September 3, 2012 - oh my, what a day...

The Bear is sleeping but he keeps stirring...

I got to spend most of the day with Gretchen (from just before 8:00 to almost 5:00).  It was both encouraging and discouraging.  It was encouraging because I got to talk to her a lot and got to see how she improved over the course of the day.  She started with a lot of confusion and it began to clear as she was awake but if she sleeps for very long she starts over.  It was discouraging to watch her in therapy today because she could barely stand with assistance.  I know that will improve but it was a shock (not a surprise, given she has been bedridden for 3 weeks but a shock).

One of the problems she had trying to walk was that she couldn't pull her head upright.  One of the aides put two pillows under her head and her neck stiffened in that position with a vertebral knob sticking out at the base of the neck.  I am warning everyone how her neck is sensitive and to watch her head position when they are positioning her.  They are still positioning her (left side, right side, back) but I noticed that toward the end of the day she was on her back and moving on her own.

Another positive thing is that Gretchen continues to recognize me, even in the confusion.   She may not remember my name but she knows who I am.

I want to spend another day this week with Gretchen.  I was hoping it would be Thursday because they do the weekly evaluations and recommendations on Thursday but the staff rotation where I work would leave my building uncovered.  Wednesday will probably be the day that I can arrange so that is what it will have to be.

As you continue to pray for Gretchen's strength, endurance, and alertness (the more alertness the less confusion) please pray for wisdom for the doctors and staff.  Gretchen pulled out her feeding tube again (a Dobb-Hoff tube, smaller than an NG tube) and the staff is having a hard time putting it in.  The staff is pushing for a PEG tube (through the abdominal wall) but the surgery group is not so eager.  They feel that if she is going to be able to take nutrition by mouth within a week or two then the PEG tube is a bad option. I did a bit of research tonight and I think the PEG will be a setback because of the recovery time (5 - 7 days).  If it will help her to recover faster then I am willing to undergo the risk but I get the impression that it is more for their convenience (and Gretchen could still pull it out, even with the wrap they are talking about).  I even suggested that I could take time off to supervise her feeding if it meant we could avoid the PEG tube.

Also, please pray for moderation on my part.  As I have written about the PEG tube I can feel Bear waking inside me.  I want to be allies with Siskin but if Bear wakes within me I will become the fearsome enemy that you do not cross.  Many years ago, God put Bear to sleep within me and most of the time he sleeps.  Occasionally he has awakened, caused his havoc, and then quickly fallen asleep again.  I cannot control Bear when he awakens, only God can (which is why He put him to sleep within me) so pray that all parties in this discussion will act with wisdom and not self interest.

Just one more thing...if Siskin was ready for her why are they saying that Gretchen needs a PEG tube in order to progress.  A couple more days, had I known she needed to be rid of the feeding tube, and I probably could have had her ready (if they would teach me how to help her).  Between the pillows and the feeding tube I am not happy right now (go back to sleep Bear...).