April 4th, 2006
40 Days Into the ordeal
Select Care Hospital
St. Joseph Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
When we were last talking Lisa was rebounding from a high fever they were trying to control by using a cooling blanket. You’ll recall by the time it w
as over Lisa’s temperature returned to normal, and she appeared to be resting comfortably.Over the weekend Lisa had restful days and nights. The cooling blanket was removed and she was at a comfortable 98 – 99.5 degrees and maintaining it. The infection which caused her high fever was pseudomonas and staphylococcus, and was successfully treated with antibiotics. Lisa’s heart rate was normal and she was breathing on her own and comfortably.
The therapists resumed her rehabilitation. She was placed upright in the Cadillac chair. It the therapy chair, being upright enables the therapists to apply range exercises which keep her muscles and joints flexible and it also stimulates her skeletal muscles, and there by helping to restore her strength. I want to mention again that there are three therapists: Physical, Occupational, and Speech.
Lisa in the past week was grinding her teeth, and to prevent her from hurting herself, or damaging her teeth she was given a mouth guard. The mouth guard was removed, and after observing her for 5 or 6-hours she was relaxed and apparently adjusted to being without the guard.
Let’s consider the Stevens-Johnson syndrome as something Lisa much less bothered by. The people visiting her tell me that her skin looks terrific, her back is clear, and there is no breakdown of the skin. She is beginning to develop more tone as her arms are ranged to above her head, and her leg movement is with resistance to movement. Richard is continuing to have good talks and information exchanges with the RN’s and Supervisors when he calls the hospital.
Finally, Lisa temperature was 106.7; two days later she is receiving no antibiotics and is marinating a normal body temperature. It speaks to her remarkable resilience.
As further proof of her improvement, Carmen was able to take Lisa in the Cadillac chair downstairs to a small outside patio so that Lisa could feel the sun on her face for the first time since this nightmare began.
Michael’s 8-week check-up was this morning at 10:00 A.M. No biggie you say, check out two seniors trying to get it together and get out the door and make appointment on time. We got there 6 minutes late, but got to blame it on the elevator as it was out of service. You might want to remember that excuse for later use. Let me tell you, Dr. Shapiro, Michael’s pediatrician weighed him at 12 pounds 8 ounces, and 23.5” long. Every measurement they took was in the 75th percentile. Which means, for now, he is in the top 25% of babies at his age. Something else happens at the 8-week checkup. SHOTS! Michael took three. I mean he took three as if to say, “is that all you got?” To my amazement it was not big deal for him to endure. We celebrated at a restaurant after the physical, and Michael seemed none the worse for wear. Kids, ya gotta love em…..
The first picture is of Lisa and Richard. It was sent to me by Linda Thompson of Norman, Oklahoma. (I could have abbreviated it but to type it is like singing a song.) The picture was taken during Lisa’s baby shower on January 2nd in Norman. The second picture is of Michael and Sherry. It was taken last week at his home in Oro Valley, AZ (no song here)
Michael
mlwintory@msn.com
Michael’s 8-week check-up was this morning at 10:00 A.M. No biggie you say, check out two seniors trying to get it together and get out the door and make appointment on time. We got there 6 minutes late, but got to blame it on the elevator as it was out of service. You might want to remember that excuse for later use. Let me tell you, Dr. Shapiro, Michael’s pediatrician weighed him at 12 pounds 8 ounces, and 23.5” long. Every measurement they took was in the 75th percentile. Which means, for now, he is in the top 25% of babies at his age. Something else happens at the 8-week checkup. SHOTS! Michael took three. I mean he took three as if to say, “is that all you got?” To my amazement it was not big deal for him to endure. We celebrated at a restaurant after the physical, and Michael seemed none the worse for wear. Kids, ya gotta love em…..The first picture is of Lisa and Richard. It was sent to me by Linda Thompson of Norman, Oklahoma. (I could have abbreviated it but to type it is like singing a song.) The picture was taken during Lisa’s baby shower on January 2nd in Norman. The second picture is of Michael and Sherry. It was taken last week at his home in Oro Valley, AZ (no song here)
Michael
mlwintory@msn.com
