January 31, 2009

Day 11 - Yesterday went in tidal waves for Caitlin. There were multiple times she was up, walking, and agile. Then came the times that the pressure in her abdomin would take over and the pain would win landing her back in bed for a stretch. During the night her stomach gave her more fits and eventually the vomitting started making for a long night. I don't know if that is the culprit to the spike in her resting Bp (119/95) it had been lower when resting (95/54 area most of the time it is checked). The vomitting brought on a lot of stomach pain that migrated pretty quickly to her upper rib area pressing on her internal organs that are already sore. Her nurse was very understaning which helped and made the night more tolerable.
I think her biggest thrill to date in the hospital was being able to get back on her engagement rings and showing them to the staff and talking about Dustin and their plans together. She talks to Dustin as often as she can when sleep didn't overtake her and is thrilled with several of the things he was doing in Tucson getting ready for the wedding and the move. It frustrates her so much not being able to finish a thought or conversation without being interrupted by sleep, nurses, doctors, medical stuff, etc. I know she is anxious to get home where she will have fewer interruptions and be able to focus better. We still have our fingers crossed that by days end she can head home but we are leaving that decision totally up to Dr Long. He has commented that she is so close to turning the corner and getting home but it just seems to me a fingertip's length out of her reach so we shall see. Again thank you to everyone for the well wishes and prayers. Nineteen years ago Caitlin floated into our life as a miracle and it overtakes me often these past eleven days how enormous the miracle God and his angels gave us again.
By suppertime today what ever is going on in Caitlin's abdomin/stomach was at full tilt making her very sick so she is not to be released today. They are trying to readjust medicines and as I write this she is in downstairs getting pictures of her abdomin to see if something new is going on or if something had not surface yet. It hopefully will all be normal and we are just dealing with a very sick stomach which is not fun but managable. Will try to keep you posted. She has a new magnet given to her by the Lade familyn that she looks at often which reminds her to hang strong and keep her faith up. Those very traits have brought her this far and will carry her the distance.
Strength I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

January 30, 2009

Day 10 - Caitlin felt like she was given her freedom last night. They removed the IV lines leaving only a feeder line for ocassional meds. With the IV lines gone and the machine sitting in the corner she was able to walk around far less restricted making for a much happier patient. They ran a bloodwork up to check up on things and her blood work shows some liver activity, anemia and yet ago low hemoglobin but at this point in light of all that has happened these last 10 days they are going to continue to monitor her levels to see what if anything happens with them. Her medicines were tweeked as well allowing for fewer pain break through episodes which is a relief. Most of her day yesterday was spent walking to regain strength and mobility or sleeping to recharge and allow for healing. Her night was rough with lots of abdominal pain pushing in all directions causing pain to her abdominal injuries but she is fighting through it. There are so many people in her corner and I only wish we could contact you all individually but am trusting that you understand. Dustin calls often and he and many others have been very patient with short phone calls or worse yet when someone walks in and we have to cut a visit off. We thank you for your understanding in the oddity of the phone calls. Caitlin enjoys the calls but tires so easily on the phone with her visitors which I am sure is frustrating to everyone. This will improve as she conquers hurdles and gains strength.

January 29, 2009

Day 9 and Caitlin is beyond thrilled. Her fingers are almost back to size and her engagement rings can now be worn with pride yet again!

Day 9 - Last night medicines were switched around a bit which allow Caitlin to sleep better and when she is awake she is much more like herself - just happy to be a part of life which has always been her personality.
The CT scan showed lots of holes in her liver. The liver is badly damaged and with time will improve but she will always have to take steps to safeguard her liver especially in regards to what goes into her body since so many things we consume are filtered through the liver and hers needs a lifetime vacation on the filtering. An annoyance but a small price. The surgeon along with ourselves were beyond thrilled that through a small miracle she did not lacerate the liver because that on top of the holes in it would have been more than a mess he said.
Her brother, Chris, and his wife, Jill, have been checking in on her. I know she is anxious to see them again. They just have a way of lifting her spirits when they call to check on her.
Caitlin's spirits are good and she is starting to look forward to being back to herself and is back to talking about her wedding, moving with Dustin and some of their long range plans together. It is so neat to watch her eyes dance again when she talks about Dustin or he calls her. She is right, he is amazing and she is so lucky in so many ways. A dear friends Jim and Joanne Redd sent her a card and reminded her, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." How true!

