Sunday, March 5, 2017

Jess's next step

This is Dan,

Last night Jess was moved from the ICU to a neurological step down room. This was an expected step and is a step that every patient who undergoes head trauma at UCLA goes through. It was something that had been approved since yesterday morning but we had to wait for a room to become available. This has been a mostly a good move, with some slight hesitation and concern. On the positive side, the move means that Jess is progressing accordingly in her healing and that she will be in a room that is much more calming and private. The nurses do not come by as often and her regiment of medications has lessened. For the first time since coming out of the surgery Jess was able to sleep for more then a few minutes at a time. The room is bigger then the ICU and allows for me and her parents to all have a comfortable seat and room enough not to step on each others toes. The room also has a window, which although just shows surrounding buildings, allows sight to the outside world and natural light.

On the negative side, is STRESS. Jess had to endure a fair amount of pain during the travel 200ft down the hall to the corresponding wing. Any movement is tough on Jess and this was a big one in her present world. The same freedom that allows Jess to sleep also causes her significant stress. She is haunted by the memory of the surgery at UW and the need for a second surgery. She worries that she will begin to deteriorate and no one will know. This is in spite of the fact that between me and her parents, she is never left alone, she is hooked up to every monitor available to the facility and is periodically checked on by her nurse. The memory of the pain and exhaustive rehabilitation caused by her emergency brain surgery at UW is so prevalent that every time she cannot control her right hand or cannot find a answer she fears she is slipping backwards again. She easily forgets that it has been less then 24 hours since her surgery was completed and she still has a vast amount of recovery to do. The nurses and caregivers here are wonderful and Jess has quickly found her favorites and made each of them laugh. It is rare to have a nurse leave her room without a smile on their face. Her deficits are severe, but we see small changes daily and even hourly that are encouraging to us. We also see negative changes when she gets over worked or exhausted. My personal opinion on these changes is overall positive. I feel that if we see changes, good or bad, then it means that particular aspect is not permanent. If this aspect is not permanent, it is possibly fixable. When dealing in this realm, possibilities are always positive.

25 comments:

  1. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you both... Love Dave and Berit

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  2. Thanks Dan for the update ! Thinking about you all & sending lots of love !!! Emma also sends her love .

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  3. Let the soul healing begin! Much LOVE to you Dan and Mom and Dad and Emma and Binky and especially to Jess.

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  4. DonnaRae and Raymond are right with you all in our prayers and healing spirits !!<3 Our Jess will heal Hope ! Spirits ! LOve ! Caring ! Giving ! Prayers ! Family ! Friends !

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  5. Praying for a safe recovery and strength all around. Hugs.

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  6. Continuing to send love and healing energy. ~Nik

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  7. please be gentle with yourselves and know that you have so much love and support <3

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  8. love your positive outlook Dan...I agree that changes are positive and support the idea that Jess will continue to slowly improve in all areas....God bless you all. Jennifer

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  9. How wonderful to see your awesome Parents and You Smiling! The same with the pictures of you and Dan! You have SO Many people, including myself, who love you and are praying for you! Keep up the good work and appreciate and celebrate each little accomplishment! I've been following you since your Very First Blog and I've never doubted that you would beat this!!! Much Love, "So Cal" Patti

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  10. Always praying for you Jess, thank you for the update Dan, you are such a beautiful couple. <3

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  11. Jess is in my prayers. As are y'all her caretakers. Please be kind to yourselves. She is blessed to have such loving, constant and strong advocates until she is able to advocate for herself. God go with you now and forever.

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  12. Jess, our whole church prayed for you today!!! I will continue to pray (and ask for prayers) around your fears about slipping backwards, for mental and emotional healing from the trauma of the experience at UW. Dan, Bonnie and Bob you are also in my prayers. Please take care of yourselves during this challenging time!

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  13. Continuing to think of you all often, and sending good wishes and vibes your way for as painless and easy a recovery as possible!

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  14. Good update! ❤❤❤ to you all. Annie

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  15. Jess you're in my thoughts and prayers! You are the toughest chick I know, and always smiling through the grimmest of times. You're a warrior, you're my hero, and I KNOW you're going to get through this. Love and hugs for your amazing, courageous and supportive family who are there with you all the way. All my love! -Rachel

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  16. Thinking of you Jess,Dan and family. Sending prayers and love to you all. Brad W

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  17. You are doing an amazing job, both of you, and we are thankful for the info. Healing is on the way and we are all behind you pushing with love, faith, and fury.

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  18. It is so amazing to see that beautiful smile! Every time I see her smile it makes me smile! Jess, you are so strong and courageous.... you just amaze me! Dan, you are so supportive and strong. You guys make one amazing team. We are thinking of you everyday.

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  19. You got this Jess! Stay positive Dan. We are all rooting for her. Everything is in the hands of God and with God, absolutely nothing is impossible. You all are in my prayers <3

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  20. Sending wishes of lots of peaceful, restorative sleep for Jess and her family!

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  21. Sending wishes of lots of peaceful, restorative sleep for Jess and her family!

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  22. Sending love, prayers and positive thoughts Dan to Jess, you, Bonnie and Bob...

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  23. Continuing prayers ! How wonderful to see Jessica's beautiful smile. Take care of yourselves too. My husband had a rare tumor on his brain stem & risky surgery (he's good now) so understand a bit of what you are going through. I know you each would trade places with precious Jessica in a heartbeat as I felt the same. Heartfelt thoughts and blessings to all of you

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  24. As a caregiver to my husband with the same tumor as Jessica's sending you positive support vibes!

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  25. As a caregiver to my husband with the same tumor as Jessica's sending you positive support vibes!

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