Paul's Update: March 31st at 6pm
Not much change to report today. She is breathing more on her own with the respirator, so the pulmonary progress is good. Other than that, we still are in a holding pattern with the vasospasms. I will see her Saturday and Sunday, but may not update until Monday.
Update from Paul - March 30th at 5:26pm
Karen continues to be monitored for vasospasms. This is a very critical time for her as you will understand if you have taken a chance to visit one of the aneurysm websites. We are told it can take as long as ten days or so to make is safely through this period. The risk to Karen for a possible stroke is very high in her particular case. Since the neurologists were unable to successfully complete the “coil” procedure, her aneurysm is being left to heal on its own.
Here’s the catch with Karen, the way you control the vasospasms is with medication that elevates the blood pressure, forcing the blood to flow through the vessels. Elevated blood pressure could cause the aneurysm to bleed again. Obviously, this would be a serious setback. So, they are watching things very closely, and she receives daily dopler sonograms to measure the velocity of the blood flow in the blood vessels in her head.
Today, they said there has been a slight elevation in the velocity (higher velocity means restricted flow), but that she was “being a good girl”. We will be counting the days of course, praying that she makes it through this critical time safely.
We did see some VERY limited motor activity, but the Doctors are reluctant to get too excited about it. From our perspective it was more than yesterday. She still remains unconscious though, which is very frustrating for all of us.
Update from Paul; Wed March 29th, 6:40pm
I will try to give everyone updates each day, after I am at the hospital to visit Karen. Since often times there is no real change in her progress. My only report may be that there is no change.
I am not going hold anything back here. Karen is in very serious trouble. I would encourage anyone to go to the link for the
Aneurysm Foundation. They have a wealth of information.
Currently, we are in a holding pattern, waiting to see how she does in the next ten days or so. If you go to the Aneurysm Foundation’s website, you will read about
vasospasms occurring immediately following the aneurysm. They are treating her for this possibility, and running daily tests to check for vasospasms.
As of today, she is not awake, however yesterday we all believe she responded occasionally to our calls to her by moving her head slightly. We are all hoping for some improvement soon.
Karen's Friends (FOK) Happy Hour: Friday 6pm....
COCKTAILS for KAREN
Friday, March 31
6:00 PM
Stardust Restaurant (608 Montgomery Street, Old Town Alexandria)
You're invited to join other FOKs (Friends of Karen) for cocktails this Friday at Stardust Restaurant. As you all know, Karen is a terrific person and wonderful friend and I thought it might be good for all of us to get to know each other, since undoubtedly our paths will be crossing in the coming weeks as we support Karen through her recovery.
Please RSVP to Lisa Manion (703.975.2725) as reservations are required at Stardust.
Thanks -- see you Friday!
Lisa
When Karen gets well I will......
(Input what 'activity' Karen can look forward to with you once she's up and about again. E.g., shopping, NOVA Happy Hour, a dinner out, a dinner in, or ...??? Creativity is of the essence :-)
Jill's email (March 29th)
Hi everybody- not too much to report right now. Everything is pretty status quo with Karen's condition. I just got back from visiting her after meeting up with Paul. The doctors are keeping her very sedated while they continue to treat the pneumonia, although she has responded to Paul’s voice. No decisions regarding surgery will be made until the pneumonia is cleared up.
So – things are still very serious, and it will be some time before next steps are taken.
It looks like Karen will be in the hospital for several weeks. It would be best at this point (next week or so) to hold off on visiting – there will be plenty of opportunity for this further down the road, when Karen is awake.
On a different note – does anyone have experience setting up blogs? Paul was thinking that would be a good way to share information and also allow friends to post notes to Karen that she can read later. Anyone?
Hope all is well with you –
Jill
Jeannie's email (Mar27th)
I will call you in a little while. I FW'd your message to several RWOL forumites and RTB members (like Sarah and Abigail) who I am sure would want to know. If there is ANYTHING we can do, let us know. I've already added Karen to the prayer vine at church and we'll pray for her by name at all the Masses this weekend at church.
Jeannie Craig
Initial Email from Jill
Hello all -
I just received an update on Karen's condition from her Mom. Karen's been moved to the neuro ICU at Fairfax hospital where she's still on a ventilator and heavily sedated (she fights the ventilator when sedation wears off) and still being stabilized. The doctors tried to shut off the aneurysm with some procedure called a coil, but apparently the aneurysm Karen had was quite small and this didn't work. Karen also has mild aspiration pneumonia - probably by inhaling debris or vomit when she fell - so that's being drained.
Possible next steps include a drain to lessen any potenial pressure on her brain and, possible surgery. Karen's Mom said doctors are being conservative about this and she may not need the surgery - they'll know in another day or two, I think.
So - until we find out more, and until the Rassmussen's say it's ok, I wouldn't recommend hospital visits - I think at this point it puts more pressure on them. They were at the hospital until 11:00 p.m. and haven't yet called all of their friends and family. Plus, it looks like Karen's going to be there for some time - perhaps two weeks or more.
Since Paul was traveling this weekend I haven't talked to him - maybe tomorrow or Wed. I'll call him.
For me - I'm just going to choose to be optimistic about this. Karen is young and very fit and that can only work in her favor and help with her recovery. Needless to say, I'm sending all my positive thoughts her way.