January 28, 2009

Day 8 - Hard to believe exactly one week ago at this time she was calling saying she was headed home from her errand to Wal-mart. It is such a miracle and blessing to have made it through these unexpected struggles. Long night last night for Caitlin. She is beginning to get a every other night pattern going. Her abdomin/ribs/shoulder are grouching at her so hopefully the CT scan will give some answers and give her relief. She is starting to vocalize the desire to come home which is a great sign. We will keep you posted

January 27, 2009

Day 7 - Night went better for Caitlin with longer stretches of sleep, she actually got about an hour at a stretch. New situations keep announcing their arrival but she is tough and determined and has chosen to look at them like hurdles. They CT scanned her from her neck to her thighs tonight and so we will await official results from that test. Her appetite is beginning to improve and she enjoys eating solid food although her eyes are far bigger than her stomach but she says the taste is amazing. She must be hungry to like hospital food so much although the hospital does have a fairly good kitchen staff.

January 26, 2009

Day 6 - Last night was a little rough for Caitlin as different muscles in her body decided it was time to wake up and let her know they did not appreciate the car ride but that they were still there for her. After getting up and going for the day and having another x-ray she did her best to do lots of walking and resting - both necessary to her healing. In addition, as you can see in the picture above Caitlin was finally given the chance to eat 'regular' food. Her first bite was a Dove chocolate Dustin had given her. She is shown eating it and talking to him simultaneously. At this point time and prayers are the best thing for Caitlin and we appreciate both a great deal.

January 25, 2009

A last snuggle before Dustin has to return to Tucson and report back in.

Day 5 - It was Sunday so a quieter day as far as testing goes. Had an x-ray and an echocardiogram but other than that the day was spent resting, receiving visitors, phone calls and spending time together. Without everyone's support this journey would have been much more difficult and we want to thank everyone for their support. Hopefully tomorrow will show continued improvement. Caitlin is up and walking periodically. She has gotten very good at making laps around the floor. There are several times throughout the day is much more like herself which is great. Taresa came back up today to see her and then drove Dustin to the airport to report back to base. Probably the toughest moment the two of them had was saying good-bye. Later after Dustin left the neurologist came in and reported that the echo had found a congenital hole in her heart that was a major factor in the puzzle. Fortunately it is fixable through outpatient surgery and once fixed Caitlin will be feeling better than ever.

January 24, 2009

Below is a picture of Caitlin and Dustin her "regular" room holding the flowers Christopher and Jill sent to Caitlin

Day 4 - Busy day with further tests, gaining mobility, visiting with friends, and grateful for all the prayers and show of love and support. They did find activity on her EEG so the dreaded but expected words came...no driving for six months along with other normal seizure precautions. More tests to come to see if they can get to the bottom of the EEG findings. Weird to say but relieved to have the first piece of the puzzle revealed. The last thing any of us want is to have this ever happen again. Caitlin and all of us are already aware how fortunate it was that if this had to happen no one else was with her or hurt by it. At this point you look for the blessings that are there and focus on them. We get to see her smile again, she and Dustin sit talking again, and visitors came to rejoice with us that we are gaining in this puzzle.

