Rest and Relaxation

Yesterday was a day of rest for Gina after all the hard work she did on Tuesday. She's still up to her same old tricks though. This time, on command, (from her Grandfather) she held up 1 finger, then 2 fingers, then her thumb! This is one of the things we've been trying to get her to do right from the beginning, so I ran out of the room to the nurses station to grab Gina's nurse telling her on the way back into the room what had just happened. She said "Really? Let me try". Well, I'm sure you know exactly what happened next. That's right.....nothing! Foiled Again!

Last night she opened her eyes and kept them open from about 12:30a to 1:15a. We're not sure if she was looking at anything or not, but she seemed to periodically focus on things that were held in front of her. Only time will tell, but we feel that this may have been a big step in the right direction! Keep the prayers coming....they mean so much!

Gratefully Yours,
Mimi

Being Patient

Well, yesterday was a test of our patience. They removed the pressure sensor from her head and all went very well. The docs also decided they would try and remove her ventilation tubes and see if she could still breathe on her own. They knew that there was some chance that she wouldn't be able to adequately protect her airway due to her neurological status and have to be re-intubated.

After Gina had tried to get her breathing under control for a few hours, it was decided that she would need to have the tubes put back in. They also discovered that she has aspiration pneumonia primarily in her left lung, but a little in her right lung too. They're treating her for that now with the hopes that we can get it cleared up quickly before it takes hold. Gina rested comfortably all of last night, so everything was uneventful and I was able to get 5 hours of sleep! I feel like a new woman!

Gina, Paul, and I are enjoying reading the blog mail that everyone is sending. Please keep it up...it's a wonderful way for all three of us to wind down (and have a few good laughs) at the end of the day!

Everyone take care....we're so lucky to have people like you in our lives!

Mimi

Teenage Mentality

Well, yesterday Gina invented a new trick. She got me three times with this one. Here's what she did; when I asked her to squeeze my hand, she did, when I asked her to let it go, she did. So, I asked her to squeeze again, and she did, and I asked her to let go again, and she did. Right then, the nurse walked into the room and I told her what had just happened and that I thought Gina would do it again. So...the nurse asked Gina to squeeze her hand...nothing...she told her again and got a small squeeze, then the nurse told Gina to let go and she wouldn't! I swear Gina's just trying to make me look like a liar! I think she set me up! Oh well, later on in the evening one of the docs stopped by and let me know that Gina followed a verbal command and squeezed and released her hand earlier in the day. I knew Gina was trying to set me up! Vindication!!!

Something else interesting happened last night. Paul was reading Gina her blog mail and she immediately seemed to relax, listen, and she kept squeezing his hand when she heard the name of whoever had sent that particular blog. So...keep up the wonderful messages, warm wishes, and prayers! We know God is listening. Hopefully she'll wake up soon!

Love,
Mimi

Feisty as Ever!

All went really well with Gina yesterday and last night. She kept her eyes open for about 1 1/2 minutes three different times and continues to be very active with her left hand. She was gently exploring all the sensors and tubes that are attached to her. Her nurses had decided to leave her left hand unrestrained for the past couple of days (the right is already unrestrained) so she could start feeling some of those things, but then yesterday she discovered how to wrap her hand right around her intubation tube.

She didn't pull it, but we decided it would be better to restrain her left hand again to keep it under control. Believe it or not, this is a good thing....she's getting so active that we're now having to make sure she just doesn't decide to remove everything herself.

Paul and I are doing just fine and we're still excited about all the forward progress Gina is making!

Much love,
Mimi

This Entry is a Short One, But When it's all Good News....Who Cares?

Well, another day has passed and improvements continue. Gina continues to open her eyes, squeeze fingers on verbal command, and will now take the finger of her left hand to reach up and explore her face or scratch her nose.

We just feel as if she's right on the edge of waking up. The docs say that as soon as she wakes up they can remove the tubes. Please continue to pray and send warm wishes for Gina. We read her all of them and we think they're really helping her to get out of this. It also feels good for Paul and I to know that there are hundreds of people out there who want Gina to be ok as much as we do.

Mimi

Improvements are Underway!

Well, yesterday morning the docs came by, did their exam, and said that all still looked the same. Then, at around 11:30a Gina was purposefully gripping and releasing my hand on verbal command! That was a big step up this hill we're climbing, and we were ecstatic! What a great day! I can't even explain the level of joy that we felt! Following verbal commands like this continued throughout yesterday and last night.

Last night she even opened her eyes a couple of times again. She's still not "awake" yet, but she sure is alot closer! Keep in mind that although Gina isn't "awake" yet, she isn't in a coma either (and never was)....there is a big difference between the two, and Gina is purposefully responsive to stimuli.

There have been a few questions on what kind of things Gina can have in her room. She can have ANYTHING except food and live flowers. All else is fair game, and we've started a collection of cards, hand made pictures, balloons, and stuffed animals in her room so that when she wakes up she'll be able to see all the love surrounding her!

Paul and I so appreciate all the comments everyone has posted....they help us more than you could know...please keep praying and sending healing thoughts for Gina.....it's working!

Much love,
Mimi

More of the Same: Watching & Waiting...But...

Yesterday was a bit of a roller coaster ride for us, but everything turned out just fine. Gina is still unconscious and sedated, but we're told to keep patiently waiting as it's too early to tell anything yet. The good news is that she's also as feisty as ever and even tried to kick her nurse last night...and her nurse liked it!!!

Thanks to everyone for the outpouring of love. It means more to the both of us than you may know. We read every card, e-mail, and comment out loud to Gina as we get them. We're also now hanging up all the cards, balloons, and signs in her room where she'll be able to see them when she wakes up. If you have something (not food or live flowers) that you'd like us to put in her room, please feel free to stop by the hospital and drop them off at the SICU visitors desk.

We are asking that no one plan on visiting with Gina until I post the "OK" on this site. Gina is very susceptible to infection and we don't want to risk her catching someones cold and developing serious complications from it. For that reason, we're also asking that if you come here and don't already see us in the SICU waiting room and wanted to see me or Paul before you left, to just have the volunteers at the desk give me a call.

Much Love,

Mimi

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Watching & Waiting

Gina is beginning to show some signs of improvement. Yesterday, she opened her eyes several times and was able to recognize Paul and me. Some further tests are being run, but at this point, the docs are mostly waiting for her to wake up.

Gina is in the intensive care unit of Doan's Hall, 4th Floor at OSU Hospitals. (NO flowers allowed) Paul and I would welcome visitors as we are staying at the hospital 24/7 and need some "breaks". We both have family helping out with our daily needs so what we really need are your prayers and support more than anything.

Stay tuned to this blog as I'll update everyone on Gina's progress as we work through her ordeal . We are blown away by the amount of calls and emails from everyone and want each of you to know how greatly we appreciate your concern for us!

Mimi

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