I know it's been a while since I've written but in this case no news is good news. Basically I'm feeling much better. I like the post-surgery brace much better than the pre. I went up to Snowbird over the weekend and when we hiked Mitch only pulled me up for part of the way. Hopefully life will just keep getting more normal. That's the plan anyway. :)

Things are going pretty well. I let Mitch take the staples out of my back the other day. Before I left the hospital the nurse gave me some funky scissors and told me that they could be taken out in 12 days. She said I could do it at home or come into to the clinic and since Mitch had been practically begging me for days I decided to let him. Hey, I figure SOMEONE should enjoy the experience. ;) He did a fine job. It didn't really hurt much and the Pulmonary doc said it looked great. (You may think what would a lung doctor know about it but he has been around me since the get-go so I figure something). Other than that I just keep walking and moving and hurting and healing. It's very nice to be on this side of everything. To be healing from the surgery not waiting for it. It was kind of hard coming home from the hospital and feeling like I'd had to start all over again. Needing help for just about everything and sort of living from pain killer to pain killer--not very fun. But hey with the staples out I can basically shower by myself now! I just can't shave my legs but what are sisters for?

Clean rep appt

Dr. Bishop (the Extubator!!) says lungs are doing fine. Should get back pretty close to normal lung (and singing) function.

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

So a respiratory doctor came in yesterday, poked and prodded, and said "why are you here? Go home." So I took her home. Ev is home. Only downside is that we're supposed to be giving her an antibiotic that is about $100 per pill (our insurance will lower that to $48 per pill). Still working on how that is going to happen. But....,

She's HOME!!!!!!


Dad

Hey people! In case you weren't sure let me tell you now that back surgery hurts alot. The nurse told me before hand that the pain rating went something like: worst--kidney stones, then pancreatits and then back surgery. I found it to be surprisingly truthful and have found a reason to be grateful for having only one kidney! Whoo!
I'm definately on the mend and should be home soon. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

!@#$%^&*()***!*!


Lots of expletives deleted. Ev has pneumonia. It's the hospital kind that you pick up and then it lies dormant until your immune system takes a hit (like during, say, spinal surgery) and then it wants to come out and play.

She stays until next week (Monday or Tuesday).

#@#$@#$#@$*****

Dad

Ok, so we were SUPPOSED to get her home today but some overprotective type wanted to make sure she didn't have a bloodclot in her lungs. So CT Scan time! Thankfully no contrast dye orally - just in the arm. No clot but the lung avoli are being lazy so Ev gets some RT and maybe comes home tonight but probably not till tomorrow. Don't yet know why the lazy lungs so we're waiting for a smart doc to tell us what's what.

Cheers,

Dad

Day two

Well, the general anesthesia is all worn off so the nausea is pretty well gone. So is the pain relief. Ev says it really hurts a lot. 8 out of 10. She is eating a little but it is better to not move at all. Ever. Even a little. Quiet. Still. Unmoving and unmoved. Except when she goes for a walk.

Hang in there ev. Oh and we finally got super nurse assigned to her. Thanks Lorna!!!

dad

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Coming back through the looking glass

All is well.
Dr. G started cutting at 2 and folded his scout knife back up at 4ish. Ev is doing ok except for being puffy and very puky. Mitch is engaged in heroic levels of hand holding. Greater love hath no man than when holding his girlfriend's hair mid-puke.

4th floor is nice but the rooms are skinny. I feel in-the-way.

Do I hear a chorus of 'get used to it' from the adult members of the audience? .....

Dad
Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

She's here

I'll be doing the updates for a day or two. It is comforting to be around the nursing staff. It beats the conversation in my head. Some parting words from booboo: I am sitting in pre op back in a drafty gown with an iv and the fun leg squishers on. Which all feels far too normal.

normal is relative. I forgot to charge this before I left so next update is later. Waiting, then holding, then surgical waiting then recovery, then 4th floor. No icu this time.

Dad

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Well people, hours and counting and SURPRISE! I'm not sleeping well. Seeing as I won't be feeling up to much in the next little while I just want to thank you all in advance for your thoughts and prayers. They lift me more than you can know.

