Fellow Active Rainer Liz Carter Needs our Prayers!!

LIZ UPDATE, PLEASE PRAY!  I just spoke to Bill and things are not going as good as they were.  Here's his message from her facebook page  ....After successful transplant surgery Liz had a series of strokes on Monday 9/27. Damage is yet to be fully evaluated. She is still on the ventilator, out of ICU, awake and alert. Stroke has left her unable to fully use her arms or legs. In the last two days I have noticed a slight improvement. All transplanted organs are functioning and her pain is under control. She is frustrated that she can not communicate. Hopefully this will be remedied shortly with the placement of a trache tube and removal of the vent.

I just wrote an additional post for Liz that has a little more information than what I posted here.  Bill is going to put me a nightly email that he is sending to her Bunko group and I will start adding that in the comment section of both post. 

I received this from Bill,

I wasn't paying close enough attention about this tracheotomy procedure. In talking with the nurse this am I learned that I have been putting out incorrect info.

The tracheotomy was to lessen the discomfort of the tube in her mouth, as long as she still needs the ventilator her ability to talk is not there. ONLY after the vent is removed will she be able to talk. A bronck test is now scheduled for 2pm today and will allow the Drs to more fully understand when they can start weaning Liz off the ventilator. The nurse mentioned that the notes from the overnight staff reported Liz had a restful night.

BOTTOM LINE...We do not want a tracheotomy..that would mean a long term commitment to the ventilator.

UPDATE FROM BILL 10-02-2010

I have given out bad info once again......

The tracheotomy is used in conjunction with the ventilator to lessen the irritation on the suture site of where the new lungs are attached. If the patient is slow in allowing the ventilator tube to be removed they use the trache until such time the vent can be removed safely. Depending on how much Liz requires help from the ventilator will determine if she will be able to talk even with the ventilator attached. If I under stood the nurse correctly, there is a way to interrupt the vent to allow air to pass over the vocal chords so speech is possible in short spurts. There is still no scheduled time for the tracheotomy, the results of the bronchoscopy will determine this.

She is now able to squeeze your hand and movement of the right leg has increased. She is also able to communicate to the nurse when she is uncomfortable.

I got her to laugh a couple of times about how much work she has to do when she gets home.

UPDATE FROM BILL 10-03-2010 -

There has been an increase in her left arm and right leg movement.  Everything else remains the same.

VERY ENCOURAGING UPDATE FROM BILL AFTERNOON OF 10-3-2010 -

Liz is off the ventilator  !!!!!! 

They have moved her to room 6 same floor and building at St. Lukes' in Houston. SHE IS READY FOR VISITORS

 What an outstanding birthday present

UPDATE FROM BILL - 10-09-2010

She was given a voice box exam while I was there this evening, the vocal chords on the left side are not moving, her right one is doing a fair job compensating but her voice is weak and gravelly. The movement in her right leg and left arm are much improved. I'd say 80% of normal, however her right arm and left leg are still not functioning at more than 10%. This is really starting to bother her.

She has now been breathing, unassisted by O2 flow, for over a full day and O2 levels are well above average 95-97%, that brings a big smile to her face as well as mine. She still is on a feeding tube but hopefully this can be removed after swallow tests are done tomorrow. She has been under going physical therapy and has been sitting up for short periods of time in conjunction with leg exercises. If all goes well ,she maybe moving to the normal transplant floor in the next day or so. That will mark a big mile stone in getting out of the hospital and back home.

UPDATE FROM BILL - 10-16-2010

She is now free of all but one tube....on solid food...most of the staples/stitches removed....motor functions are returning slowly...physical therapy continuing ...sitting up in a chair for a few minutes each day...started to take short walks, aided by nurses, day before yesterday...meds are being stabilized. No schedule for returning home yet.

Bill

UPDATE FROM BILL - 10-22-2010

Liz is being transferred today @ 4:30 to a rehab hospital.

Acuity Hospital

2001 Hermann Drive   Rm 201

Houston

Drs. say 1-2 weeks there before being released to home.

She has been using her cell phone to text Bill today.  (WOOHOO)

UPDATE FROM BILL - 11-02-2010

Liz is still is in the rehab hospital.....PT is going slowly......shows some improvement.

It is possible she may be able to return home this Friday....must prove to Drs she can walk a 100 meters without people help. Walker is OK.

UPDATE FROM BILL 11-07-2010 -  PLEASE PRAY FOR LIZ!!

Liz had a set back this morning. She experienced another respiratory distress and had a breathing tube inserted and moved to ICU. Her kidneys are now showing signs of failing. A CT was done and an ultrasound of her kidneys was done. No word as to what was found yet.

I just got a call from the floor nurse and the transplant team want her back at St Luks ASAP. She will be moved as soon as a bed opens up. She is sedated and is comfortable.

UPDATE FROM BILL 11-15-2010

GREAT NEWS

Liz will be home this evening !!!!!!!

UPDATE FROM BILL 11-17-2010

LIZ TRIVIA.....47-51 total pills a day......23 different meds.....schedule daily....... 3AM-9AM-2PM-3PM-9PM....plus 2 rounds a day on the nebulizer 9AM-9PM. Physical therapy started this afternoon and visiting nurse was by to check up on my care giving skills. She is tired but happy to be home with her dog.

Update from Bill 2-10-2011 - I just received the message below from Bill.  Please continue to keep Liz in your prayers.

Well....it wasn't a very Happy Birthday.

After the results of yesterday mornings blood work, the transplant Drs wanted Liz back in the Hospital ASAP. This was due to elevated Kidney functions.

So after a birthday dinner with the family, I took her back to St. Lukes and she was admitted about 10:30 last night.

The plan is to run some more controlled tests to try and locate the reason for this rapid decline in Kidney function. 

She is in room 2231, yellow elevators.

She does have her cell phone.

Regards,

Bill