Gotta Go Recoop!

I returned from dinner and Mike's ICP was even lower. He's staying anywhere from 8-12. He's never been this low with the pump closed. (The pump drains excess fluid from around the brain. When there's too much fluid it causes the pressure, the ICP to rise and then they have to open the pump to drain the excess fluid.)

I spoke with the nurse and she said that as well as he's is doing we still need to anticipate/expect set backs. She said Mike is still in critical condition due to the fact he had major brain surgery and that he's on the ventilator. The machine is doing all of his breathing and while he may be coming off the paralytic in a day or so (as long as his levels are down and stay down) it will be very hard for him when he comes off the ventilator. It's usually the hardest part when they've been on as long as he has. I told her I'll take it one day at a time.

I'm now waiting for Mike's parents to arrive and take over the night shift so I can go home, see the kids and get some rest. I hate leaving him. I wish I could stay all day and all night but I have the kids who have some-what lost mom and dad temporarily and I need to still reassure them that dad is okay and improving a little each day.

Steady As You Go

Well today is finally a calm day. In the past 10 days there has been something new, wrong or changing with Mike and for once we have a calm day. All his levels, BP (blood pressure), HR (heart rate), ICP (intercranial pressure), O2 Stats (oxygen saturation) are where they need to be. And for the first time since his accident his ICP level has stayed under 20, so far for the last 7 1/2 hours. The nurse hasn't had to open the pump to drain yet in this time frame. THAT'S REALLY GOOD! We are waiting for a 48 hour time frame with his ICP under 20 to start weaning him off the "Vec.",the "Midazola" and the "Morphine". The ICP level would usually be down under 20 but as soon as they would move him or suction his lungs it would climb back up and stay up for a couple of hours. Today they have moved him twice and so far we are holding strong. His Pneumonia is also improving.



("Vec. or Vecuroni" is the medication they are using as the paralytic. This is making it so he is unable to respond by movement, the "Midazola" is the sedative to make him unaware of what's going on around him and "Morphine" of course is for his pain.)



This is the first day that I've been able to sit and not have any questions for the nurses or doctors. I think at this moment I know everything about Mike's care for this moment of our stay. The nurses and doctors here at UC Davis Hospital have been really good to Mike, to our family and to myself. I've gotten to know Mike's nurses pretty well since I sit here next to his bed anywhere from 10-14 hours a day. Luckily I've had Mike's laptop to keep me busy (now that the major worrying is behind us). I've been keeping a journal of everything that has happened and of everyone who has stopped by to visit. The journal has been very therapeutic. I can work through emotions and help think about all the positive that has happened and not dwell on the negative. I know Mike will want to know everything that has gone on. Especially with all the medical stuff since Mike just finished his last class for his EMT certification the night before the accident.



For those of you who didn't know, Mike has been attending school (even with working full time) 3 nights a week. He was taking classes for EMT certification and in Fire Technology. He had just applied 1 week prior to the accident to the Fire Academy and was wanting to change careers. That's right he was wanting to become a Fire Fighter. His goal was to use this as a stepping stone and become a Paramedic within 3 years. I am keeping my hopes up that he will reach that goal, it might take a little longer that we anticipated, but Mike is strong and is a fighter, so I know we will pull through this.



The kids are holding up as best as can be expected. They are spending most of their time with friends and family and since Mike is becoming more stable each day I am leaving a little earlier to try and spend more time with them while I can. I know this will only be temporary because as soon as Mike wakes up I will need to be with him to help with the his recovery and physical therapy. And as soon as that time comes the kids will also be able to see him on a more regular basis. So far they have only seen him once and they are just dieing to come and see him again. I think tomorrow that might happen.



I have received many cards, e-mails and phone messages over the last 10 days and I can't tell you how blessed our family is to have such caring family and friends. Each one of you has done something special for our family. Everything ranging from meals, house cleaning, visits, babysitting, fasting and prayers. The prayers everyone is offering for Mikes and our families behalf mean the most. The faith that I have and from everyone else is what's helping Mike to continue to fight and overcome his aliments and this trial in our life. I know that Heaven Father does not give us trials that we can not over come. I know with out a shadow of a doubt that Heavenly Father knows my weakness and my strengths. He is holding me up and caring me and my family by the care and prayers offered by all those around us. We are truly blessed. One day we will all look back on this trial and be able to recognize all those who Mike helped by them finding out they too were stronger because they too relied on their Heavenly Father. He is there every day for each and one of us, all we need to do is pray, give thanks for our blessings and ask for his help. We receive these blessings by serving those around us. With this trial Mike is giving so many people the opportunity to serve those around them in return blessings will be poured out from our Father in Heaven.



Hug and kiss your spouse and children. Don't take them for granted. Don't let a day go by without them knowing this. Tell them every time you leave them, "I Love You" is the last thing I heard from Mike before he left for work Tuesday morning. It will be the first thing I tell him when he wakes up.