September 29, 2010

Overall, today has been a good day. After some analysis of Mom's Integra, the doctors found that infection was beginning to spread (which was also the source of her more radical fevers over the last few days).They were able to find the bacteria that invoked infection and administered the correct antibiotic yesterday evening. As of today, they have removed most of the Integra which has clearly kept Mom stable and much more comfortable all day. Generally speaking, the removal of the Integra is not uncommon as it does not always adhere on the first application.

Apart from maintaining a regular heart rate and temperature, Mom has also been much more responsive. She is able to answer questions with a nod when awake. Due to the pain, however, she is still heavily medicated for is obviously not completely lucid. With regards to the state of her respiratory issues, she is somewhere in the range of 80% improved from her initial state. Though they still give her breathing treatments during the day, the material being pumped out of her lungs is much improved.

Dad, due to Mom's stable condition today, has had a fairly restful day. I am told that his face has improved drastically and his arms are following quickly as well.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments and words of inspiration. Have a wonderful evening and know that we appreciate every thought and prayer.

September 29, 2010

Today, we are starting off with good news!

Mom's fever has been gone for at least four hours and her heart rate has been back to normal for this period of time as well. Dad actually slept for six and a half hours which, for him, is more than he gets on a normal basis.

We are still riding a roller coaster but today WILL be a good day!

September 27, 2010 (2nd Update)

Just to contrast the bad news with some good....Mom actually turned her head to see visitors this afternoon. She tried to respond as much as she could and also smiled again. This news alone makes my day. As long as she can continue to fight off the fevers and be strong, news like this is a blessing!!!

September 27, 2010

Yesterday and today have been rough days...though its hard to distinguish those from what wouldn't be considered a rough day in this realm. Mom has maintained some pretty high fevers throughout both days with a bit of a break occasionally but not consistently. She was visited earlier today by her primary doctor. Upon inspecting the Integra on her arms they noticed a bit of an issue and are removing some of the areas where it appears to be failing. As soon as they were able to remove the areas that were not properly fusing, her fever began to drop rapidly which is at least positive in that aspect. If they can control her fever this evening and into tomorrow, they are discussing taking her off of the ventilator. Please pray that she responds well and can overcome these roadblocks.

After today's evaluation of his wounds, Dad no longer has to be treated with the reacting enzyme cream. This change in medication will greatly reduce the amount of pain that he has to endure throughout the day.

Again...if you have a moment during the day, please send them your thoughts and prayers.

September 25, 2010

She had a good night last night with nearly non-existant fevers. She was even able to open up her eyes and take in the sights for about thirty minutes early this morning. As anyone might assume, Dad's health hinges on the positive progress of Mom's condition. He had a pretty good morning and his wounds are still healing nicely, despite the stress that is caused in changing his bandages twice a day. Throughout the day, as we have noticed to be a sort of cycle, her fevers picked up a bit as can be expected during her healing process.

As is common with with these sort of medical situations, there will be a number of ups and downs that will circulate throughout the process of healing. The best we can do for both of my parents now is pray and help them through both the bad and good spots that they will traverse in this journey toward rejuvenated health. 

September 24, 2010

Today makes seven days since my parents were brought to the UMC Las Vegas Lion's Burn Unit. Dad is healing well, though painfully. It is looking like he will not have any skin grafting done at this point but the process of debriding is long and uncomfortable. His face is progressing quite well with his arms steadily behind as they took the blunt of the burning.

Mom has just had her second surgery for skin removal today. The surgeons were able to remove nearly all of the rest of the damaged skin. They have replaced all of the skin that was removed with a bi-layer synthetic called Integra. Though her body temperature is still riding a bit high she has been fairly consistent both after the first surgery and this last surgery. As is expected, we need to help her in fighting off pneumonia and any infection that can and most likely will crop up from her constant intubation. If all goes well there will, most likely, be one more skin removal surgery and then possibly the process of slowly pulling her off of the ventilator.

We must continue to pray for both of them and keep them in our thoughts.

Thank you all so very much for your support. We cannot express how much we need and appreciate any and all thoughts and prayers.