Happy Father's Day all! I was sort of hoping that I could give my dad the same thing that I gave my mom for Mother's Day, but to come home from the hospital I have to have been IN the hospital first. Ah well, he'll just have to make do with a tie. I guess I want to shout out to father's everywhere. Thanks for working and buying us food. Thanks for teaching us stuff even when we think we don't care. Thanks for your jokes--especially the ones we don't get. Thanks for making us mow the lawn and for starting the stupid mower. And thanks for taking care of the boo-boos--the big and small!

Well, get out your calendars people and find your pens! After much poking and prodding and pleading and pondering and--I'll be honest--a little crying we picked a day! A day for what you might ask and I'd be happy to tell. A day for knocking me out, sticking a tube down my throat, slicing open my back, screwing in freaky-big titanium screws, slathering on a fresh batch of bone growth hormone, sewing it back up, TAKING THE TUBE OUT, and then letting me wake up with lots of pain killers. Sounds like fun! I know it does ;)
Oh yeah, June 24th. Less than two weeks people!

Trauma B said my CT was BEAUTIFUL! And my right lung is clear! That sucker has been cloudy for forever! I saw G today and he ordered more X-rays which are done and so surgery scheduling is next. Whoo! Mitch goes in for his hand surgery on Friday. I'm sure he would appreciate your thoughts and prayers! :)

I dreaded today. I didn't want to go to sleep last night because I didn't want to wake up to today. What a baby! CTs are practically harmless. I know. Still.
It went well enough though. I got down four and half cups of contrast (they try to be sneaky and call it a berry smoothie.....right....try slightly watery, berry-flavored Elmer's glue). But apparently they wanted it intravenous as well so I got an IV with the wonderful stuff and got very hot. It was somewhat like I would think a hot flash would be like. My eyes burned and my lips tingled. Not to mention the wetting myself sensation. Way fun. But I didn't throw it up and I'm feeling pretty well considering!

I just got back from PT and--are you ready?--I did all of the exercises WITHOUT the brace! And I'm not paralyzed! Score! It was pretty exciting :)

Sorry about the lack of posting lately guys! I've been enjoying being at home and breathing the sweet outdoor air filled with green leaves and pink blossoms. I now take laps up the stairs and around the yard in a desperate attempt to beef up my chicken legs. And I started physical therapy this week. We're attempting to strengthen my core AND I'm practicing sitting up, laying down and standing WITHOUT the brace! Hello independence! Today is the first day for my High School Musical Summer Workshop auditions! So if you know any kids who want to have fun this summer and who are 10 to 16 let us know (especially if they're boys;) Thank you for your continued concern. My surgery isn't scheduled yet but I'm looking forward to another CT scan. I have so missed that contrast. (please don't miss the heavy sarcasm). Well, happy seven week anniversary for me. Wear your seatbelts and watch the road. There have been far too many sirens filling the air these past few weeks. I don't want any of you being the destination for them.

This says it all

There is something about being home. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's the air, familliar surroundings, home cooked food or all my loving family all at my beck and call ;) Unfortunately my call is not as loud as it used to be. I'm thinking of asking for some walkie-talkies. If I do then I'll need some help coming up with cool code names!

EvaLynn is Home!

Happy Mother's Day!

She may have to go back for surgery but for now she is home!!!!!

Happy Dad!!

Hurry and wait. Hurry and wait. Hurry and wait.

No news. Can't eat can't sleep can't go home & can't really stay.

Hmmm.

Dad

I could be going home in a few days but it's hard to get a firm answer out of these guys. One thing is for sure--I won't be having the surgery until the end of this month which is a LITTLE disappointing I'll be honest but they just want me to be as healthy as I can be before they cut me open and screw metal rods into my back. It will be nice to go home. It's been five weeks since I've seen it. See? Silver lining:)

Grrrrrr.

Ok, so now doctors are saying end of the month for surgery. Ev will likely be coming home sometime this week. We are happy that she'll be home but wearing a back brace for an additional month is a hard pill to swallow. There are (may be) medical reasons but I'm growling because it also might have to do with scheduling conflicts. Harumph.

Dad

Surgery Tomorrow??

Dr. L has given a thumbs up for back surgery whenever the neuro people can work it out. Could be tomorrow. 'Bout time. Ev's getting bored. Not enough tubes in her life anymore. Food is starting to have flavor. Can't have that.... And stitches. We need more stitches!!

We'll keep everyone posted.

Dad

My Daughter is Normal???

