Good Evening! Yes, it is a good evening! Just heard that Makenzie's main line is out!!! AND, they are weaning her off of the respirator, with plans on having it out by maybe tomorrow morning! This is very positive news. She is much more alert, and has opened her eyes a couple of times. She does respond to basic commands even under a significant amount of sedation. It will really be great to have her breathing on her own by Mother's Day. Thank you all so very much for prayers....
The surgery plan is still unchanged at this point. Her left femur and right ankle will be repaired on Monday. This will be a long day as they repair fractures which will require plates and screws. Wednesday's surgery will be even more extensive as this will be the day they repair her left foot. This is the foot that we've been asking for so much prayer over. There will be grafting, plastic surgery, etc. It will be a super long day. Monday-Wednesday will be intense days. We look forward to getting these big surgeries behind us so as to start the long road to recovery.
So, prayers of the day are:
-Pray for Monday's surgery
-Pray for Wednesday's surgery (foot foot foot!)
Thanks so much for your continued support. AND, some of you have shared your stories with us on this blog! It totally encourages us! Keep them coming!
Have a great evening my friends.....
Mary
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Day 7- No news is news....
I don't know about you, but I could do with a little less excitement right now. Today was a day of more rest for Makenzie. The waiting area at STICU was a little more quiet today for Pam & Chuck. They are weary big time. Since there weren't any procedures scheduled Chuck & Kaleb made a quick trip home to Livingston to check on things. One of the cows had her calf! They had to go home to see how things were going. Pam stayed at Hermann and my parents and aunt were there. Kind of a slow day. No news is good news!
Makenzie continues to improve. She is still scheduled for surgery on Monday & Wednesday. Keep praying for the left foot. She also needed more blood today. Things are progressing, healing is taking place. This is good.
Speaking of blood, a few of you have asked about donating blood for Makenzie. The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is in Houston. There are other places around town as well. You can donate blood and request that it be marked for Makenzie's acount in the form of a voucher. She has needed a tremendous amount of blood due to the accident and the surgeries. Information from the Blood Center's website is quoted in the following paragraph:
Blood Usage Reimbursement offers donors an opportunity to help offset/recover blood service fees where insurance does not cover them.
These fees are charged by The Blood Center to healthcare institutions and incurred by recipients of blood components whose blood service fees are not covered by insurance. Blood Usage Reimbursement is a voucher that can be assigned to anyone who needs it by the donor prior to its expiration date. The voucher value will be paid directly to the patient who received blood services at a healthcare facility. Expenses that are reimbursable include only blood service fees (based on The Blood Center's service fee schedule) on the patient's hospital bill. Patient's with insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or another third party payer are not eligible for vouchers except if the insurance policy specifically excludes blood and blood components. A patient co-pay or deductible is also not covered under this benefit.
If you have questions, you can go to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center's website. It would be great if any of you are able to give blood in Makenzie's name. Blood really helps others!
It's been a long day and a longer week. See you all tomorrow!
Thanks for your continued prayers.....
Mary
Makenzie continues to improve. She is still scheduled for surgery on Monday & Wednesday. Keep praying for the left foot. She also needed more blood today. Things are progressing, healing is taking place. This is good.
Speaking of blood, a few of you have asked about donating blood for Makenzie. The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is in Houston. There are other places around town as well. You can donate blood and request that it be marked for Makenzie's acount in the form of a voucher. She has needed a tremendous amount of blood due to the accident and the surgeries. Information from the Blood Center's website is quoted in the following paragraph:
Blood Usage Reimbursement offers donors an opportunity to help offset/recover blood service fees where insurance does not cover them.
These fees are charged by The Blood Center to healthcare institutions and incurred by recipients of blood components whose blood service fees are not covered by insurance. Blood Usage Reimbursement is a voucher that can be assigned to anyone who needs it by the donor prior to its expiration date. The voucher value will be paid directly to the patient who received blood services at a healthcare facility. Expenses that are reimbursable include only blood service fees (based on The Blood Center's service fee schedule) on the patient's hospital bill. Patient's with insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or another third party payer are not eligible for vouchers except if the insurance policy specifically excludes blood and blood components. A patient co-pay or deductible is also not covered under this benefit.
If you have questions, you can go to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center's website. It would be great if any of you are able to give blood in Makenzie's name. Blood really helps others!
