More surgeries...
Dad, Christopher and I just spent a good afternoon with Mom at the hospital. Her eyes were open quite wide today, and she looked at each of us for long periods of time as we held her hands, patted her arms and legs, and talked to her. She could squeeze her eyes very tightly shut when the nurse asked her to, and she could also stick her tongue out on command. These probably sound like silly little things to be excited about, but this is a big improvement from just a day or two ago.
They didn't do a tracheostomy today, but they have determined that the procedure will unfortunately be necessary. Before doing that surgery--which leaves an open wound--they need to do the surgery to insert a permanent shunt (an internal "brain drain," if you will). They'll be doing that tomorrow.
We are hoping and praying that the doctors will be able to arrange the tracheostomy directly after the shunt surgery tomorrow, so that Mom only has to go under the anesthesia once. We're so glad to have had her so awake and alert today, and the repeated surgeries seem to cause setbacks in that process. However, it may not be possible to have the surgeries occur immediately in succession.
This morning Dad got to be at the hospital when physical therapists came in to work with Mom for the first time. They moved her to a sitting position in a chair! She's not able to move or sit by herself right now, but the therapists told Dad that the fact that they are beginning the therapy process is a good sign.
Thank you all for your comments, thoughts, and prayers. It's so meaningful to all of us to see how much Mom is loved.
posted by sarah marie @ 9:03 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Dear Sarah, My name is Darcy Goodfield. I am in the TLC coop because of your mom,and there is a story that I would like to share with you. I am trying to find a way to keep it short. I will see if I can. A few years ago my sister in law had a brain injury from a ski accident. I went through many of the same things that you are going through with your mom. I can totaly relate to your emotions through this. They did not give my sister in law much of a chancefor a good out come. She was in two hospitals for two months. She did make it out of the hospital,and I took care of her in her home for awhile. She has been back running her bussiness again. When she came home from the hospital she was blind in one eye, and had paralasis in one leg. all of that was gone in a few months. We never thought that it would be possible. She was on a ventalator like your mom. She was in a coma for awhile etc. I know what an emotional roller coaster that it is. My sister in law remembers very little of the hospital,and does not remember me staying with her. I needed to share this with you. I hope you do not mind. My E Mail is finfeel8586@sbcglobal.net if you ever want to contact me. god bless you in these trying times. Darcy
We have been praying and praying and I love to hear my youngest say..."and dear God please heal Mrs. Palmers" yes with an s at the end. I don't think I'm going to correct him right now on that because his prayer is so intimate and heart felt. Know we are all in prayer. Love you Palmers!!!
Strength in the Lord,
Darryl, Heather, Caillen, Micayla & Vaughn
dear jon, emily, sarah, jonathon, christopher,
just a note to say thank you for taking care of all of us by taking time to write and share thus letting us be part of your circle of love, family and friends.
jarred in turkey, jonathon in los angeles, joel in northern michigan, brittany in san francisco and bob & i at home can all connect to support your mom and all of you with positive energy, meditations and prayers to circle you in love, hope and healing.
thank you for letting us support and love the six of you through this moment in time. know we are with you and will remain your neighbors for may years to come.
holding your mom's upcoming surgery(ies) today in the supreme being's energy and light for the most desired and positive outcome along your mom's pathway to recovery.
xoxoxolove,
janie and bob
Sarah,
Your mom and family are in our prayers continuously. I know you struggle with doing the "right" thing. Your family and Mom love you and would support whatever dicision you make.
I hope that this visual in Psalm 36:5-7 will encourage you. "Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies, Your righteousness is like the mighty moutains of God;...How precious is Your lovingkindness,O God! and the children fo men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings."
In these hard times try to "take refuge" in the expansive loving arms of your Lord.
We are all praying for/with you,
Neal, Yvette, Aurora & Cameron
Sandy,
I believe the day will come that you will read this blog and peoples' comments, and you will get some idea of how dearly you are loved. You are my model of what a woman and a wife and mother should be in so many ways. My prayer for you is that you would see now, as you face this mountain, that it's not the size of the mountain, but the strength of the Mountain Mover that is your help and your hope.
And Sandy, it is amazing to watch your family and their response to this tough time. Your husband loves you! And your kids are doing everything in their power to lighten the load. Christopher's attention to his schooling is his love language to you.
Love,
Kim Thompson
Hi Sara, when I read your latest report, (I check sometimes 3 times a day), I felt such a sense of perseverance and strength from you and your family. Praise God for giving us an unending supply of all that we need. During my experiences as an invalid, trapped in my bed with severe pain both physical and medication side effects, I felt supported and strengthened by this verse. It is certainly not unknown but has shined a light so many times when I feel I'm in darkness.
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love in to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
At first I was insulted that I should "rejoice" in any part of my suffering!! and I hesitate to cause that same insult with you, and yet, I must trust my God, even in the darkest shadows, I must trust that everything, absolutely everything has been sifted through his fingers and that He loves us. With a mighty and immeasurable love. And how can you not feel your heart swell with the verse 5:3, And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us!
God is pouring His love and strength and faith and trust and hope into Sandy, and into each of you. Pouring it, the faucet is turned on full blast, so to speak!
I miss Sandy's uplifting and positive voice but I know that I will hear it soon.
Be strengthened, be carried and be healed, Sandy. Tender thoughts, Maris
Lamentations 3:22-25
Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,"Therefore I hope in Him!"
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,To the soul who seeks Him.
Dear John, Emily, Sarah, Jonathan, Christopher,
We want you to know that we have been praying for you and Sandy. It is encouraging to see God answering prayers in Sandy's healing. Jason had menengitis this summer and came close to death. We know what a great help it has been for us to have friends lifting us up in prayer before our Almighty God. We will continue to pray for healing for Sandy, wisdom for the doctors and for strength and comfort for you. Thanks for keeping us up-dated.
Love,
Jon & Joy Jackson &Js
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