Yesterday we were talking with doctors about helping Shannon with her breathing, the need for the ventilator tube to come out and the trach tube to go in. Today we have been talking to doctors about her getting off the ventilator completely in the very near future, and the trach coming out soon after.
In the world of medical trauma- things change quickly, we are learning. It's hard to process everything that happens day by day, sometimes hour by hour. I'm struggling even to understand what has happened in the last 11 days, with perfect hindsight. How well she overcomes her injuries depends on Shannon and the fight in her- and she is blowing us away with her progress. I know it's not her alone, I know she is extremely blessed and all the prayers on her behalf are working. In a word, what we are seeing is miraculous. There is no other way to explain it.
We started with Shannon in critical condition with all her vital organs and spine in trauma, and now we are only dealing with two major issues:
First- Shannon's lung function is the last 'critical' issue, with regards to her vital organs keeping her alive. Her heart is doing well, her brain function is back-- she is off sedation and wide awake. She understands everything going on around her and what has happened to her. She is responding to us with nods and shakes of her head, smiles and waves. The trach prevents her from talking, and she doesn't have enough control of her hands to write yet. But she listens, she smiles and responds however she can, she cries. Her being awake is exactly what we feared it would be like when they took her of sedation. She's frustrated with her inability to talk and express herself, she is alone, she needs us, and we can't be there. It's heartbreaking. BUT....she is back. I don't imagine it will be long before she talking again, looking up funny memes, and quoting all her favorite movies. I'm sure she will make a "bored in the hospital" playlist. She loves her music!
Second is the spine. We don't know what we are dealing with yet as far as extent of injury, it's way too soon to tell. But seeing how Shannon is being healed in such a prompt and thorough fashion, we are letting ourselves hope for the very best- a full recovery. And if that's not what God has in mind for Shannon, we are happy to have our girl back with us, and are ready to help her live the fullest life possible. When she is past the need for the SICU, and she switches to a neuro-spine rehabilitation hospital, she will still have a long hard road ahead of her. Hopefully we can be with her.
Please don't stop the prayers! We still need them. Please pray for Shannon to continue her recovery and full use of her lungs, for Shannon to be comforted and feel peace-to not be afraid, for her spinal cord to heal and allow her to live a full life, and for the doctors and medical staff helping her to know what's best for her care. We are all hanging in there, and feeling your love and support. Thank you.
Shannon's not wasting any time with her healing- so here's my guess at her movie quote-
Thatch: "Will you look at the size of this? It's gotta be half a mile high, at least. It must have taken hundred- no, thousands of years to carve this thing." [Vinny blows it up and it falls over a chasm]
Vinny: "Hey, look, I made a bridge. It only took me like, what? Ten seconds? Eleven, tops." Disney's Atlantis :)
Our God is a God of miracles. His hand is so abundantly obvious in Shannon's progress. I pray for you and Lancer - that God would provide you with grace, patience and understanding. I can only imagine how difficult it is to be relating to Shannon at a distance. Sounds like she is a strong person and understands. Keep singing and praying. Our prayers are being answered! Healing takes perseverance, focus and strength. She's ready! In God's abundant grace, Patti
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