It's been a long day and a longer week. See you all tomorrow!
Thanks for your continued prayers.....
Mary
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Day 6- Yea! No surgery today.....
Three surgeries in 6 days.....That's a lot of surgery. It's not the short 30 minute or hour stuff either. Yesterday's surgery was almost 10 hours long. Monday's was 5. Friday's was 3. So, needless to say it is good not to have to do that today. A day of physical rest for Makenzie, a day of emotional rest for everyone else. This has been hard. The waiting, the pacing, the endless surgeon reports....the drama of the STICU, the everchanging plan and schedule of the day. I am thankful for a day of rest today. I saw Makenzie after lunch, and she already looks better from having her jaw and face repaired! Her teeth are straight again since the surgeons aligned her jaw. Healing has begun! We are ever thankful.
While I was there the plastic foot surgeon (yes, this guy just does feet!) came by and gave a pretty good description on what is going on with her left foot. I couldn't really elaborate on this in earlier postings, but the situation with her foot has improved drastically, and things are much more positive as far as the prognosis is concerned. Prayer changes things my friends. It just does.
Kaleb and Chuck were going to make a trip home today to tend to things. However, before they could leave Makenzie was trying real hard to wake up! She sat straight up in the bed! And yes, she is supposed to be completely out!!! Did I tell you she is her mother's daughter? So, Kaleb and Church changed their plans and hung around the hospital just to make sure she didn't really come out of it.
On the lighter side, the most startling thing I've seen is my sister's desire and fondness for the coffee from the Pronto Coffee machine. Total crap stuff! She said she has gotten used to it. Oh jeez, it is the worst stuff I've ever put my mouth to! And yes, I HAVE found the Starbucks across the street from the hospital, and yes I go there everyday. I've even gotten her a Latte, but she still drinks that poisen from the machine!!!!
So, the latest agenda goes something like this:
-today they cleaned her left foot.
-Friday or Saturday they do that again.
-Monday they will operate on her left leg and put in plates, repair the fracture to the knee, etc.
-Wednesday they will operate on her left foot. This one will be extensive. Will tell about later. A big one.
Specific prayer request:
-left foot healing
-no infections
-the stregnth for the LONG road ahead.
Again, we are so very grateful to all of you for your continued prayers and support. It is humbling to say the least.
Peace....
Mary
While I was there the plastic foot surgeon (yes, this guy just does feet!) came by and gave a pretty good description on what is going on with her left foot. I couldn't really elaborate on this in earlier postings, but the situation with her foot has improved drastically, and things are much more positive as far as the prognosis is concerned. Prayer changes things my friends. It just does.
Kaleb and Chuck were going to make a trip home today to tend to things. However, before they could leave Makenzie was trying real hard to wake up! She sat straight up in the bed! And yes, she is supposed to be completely out!!! Did I tell you she is her mother's daughter? So, Kaleb and Church changed their plans and hung around the hospital just to make sure she didn't really come out of it.
On the lighter side, the most startling thing I've seen is my sister's desire and fondness for the coffee from the Pronto Coffee machine. Total crap stuff! She said she has gotten used to it. Oh jeez, it is the worst stuff I've ever put my mouth to! And yes, I HAVE found the Starbucks across the street from the hospital, and yes I go there everyday. I've even gotten her a Latte, but she still drinks that poisen from the machine!!!!
So, the latest agenda goes something like this:
-today they cleaned her left foot.
-Friday or Saturday they do that again.
-Monday they will operate on her left leg and put in plates, repair the fracture to the knee, etc.
-Wednesday they will operate on her left foot. This one will be extensive. Will tell about later. A big one.
Specific prayer request:
-left foot healing
-no infections
-the stregnth for the LONG road ahead.
Again, we are so very grateful to all of you for your continued prayers and support. It is humbling to say the least.
Peace....
Mary
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Day 5- surgery day 3
Makenzie is on the Shock Trauma ICU floor at Hermann Hospital. Most of the people who are in this unit are car accident victims or gun shot victims. There are a lot of serious dilemmas that unfold here. It is not a happy place. There are family members that have been there for two & three weeks. They eat there, sleep there, stay there all day long. Waiting for news from surgeons.....waiting for scan results. Some of the patients go into surgery and don't come out. Some come out and do not have a good prognosis. Some never get better. Many have had sad scenarious long before their arrival here. Pam told me today of a guy who is in the unit and has been there for many days. No one ever visits him. How unbelievably sad.
