Hi everyone, my name is Allen and I am a friend of
To Pete, you are a great writer and I always enjoyed reading your posts. It was surprising to me that I could cry through a paragraph and laugh through the next. I appreciate your updates and humanity. Now unfortunately, the rest of you are stuck with me and some others posting updates when
I was able to see
Hyatt rested well last night. She was pretty agitated yesterday afternoon so the doctors have added a sedative to her meds to help her relax. Due to the level of agitation, the doctor has recommended much less stimulation during the day. This will mean that loved ones may not get a chance to hold her hand and speak to her. This was hard for me today.
The last 24 hours have been jammed full of activity – Hyatt had an MRI yesterday afternoon and the results will be interpreted sometime early this afternoon. They are also going to do a special test which was not available at the previous hospital. Basically (I can’t remember the terms) they are going to wire Hyatt’s extremities and give her little jolts of electricity. They will measure the signal when it gets to her brain. This test will help diagnose the extent of the damage and hopefully add some accuracy to the prognosis. She will also go in for a tracheotomy which will help her breath easier and will also remove the endotracheal tube from her mouth. While they are poking holes, the doctors are going to add a peg tube for feeding. This means that she can get her meals delivered directly to her stomach. This is a good thing for long term recovery since she will not have a feeding tube going down her throat. Both of these are surgical procedures so please pray for Hyatt and the fantastic medical team caring for her. As soon as I hear the results of these activities, I will let you know.
Thank you to all for the support. Allen
15 comments:
Allen,
We're glad you're here. Thanks for keeping those of us far in miles but close in spirit updated.
sueij
Allen,
Thank you for picking up the posting. We all look here many times each day to get updates on Hyatt.
Troy's Uncle Vince
Allen,
Thanks for stepping up to the plate. We really do look here many times during the day and appreciate the updates.
Sincerely,
Sarah
Thank you, Allen, for taking over the posting of updates. Pete, I appreciate the way you have done this over the past week, giving those of us who cannot be there in person, a way to know Hyatt's condition and family happenings as well. I don't think I have ever met you, Pete, but I feel like I know you after this past week. I am Jane's cousin, Marie, from Greenville, SC. My prayers, along with the prayers of so many of my friends, are constantly with you all. I anxiously await the results of Hyatt's tests and surgical procedures. To all of the family, I admire your strength and courage through this terribly heart-breaking time. Troy, I admire the way you are handling this with Sidney,too, and am so thankful she did well with her visit with her mom. Give Sidney a big hug from "Cousin Marie". I love you all and hope to see you soon.
Love and prayers,
Marie
I hope there is some promising news from the tests, we're all on tenterhooks!
Linda, Yorkshire, England
lindajb@blueyonder.co.uk
Allen,
You the man. Thanks for updating since Pete's departure and I know the details can be hard, but what you write is very much appreciated. I am glad they are moving forward with the RMI and other special test and thank God Sydney's visit went well the other day! Again, I appreciate you calling me back last week after I left a message on Troy's phone. I am praying for Hyatt's recovery and Troy's continued faith and courage.
I have a question: How do they know when Hyatt is aggitated?
Allen, thanks for keeping up the posts, I was scared to lose touch even though I do not know any of you personally. Still praying...
Peter--job well done. Thanks.
Allen--Thanks for stepping up.
Troy--Thanks for sharing the intimacy of Sidney's visit with Hyatt and for your incredible integrity and witness as spouse and father. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!
Jim N--we hope you get some relief for your shoulder soon.
Love & prayers, Bob and Pat Geipel
We have not talked much about the agitation; it can be hard on the family. When Hyatt has been agitated recently her heart rate goes up, her breathing rate goes up, and her blood pressure increases. She has bitten the endotracheal tube pretty hard. She sometimes flexes her arms during times of stress. I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if you have more.
Allen
Allen,
Thanks so much for continuing the updates. We're all still paying close attention, and praying hard.
I'm glad Hyatt and Troy have such good friends to help support them right now.
--Scott IJ
Allen,
Thank you for continuing to keep us all updated. It is very much appreciated.
Troy's Aunt Eileen
Allen, I was wondering about Pete's post from Thursday morning about Hyatt's eyes following the neurologist from one side of the bed to the other, and your movements around the room. Do you mean her eyes were OPEN, or that you could see her eyes moving behind the eyelids?
Her eyes we quite open! She was looking at Troy when I came in. I walked to the other side of the bed so that I did not crowd Troy. She moved her head and followed me across the room. We were pretty psyched.
Alan,
It was really great to meet you last Saturday. Thanks for taking over the job of updating us on Hyatt's condition. I have a question. You said something about Hyatt's movement in her eyes. And you said she turned her head this morning. I am not sure I understand exactly what happened. Also, is this a good sign? Have there been other movements and is this a positive sign? Thanks so much. Keeping the faith in Greensboro, NC!
Jennifer
Jennifer,
We have observed a couple of promising signs: Hyatt responds to light and noise; She becomes agitated when her mouth is being cleaned; she can follow an object with her eyes and move her head to look at something. These are all positive signs, but do not necessarily mean that she is out of the coma. I know this is confusing. Before this experience, my only knowledge about comas came from Hollywood. You know the scene: The patient lies in bed with a bandage around her head. Suddenly she sits up and says, "I had the most bizarre dream!" Apparently it does not happen like that. The nurse told me that they do not consider the patient to be out of the coma until they can respond to certain types of cues and are clearly concise. For me it was one of the happiest days of my life to see her look me in the eye and follow my movement across the room. The official prognosis has not changed, but I have hope that Hyatt is in there. I hope this answered your question. Please let me know if you would like additional info.
Allen
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