Karen Stahr

November 29, 2012

Today is a good day.  The ECHO test didn’t show any major damage to the heart. What damage there is will heal on it’s own, as meds. are removed. However the EEG has shown small spikes, which may indicate seizure activity.  Dr. Thorell is going have the Epilepsy people take a long and see if there is any need to worry.  The nurses continue to lower the blood pressure IV’s, and Tom hasn’t had any “blackouts” since yesterday prior getting the EEG  up and running.  Dr. Thorell is thinking a couple of more days in ICU and then to the 6th floor to begin recovery.  It is unclear how long Tom will have to stay in the hospital, as they will not let him go home until he’s stable enough.  Outpatient therapy will begin right away, and more than likely, that’ll be done at Immanual. (Closer to home).  Dr. Thorell believes that Tom is out of life threatening situation, but not yet stable.  He also said we may be past future strokes from happening at least from this area of the brain.  The high sugar count should resolve itself when blood pressure meds go away.

I asked if they’ll do any tests to determine if the profusion is working.  The best way to do that is by having another angiogram.  Both Tom and I said no, it’s not worth the risk when it appears it is working just by the visual progress seen daily.  Dr. Thorell really doesn’t want to do it either.

Tom is allowing himself to sleep more, less anxiety, and getting more speech, occupational, and physical therapy daily.  They gave me a resistance band to do the exercise with Tom.  I’m looking forward to working out with Tom.  It won’t be boot camp style, but then again for Tom it will feel like it.  Currently, they are fixing the EEG probes as one came loose and we laughed at the way Tom’s head looked.  He asked us not to laugh, but it was funny.  Jeff and I thought we could just put it back in but it didn’t appear to have a place for it on his head.  A tech person was on his way in anyway to re wrap Tom’s head, so he took care of the loose wire.

Tom wasn’t feeling hungry but I told him he had to eat lunch anyway.  He devoured the sandwich. I told him to slow down, Tom was worried his ice cream would melt. After eating he was tired, and took a little cat nap.  Speech continues to come and go, meaning the fluency of it.  Tom wrote sentences today during speech therapy.  One thing that’s improved is his handwriting is better than before. He’s a bit more tired, as he should.  He hasn’t slept for almost three weeks.

Continue to pray and hope we’re out of ICU in three days or so.

5 thoughts on “Thursday, November 29, 2012

    1. Veegee

      Good, good, good. Allen is wondering if the hospital has the ability to do a brain profusion test? I’m not sure what that is, but he was just wondering out loud? We will be praying for a safe trip OUT of ICU! So glad the heart is healthy. I think you should take a picture of the EEG cap on… it’s not an experience that everyone gets 🙂 Hang in there, love you all!

  1. jermark

    I’m thinking of Tom often. I’ve been extremely sick for the last 16 days and am probably still contagious. Once I’m better, I’ll be up for a visit. Until then, take care!

  2. June

    Tom, Karen, and boys – Just to tell you that we pray daily for Tom and read the updates each day. Tom is prayed for at Crossroads also. Psalm 139:14 says “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well>” NIV Even though the doctors don’t understand what is happening, God does – He knows and Cares. Someone once if we could know and understand the reason for God allowing things, we would not even ask “why”. We pray that your family will be drawn closer to Him in all of this. The blog updates are great – we don’t need to keep bothering your folks with questions of how Tom is doing.
    John and June Kliewer – Crossroads Bible Church, Henderson – friends of Verle and Peggy

  3. June

    Tom and family,
    We pray for you daily and the Crossroads Bible Fellowship group is praying also. Ps. 139:14 “I praise you b ecause I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” NIV – God knows and Cares. Good to hear of your progress.
    John and June Kliewer – Henderson – friends of Verle and Peggy

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