Yesterday was a hard day on this floor. Makenzie was in surgery for many hours. The surgeons were supposed to repair both femurs. Due to the extensive damage, they could only get to the right leg. She lost a lot of blood and the docs decided to wait another day before tackling the left. She also has shown to have severe bruising on her lungs. Sometimes in surgery you get more information about what's going on: some of this news wasn't too great, and by the end of the day, everyone was weary. Other tragic accidents had arrived on the floor as well. Many heart breaking stories unfolding. Just not a good day for anyone in the unit.
The face surgery was scheduled for today. Honestly, after yesterday I was very down, sad, and just flat out scared. Didn't sleep much last night. Wracked to the core with worry, fear. Praying in an intercessory sort of way all night. Many of you have been there. Many of you know what it's like. Morning comes. Ugh. On my way to Hermann, I pleaded with God to do form me what I could not do for myself. I was worried for my sister, who was really down the night before. Please God help her. Please show up today.
Got off of the elevator on the wrong floor. Just shows ya how de-ranged I was. I was getting ready to get back on the elevator when I heard Pam call my name (what was she doing on the wrong floor?). "Hey, what are ya doing?" she asked? She was better, drinking coffee (a good Hines woman sign!), and stated that Makenzie was already in surgery. She even smiled. God showed up. The one thing I knew: though my I was weary, I knew that so many of you were praying for us, and that we were being lifted up. Today I was counting on you. Thank you from the depths of my heart. We needed a good day.
The surgery lasted about 10 hours. Lots of microsurgery on the nerves, plates for broken bones, and repair of her broken jaw. The surgeons stated that they were pleased with how things went. A long day, but a better day. Even the waiting room stories were more hopeful.
Makenzie will get some much needed rest tomorrow. There may or may not be anymore surgery this week depending on the situation with her left foot. If they decide to wait til next week, there will be one big huge surgery to repair the left leg, left ankle, and foot. This will take many hours. The docs want to make sure she's ready for it.
Tomorrow is Wednesday; a day or rest. Thursday is foot check day. Will let y'all know of any further developments. You never really know what's going to happen at STICU...
Further whopper surgery next week.....
Keep praying for the left leg and foot.
Pray that there will be no infections.
Pray for wisdom. Pray for the stregnth to endure.
Thank you again my brothers and sisters......
Mary
Yesterday was a hard day on this floor. Makenzie was in surgery for many hours. The surgeons were supposed to repair both femurs. Due to the extensive damage, they could only get to the right leg. She lost a lot of blood and the docs decided to wait another day before tackling the left. She also has shown to have severe bruising on her lungs. Sometimes in surgery you get more information about what's going on: some of this news wasn't too great, and by the end of the day, everyone was weary. Other tragic accidents had arrived on the floor as well. Many heart breaking stories unfolding. Just not a good day for anyone in the unit.
The face surgery was scheduled for today. Honestly, after yesterday I was very down, sad, and just flat out scared. Didn't sleep much last night. Wracked to the core with worry, fear. Praying in an intercessory sort of way all night. Many of you have been there. Many of you know what it's like. Morning comes. Ugh. On my way to Hermann, I pleaded with God to do form me what I could not do for myself. I was worried for my sister, who was really down the night before. Please God help her. Please show up today.
Got off of the elevator on the wrong floor. Just shows ya how de-ranged I was. I was getting ready to get back on the elevator when I heard Pam call my name (what was she doing on the wrong floor?). "Hey, what are ya doing?" she asked? She was better, drinking coffee (a good Hines woman sign!), and stated that Makenzie was already in surgery. She even smiled. God showed up. The one thing I knew: though my I was weary, I knew that so many of you were praying for us, and that we were being lifted up. Today I was counting on you. Thank you from the depths of my heart. We needed a good day.
The surgery lasted about 10 hours. Lots of microsurgery on the nerves, plates for broken bones, and repair of her broken jaw. The surgeons stated that they were pleased with how things went. A long day, but a better day. Even the waiting room stories were more hopeful.
