Wednesday, May 19, 2010

All Steps Forward!-wait..WOW!!

Shannon does have her favorites! One of the main nurses she has is named Jamie. It seems that the next step forward always comes when Jamie is here! Jamie came on and that's when all the cool stuff earlier reported started to happen. And she continues to be successful! We have had several more good signs! Shannon is coughing with nearly every suction and some times without the stimulus. We need the coughing to continue to break up the pneumonia. This may be just too gross to know but when they suction, they are sticking a small suctioning tube down in to her lungs, in her throat and mouth. The more Shannon coughs the more of that junk they get out. They suction her about every 2 hours. When Jamie was suctioning in her mouth a little bit ago, Shannon was moving her tongue all around and it is back to that cute resting spot that you can see when she is concentrating! :) So although we feel bad for her when they suction her, because of what we see, we really don't feel too bad!

Aaron mentioned that after a person withdraws from the pain, then the next step is going to the pain. We're there! When the doctors came in and pinched her, she reached for the spot they were pinching! She almost crossed midline which is another little step. She is also consistently moving her arms and her legs with the stimuli.

Jamie just changed the pads on her cervical collar. It has a front and a back to it. A skilled person holds her head and neck, they remove the front, take out the pads, put new ones in and then replace the collar. While they were doing that Shannon started moving her head back and forth! She grimaced when Jamie was wiping a sore spot! She's coming awake!

Shannon wears a cervical collar because her neck has not been cleared which means all accident patients wear the collar until they get an MRI or a clinical exam to ensure that there was no injuries to the neck. So not to worry.

They have started to wean her off the ventilator and she has started taking a few breaths of her own. The ventilator is such a sophisticated machine that it can tell when she draws in air and how much, then it compensates to maintain the correct amount of oxygen. The same process for breathing out. Amazing!

Another good sign is her pupils are now reactive! So MUCH in one day! What a miracle in and of itself. Shannon is still very much unaware of what is going on around her but we are headed in the right direction.

Interruption...

Just got the report in that her pentibaritol level is now at a 5! So they have decreased versaid down to a 1 and a couple other adjustments to continue the waking up process. So it has been a very very good day. The doctors are very pleased and we have been elated to see so much happening in one day!

Interruption...

Holy Cow!! I can't get this written before there is more exciting news to share! Jamie said to Shannon "I am going to suction you out again." Immediately Shannon's right eyebrow went up as if to say, "you're what?" Then Jamie asked her to look at her and we saw the slightest movement of her one eye. Then she told her to look at me and we saw a definite turn of the eye in my direction!! Her eyes are partially open still because of the swelling but when Jamie said "open your eyes, Shan", that right eye brow went up again! After the suctioning, Jamie asked Shannon to squeeze her hand and Shannon squeezed her left hand. After all of that, she then gave us an ICP level of 17! Down from the 20-22s we have had today--goal is below 20 and the lower the better.

It is so humbling to see these miraculous steps and to know that the Lord made these incredible bodies to function as they do. We have so MUCH to thank the Lord for tonight! Ours--yours and so many other prayers are being heard and answered. Thank you!

17 comments:

  1. I am so elated to hear that Shannon is waking up and to read nothing but good news. I continue to pray for her and your family every night and check the blog nearly hourly for updates. I am so excited that she is progressing well. I knew you could do it Shanny!
    Clara Purk
    West High School Debate Team

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  2. Wow, Phoebe. That is all wonderful news. Thanks for sharing such precious and personal things with all of us. We check your blog many times a day and we are thrilled to see so much progress. We love you,
    Greg and Amy

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  3. Oh my gosh! This is such amazing news - Amy, Jake, and I read it together and it made us all tear up. We discussed then how Heavenly Father must feel overwhelmed with all the prayers said in Shannon's behalf and how blessed we feel. Thank-you so much for sharing with us this journey! We love you Shan!

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  4. Yeah Shannon! I am so glad she is taking so many steps forward. Glad she had a great day! Keep fighting Shan Shan. We are all still praying for you and your entire family. Stay Strong. Oh and no worries our AP Gov project is done and Loose is giving us ALL an A. :) Love you Shanny.
    Kyrsten W

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  5. This is wonderful news. Mike and I also ready the blog hourly to check for update. We are so excited for everyone involved. Know that we are praying always for you and your family. Much love, The Lamb Family (Kims sister)

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  6. Shannon, We all know how amazing you are awake, and now we see that you are still that amazing asleep? WoW! You don't even sound too grouchy while you are in the process of waking up! My girl, you can do it! We have had many, many talks about your faith and belief in the Lords plan, so here it is for you Shanni my dear. You can SEE the hand of the Lord in all that is going on. So you keep raising your eyebrow, wincing at pain, a coughing up gross stuff. You are doing great. Tomorrow is another exciting day for you, and all of us that cannot wait to have you back! Love you tons! xoxoxo

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  7. Oh, how I wish I were there to squeeze her hand and say, "keep going, Shan!" The girls were running around the house today when I told them all the good news. Brooklynn offered a very sweet prayer of gratitude to Heavenly Father for answering our prayers and helping Shanny Anny feel better. She continues to tell Aaron that all you need to do is throw cold water in her face though and she will wake up. We love you, Shan! Keep trying! We know you can do it!
    Love,
    Kim

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  8. Dear Pheobe and Family,
    I have been following this blog all along but have just gotten my husband to help me make a comment since I'm so computer-savvy. I just want you to know that we're all thinking of you and praying for Shannon and are thrilled with the news today! Please let me know if there's anything I can do. I mean it!
    Lots of love,
    Heather Peper

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  9. I am tearing up right now! wow!

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  10. This is incredible news and Emilee, Dallin and the two little ones of the Fyffe's are so happy to see your progress! You're doing great Shannon and the Lord is answering prayers, little miracles at a time :D

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  11. I keep reading this post over and over again just to keep taking in all the good news! Keep up the good work, Shannon! We love you!
    Brent and Rachel

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  12. We are all celebrating with you! Go Shannon Go! You are all amazing. Thanks for sharing your living testimony with us
    Love, Trish and Keith B

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  13. Mommy (Sandra) Fyffe asked me to post this:

    Our hearts have been heavy and now we shout 'Halleluiah the Lord reigneth and his love and our love shineth down upon you'!

    Love,
    Mommy Fyffe

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  15. WHOOT WHOOT! YAY FOR SHANNY!!!! :]

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  16. Shannon, although you don't know me and may never know me, i'm cheering you ON! You probably had NO idea you were so loved! Who knows, maybe I will get to meet you some day! I give thanks to God every day for your progress!

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  17. Way to many tears of gratitude fogging my view to write!!!! AWESOME! AWESOME!!

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