White count, pancreatic enzymes, no foolin with Foley, etc. One more pretend IV and a little nip & tuck to reduce the shimmy in the spine. And she's normal.

Doc, you obviously don't know my daughter that well ...............

:) Dad

Yeah toast!
I got food! It started with toast and and my jaw didn't quite know what to do but I got the hang of it. I almost didn't believe it when I got chicken for lunch--MEAT--what a concept!
Thank you to all those who have come to visit me. Real faces are much better than 2D tv people. My new room is very......cozy....but feel free to drop by any time!

We've Moved!

Ev is now upstairs (sounds of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance play here) in 694. Foods more solid. Labs getting a little better. The room is a bit small so if you come to visit don't come in a herd.

Barry

Re: Tom

That's great news about Ev. Give her our love, and let her know we're
think of her everyday.

L.

bounousb@itsnet.com wrote:
> Hi Lynn,
> Somehow this information didn't get to me till a few days ago, but apparently Tom came in the second or third day to see Ev who was completely sedated. What he found instead was Debbie having a really hard time. She said that he sat with her and comforted her for hours. Tell him thanks.
>
> Ev is doing much better. Labs coming back near normal. Likely they'll move her upstairs soon and then let her come home for a week-ish before spinal surgery. She is eating well and we've got Pizza Hut on speed dial just in case!
>
> Cheers,
> BB
>
>
>

Tom

Hi Lynn,
Somehow this information didn't get to me till a few days ago, but apparently Tom came in the second or third day to see Ev who was completely sedated. What he found instead was Debbie having a really hard time. She said that he sat with her and comforted her for hours. Tell him thanks.

Ev is doing much better. Labs coming back near normal. Likely they'll move her upstairs soon and then let her come home for a week-ish before spinal surgery. She is eating well and we've got Pizza Hut on speed dial just in case!

Cheers,
BB

Someone had chocolate pudding for lunch!

And it wasn't Dad....

Ev's doing well. Back surgery still a week or two away. Tummy holding up ok. Had a nice long walk to an outdoor balcony. Keep getting better. Ev claims she now has bird legs. Coach Steve predicts it will not last long.

Cheers everyone,

Dad

Happy Hospital Anniversary! One Month! Whoo!

Hey I'm alive! So my dad decided it was time I posted something here myself. I can finally think of food without losing what little I have in my stomach. Which is good. So I just have to get well enough to have back surgery then recover from the surgery and then I can go home! Wahoo! I wanted to thank everyone for your love and concern for me. It helps pass the loooooooong hours to know that you care.

We have achieved SOUP!

Dr. L came by in a very santa claus-ish mood. He gave permission for a little soup. Ev said "it tastes so good!" The only un-santa claus-ish thing he said was that the scans showed a small stable fracture in the bony process of L2. So surgery is going to be scheduled as soon as she is able.

Go team!

Barry

A much better day!

So yesterday didn't start too well. Ev tried for an hour to drink the contrast but just kept throwing it up (her compliments to the chef..). Finally the CT people agreed to try without. Scans didn't show anything that we know of yet. But for most of the rest of the day she went without both pain and nausea meds. She was perky-er and less nauseated than she has been for weeks. She decided that she wants Cheesy Tomato Soup. She's pestering the doctors. So, I had her sister, Christine, make a mug up and we brought it down to the floor refrigerator as a constant reminder (evil laugh here). This morning the following events occurred: Ev got a real shower, her white count was significantly down, no change on the pancreas readings, eating better , less puky, and dad brought her a 5 pound weight to start her workout routine so she can beat an unnamed someone in arm-wrestle. Whew. It also snowed 14 inches at Snowbird last night. She wants to go skiing.

Cheerier & Cheerier
BB

Here we go again

So with the white count continuing to rise and the nausea unabated Ev gets to have another ct scan. Her favorite thing along with yummy contrast medium. Mmmmm.

Barry Bounous

Tummy still troubled

No easy answers yet. Meds are being changed. Ultra sounds, maybe another CT tomorrow. Ev says that if her stomach felt better she would be almost recovered. Could be true. She is debating having the foley bag removed which would be lovely except then she would have to put on her back brace every hour to go potty. Guess I shouldn't complain about my plumbing problems........

BB

Doing Roadwork Again!

