The tracheoscopy and PEG tube placement was very successful this morning. My mom looks so much better today without anything in her face - it's really nice to see. The unit was on lock-down for a big chunk of the day because many patients were having these procedures done.
We also learned some information today regarding the surgery on my mom's pelvis. Apparently bones heal faster in patients with a brain injury...who knew. I think we'll have to look that one up, but based on my mom's first CT scan, her pelvis is fractured, yet appears to be in its proper position. They are now planning to do another, more detailed CT on her pelvis very shortly before they are going to make the decision of when to take her to surgery. This is because, if my mom's pelvic fracture is healing properly on its own, she may not need to have the pelvic surgery at all. Based on this conversation, it became clear that we do not know when, if at all, the pelvic surgery will be taking place. We also know that the arm surgery is still necessary, but this is not considered very risky and it may be less of a time issue.
Since before I even arrived in Houston, I began worrying about the time that I would need to leave my family. Thankfully, this new information about surgery helped me to solidify the decision about returning to Alaska, which (with much help from my level-headed father) I had sort of made already, but hated. While I don't like it, I am now more at peace with the plan for me to go back to Alaska on Sunday. This decision was only made knowing that I will be on the first flight back, should anything change.
My mom is having another MRI right now, so I am waiting for her to return to say goodnight to her. Something I haven't mentioned yet is that my mom is participating in several research studies. I think we are up to 3 now. I was involved in research when I worked here before, so this was an easy part of the decision process for us. One of the studies my mom is involved in includes periodic MRIs. We aren't sure if the one tonight is for research or if it is just to check her progress, but results may not even be reported until after the weekend.
We have heard so many inspirational stories, including some about the things that people could and wanted to hear about when they were in a coma. I think that my brother and I have found these stories especially helpful and hopeful, and I think that we have tried to say the things to our mom that we most think she wants to hear. We tell her about all of you and how we are all handling certain situations. As you all know, she worries herself silly about taking care of everyone else, and we want her to feel reassured that we are all taking care of each other.
Thank you so much for all of the kind words, the constant visits, the care packages, the hugs, and the many, many prayers. They are so needed and extremely appreciated.
- Sarah
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