Hi, Dave--
Wonderful news! I can also tell you that a PICC line, by itself, isn¹t a
reason to keep someone in a hospital. There are plenty of people walking
around with PICC lines today, for delivery of antibiotics and also certain
other meds. For younger kids, if activity or just the irritation of having
the line makes them disturb it, they may change to a ³port² on the chest.
Either way, you can be home or even in school, etc.
--Dave S. (Demitri)
On 11/13/08 11:52 PM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Dear Friends:
>
> Adam had a couple of good days. He has been on the computer texting. Since
> his telephone was broken from the accident we traded it in for a new one (we
> are glad to have that $5 month mobile telephone insurance). Adam sent one
> text on it, too. We were not able to have his information transferred to the
> new phone; therefore, those of you who have a history of texting Adam could
> help us in a big way. If you would text your name to his phone we will be
> able to begin rebuilding his database.
>
> Adam's white blood cell count has reduced. He does have an infection in his
> lungs but he is responding to antibiotics. Dr. Scalea, Director of Shock
> Trauma, believes since there is no good way to test the graft of the aorta for
> an infection they need to be aggressive in preventing it (we don't want
> another aorta surgery). Today a PIC line was placed in Adam's right arm to
> begin six weeks of antibiotics which may mean he will be hospitalized for that
> entire time.
>
> He is able to get nourishment through his feeding tube without any problems.
> His nourishment levels are climbing. He spent the entire day off the vent
> and has done great.
>
> They did reread the EEG and there appears to be some slight brain injury but
> they believe he should fully recover from that. While Adam was at the rehab
> he had something like a seizure so Shock Trauma has done an MRI and we are
> waiting for the results.
>
> Last night Lisa gave Adam a manicure and pedicure complete with a foot
> massage. When Dave asked, "Adam are you spoiled." Adam did a classic Adam
> face: raised eyebrows, slight frown, eyes looking up to the right, and his
> head nodding a "yes."
>
> We are planning on going over to look at the rehabilitation facilities at the
> Good Samaritan Hospital. We found out they are linked with Johns Hopkins and
> all their doctors working in the rehab area are from there. Good Sam has set
> some basic criteria for any transferring of Adam there and we have a little
> bit to go to arrive at that baseline. It is possible Adam may be moved to
> another floor at the University of Maryland Medical Center as a step down
> before going to rehab. Stay tuned for more exciting rehab news!?!
>
> There is a funny little story we would like to share. A little over a week
> ago we were talking to one of the doctors at the University of Maryland
> Medical Center's Shock Trauma and found out that last week every time they
> asked Adam where he was he would mouth the word, "Hospital." When they asked
> what hospital he would mouth the words, "Franklin Square." Which is a
> hospital ten miles to the east of UMMC. This went on for several days when
> they finally had to ask what is his hang up with Franklin Square. We said
> our church rents the auditorium there on Sundays for our Sunday services and
> Dave is an on-call chaplain there. We told that to Adam's former
> pediatrician who is based at Franklin Square and he said, "Ha, the
> brainwashing is a success!"
>
> Adam is now ready for visitors but we want to be careful not to overwhelm him.
> If you are interested in seeing him please contact us and we will help to set
> up a time so that we can keep a reasonable number of people seeing him at any
> given time. There are a few things to keep in mind: if you are sick or have
> had close contact with someone who is sick please refrain from coming; make
> sure you use the hand sanitizer as you enter his room; and try to keep your
> visit to 10-15 minutes. He may ask you to stay longer and that is OK.
>
> Pray
> His MRI comes back normal
> The antibiotics effectively deals with the infection and a return to a
> normal white blood count
> The graft to the aorta does not get infected
> His body grows stronger
> Continued success in weaning Adam from the ventilator
> for God's blessing on his nurses...especially, Pam, Angie, Donna,
> Katie, and Krystal
> That we would represent God's Grace and Love well to those we encounter
>
>
> The task of protecting the aorta reminds us the importance of protecting our
> hearts in so many ways: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Keeping
> harmful things from infecting the heart should be a priority for us.
> Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the
> wellspring of life." During these last 29 days, yes 29 days, since the
> accident there have been times that anxiety would seek to infect our hearts
> and diminish our focus on our faith in Christ; however, Philippians 4:6-7
> (NIV) reminds us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
> prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the
> peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
> your minds in Christ Jesus."
>
> Your love and concern for our son is so appreciated.
>
> May God richly bless you,
> Dave and Lisa
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> **************
> Get the Moviefone Toolbar. Showtimes, theaters, movie news &
> more!(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212774565x1200812037/aol?redir=
> http://toolbar.aol.com/moviefone/download.html?ncid=emlcntusdown00000001)
