Walter's CATscan yesterday showed substantial reduction in the brain swelling. The doctors plan to try to wean him off the drain (which relieves pressure around the brain) and see if he can tolerate being totally off of it in the next day or two. They also plan to put the "peg" in his abdomen today, which will allow introduction of nutrition directly into the stomach and removal of the NG tube from his nose. Two intravenous lines were removed from his left arm yesterday, so the peg will be the only external connection. Assuming all continues to go well, the doctors want to move him to Shepherd's as soon as possible; possibly this weekend. Then will start what the doctors call "bootcamp". The prayer there will be for strength and perseverence.
All say that Walter's eyes were much improved yesterday. They seemed more engaged, and, at least at times, tracking better. He's not speaking yet (although, as I mentioned in an earlier post, the speech therapist did get a "yes" out of him), but he increasingly grunts, perhaps (this is just a guess) indicating that, with the reduced brain swelling, he's becoming more aware and trying to communicate.
As a suggestion, pray that the pressure around the brain will moderate itself once the drain is clamped off. If it does not, the doctors will likely implant a shunt to relieve the pressure on an ongoing basis. A shunt would be permanent and would require ongoing maintenance.
Also continue to pray for encouragement and strength for Jessica, Mom, Dad, Lyn and Pat. They have been working the schedule to keep someone with Walter 24/7, and it makes for quite a tiring schedule. Some folks have offered to pitch in on that, and we may very well take you up on it.
Thanks to all.
You don't know me - my husband and I are friends and neighbors of Jessica's parents, Brenda and Bobby. We're been praying for Walter since we found out what had happened, and have asked others to do the same.
ReplyDeleteYou may already know about this, but just in case, there is a site called www.lotsahelpinghands.com that is free for families to use to help coordinate meals, care, updates, etc. Our family used it when our great niece was hospitalized with a brain tumor/cancer last month. It may be helpful to your family as well.
Our prayers are with you all...
Karen North