Post-op update

Hi all,

This is Jill.  Mom is out of her second surgery and it went faster than anticipated.  Dad and I met with the social worker and the neurosurgeon afterwards.  Back-wise she is doing great, lung-wise not so great.  He (Dr. Cach, neuro) is projecting her to be intubated for up to 14 days.  It is typical for a person who receives multiple traumas to have weak lungs.  She is having a specially made halo neck brace that will connect to the turtle-shell back brace (not in place yet).  She will get the halo tomorrow and that will allow her to sit up in bed a little.  The halo and brace combo she will have to wear for three months, then a different kind of turtle shell for two more months.  Her lower back will take a year to heal.  They don't yet know if there was any damage to the nerves at the injury site, T-12.  There are still no signs of any head trauma or internal damage.  So she will be in the ICU for the whole time she is on the ventilator.  There is no phone in her room, but once Amy gets here we will work out our hotel situation and post the best way to contact us.

The next four days she will have a lot of pain, but will be on several pain meds due to the breathing tube.  Her level of awareness is low, but she can respond to questions with a slight nod or finger movement or eye blinks.  She is very immobilized and drugged to allow her neck and back to heal.  After tomorrow we will probably start reading to her, if friends and family want to send some fun, upbeat messages about what you are up to that we can read to her (like her Monday emails but in reverse!).  From what I've heard, she will not remember much from this period afterward, but it is a relief to see the recognition in her eyes and to get a finger hug.

One possible option for tomorrow is that Amy (who flies in tonight at 11pm) and Dad will drive to Challis (2 1/2 hours one way) and visit Syl, look for Rita, etc and if necessary stay over Saturday night, while Barry and I are here to check on Mom.  

Mom will have a pretty long recuperation period.  There is the possibility of Mom being flown home to CA after the tube comes out.  She will need lots of follow up with lots of doctors.  Although planning anything for more than 24 hours in advance is quite fuzzy.

All this sounds bad, but after seeing the car, we are lucky to have my mom still around.  Derek was awake when we stopped to get their stuff and he looked at the tow truck driver and asked "Is he going to fix Grandpa and Gigi's car?"  I said "No, I think Grandpa is going to have to buy a new car."  Derek was thrilled "OH YEAH!!  A NEW CAR!"  He and Anna also enjoyed their sneak preview of all the toys and treats G&G were bringing to Montana.

My dad is staying with her now until shift change at 6:30.  We will be available on my cell phone at 406-396-7279.  The kids are napping and Barry is out buying a digital voice recorder so Derek and Anna can make a recording to play for their adored Gigi.