Baby Steps

I will start with Clare today. She really has not changed from yesterdays report. 2 days ago they drained 300ml of fluid from her brain. Yesterday they drained 270ml. We are at the window of most risk for swelling so to see that the fluids seem to be decreasing is a positive sign. It is possible that we will maintain this level or it could go up or down. This is a waiting game now. From what we have been told, when the swelling is over the amount of discharge can drop significantly and suddenly. What we need now are specific prayers. We need Clare's brain to heal and the amount of fluid coming off her brain to decrease. Please be specific in your prayers for that is what we need now. If her fluid output can get down to 60ml then they will feel much better about putting her under to do her pelvic surgery.

Because Clare has head injuries they will not give her blood thinners. Because she is immobile and has had bruising all over her body they are concerned about blood clots. Today or tomorrow they will be implanting a filter in a main vein going into the heart to catch any clots that may form in her lower body. After they are no longer concerned about brain swelling and can give her blood thinners, they will remove the filter.

Kris is recovering from his shoulder surgery. They are letting him come out of medication more and more and it is obvious he is in a lot of pain. They tried letting him breath without the ventilator this morning and it was very painful for him. 7 broken ribs that you are laying on must hurt a lot to breath. They asked him if he wanted it turned back on and he shook his head yes. They will try it again in a day or two. Rod and I were standing by him when he had his eyes open and was trying to communicate. He clearly mouths the words "help me" over and over. He tries to write the name Clare in the air and we tell him that Clare is doing great and he needs to get well so they can be together. The doctors and nurses have counseled us not to talk about the other one in the presence of the other one (that did not make sense but I am operating with little sleep and am completely confused. I hope it at least makes these notes more entertaining). I have noticed that if I just say the name Kris around Clare, her monitor will spike and her heart rate increases. Neither of them are very conscious, but on a sub level thay know some of what is going on. We have to step out in the hall when we want to talk about a lot of things.

There should not be much more to tell today. I will update things Thursday unless there is something amazing to tell.

Live righteously, request miracles, claim blessings. We need all of you to work on this for us.