January 23, 2009

Day 3 - Caitlin was moved to a quiter ICU last night and her hemoglobin is coming back up and we are so excited to see it moving in the right direction. Dustin arrived in what seemed like the wee early hours and has been totally amazing. He is so patient and unwavering in how he handles things. I watched in amazement the bond they share and how nothing seemed to rattle the two of them for more than a few seconds. She did have an EEG today to see if they could figure out what caused her blackout that triggered the crash. We are hopeful to begin getting answers soon. By the end of the day, Caitlin had finally been allowed out of bed and taken a short stroll around the ICU resulting in the long awaited move out of ICU to the surgical unit. Good news to say the least.

The room she was moved to is in the new wing and only two weeks old. It is a suite with a hospital bed and apparatus, dining table and chair, reclining chair, sofa that makes into a twin size bed and two flat screen wall mounted televisions. And a bathroom bigger than both of ours combined. Very nice to say the least.

January 22, 2009

Day 2

Caitlin is doing remarkably well especially when you look at the picture of her accident and then see her smiling face when she wakes up. Her surgery as we said went well but we are patiently waiting for her hemoglobin levels to start increasing so that she can be released from the ICU although we have to say the people in ICU are very nice. We have been surround by lots of great people in thought and prayers, with phone calls and visits. Without fantastic parents, grandparents, relatives and friends we would have been lost. Dustin's parents came today to check on her and they were great. We know he is trying desperately to get here to be with Caitlin and is in the process of working through the red tape. Barnetts, Brands, some of her dance girls and Klings also came by to check on her and us. Her grandparents have been here been here both days to be of help. Countless others have been helping at work, the farm, covering her obligations and ours. We can't thank people enough their help in this crazy turn of events.

January 21, 2009

Day One

What was and will probably be for a very long time the scariest day of my life. It started out like a relatively normal morning trying to decide what to do for Mark's birthday. Caitlin came in to my room about 8:30 to see why I was home from work. After explaining about my upset stomach she offered to run for some Sprite and crackers. About 9:45 she called from the store's parking lot explaining what she had gotten and was there anything else I needed. After a quick no but thanks she ended our call and the morning continued. A little after 10:15 my mom radar went up when she was not home from the 10-15 minute trip home. Multiple calls to her cell went unanswered. I called her dad who said he would look as they headed home from just south of Maryville and I went in search of car keys.

About 10:30 I headed out of the driveway to go see if she had car trouble and was stopped by the highway patrol. God love the officer who drove me down there for I have no doubt he saw a side of me I didn't even know I had. En route the officer said Caitlin had been in an accident, that she was breathing, they had found her pulse, but she was unconscious and did not respond to painful stimuli so I called her dad and told him to meet us at the ER because the accident was serious. Never again do I want to pull up to crash site again, the emotions nearly took my breath away along with my ability to stand. The officers were amazing and in their own way calming. After I found calm, I stepped into the ambulance and our journey began.

Caitlin was taken by ambulance to St Francis where she was examined and stabilized. Within the hour it was detemined she had internal bleeding and would be life flighted to Heartland Hospital in nearby St Joseph. At that point, Mark stayed to see her off in Maryville and my close friend, Ellen, drove me to St Joseph to meet the life flight. We pulled into the parking lot as the chopper was landing at 1:00. By 1:20 I was racing down the hall with Chaplain Sandy Davis for a quick prayer and kiss and entrusted her with Dr. Long (he is amazing).

By the time surgery was over, her dad, her maternal grandfather, Pastor Tom, Chaplain Sandy, Ellen and myself were waiting. Her other grandparents and family were holding down the fort in Maryville and arrived a few hours later. Caitlin did remarkably well in spite of a lacerated spleen that Dr. Long was able to save and get internal bleeding stopped. Fortunately the liver was not lacerated as they thought and given time, her general good health, and prayers she would be fine.

Knowing Caitlin and her upcoming plans we did ask her surgeon if she would be able to dance at her wedding and he replied definately. We feel so fortunate that Caitlin's guardian angels were with her with God cheering them on in her corner. She still has a road ahead of her and when you have time please say a quiet prayer for her and/or keep her in your thoughts. We still plan to see her dance at her wedding on March 14!