Makenzie will get some much needed rest tomorrow. There may or may not be anymore surgery this week depending on the situation with her left foot. If they decide to wait til next week, there will be one big huge surgery to repair the left leg, left ankle, and foot. This will take many hours. The docs want to make sure she's ready for it.
Tomorrow is Wednesday; a day or rest. Thursday is foot check day. Will let y'all know of any further developments. You never really know what's going to happen at STICU...
Further whopper surgery next week.....
Keep praying for the left leg and foot.
Pray that there will be no infections.
Pray for wisdom. Pray for the stregnth to endure.
Thank you again my brothers and sisters......
Mary
Monday, May 3, 2010
Day 4-"Mama said there would be days like this"
"Mama said there would be days like this".....
Remember that song? I remember it from one of those golden oldie commercials from the '80s. That's all of the song I remember......That's about what today was like.....
After a having a day of friends and family come by and offer words of comfort and support, today began with the knowledge that surgery would come at some point. Pam & Chuck spent a lot of time with Makenzie early this morning. She was tired after trying to cough to alleviate fluid (this of course while heavily, heavily sedated). She hears and understands what is being said in the room. She was also having some fever. This is pretty normal stuff for someone in ICU, but it is hard to watch. They were beginning to prep her for surgery. I have been back to the ICU almost daily. She does look better, but I admit that I would just like to see her open her eyes and smile.... It does get discouraging at times. Pretty sure Pam & Chuck are feeling it today. The ortho doc came out to talk to them about today's procedure; Rods, plates, repair, cleaning of lacerations and deep cuts......Questions......fears......doubts.....Monday. Day of getting back to business. Getting to the business of putting their daughter back together. Though we all want to ask why, we are ever so thankful we have this option. Things could have been so much worse....
So, here we go. Makenzie went into surgery finally around 3pm. Leg work today. Still LOTS of concern about her left heel. Chuck specifically wants prayer about this issue. Too complicated to describe here. Just do it.
Tomorrow; surgery on her face and jaw. Lots of broken bones in the cheek, broken jaw. (I told ya she took a beating didn't I?)
Probably more later this week.
Again, thank you all so much for being there with your prayers and words. Just to let you know, I visit them in the morning/afternoon most of the time, and write in the evening. If I hear how things go this evening I'll post.
Peace my friends.....
Mary
Remember that song? I remember it from one of those golden oldie commercials from the '80s. That's all of the song I remember......That's about what today was like.....
After a having a day of friends and family come by and offer words of comfort and support, today began with the knowledge that surgery would come at some point. Pam & Chuck spent a lot of time with Makenzie early this morning. She was tired after trying to cough to alleviate fluid (this of course while heavily, heavily sedated). She hears and understands what is being said in the room. She was also having some fever. This is pretty normal stuff for someone in ICU, but it is hard to watch. They were beginning to prep her for surgery. I have been back to the ICU almost daily. She does look better, but I admit that I would just like to see her open her eyes and smile.... It does get discouraging at times. Pretty sure Pam & Chuck are feeling it today. The ortho doc came out to talk to them about today's procedure; Rods, plates, repair, cleaning of lacerations and deep cuts......Questions......fears......doubts.....Monday. Day of getting back to business. Getting to the business of putting their daughter back together. Though we all want to ask why, we are ever so thankful we have this option. Things could have been so much worse....
So, here we go. Makenzie went into surgery finally around 3pm. Leg work today. Still LOTS of concern about her left heel. Chuck specifically wants prayer about this issue. Too complicated to describe here. Just do it.
Tomorrow; surgery on her face and jaw. Lots of broken bones in the cheek, broken jaw. (I told ya she took a beating didn't I?)
Probably more later this week.
Again, thank you all so much for being there with your prayers and words. Just to let you know, I visit them in the morning/afternoon most of the time, and write in the evening. If I hear how things go this evening I'll post.
Peace my friends.....
Mary
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Day 3-Sunday
Sundays at hospitals are a busy place. Lots of family and friends visiting Mackenzie and her family today. Pam & Chuck are starting to get a little more rest, and today their spirits were better. They are so encouraged by your many thoughts, cards and prayers. The reality of just how really close to total disaster Makenzie was in is starting to set in. We are so fortunate to have her alive at all.....the thoughts are very overwhelming. Again, thank you all so much for lifting Makenzie and the family in prayer.
