Paula's Blog

I have started this "blog," so that we can give you more and better information about Paula's journey during her recovery. I will continue to send text messages also.



Many, many,......MANY prayers have been spoken in Paula's behalf, many tears have been shed in your petitions to God for her.



THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!

You have touched the very bottom of our hearts.......but honestly.....I expected no less from our friends, loved ones, and church family(s)......I knew that all of you would do this....THANKS!

Recap:

• Paula had the accident on her bicyle on 12.16.08, at appx. 1:30, on Sunrise Drive


• she had broken ribs, broken facial bones, and a severe brain injury. They described the trauma as "severe shear injury" (www.tbilaw.com/AboutMildBrain7.html) Pretty serious stuff
• They had to operate on her brain to stop the bleeding and remove a clot. The bleeding and clot were between the brain and the skull, which was good.
• The area that was damaged is the area of speech and speech recognition....her brain has a bruise on it in this area
• They told us on the night of 16th, after surgery, that it appears they got everything fixed.....she had a bruise on her brain, but that would heal.
• The night of the 17th, they moved her to her ICU room, Dr. Vender came in and said they had done a different scan, and "it showed she had severe sheer injury...it may take her a year to wake up....or she may NEVER......wake up."
• Dr. Vender walked out the door, and I ask the kids to gather round Paula's bed, we held hands, and layed hands on Paula.....my prayer was....."Dear Father, we praise you and glorify you....for who you are....maker of heaven and earth. Dear God, in Jesus name, we reject this negative report, and in Jesus name, we accept the healing that you are already doing in Paula.....Amen."
• My prayer over her the last few days has been "God, I know that You're healing her, but please show us one small sign today of that healing...." After I prayed that prayer the first day, I went to breakfast and when I came back, I started talking to her and ask her to open her eyes for me and she "cracked" one of her eyes twice in a row when I ask her
• several times on Christmas eve, she opened her eyes widely for the nurse, the doctor, then for April when she heard their voices......her eyes were not focused, but when April talked to her, she looked like she was trying to focus.
• She likes to put her leg off the side of the bed, and she tried on the 26th, but her knee got caught on the guard rail, so her foot was dangling about 8" below the bed.....she slowly lifted her leg and put her foot back on the bed.......this took a very good thinking process for her to accomplish.
• Paula has been sedated except for a 36 hr period....she still has the ventilator in.....her lungs and breathing are fine, but they don't want to take the ventilator out until she is more concious and can readily "manage" any breathing problems that might arise.
• So, right now (12.28.08) , it's kind of a catch 22 situation....they will keep her sedated because she has the respirator in, the sedation hampers her communication, they want her to communicate so they can take the respirator out.......
• They will probably move her to Select Specialty Hospital on Walton Way either Monday P.M. or Tuesday A.M. (from Riverwatch, turn onto 15th St, right on Walton Way, and it's about a block up on the right) They specialized in getting people off the respirator, and all types of therapy). I won't know the rules on visitation until we get there. I've been spending the night at the hospital since the accident, but will not be able to at Select.

12.28.08, 7:50 P.M.

• They will probably do a trach on Paula tomorrow P.M. or Tuesday A.M. It looks like they will do it at MCG, prior to moving her to Select.

Paula and Tommy