Sunday afternoon saw Ev and a whole bunch of friends and family actually outside looking at the flowers and breathing the 'non-hospital air'. Ev & Mich were both in wheel chairs. It was a moment that I naturally failed to record on film. But it was cool. Tracy & Laura Hickman came by and made Ev smile. Tracy still knows how to charm the ladies....

The good news from today is that Ev made 3 laps around the floor. 10 more to go to be back in form. Ev also said that TV ads about food didn't make her want to hurl anymore so either the nausea meds are working or maybe her pancreas is starting to improve. We do need to vary her diet, though. I sneaked in a chocolate cannoli the other day but the nurse caught me. Come on, a cannoli has never hurt anyone!! Cibo degli Angeli! Pannis Angelicus!

Dad

More thanks

Got to meet a member of the ems team from Springville that responded to the accident. They got there in 6 minutes. She said anyone sitting in the right side of the car wouldn't have made it. So, thank you ems team and thank you Mike for driving.
More medical updates. Turns out that in addition to the spinal ligament detaching, the actual bone process that links the vertebrae together have been detached. So spinal surgery is looking inevitable as soon as she is up to it. Got to get the pancreas to behave first. In the meantime has this bionic woman brace that needs to be 'pimped out'. Something in a day glow or metallic pink maybe??

Dad

Back against the wall

Well, as the big injuries start getting better then "smaller" injuries manifest themselves thus the pancreas and then today we find that she's got a torn ligament in the spine which is likely to require surgery to stabilize it. So its been a downer of a day. Getting better is a really bumpy road.

Barry

Working back

wow, some really great friends redecorated Ev's room. Looks like a party store exploded in here. She loves it! Ev's panceas is still grouchy so she is still taking a lot of nausea meds. She is trying as hard as she can to eat and to get back to where she was. Fever's gone so the antibiotics are working. She hopes to take a walk today and maybe even a shower!!!

Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Sleeping

I'm at the hospital but Ev is still asleep. Good thing. Nurse says she slept well (which in a hospital is a relative thing..) so I'm not going to wake her yet. Just reread some fragmented posts. A lot of things have taken a backward step including npo, central line, pain & nausea control, being ambulatory, catheter, etc. However she is slowly coming back. Mitch is still up on 6 and visits but other than him and the Disney channel there is not much to keep her spirits up. Thank you for your notes. Ev can't really read them yet but I do and I read some to her.

Btw, did anyone besides me see the fireball about 10:10 pm last night? Greenish, sparky, heading west-ish? Very cool. Lasted 3 to 4 seconds.

Barry Bounous

p.s. I'm in her room. She says she didn't sleep at all and I just helped her throw up again. We're both getting good at that. Doc's gonna try different nausea meds. Fever down, but the nausea is relentless she says. Hard to keep a stiff upper lip these days.

a bit better

Not much change. A little less fever and nausea but still tough sledding....

Barry Bounous

Email posts no longer working.

She's a bit better today. Heart rate and fever down some and no longer npo. Jogging instead of sprinting and less barfing. No longer wishes she were dead - just elsewhere. Major improvement! (Also no more cath. and the pic line is gone - just a regular IV.)

Less freaked out dad.

A bit better

Hope this posts.
Some improvement today. Heartrate and fever reduced and no longer npo.
Jogging instead of sprinting. No longer wishes she were dead. Major improvement!

Dr. Dad

Catching Up

For some reason my email updates haven't been going through. Here's what's up:

Bump 2
Still not entirely sure but trauma bob thinks pancreatitis plus a touch of pneumonia. Throwing up loses it's recreational appeal after a half dozen times or so.....

Dad

Big Bump
More of a problem than we'd hoped. No food or water orally for a day or two. Doubled the pain meds and added antibiotics, O2, possible a feeding tube. We were kind of hoping to bring her home this weekend. Nope.

Depressed Dad

Latest as of last night.
Fever and pain getting managed better. Still waiting for test results. She slept. On my way in now.

