BJ newsroom retiree Tom Moore, whose daughter Carol is at Akron City Hospital with meningitis, sends this update from Carol's husband of 30 years, John Krack:
She continues to make a little progress each day. Yesterday she was moving her eyeballs around, nodding her head more in response to questions, and could squeeze my fingers. I showed her some pictures and cards, and read her some cards, and she seemed to understand. When I asked her if she knew where she was, she nodded.
Both her dad and mom visited her yesterday, and I think it was a big help to her to see them. (They've only been in a few times, since they've both had colds. I've got it now, but always wear a face mask when I’m with her.) The MRI was finally done late yesterday afternoon.
Today her mom and I visited her late this afternoon. They had about 6” of snow here, and we waited to give the snowplows a chance to clear the streets. Carrie was in a chair, and more awake/aware than yesterday, but pretty tired. I asked her to squeeze my finger, and she gave an aggressive squeeze. Her mom did the same thing, with the same result. The nurse said that she asked Carrie earlier if she wanted to go back to her bed, and she indicated no, that she wanted to stay in the chair. Her usual state now is kind of half awake, and generally aware of things going on around her. She was moving her legs and feet pretty steadily today (fidgeting), and her arms occasionally. She’s still pretty weak, and isn’t able to reposition herself to get more comfortable, so she just has to lay there and look around. I read her an email from an old friend that reminisced about exploits in their younger years, and she seemed to comprehend. I asked if she remembered the friend, and she nodded her head.
They’re still working to strengthen her breathing, and she is really uncomfortable with the breathing tube in. It’s particularly difficult because she’s generating a lot of secretions, and can’t swallow or expel them. She coughs, but is fighting the breathing tube. They suction her occasionally, but it doesn’t help for long. She also can’t speak or make noises with the tube in, since it goes in between the vocal chords. It’s hard to see her this way, but it’s necessary to keep her breathing, and it will be a big milestone when she gets it out. So far, she’s been a very good patient.
They gave her some coffee yesterday and today. No milk in it, though, but through a feeding tube you can’t taste it anyway.
I talked to the neurology intern about her MRI. She didn’t have a full report, but said that it indicated no further damage from what they saw last week. Swelling is reduced, and there’s a spot that looks like an abscess, so they will continue the antibiotic treatment. They’re seeing no aneurisms or other blood vessel damage. They’re a bit concerned about apparent weakness in her arms, so will do a test to track the electrical impulses to see whether it’s muscular or neurological. She said the EEG from the weekend hasn’t been processed yet. Overall, the neurology team seems quite pleased with her progress. Also her current nurse, who’s worked ICU her entire career, says she’s doing well.
Her sister donated an old unused IPOD that had a bunch of songs loaded, and I’ve been taking that in for her to listen to. I’m adding some of her favorite songs to give her some familiar music.
So we’re still in “wait and see” mode, but at last we’re getting some “see” along with the “wait”. Getting the breathing tube out will be a biggie, then talking, and waking up completely. There’s still a long road ahead, but I think she’s moving in the right direction. Baby Steps.
Thanks once again for your cards, emails, prayers, and support, and for your nice comments about my reporting. Forwarders, please forward.
John
Click on the headline for an earlier post on Caroline, a Minnesota teacher's aide retiree.
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