Sunday, December 4, 2011

Still Comatose

Claire (PK's mom), Christine (his younger sister) and I spent much of the day with Patrick today in the ICU. I'm fairly delirious right now, so I do hope this makes some sense:

He's still in his medically-induced coma, as the drs monitor any potential seizure activity. So far there has been none, since his big seizure early this morning around 1am. Granted, he's on a heavy dosage of anti-seizure drugs, so he shouldn't head in that direction anytime soon. They performed another CT scan this morning, and compared it to last night's scan, and it looks the same -- which is great news! There appears to be no brain swelling or bleeding. They also performed an extended EEG, where they mapped his brain waves while in the medically-induced coma, and while attempting to wake him up out of his stupor. He appeared to have very regular brainwave activity, and no seizures or spikes in the wiggly lines on the screen. So, that is also a good thing. With the help of Steve and Nancy Skancke, we tried to wake him up today (per the drs request), so he was a passive participant to Steve's crazy stories and rambling antics, and a victim to Nancy's feet tickling. Both caused a few stirs, and once he  peeped his eyes open, but only just for a second. Because he's responding, even if very minimally, the drs are encouraged that there is likely not severe brain damage (if any).

After awhile, they decided to re-administer the sleep agent so that he could rest deeply, while they adjusted his anti-seizure meds tonight. They will try again in the morning to wake him up. If they can receive certain signs of cognitive awareness, they will extubate him, and pull all the other various tubes that are poking their way uncomfortably into his body and various orifices. (Ahem.)  I assume he will be fairly uncomfortable when he awakes, but we hope he DOES wake up.

Days ago I was bemoaning the thought of living with a (even if partially) disabled husband for awhile, and now I'm just hoping for another day, week or year with him. He's a fighter, and I trust/hope that God is not yet done with him on this Earth. (I know that I'm certainly not done with him!)

Will you pray with me...
...that he'll wake up out of his coma tomorrow?
...that there will be no long-term effects from his seizure (or the coma)?
...that the drs will find the answer to his rapidly declining neurological state?
...and that they will have wisdom as to whether or not to continue chemo at this point?


We covet your prayers, friendship, concern, well wishes and words of encouragement. Patrick is sleeping soundly tonight, and he's being monitored very closely - so that gives me a wee bit of peace right now, as I anticipate another rough and tiring day tomorrow! My folks are here, and plan to take Cecilia back to PA with them in the morning, so that takes a large load of worries and responsibility off of my proverbial plate.

30 comments:

  1. Continuing to pray - stay strong!!

    Mary Kay

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  2. Praying for him and for your strength!

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  3. We are praying dear one!! Know that you, PK, Ceci and the doctors/nursing team are all being lifted up tonight! May you be surrounded by His angels...

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  4. Julie - Rick and I are praying. Our friends and family are praying. For PK, for You. Reading your posts, we know that God is with you and we can see His hand in your responses. We love you all.

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  5. We are praying here for Patrick and all of you. we send our love to you guys!

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  6. Our LifeGroup here in Maryland prayed together tonight for Patrick and for you Julie.

    And in answer to your question:

    Yes, we are praying ...that he'll wake up out of his coma tomorrow.

    Yes, we are praying ...that there will be no long-term effects from his seizure (or the coma).

    Yes, we are praying...that the drs will find the answer to his rapidly declining neurological state.

    Yes, we are praying ...that they will have wisdom as to whether or not to continue chemo at this point.

    We are reminded again of Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)

    13 I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the LORD
    in the land of the living.
    14 Wait for the LORD;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the LORD.

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  7. You've all been on my heart last night and today. Pray that comfort and peace will abide with you tonight as you rest.

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  8. The Gammels love you! We'll be praying.

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  9. Patrick and you all will be in my prayers. May his body fully recover. -Patrick

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  10. We are praying here too, night and day. We love you guys so much.
    -Andrea & Pete

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  11. You all remain in our prayers and we are believing God for Patrick's complete recovery.

    Anthony & Nicci Kirlew

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  12. Julie... praying hard at this moment for PK, you, the rest of your family. Wish we could be there to hold yours and Patricks hand, but please know we are there in spirit. Love you guys!