BB

Fwd: Bump2

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

-----Original Message-----

From: bounousb@itsnet.com
Subj: Bump2
Date: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:27 pm
Size: 170 bytes
To: "Evablog" <bounousb.booboo@blogger.com>

Still not entirely sure but trauma bob thinks pancreatitis plus a touch of pneumonia. Throwing up loses it's recreational appeal after a half dozen times or so....

dad

Fwd: Big bump

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

-----Original Message-----

From: bounousb@itsnet.com
Subj: Big bump
Date: Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:27 pm
Size: 200 bytes
To: "Evablog" <bounousb.booboo@blogger.com>

More of a problem than we'd hoped. No food or water orally for a day or two. Double the pain meds and some antibiotics. We were kind of hoping to bring her home this weekend. Nope.

depressed dad

Big bump

More of a problem than we'd hoped. No food or water orally for a day or two. Double the pain meds and some antibiotics. We were kind of hoping to bring her home this weekend. Nope.

depressed dad

Bump2

Still not entirely sure but trauma bob thinks pancreatitis plus a touch of pneumonia. Throwing up loses it's recreational appeal after a half dozen times or so....

dad

Bump in the road

what appeared to be ev's highway out of here has developed a speedbump. Ev has a fever and needs a new pic as well as a round of CATs. Problem is ev's hide & go seek veins. After 3 attempts they sent her to radiology. More news later.

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Ok so I found out 18 laps was actually 13 or 14. Still pretty impressive. Ev's supervisor from work came by with a huge card signed by both staff and trustees. Very very nice to meet her. Turns out she knows the Bolen boys too. Small world.

Ev got to play nurse today when friend Mitch had to come back to the hospital for what turned out to be appendicitis. So Mitch & Ev will be back in recovery again. Mitch, all you had to do was ask & you could've seen her anytime. This really wasn't needed. Was it scar envy???

Dad

Still on 'track'

Today ev said she did 18 laps around the floor. At 200 feet per lap that's pushing a half mile. Orders for anti-nausea meds are sharply up - for the staff that is....

Hoping to get her home soon.

Dad

CPAP Free night!

Ev spent her first night in 17 without using a respirator of any kind. No masks - only a little O2 nose boost. She said it was wonderful! Dad just got her set up with skype for any of you similarly inclined.

BB

EVICTED

For reasons still unclear (jealousy on the part of other ICU patients???) Ev has been evicted to INTERMEDIATE CARE !!! As of 9 pm she is now resident of E272 which has a more liberal visitation policy for those of you interested.

p.s. Nosurfgirl wins the pool. The first popsicle was purple (grape-ish).

Dad

EXTRA! New ICU record set!

While this has yet to be confirmed by official records UVRMC staffers claim that the most recent 4.5 laps executed by Evalynn Bounous is likely a new record and will result in her relocation to upper floors within 24 hrs. "We're all very proud" said nurse Rachet. Dr. Popcicle was reported too moved to comment.

Proud Dad

Working girl

Ev is doing her best. She did three laps around the ICU this morning. Not eating much yet but loves her popcicle. Is dilligently doing repiratory therapy because the right lung is still challenged. More tubes to be removed soon and IV pain meds are slowly being reduced - not too much I hope - I did say she has 7 (seven) (6 +1) (almost 8) broken ribs.... Right?

Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

I just watched EvaLynn eat her first meal in over 2 weeks.  Jello, broth, apple juice, and a can of sprite (didn't go for that on).  Nurse promised unlimited supply of popcycles.  

Last night Ev watched the DVD of the women's chorus end of year bash.  Great boatloads of thanks to all the members of the BYU women's chorus for their concern and contacts, and most especially to sister Jean Applonie, choir conductor, for her care and for making this a great year in the choir.

Dad

We have a 'go' for POPCYLES!

the doc just gave approval for clear liquids orally which for ev means a POPCYCLE!

Dr. Barry Bounous

Ev now has her own laptop.  She won't be writing much but I talked her into saying hi.

Hey guys !

You heard it here first folks.

Next step is to get her eating.  She's trying to do laps and is playing concertos on the respiratory therapy torture devices.

Thank you all for your support.

Dad

She Walks !  She Talks!  (does not yet crawl on her belly like a reptile...)

Ev is talking a fair bit (though pretty modest for her..).  She has two modes: basso profundo, and 'the fourth chipmunk'.  Works for me.  Also, my parents reported, she did a full lap around the ICU at an "impressive rate" of speed.  Tonight we are giving her a laptop (thanks to several very generous people) and hopefully she will soon be able to give you her own updates.  Just keep breathing.  We'll keep that nasty bronchoscope at bay.

