Quiet Day

The goal today on Clare's wall is: Quiet Day. With a brain injury the first 3 to 10 days, the brain needs time to stop swelling. It is important to keep her quiet today! The nurse told us that in a week or so, we will need lots of stimulation for Clare. I am hoping that everyone will be willing to take a turn entertaining her then.

Clare's wrist surgery went well. The doctor was very pleased with his work. He said it was like putting together an egg shell, but now there is a stable place for her wrist to heal. He reassured me that she should be able to play the piano and the guitar again...So...Kris, she will have no excuse not to play for you!

Her heart rate is down today, it is staying right around 100. That is a huge improvement! She is showing some good responses. You know, trying to pull her tubes out and swatting us away. She was trying to give us the thumbs when the nurse asks her to. She is still in a coma. Her head injuries are considered "shearing" injuries. She has the small bruises through out the brain. There are a couple of larger bruised areas which had small changes over the last day.

They inserted a feeding tube today. We are hoping to get her some needed nutrients. If everything continues to look good today, they will be doing Clare's pelvic surgery tomorrow. It would be nice to get that out of the way as soon as possible.

Kris had some big improvements last night. He is now off of all his heart medications. They have been allowing Kris to wake up for brief periods. He is answering questions by nodding his head, he is intubated, so he cannot talk with us yet. His surgery to repair his shoulder is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. They will probably let him wake up and take out the airtube after he is stabilized from his surgery. Right now, Clare and Kris are on opposite sides of the ward. The nurse indicated that after Kris is unhooked from all his tubes, they may wheel his bed in to her room. I think that would be good for both of them.

Your prayers are all working. Keep them coming!!