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June 11 news with a June 12 update.
June 11, 2009, Thursday afternoon, my wife, Mary, was returning home after a morning spent at a summer camp in Newton Co. for handicapped kids - she was assisting with art projects with these children and recording some of the activities in photographs.
She drove her car off the road, Brown Bridge Road, not far from home. I don't yet know exactly what caused her to do this.
She is currently in an Intensive Care Unit at Atlanta Medical Center which is one of the 2 large trauma centers for the Atlanta region.
She is not conscious, having head trauma, intracranial bleeding and she is intubated, breathing on her own but being assisted w/a ventilator.
Neurosurgery has put a pressure monitor in her skull to be able to monitor any swelling of the brain which if not quickly treated can cause severe complications.
In the ICU where she is, their goal is to minimize stimulation for her since any stimulation causes the pressure on the brain to increase naturally.
Mary has a fracture in the occipital bone in the back of the skull, a fractured clavicle (collarbone) on the right side, multiple fractured ribs, a punctured lung, cut spleen and a fractured patella (kneecap) on the right knee. Also scrapes and bruises.
I know this doesn't sound real but it is.
At this point, the best that the Doctors can tell me is that we will take it one day at a time. The 1st 48 hours are the critical ones for a head trauma patient.
She has good/steady vital signs including blood pressure. She is able to move both arms and legs on her own.
I believe that no matter what happens, God is in control & I'll accept what His will is for me and my wife.
I ask that you pray for God’s healing touch for Mary.
I’ll update again when I can & I hope to be able to use CarePages (www.CarePages.com) as a way to provide updates that will be easy for all to access.
I have made contact with Maria/Rocky and Susan/David so the girls know about their Mom.
Update on June 12.
At the end of the day it is hard for me to realize that this only represents a little more than 24 hours since Mary had her accident.
How quickly life can change.
Since the first 48 hours are critical for a head trauma patient I have to be patient and continue to trust and pray.
Mary is still unconscious.
This "coma" is the result of the trauma, not the result of any medication.
She has been able to move her arms and legs by herself - it reminds me of how one shifts position while sleeping. I did see a grimace on her face when the nurse changed the cervical collar around her neck. These are good signs. The intracranial pressure has been good. Her vital signs including blood pressure continue to be stable. She was administered 3 units of whole blood and has begun enteral feeding - liquid nutrition through a tube.
Mary was taken for another CT scan. I don't know the results because I didn't speak with any doctor on Friday. I understand from the nurses that it will be routine for Mary to have CT scans - probably on a daily basis - so that the condition of her brain can be frequently evaluated.
So, even though I'm reporting all of these things, it really come down to the fact that not a lot has changed for Mary after 24 hours.
I want to sincerely thank all of those who have called/emailed wishing their best thoughts and offering of prayers. To those who have visited at the hospital I also offer my gratitude for your love and friendship.
The offerings of support and "if there is anything your need please let me know..." have been wonderful. These are true expressions of kindness compassion and support. I wish I could take each of you up on those offers...that there really was something physical or material that I could ask you to do for me or for Mary. That would be easy for me and you.
But in a situation like this there really isn't that much that I need your help with right now (please believe me - I WILL ask for help whenever I think of a need.)
There really isn't anything you can do for Mary right now.
The harder thing for me to ask you for is your prayers. We use the words so easily - I'm guilty of this - but we minimize the time for actually doing this. So my harder request is for you to really think about those words, what they mean and then to find the time to make them true in your life.
Right now, and as we slowly travel the long difficult road that lies ahead, that is how all of you can help Mary and me the most.
Sincerely,
John Kommeth
1 comment:
Hey Susan,
I am so sorry. I will definitely keep your family in my prayers.
Best wishes.
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