Dad

Growth hurts

ok, after reading my last few posts I guess I see why dr. House is like he is. My wife and I can easily step over from 'helpful' to 'pain in the butt'. Lots of improvement today but boy oh boy is she working for it. The nurses are restricting visitors even further and do not even hesitate to toss wife and me out. Though the vent is off ev still needs help and right now is wearing her darth vadar mask. She hates it because she can't see or put on glasses. She has lots of resp therapy toys she has to play with all day long.
special thankyous to mitch, courtney, and some unknown great cooks.

Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Breathe

So nurse rachet kicks me out but before I leave I ask Ev if I can do anything for her. She said "breathe". She probably meant that for both of us.

Much, much, happier

Dad.

EvaLynn Extubated at 11:04!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to a doctor who has two children who also sing, he pushed the extubation through.  Hasn't spoken yet but I'll tell you when she does. 

Much happier Dad.

Grouchy dad's new peeve

General surgeons making rounds with almost no knowledge of the case who make authorative pronouncements about treatments, scaring us all, which will be contradicted by the 'real' doctors who'll show up later....

Feeling pissyer and pissyer (pissier?)

Dad

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Lung news

Things looking very good. RT very positive. I believe extubation will happen today. Ev worked very hard for this yesterday.

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Dad no longer Homicidal

Still crabby though. Note to nurses: When a parent is already feeling impotent, don't take away the little things that they can do to make a difference no matter how small. Even something like reading and signing a stupid form so that their heavily medicated child doesn't have to do it.
[more ranting excised]

So Ev is now in a respiratory therapy mode that makes her feel like a Macey's Thanksgiving Day parade balloon. Extra pressure and hold on the intake. It hurts like hell on those ribs. (sorry but best word I could think of). But doctors think they need to get her off the vent because the vent could be contributing some side effects so they are being aggressive. Hope it works.

Thanks to everyone. Sister Sandberg, you are a fabulous cook. How DOES Steve keep his girlish figure???

BB

New Day  New Hope.

Ev was working her lungs all night.  (Woo Hoo).  They did chest xrays this morning and will find out if she needs another Bronchoscopy before extubation.

Still more progress needed.  Chest xrays are cloudy again.  Scheduled another bronchoscopy and another CAT for the bowel.  They are going to try a slightly different respiratory setting to encourage avioli recruitment. 

Ev has a nurse today with 'issues'.  Don't know if she has something against parents, men, or just me in particular.  Tosses me out of the room for her exams, wakes Evalynn up to sign consent forms that she cannot read or understand when I am standing right behind her with a pen, and when I stepped out of my daughter's room to talk to my dad on the phone, told me I was crowding the hall and invading other patient's privacy because they might have to talk about someone else while I was standing there.  Maybe I'm just tired but I think she's a piece of work.

I think I'm going with a "Consultation" of doctors or maybe, on some days, a "blessing".

Grouchily,

BB

Tough Day for Ev

They are still trying to get her respiration stats up. To help, they pulled her chest tube and a couple other drains to allow more freedom for breathing. It should help eventually but it still hurts. They also have her doing more aggressive physical and respiratory therapy. She's a pooped pup. Everyone all together now: Go EvaLynn Go!!!!!!

BB

Doc names

How  'bout a 'Superlative' of doctors?

Dr. Barry Bounous

Brigham Young University

School of Music

KMB 163

(801) 422-3508

bounousb@itsnet.com

Closer Still

Ev is still improving. Likely hood of extubation today about 50-50. The remaining holdup is that cpap respiration is rapid & shallow. They want slow and deep. So today they are pulling her chest tube! (which they say is like having permanent pleurisy.) This should help that remaining parameter.

BTW, the doctors prefer the word "Team". How about enclave? or Swoosh?

Today's highlights

Once past the grumpy news of this morning there were a few nice events including a visit from Mitch, & Evalynn walking. Twice! ( Evalynn also skyped but the nurse says there is an ointment....)
Still looking for the correct zooilogical term for a gathering of doctors. Josh suggest a 'proponderance'....
Any other ideas? A 'quack' perhaps?
Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Close but no cigar...

All signs are very good. We had a huge gaggle (covey, flock...?) of doctors all looking pleased. Many of Evalynn's support and maintence procedures are being scaled back, and **bowel sounds** have been heard!! However, they want to give her one more day post bronchoscopy before pulling the vent tube. So looking for tomorrow for the next step.

Thank you to all posters and commentors. I read your comments and well-wishes to Ev.