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  13. Julie,
    I know you don't know Sharon or me, and frankly, Patrick and I have only shared one meal and deep conversation together years ago, so I don't really qualify as a friend. But I have felt my heart go out to him over all the years I have known him and his parents, and I am thankful that the music has been helpful in some small way. Sharon and I continue to pray for Patrick and you and all his loved ones every night, and we will continue to do so.
    Peace of Christ to you,
    Jeff Bjorck

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  14. Dear Patrick and Julie,
    I just want to let you know we're praying for you during this amazingly difficult time. I also wanted to pass on the web site of a friend of mine that suffered a brain stem stroke about 3 years ago. Hopefully it can be an example of Hope in the midst of much pain and suffering. She's gone through more surgeries and physical therapy than you want to know about. www.hope-heals.com and an older site (where you can go to the beginning of her saga) www.katherinewolf.info They had a 6 month old baby at the time of her stroke and now he's 4. You can definitely see how the Lord held (and continues to hold) them through such a crazy time.

    Many prayers, Daisy Elliott Balding

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  15. St Paul's prayed together for you yesterday. Come Lord Jesus. Bring your kingdom wholeness.

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  16. Dear Julie, words fail us, but please know that all of you remain in our thoughts and prayers.
    From Tucson with love, Jeff and Martha

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  17. Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Hang in there, Julie. Laura and I both really believe in you AND Patrick and are standing with you.

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  18. Oh Julie.... Sending you and Patrick and Ceci and Christine lots of love and encouragement. I can't imagine how difficult and emotionally exhausting this must be for you. May you find strength and peace. Big hugs to you, my friend.

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  19. Lord, we earnestly seek your miraculous healing for Patrick. Would you bring the relief of good news today? Grant the doctors wisdom, and give comfort to Julie and all of Patrick's loved ones as the watch and wait and pray. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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  20. praying for your precious family, julie. praying for patrick's complete healing, and for the Lord to carry you and lift this burden... with love, jessica cooper and family

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  21. We love you all, Julie and continue to pray but will gather all 5 of us tonight to specifically pray for these things. I've been praying for you to feel how so very near the Lord is and for Patrick to feel it too while he sleeps. You are amazing.
    Cheryl

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  22. Praying for you and your family!

    God hears and cares for us all, but he has also anointed certain people/communities with the gift of healing. Bethel Church in Redding, CA, is one of those communities. I encourage you to check out their website. They have countless, amazing testimonies of God's healing in the most dire of circumstances. And thankfully, they have prayer ministers available by phone and Skype.

    Here is their website:
    http://www.ibethel.org/healing-rooms-ministry

    And here is the link to recent testimonies from their Skype healing ministry:
    http://www.ibethel.org/healing-rooms-skype-testimonies

    God works through any means!

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  23. In praying this morning I ask our Lord for a scripture and this is what he gave me.

    Mal 4.2 But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.

    Georgia and I are continuing to pray. Blessing and peace be upon you and all concerned during this trying time.

    Jerry Oakes

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  24. I am praying for you and Patrick today, Julie. Peace to you.
    Lisa Campbell, Kristins cousin

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  25. Praying for you all - with much love trust and hope,
    Liz and Simon Gray

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  26. Just gettin the news of Patrick. Praying!!!!

    Kevin R.

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  27. O Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, Physician of souls and bodies, who didst become man and suffer death on the Cross for our salvation, and through thy tender love and compassion didst thou heal all manner of sickness and affliction; do thou O Lord, visit Patrick in his suffering, and grant him grace and strength to bear this sickness with which he is afflicted, with Christian patience and submission to thy will, trusting in the loving kindness and tender mercy. Bless, I pray thee, the means used for his recovery, and those who administer them. Have compassion on him, and let mercy and justice meet; and deliver him from this sickness and suffering he is undergoing. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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  28. Prayers are with you Julie, Patrick and Ceci during this scary time. Thank you for taking the time to let us know how best to pray for you! In Him, the Parrotts (St. Pauls)

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  29. We are praying for you and Patrick. Love, Claire and David Hughes

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  30. Please know that the Falls Church Fellows prayed fervently for Patrick's healing tonight. Also for peace and comfort for you all, and that God's glory would be evident through all. Morna and Chris Comeau and the Falls Church Fellows.

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Thanks for your prayers!