Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Who needs USA network?

I have been sleeping in the hospital since Saturday night.  However, last night I upgraded from a chair in the Surgery / ICU waiting room to a couch in Elana's hospital room.  Most of you, at one point or another, have pulled all-nighters at a hospital.  Never easy and never comfortable.  That's when AXN saves the day.  What is AXN you may ask? AXN is a tv channel in the hospital room that features US crime dramas like Law & Order, CSI and NCIS.  The best part is that all the shows are in english with spanish subtitles.  When you are here for the reasons we are here, you need to enjoy the little things that we don't even give a second thought to back home.

Elana has had tough day.  One of the common after effects of the Coma is horrible diarrhea.  Elana has been suffering with this along with nausea and dizziness ever since she woke up.  However, for the first few days after the coma Elana did not realize what was going on so it was not really bothering her.  However, the last three days, as she has gotten over the hallucinations and become more aware, it has become more difficult for her.  All of this is usual and customary for Coma patients according to Dr. Cantu but it does not make it any easier to deal with.

Tomorrow could be a turning point in Elana's recovery.  The plan for tomorrow calls for Elana to attempt to put on her own pajamas in the morning (that will definitely make her feel better).  And then in the afternoon, when the doctor arrives, she is going to attempt to sit up and possible get out of bed for the first time in 12 days.  If she is able to handle that, then going home may not be too far off.

7 comments:

  1. YES!!! I love that! I love that she gets her own yummies and may be sitting up and maybe going HOME. Everything is better at home!

    I'm happy you got Law & Order too!

    It sounds though, that each day gets better and it's such a relief for all of us to hear.

    I can't say it enough so I don't care about sounding redundant. You are amazing and the prayers for your endurance and both of your strength & healing are still being sent.

    Now that she's aware, will you tell her I love love love love her!!!

    You really are THA BEST

    hugs, kisses, & continued prayers
    riggs

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  2. Mornin' Lance and Elana - Wishing you a pj-wearing, crime drama watching, chair-sitting, otherwise uneventful day! Looking forward to seeing you at home! Love, the Ratzans

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  3. I am so glad we are moving forward- love that!
    Lance you are my hero for all you are doing- thank you! Yesterday was amazing for me. Hearing Elana's voice brought such joy to my heart!
    She is going to do great today! and it is a step towards heading home! Stay strong today as we take the next step.

    XXOO
    Dabee

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  4. Elana, were you able to get into your pj's today? I remember wanting that so badly, once I began to get some more energy.but due to the central line my own pj's were relagated to just the lower half! :) Even that feels better. Sitting up was a bit more of a challenge and involved lots of pillows! It felt good to be trying to do some normal things and getting out of the bed. I am hopeful for you that you are able to delight in some of these small pleasuress as well even if it is only for short periods! I wish you a very good dsy and look forward to hearing from you when you get the chance and the energy. Until then, know you are on my mind, in my prayers and that I am cheering for you to have great success!
    Lance, how great it must be to be able to stretch out a little more by moving up to the couch from the chair! :) The secret to making that couch more comfortable: put a blanket down before the sheets, keeps that vinyl from caausing you to slip at night. Glad you found some intersting shows to watch. Theo found he enjoyed the subtitles because he could learn spanish at the same time! Your spanish is good so maybe the sub titles are not as important. When spending so many hours on nothing in that artificial environment, it sure feels good to enjoy some of the more normal things, doessn't it?
    Hope that things continue to progress well and that you will be looking at going home very soon. Thanks for keeping us all posted on the day to day stuff and including the things you celebrate ss well as struggle with. It helps direct my prayers.
    Look forward to talking with both of you when you get the time!

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  5. Great to hear the news. Elana you will do great!!! Can't wait to read tomorrow to see how you did. Our love and prays are still heading your way. Keep up the faith.
    Vivian

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  6. I'm wondering if they are set-up there for hydro-therapy? A nice soak (with someone with her of course for safety), in a warm tub-well, I'm wondering if it would be a good idea?
    Now that the treatment is over-do they suggest any activity to re-train the brain? I'm assuming that the whole point of the coma is to re-adjust the brain somehow, and setting-up new connections or alternate connections seems like another idea, but what do they recommend?
    The bowel problems could be part of the detox also.
    I don't know if I'd be in too much of a hurry to travel, every day should bring improvement, kind of like with a newborn or preemie.

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  7. I'm sending the best wishes that it's a pj kind of day for Elana!
    Belated Happy Anniversay to you both as well.

    --CL

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