Barry

Extube confirmed

night rounds doctor confirmed that if all goes well tonight and lungs sound good in the a.m. that extubation will happen tomorrow! Go baby!

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Big doc says soon!

Ev's surgeon says if improved breath signs hold up then tube comes out tomorrow! Go boo-boo!

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

More stuff

Bronchoscope procedure. Got to see inside her lungs clear to the bottom. I geeked out a little. Glad she was asleep or I'd never hear the end. They got a lot out. May be the final hurdle befor extubation.

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Ev stands

She got to stand up for about 30 seconds. Not easy but very cool to see after ten days.

Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Choir devotional

Mitch called to say turn on tv.
I'm watching Ev on byu21 as they rebroadcast the choir devotional. Very pretty - her and music.
Dr. Barry Bounous
bounousb@itsnet.com

Good things today.

EvaLynn is sleeping better and she is finding a good pattern with her pain meds. Her physical therapy is getting more aggressive - she is 'working out' to Hansen instead of Disney.
I got to see EvaLynn sit up for a minute or so!
Ev got her neckbrace off!
Ev put on her glasses! (and watched a Harry Potter movie). She was able to focus a bit and even surf a little after the movie. We are going to start looking for some kind of Mac laptop that she can use in the hospital. I never thought watching a child channel surf would be so cool.

Mike is home! Mitch has moved to Intermediate Care (& I understand has reserved the room next door for Ev). Hmm. I suppose this situation is somewhat self-chaperoning. Still the nurses shall be alerted.

Communication is improving. Ev can sign (or at least spell in ASL). Everyone in the family can understand except of course me. I'm trying. I have a cheat sheet. And, I did finally figure out that when Ev gets to eat the first thing she wants is a popCICLE and not popCORN. Only took me about 10 minutes.

A couple of tough days.

Change is good. Change is hard. No pain no gain applies to the ICU too. As Ev makes progress and heals, her body complains. A lot. Deep breaths with six broken ribs isn't fun and won't be for a depressingly long time. White count and fever both back down to reasonable levels, and Ev has a new toy - a button to press a few times every hour when things start to really suck. We also learned that pics can be real pickers (70's lingo alert) and that extubation is still 24 + hours away pending better breath signs on the right.

Big thanks to Sue, Suzanne, and Norm. Very generous and loving people. Also, mother bear came out to play yesterday, but we're happy to say she's back in her den. All is safe for UVRMC staff, patients, & visitors.

Thank you everyone. Get well soon Mitch & Mike.

Barry

Lots to report today.

EvaLynn has been off sedation for 24 hours and is going to be allowed to try cpap all day. New pain meds cause she doesn't care for morph. Still a few concerns trying to find the reason for spikey fever and rising white count. Fewer tubes! Central and arterial lines coming out and being replaced by a pic. yeah! Speculation that we can extubate in 24-48 hours. And reports of lawyer sightings have been trickling in.

Ev is communicating. Nods, eye rolls, hand waving. Hard to figure out. She has this circular hand wave which, as far as we can tell means: 1) Morphine is making me dizzy, 2) I need to move, 3) my dad is nuts.

Even this late in life, guitars are still cool and still draw people like magnets. Thankyou to John, Gordon, Bob, Marvin, Peter & Paul for giving me lots of things to sing to Ev & the staff.

Barry

Lots to say today.

More weaning from the ventilator. The term is CPAP. She did two hours yesterday pm and another hour this morning. It costs her a bit to do this with six broken ribs. She'd probably rather sleep. They turned off the sedation today and are going to try to leave it off (despite in intubation) if she can tolerate being awake. So she nods, blinks, and squeezes hands as my wife and I try to figure out what she means.
I love tough nurses. Nurse (he can be a jerk if he needs to) Bryan, Lovely (drives 90 miles to get here because this ICU is the best and wears heavy boots to kick people out when needed) Lynette. They are all very very good at their jobs. Today a tough nurse basically told me that I was spoiled. This morning was actually a tough one for Ev. Fever shot up to 39.7 (104-ish), RT was worried about pneumonia (probably not true) and all of this while Ev is crying and coughing through a ventilator. So basically Dad falls apart and has to make mom come down and hold his hand till he gets it together. Not my proudest moment. I'm spoiled because she has been doing so well every day that having a little setback seems like a big freakin' deal. It wasn't. She's fine. It's just that it is so weird to hear someone try to cough through a ventilator. I'm a certified wimp.
Extra extra thanks to friend Courtney who drove from Colorado and who is single-handedly keeping our house from falling apart. Thank you Courtney!

