10/03/12

Saturday was a frustrating day, the surgery that was scheduled for the morning was delayed and Julie wasn't taken into theatre until after 3PM. During Friday night her breathing deteriorated and she was put on a ventilator to breathe for her and heavily sedated for the discomfort of the tube.  The injury has affected the nerves which control the diaphragm and she is unable to take deep enough breaths to be able to cough and clear the sputum from her lungs.  The ICU nurse told us after the operation that in time other nerves can be trained and that her breathing should improve.  If it takes more than a couple of days they may perform a tracheotomy and insert the tube direct into her windpipe which will make things more comfortable for her as she should be able to take nourishment by mouth and whisper after the the ventilator tube is removed from her throat. 

Originally the operation was thought to take about two hours but finished up taking four.  The surgeon indicated to Darrel that the operation was successful and that they had no problems and Jules came through it well.  She looked very peaceful when we saw her back in the ICU.

The ICU is a sterile environment and they don't allow flowers.  So any of you who wish to send flowers please hold off until she is in the spinal ward.

 

For you to understand the nature of Julies injury there is some information here http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/spine_picture.shtml and here http://www.apparelyzed.com/broken-neck.html and here http://www.apparelyzed.com/quadriplegia-quadriplegic.html

We continue to be hopeful of some recovery but understand that it is likely to be a long process and that Jules will need all our support over the coming months.  We are awaiting approval on the rental of an apartment at Kangaroo Point a few kms from the hospital and are planning that at least two family members will be in Brisbane at all times.  Darrel is family.

Regarding visiting, the ICU has a policy of no visitation between 8AM and 11AM and the hospital is closed to the public after 8:30PM in the evening.  Julie will welcome short visits from friends.  A friend of hers who suffered from spinal injuries some years back has provided us with a schedule of do's and don'ts for visitors

Things that helped :

· Positive smiling supportive faces

· Having personal things around you ie pictures, favourite plant etc...

· I had my best mate bring me in Playstation 2, I hadn’t played with a gaming console for 6 years +

· TV and Videos, books, laptop, email access, people to play cards with ... (if Julie is able to communicate, maybe someone can be her puppet and play scrabble on her behalf) again might be too soon for this!

· Knowing there was a possibility in 6 months to get out of bed and into a wheel chair and get discharged from hospital (took me 3 months, I was keen as and determined to get out)

Things that depressed and frustrated :

· Peoples pity after a while

· Sad faces or worry and depressed looks

· Not being able to leave cell (room) ... had a nurse wheel my bed outside twice, this was HEAVEN!!

Could you please copy any replies to Val at val@brice-eng.com.au



Kind regards Val, Norm, Kylie and Darrel