Update on my aunt

I spent a couple of days in Corpus this week. We sorted paperwork, cleaned and organized, and visited Tante (that's what we call her) in the ICU 3-4 times a day for about 10 minutes each time. She had become septic and they have been giving her strong IV antibiotics. She was on the ventilator (breathing tube down the throat) and very sedated and restrained because when she was awake she would pull at the tube. For the most part, she didn't know we were there or seem to have much awake time or awareness of what was happening. However, the past day or two they started to wean her from the Ativan and the ventilator so they could try to remove the tube. She was able to nod her head a little bit and track with her eyes - which was great to see.

They tried yesterday to wean her from the vent and her oxygen saturation was bad; today they were able to pull the tube - and so far she is stable. She remains in ICU and in isolation, and today and tomorrow they will be doing tests to check for lung cancer. There is risk with the tests; when they biopsy, they need to pull tissue from the edge of the lung and it could cause a lung collapse. And, there is a chance that her throat could swell shut from the tube removal or she could have other breathing trouble from the pneumonia, which would require re-intubation in the short-term and a tracheostomy a day or two later. Today is a big day in that she is able to communicate her desires and to understand her situation. She has asked appropriate questions about what has happened and how long she's been in the hospital (9 days now - 7 days on the ventilator). She has been able to consent to re-intubation if needed. She seems iffy on consenting to the trach, but if that's needed, we should have time to give her more information - and hopefully we will have more information to give regarding a cancer diagnosis. We are encouraged that she is doing better - that the tube is out and she can be more awake and aware of what is happening. Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

My Aunt

On the 14th, my aunt came from Corpus Christi to Austin for her 82nd bday. She got sick on that day and went to Brackenridge ER. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted. She was released on Sunday night and stayed with my Mom until Wed. morning, when she drove back to Corpus. My Mom talked to her Friday, and her voice was very hoarse. She has had problems with her throat since radiation treatment for cancer many years ago, so it wasn't a huge concern. On Sunday, we couldn't reach her. Finally, Sunday night, we called the police to do a welfare check, and also started calling hospitals. We found her in ICU on a ventilator. She was apparently admitted on Friday night after a neighbor called EMS.

Anyway, the pneumonia is apparently very aggressive and continued to worsen in spite of the antibiotics. She's been moved to a long-term acute care hospital and is in ICU and in isolation there. My Mom, brother, and we are her only family, and are working to encourage her progress and also get a handle on her affairs. The Dr. has said that the best case scenario has her in the hospital for 6 weeks. Yesterday, her white blood cell count and pulse rate dropped, which is really the first good news we've had. This is her fourth day on the ventilator and they are keeping her pretty doped up. When she's coherent, she is agitated and wants the breathing tube out. We're taking it a day at a time... please send your good vibes, your prayers - whatever you've got to give - her way!

(Jake's 11th birthday, 8/25/2010) Jake and Spencer enjoying stimulating lego building conversation at lunch.

Kiley - Our Little Artist

Kiley loves to wra-write and color. When she does she often uses phrases like "another one", "hold this" (meaning the cap to the marker usually.), "purple", "pink", "green", "blue". She mostly gets the colors correct these days. :)

We're still not sure where she learned it but she is very careful to hold anything she is writing or coloring with properly. It's very cute.

Busy little BEE

You can just make out the moon and the stars in this one.

Kiley let papa help with this one

Enjoying that firefighter hat!  :)

The firetruck Kiley will be seeing in a few minutes at school.

Jake loving his new legos (early birthday present)