October 26th, 2008 story #4

 {Life B/C (before-crash) with Nicholas at the ranch 
just a few weeks before the accident)

(please note, that these medical charts were dictated by an RN so I 
could understand and read them.)

October 26, 2008
At 28 minutes past midnight on October 26th, 2008 a chest x-ray demonstrated bilateral pleural effusion and pulmonary edema, and the suggested congestive heart failure.  She was running a fever of 39.4 degrees Celsius.  There were diffuse rhonchi heard in the right lung.  Nine-plus weeks post burn, she was still on a versed drip and morphine PCA. In addition, she still required a propofol drip and large amounts of additional narcotics for dressing changes.  Propofol is often used for dressings changes that involve the face and/or scraping off dead skin.
On October 27, 2008 her entire body was debrided of any necrotic tissue present.
Stephanie's dressing change was started at 10:00 am and was completed at about 5:00 pm.
Her nurse noted Stephanie's facial grimacing with extremity movement, indicating that movement caused her significant pain.

{life A/C (after-crash) and living a happy healthy life)

But guys.....this weeks worth of blogs may have been depressing, but I did it.  

I am alive.  I am also not even finished reading the notes.  

I am on October 26th.  I was awake, but still not responsive.  

I wasn't answering yes or no questions.

I was in a lot of pain and in constant worry and despair.  

Notes indicate at this time I would walk the
line of between alertness and sleep. 

 I was able to breathe on on my own, and open my eyes 

and move my head to familiar voices.

I will continue to read the notes as I progress.
My memory begins on November 6th.

Thanks for listening to me.  I am so grateful I am alive.  

I am so thankful to those who stayed with me,
fought for me, never gave up on my care.  

The medical team; doctors, nurses, therapists who worked with me everyday.  

Words can't express my gratitude.

I love the AZBC!!!

 

See you Monday!