Makenzie may have surgery either this evening or in the morning on her lower legs. There is some cleaning/draining to do on her many injuries,and the surgeons are looking more carefully at her feet, particularly her left foot and heel. There is a lot of damage here. Please keep this area specifically in your prayers. Tuesday she will have surgery to repair the broken bones in her face and possibly her jaw.
As you can see, lots of surgery this week. And has hospitals go, you're never really sure when it's going to happen. When I know something, I will post. The goal is to keep Makenzie heavily sedated and in a semi-conscious state until a majority of the surgeries are over. At that point they will let her wake up. Will let you know when that happens. I'm praying that maybe Mother's Day would be a good time. What a great gift to Pam and the family that would be!
Much love and peace to you all...
Mary
Makenzie may have surgery either this evening or in the morning on her lower legs. There is some cleaning/draining to do on her many injuries,and the surgeons are looking more carefully at her feet, particularly her left foot and heel. There is a lot of damage here. Please keep this area specifically in your prayers. Tuesday she will have surgery to repair the broken bones in her face and possibly her jaw.
As you can see, lots of surgery this week. And has hospitals go, you're never really sure when it's going to happen. When I know something, I will post. The goal is to keep Makenzie heavily sedated and in a semi-conscious state until a majority of the surgeries are over. At that point they will let her wake up. Will let you know when that happens. I'm praying that maybe Mother's Day would be a good time. What a great gift to Pam and the family that would be!
Much love and peace to you all...
Mary
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Day 2
Makenzie is still stable, running a little bit of fever which is normal for the injuries she has. Pam (her mom) has been sitting in the room with her for much of the day. Pam said she opened one of her eyes a couple of times and looked at her while the ICU team was checking her. Makenzie has had many visitors today. Our younger sister Melinda arrived this morning with her family and I know that Pam & Chuck are so very appreciative of their being here. Pam & Chuck finally got some much needed sleep last night at the Ronald McDonald House. They will be staying there for awhile. Kaleb and his girlfriend Raynie are tending to many of Pam & Chuck's personal needs and running many errands for them. I think I can speak on the family's behalf and say thank you to so so many of you for your prayers. I can only wish I had time to tell you what God has already done for Makenzie. She does have a long journey ahead.
Last year I trained for the Houston Marathon. Marathons are 26.2 miles in legnth. At first I wasn't sure I would be able to run 26 miles. It's a long way. It's the distance from my house to downtown Houston. Would I ever do that for fun? 26 miles. How do you run 26 miles? You take one step at a time. You run one mile at a time. Then two. Then four. When you train to run long distances, you know you have to run a long way. If you think only about how far you have to go, you may not even put your running clothes on and get out the door! Too freaking far! IF however, you think about running one mile, then the next mile, then getting a drink of water, then running to mile 5 and choke down a chocolate sugar filled GU supplement, etc, pretty soon you get some serious miles behind you! Yeah, it's hard. It's almost unthinkable. And yes, it's do-able.
That's what this journey for Makenzie will be like. It's what this road will be like for her parents, family and friends. One day at a time, one surgery at a time, one significant step at a time. Pray for what is next......
Next surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. The surgeons will be working on the broken bones on the left side of her face and jaw. Pray for this surgery. Also pray for her left heel.
Thank you my friens......
Mary
Last year I trained for the Houston Marathon. Marathons are 26.2 miles in legnth. At first I wasn't sure I would be able to run 26 miles. It's a long way. It's the distance from my house to downtown Houston. Would I ever do that for fun? 26 miles. How do you run 26 miles? You take one step at a time. You run one mile at a time. Then two. Then four. When you train to run long distances, you know you have to run a long way. If you think only about how far you have to go, you may not even put your running clothes on and get out the door! Too freaking far! IF however, you think about running one mile, then the next mile, then getting a drink of water, then running to mile 5 and choke down a chocolate sugar filled GU supplement, etc, pretty soon you get some serious miles behind you! Yeah, it's hard. It's almost unthinkable. And yes, it's do-able.
That's what this journey for Makenzie will be like. It's what this road will be like for her parents, family and friends. One day at a time, one surgery at a time, one significant step at a time. Pray for what is next......
Next surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. The surgeons will be working on the broken bones on the left side of her face and jaw. Pray for this surgery. Also pray for her left heel.
Thank you my friens......
Mary
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