March 11, 1:30p update

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that Linda’s sister Patti, who lives in North Carolina, and I (her brother Dave) are working together to keep this blog up to date. Patti is uploading pictures and designing the overall look of the site and I’m writing the daily updates since I’m able to get the information directly from the attending staff here in Salt Lake.

Not to be left out, my brother Steve wanted me to let everyone know that he’s responsible for Linda’s nickname, LaLa. When they were very young, he called her LaLa and she called him DeDe. Crazy kids. J

As of today, Linda is still in ICU, unconscious and on life support. However she’s stable and did fairly well through the night. She developed a slight fever again yesterday afternoon but it seems to be under control. She has begun to develop sores/blisters/bruising on her feet and back as a result of being on her back in bed 24/7. They’re treating those carefully and doing everything possible to keep those at a minimum.

They conducted an MRI and an Echocardiogram on Linda this morning. On the positive side, the Echocardiogram showed no problems with her heart (they were specifically looking for any holes). However, her heart is only functioning at 50% of normal due to her diabetic condition and the current trauma/infection she is experiencing.

The MRI results showed the evidence of several small strokes. We were included in the staff meeting this morning where they reviewed the scans with everyone involved. A Neurologist is scheduled to review the scans later today and give us some definitive information on the strokes. For now, they feel like they were small enough not to affect her cognitive skills.

She is scheduled for another surgery at 2:00p today to do some additional cleaning of her abdominal cavity and begin to close her incision. In preparation for her surgery today, she’s been on a three-hour dialysis treatment since they brought her back from her MRI/Echocardiogram this morning.

Another bit of positive news is that she has been strong enough for them to take her off of her low blood pressure medication periodically. She will likely be put back on this medication during any dialysis treatments as well as her upcoming surgeries to help her body manage the strain of those procedures.

We all continue to feel of your love and faith on Linda’s behalf. She’s opening her eyes more frequently and is beginning to show a slight response to verbal commands. She definitely knows when her sweet daughters and husband are in the room with her. Miracles are happening.

Look for another update later today after her surgery.