Monday Monday

Clare has the most "stuff" to talk about today. Her vital statistics are slightly better than yesterday. Her heart beat is down and her ICP (Intracranial Pressure) has been moving all over. It used to be quite stable and crept up gradually but now it moves quite a bit. One theory is that she is more aware so her brain responds more to stress and other stimuli. She definitely has the furrowed brow we all know and love. Tomorrow they will fix her pelvis and do a tracheotomy. When they first told us to think about a tracheotomy, it felt like someone punched me in the stomach; I felt sick. But the more I have read about it and talked with the doctors and nurses, we think this is the best thing for her recovery. She is gagging and coughing more today and the tubes down her throat are not helping. The longer the tubes are down her throat the more damage they will do. The only downside to a tracheotomy is the small scar she will have on her throat, but there are many advantages to doing it and it will be more comfortable for her. Surgery is scheduled for 10:00am and should last 2 to 3 hours.

Kris continues to work hard at mending, it's just a slow process. He went through all the pain and preparation to be wheeled down to see Clare today just in time to see her moved out for x-rays. He could not wait for her to come back so he missed his visit with her today. The physical therapy wears him out and he would like to get more sleep, but the noise of the hospital keeps him from getting good rest. He should get his chest tube out tomorrow. He is making great progress.

We are so grateful for so many people that are giving us their love and support. Keep Clare and Kris in all of your prayers.