Better news this afternoon. Pat exhibited much more response this afternoon. At one point, she pulled up both arms at the same time in response to a pain test, and her arms crossed the midline. I guess that cross-lateral motion is a big deal. This afternoon when I was holding her hand, she seemed very agitated about something and the nurse and I asked her to squeeze my hand. I don't know if it was muscle spasms, or Ouija board (sp?) motion, but I thought I felt her pulling my hand. Little by little.
This is a little like my professional work. I'm a music teacher in a grade school. It takes patience, and understanding, and it takes a long time to see results. The biggest difference here is that Pat's not asking me why we have to do this - yet!
Pat is going in now for another CT scan. The previous one was last Friday. Tune in tomorrow for the next episode of
"Rendezvous With a Roller Coaster
.
We'll take photos of the flowers that have been sent. Most of them are on the counter at the nurses' station, as there is no space in Pat's room. Keep those prayers and good thoughts coming. We can feel all of them!
Noon on the 18th
Kay is writing. Forgive her if she doesn't get all the medical spelling or jargon correct. The docs are discouraged that Pat is not coming out of this yet. They are looking for more signs of neurological function. Leigh, Pat's nurse for today said that the liver also has to metabolize all of the drugs being given for such a long time, and that can take 2-3 days. In addition, if Pat had enjoyed one of her favorite gin & tonics, the liver would have to metabolize that also.
Here's a new acronym that I hope you will never again need in your vocabulary.
TDR Transcranial Doppler Report This measures how open the blood vessels are that lead to the brain. We now have a set of numbers and will track a trend.
Pat will probably have another CT scan today or tomorrow. Moving her to have that done is not as good as leaving her quiet in her bed, but it may give some indications as to why this is taking longer than the doctors expected. Larry is content waiting and know the trauma was great enough, that he w a n t s to giiivvvvvvveeeeee hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
A new question . . . Did the air pressure during the tornado affect anything that happened in the blood vessels or anything else? This is a serious question. There are so few tornadi in the Utah area, that the doctors here are not familiar with any possible affects. If anyone has information or ideas for resources, please contact us. Kay will check e-mail daily.
Thanks!!!!!!