EvaLynn gets to Breath!

Ev got to breath on her own (with a little help) for an hour this morning! She did great! She liked it so much that she'll try again this afternoon.

A few other thoughts: Ev still communicates. I play my guitar and sing to her at night. When she wants me to shut up, she scowls. A critic in a coma. Hmm.

My wife's sister (one of several great sisters) flew in from Colorado to help me on the night shift. She let's me leave (kicks me out) around midnight or 1, and then she stays until 5 am. Aunt Peggy rocks!

Last thought. One of the last things you ever want to see in this world is a scared doctor. I'm ok with serious, intense, casual, even flippant. Scared, though, is really memorable. I saw scared in the eyes and faces of the doctors sprinting my daughter down to the O.R. We got very serious updates all night. The most beautiful thing I've seen lately was the smile on the face of a tall blond OR nurse who came in and said "the doctors are much happier now". She said that when they start talking, smiling, and laughing then you know things are going ok. So give me supercilious, arrogant, pushy, condescending doctors all you want. As long as they don't look scared, I'm ok.

Great News!

Thanks to a spectacular lactate blood test on Ev's part her surgeon began the process of ventilator withdrawal this morning. It make take a few days still before the tube can be removed and sedation eliminated, but she is breathing under her own volition (with a little help from the machine). Doctors and staff worked on this all night (due in no small part to the instigation of a 'pushy' nurse who didn't shrink from calling the surgeons at home in the wee smalls). They have been super. Other news: we are still not ready for a feeding tube (still more bowel healing needed). And one of Ev's good friends from Colorado is driving in to visit. Maybe a chance that they will actually get to talk in the next couple of days!

from Happy Dad.

Yet another post from Dad.

Yet another turnaround from the doctors. Superprotective trauma surgeon is pleased with her progress. Will probably sign off on the vent withdrawl process should the next scans support it. Turns out her tummy DID cooperate a little. There should be enough dye for a scan tonight. Keep collective fingers crossed for tomorrow. With luck a feeding tube and the beginning of the end for the ventilator!!!!

Second update for today.  CT didn't show enough for a decision.  2nd ct ordered with different resolution but Ev's tummy wouldn't cooperate with the dye so it will have to happen tomorrow.  Why is waiting never restful?

BB

Quick update from Dad. Hopefully more later. Big doctor confab on how best to proceed with ventilator. Couple of more rounds of cat-scans. The main issue is that they've never seen such a big hole in someone's diaphragm and there are some well-intentioned and passionate turf wars brewing over the issue. There is just very little precedent in the medical literature to follow. I must emphasize, however, that the trauma and ICU staff here have been nothing less than spectacular. We could have lost her several times. Thank you to all the well-wishers out there.

Barry Bounous

The Accident

Ok, this is going to be long and complicated but I'll do my best to put everything down straight.
Ev, Mitch, and Mike were driving back to Provo from Springville, not on the freeway, when another car going south drifted across three traffic lanes and hit them head on, each car going at least 50 mph. The other driver was a 16 yr old boy and the guess is that he fell asleep. The seatbelts caused most of the injuries but if they hadn't been wearing them they'd all be dead. Mike was driving and Mitch and Ev were in the back seat, Mitch behind his brother and Ev in the middle seat. Miracle one: Mitch tells Mike to put on his seatbelt, ten seconds later they crash. Miracle two: the engine went into the passenger's seat where no one was sitting.
Injuries: the seatbelt pushed alot of her lower organs up through her diaphragm into her chest cavity laying heavily on her lungs and heart. She has six broken ribs, a bruised heart, a lacerated liver, a hole in her diaphragm, a ruptured spleen(which has been removed), and she has lost the use of her left kidney.
As for recovery, the doctors don't want Ev to use her diaphragm yet so she is hooked up to a ventilator and is being kept sedated so everything can heal. She is in a lot of pain. They have a high expectancy for a full recovery but it will take months to get there. For now only family is being allowed to see her considering she's not really awake:) I'll let you know when visitors will be allowed but it won't be for a couple of weeks. All we can do now is wait.