Max the Cat

Lori has welcomed a new cat in her life - Max.   Both Lori and Max seem to be happy with eachother.  Updates to come.

Lori is struggling a little bit with symptoms of dysreflexia (SEE BELOW) - headaches, irregular heartbeat, etc.   We are hoping for no issues with this.  

Headaches continue, but the doctor who performed the surgery thinks that they will subside.   Apparently, recovery is a little more difficult after surgeries like Lori's where infection was removed.  Patti and Lori feel more encouraged after talking to the doctor today.   Lori also had a positive conversation with her friend from Shepherd Center, Dr.Leslie.  He has been a wonderful source of information and encouragement over the years.

Lori is still on one antiobiodic through her PICC line.     Still needing pain medication. Periodically sleeping more soundly.  Nausea has lessened.   

Lori is working with an occupational therapist today to strengthen her muscles in her hands and arms.

Lori is so appreciative of all of your support.  

Love,

the Sneeds

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Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) is a potentially dangerous complication of a spinal cord injury. In AD, an individual's blood pressure may rise to dangerous levels and if not treated can lead to stroke and possibly death.  AD usually occurs because of some irritating stimulus below the level of the injury.  Symptoms include headache, facial flush, perspiration, and a stuffy nose.

Shower is good

things are about the same.

Lori got up a little today and took a shower, which she enjoyed.

Shorty is coming into town today.

Hoping that as the antibiodics run their course, she will start to feel better.   Headaches continue but we think there is some slight progress.

thank you.

love,

the sneeds

Patti in Atlanta

Patti has returned to Atlanta.

Lori is doing pretty well.   Friday will mark 3 weeks from her surgery.  

- PICC line is still in.  She receives medications through this line.

- One of the Antibiodics is scheduled to expire on Monday.  She is still receiving another one for a while longer.

- Low energy.   Partially due to antibiodics.  We hope she improves after Monday.

- Still having headaches.

- Nausea is better.

Lori wants to thank all of you for thinking of her.  She is sorry that she has not been able to read and answer her email and to call more people.

thank you.

love,

the sneeds

CT Scan went well

CT scan today came back with good results.   No swelling and no infection.  Doctors and Lori were encouraged.

Still dealing with pain, but we were happy that the CT scan looked good.

Love,

the sneeds

Lori is Home

Lori returned to her place Monday, June 9.  She is very happy to be home, but Patti and Lori had a long and overwhelming day yesterday.   She is not quite ready for phone calls, emails, and visitors just yet.    There is still a bit of recovery for her to do.   The PICC line is still in her arm to receive antibiodic medication.   Home Health workers from Northside will make periodic visits to Lori, and are currently instructing  Patti and Lori on the process, so that Lori can do it for herself.

Doctors removed the staples from her "horseshoe" incision in the back of head.   Hopefully, we will post a picture of that soon.

Lori is still finding the right mixture of pain medication for the pain associated with her surgery.   

More to come.

thank you thank you thank you.

love,

the sneeds

snap my fingers and make this all go away

Understandably, Lori expressed this today. Recovery from this surgery has been harder than we anticipated, and Lori felt a bit overwhelmed today, but we still feel we had a relatively good day.
- still trying to find the right balance of medicines for the pain in her head. She seemed more lucid througout the day today, and the pain seemed to be more tolerable.
-Doctors are monitoring her blood sugar levels. (the steroids that are used to lessen the swelling have affected her blood sugar)
-Lori was a little concerned today that her peripheral vision had declined compared to her pre-surgery vision. Doctors feel and we hope that this is temporary and will improve as Lori improves.

Thank you.

love,
the sneeds

lori sat up

Lori sat up in her bed today. Brushed her hair. Doing pretty well.
Doctors want her to sit in her chair every meal to help her digestion, circulation, breathing, etc.
Last night, she was nauseated and having problems with her digestion. Everything looked ok in her X-ray, and after a day of a liquid diet, Doctor Cummings said she could eat what she wanted tomorrow.
She is very tired, and was a bit dispirited at times today, but seemed in really good spirits tonight.
Tweaking the levels of her seizure and pain medicine. Watching her sodium levels, which had been low.
CT tomorrow.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
love,
the sneeds

Lori doing well

Lori is having a good day so far.

- Still in intermediate ICU. Not sure for how long.
- Doctors monitoring her. Hoping for no more seizures.
- Lungs good. Some fluid, but breathing is good.
- Hemoglobin levels up, which is good. They were low, and Doctors thought Lori would need a blood transfusion. (she's had some minor complications in the past with blood transfusions, so we were glad that we didn't need to have one)
- PICC line is now in her arm. I.V.'s are out. PICC lines are more efficient way for doctors/nurses to inject meds and withdraw blood.
- Monitoring urine output... a little too high right now -- apparently a possibility after brain surgery.
- Post surgery head-aches continue. Several pain medications lessen the pain, but side effects of the medicine include drowsiness and itching sensations in the skin.

Lori remains in good spirits and continues to inspire us. She is being cared for by a very competent and caring staff at Northside Hospital.

thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

love,
the sneeds

Rocket Science update

Last night Lori had another seizure, butis doing really well this morning.  Johnny brought pictures in to hang on the wall--she became really bossy, started telling him where to hang everything--this is a great sign!  Doctors are monitoring her, trying to figure out how to regulate the dosage of the anti-seizure medicine.  Still don't know how long she'll be in hospital--too early to tell, will let everyone know.  We thank you all so much for your concern.  Keep those prayers coming--they do work!

The Sneeds