to know that someone listens to me once in while. Well, I’ve got a long day ahead of me tomorrow, and I need to check up on the score of the ballgame, so goodnight, and sweet dreams of Lea!
FROM: Helen
Sept 12 @ 4:17 PM
I visited here today and thought that you would enjoy it too! – check this out at: http://www.wandascountryhomeinspirational.com. lea you are in my prayers and thoughts. with larry’s emails everyday on your present status has taught me much and experiencing larry’s devotion to you and your health has made me humble.
FROM: Phil
Sept 12 @ 5:51 PM
Larry, My 7 month old computer did a total crash and burn last week. It’s in the shop for transplanting of more than a few parts. I managed to backup most important files. I am using a library unit to retrieve email and keep updated on Lea. I’m thankful for her progress and celebrate this with you. You and Lea are in my prayers daily. We don’t know the turns that life will take. I believe that we, in and of ourselves, would be hard pressed to deal with the hard hits. Thankfully, we are not alone; the Lord is with us and we can rely on His strength when we have little to spare. Take care of yourself in the midst of caring for Lea.
REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 12 @ 8:31 PM
Thank you, Phil. God’s blessings!
FROM: Link
Sept 12 @ 7:24 PM
Dad –
Forgot to tell you this yesterday after I received your 9/11 update, but I had the opening at church yesterday and read Psalm 138 in your and Mom’s honor – also tying in 9/11/01 and Hurricane Katrina. David reminds us in this Psalm to thank God for his answers to our prayers and also to understand God’s divine and perfect plan for us…that His hand is upon us and He will revive us in our times of trouble. Thought you would like to know! Blessings!